Encouragement: New Lease On Life

Hey Guys~

It's Friday with record high temperatures of 112 degrees here in Virginia and I'll be honest, I'm glad to be inside. Although after over a month of doctor appointments and hospital stays, I'm having my ups and downs with "cabin fever": you probably would to if you had daily infusions of antibiotics and you had to be home for weekly blood draws as well.

All in all, I'm happy to be alive. There's something to be said for hindsight because if you would have told me I would have a new lease on life after being in the hospital for a total of about three weeks (both of my hospital stays are included here), I would have said you were crazy. But it's so true. Life without the baclofen pump is so much happier. Doctors disagreed with me for years when I told them the baclofen flowing straight to my brain through my spinal fluid was causing my mood swings or feelings of depression saying there was no "conclusive" evidence linking the two. Maybe they're right, but I have never laughed more since having the pump out and taking oral baclofen. (For those of you who are new readers, the baclofen pump had to be taken out because of a severe infection in my back). Not only that, I feel like I can think clearer than I have been in years. Now, I feel like I am not only interacting with the world around me but enjoying my life.

Taking all of this into account, I came across this song "What Life Would Be Like" and it accurately describes the new lease on life that I feel I have. I am alive for a reason-to interact with the world and make it better by giving people hope in the midst of dark times. Just like God gave me hope

Please take the time to really listen to this song and examine your heart. You might be surprised at what you find...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdbPynNI9Xo&ob=av3e

The Dentist

Hey Guys~


As I will be (or have been already since I'm writing this post a little later) to the dentist, I thought my readers might appreciate this website link. This website clearly explains why children with CP have a hard time at the dentist since they have a tendency to move around in an effort to try and relax their muscles.

http://www.dentalville.com/?p=432

My take on CP

Welcome Back Readers~
　
So it has come to my attention that Saturday was CP Awareness Day. It's funny though; I know about disability awareness month, but didn't realize there was a official day highlighting my disability. Or maybe I did and just don't remember. Anyway, what can I say about CP? Sure, I could give you the medical jargon as it relates to my condition but you could find that anywhere. Instead, I went like to share something more personal. I've always said that every trial in life provides us with a unique opportunity- to learn more about ourselves while developing our character.
　
True, all I've ever known is CP. I wasn't disabled in a car accident or anything like that. I was born this way- CREATED this way- for a reason. Now, for some people, this may be a hard concept to swallow. Why? It's hard to fathom that a loving God would allow anything to happen to one of his children. Today's world is too focused this idea of perfection. The perfect career, the perfect marriage- these things don't exist. It's an unattainable goal. The only thing that we have to do is try our best and lean on God to provide the rest.

That's hard for some of us to do these days.. Sit back and relax, relying on something bigger than us.

Now to the question of the day: Would I change things? My knee-jerk reaction would be yes. Things would be a lot simpler if I was able to walk and take care of myself. But then again, would I be me? Would I have the same personality and character if I weren't disabled. My instincts tell me no.. But no one really knows the answer to that, except God.

All I know is I have learned so much living with a disability. Here are just a few of the important lessons that have impacted my life.

1) Dependence is a good thing!

2) It's Okay To Ask For Help

3) We Are All Connected

Makeover for 23-year-old young woman on the Tyra Banks show.

Okay,

So it looks like I'm going to be snowed in for another big snowstorm. Over the last the last couple of months, Virginia has said records amounts of snow. Not that I mind, but that's one of the positives to moving here and what do we get? I can't figure it out.. I guess this will allow me the time to catch up on some writing projects. That being said, I haven't forgotten about my promise to continue my series on Patrick Henry's I am Potential. That blog post was scheduled for Wednesday, but it's going to take me a few hours to figure out where I left off in the book and write an adequate post. So look for it later on this weekend..

Today, I want to highlight something very special on my blog. I just happened to be watching the Tyra Banks show and see clips from upcoming shows. In my area, the Tyra Banks show is shown during the three o'clock and four o'clock time slot . Well, I just happened to be watching the three o'clock episode oddly featuring women who are newly divorced and struggling to find themselves again- but that's besides the point. Anyway, they previewed clips from her next show which included random strangers who thought they had fashion sense trying to make over some of the people on the streets of New York. me tell you, the people with fashion sense were right to pick the people they did because their transformations were amazing..

Part of the show included Tyra telling this inspirational story of meeting one of her fans on the street. This fan, named Janelle,, who happens to be in a wheelchair with CP, was "walking" with her mother and just happened to see Tyra up ahead. Obviously, Janelle wanted to meet her. So her mother introduced the two of them. But you know what the first thing Janelle said was? It was: "Tyra, I want a makeover!"

So that's what Tyra did.

Turns out, Janelle avidly watches America's Next Top Model, so as part of the surprise, she had two of her favorite models Yvonne and Aminat to help out.

Janelle wanted to make over.. but why? She puts it best saying, "She wanted to prove that people in wheelchairs would like makeovers once in a while,"

In the end, Janelle came out wearing a pink sweater with some kind of Leopard print underneath and black tights. She was also accessorized with a pink headband.

I applaud Tyra so much for doing that for Janelle. Like her, I have never disabled models in media, which is something I would like to see more of.

-- --

Citation:

Citation for TV Program: the Tyra Show: CW channel 3 or 463 (WDCW or WDCWDT) February 5 at 4 PM

Growing Problems in Adults with CP.

Welcome Back~

Okay, so silly me.. I can't remember whether I posted this article before or not. This article makes some startling revelations as to the growing number of health problems in adults with CP. I know it's true because I've already experienced a few of these problems myself. But I figure if you know what to expect, then you are better prepared for what may come in the future. That's what I keep telling myself anyway.

http://physical-disabilities.suite101.com/article.cfm/cerebral_palsy_in_adults

On a personal note, I realize that I have yet to finish my book review of Patrick Henry's book, I Am Potential. For those of you looking forward to the continuation of the series, I am truly sorry it's taken me so long. I have every intention of finishing it- starting Wednesdays from now on. I will do my best to start where I left off, but I really can't be sure if I'm doing so because I'm going from a audio book. Also, if you have any other suggestions or comments, feel free to e-mail me.

A picture is worth 1000 words

So,

Settling in for another rough day, I had every intention of not posting or just simply writing something about the different reactions we get as a disabled community. But that all changed when I realized I had another follower added to my site. Like I do with most of my followers, I like to see what their up against in this journey called "life" . So I decided to check out her blog. It wasn't just her short and sweet attitude and humility towards her son's disability that touched me, but the music she had on her page. She once again reminded me of how lucky I am to be alive and grateful. Whether or not, I feel it I am still God's child.

This website might provide a change of perspective from my readers. It certainly did for me.

Welcome to my readership, MK!
http://mybutterflyadventures2007.blogspot.com/

The End of Summer

Welcome Back ~

I'm behind again, I know. Lately, the weeks have passed by without me really noticing. It's not that I haven't really had fun this summer. I have. But I have come to realize that as adults, summer is just another day where you have to work in order to survive. After all, that's how we make a living, right?

I'm not so sure about that. Sitting down to write this post, I didn't really know what I was going to say. So I decided to highlight one of the links I had saved for just such an occasion. This features a article highlighting a new camp that takes children with disabilities and turns them into rock stars. For once, they don't have to concentrate on their disability, they can just be who they are- kids! Be sure to take a look: Http://www.ocregister.com/articles/orange-camp-sense-2477654-real-treated

As an adult, this camp reminds me of the special times I had at Camp Maria. The camp, specially designed for people with CP as well as other disabilities is now shut down. But I will carry those memories with me forever.

But who says kids with disabilities get to have all the fun? My friends at Joni & Friends are proving that summer retreats can be for families as well. Since the 90s, her organization has provided retreats from the daily grinds of life. Check out this website for more information:http://www.joniandfriends.org/pg_retreats.php

Encouragement: Just Be Yourself

Welcome Back~

Over the years, I continue to be amazed at how much God has blessed me in my life. All too often, people go through their life wondering what their to do in this world. I am very grateful that God allowed my gift for writing to surface right away; that way, I was able to harness my craft as well as see my personal growth through it all. I am not the only person to be blessed with this gift. A recent article highlights the remarkable story of a 12-year-old boy with cerebral palsy who undergoes art therapy. During this process, not only does he discover a God given talent, but realizes the importance of being yourself.

A basic note:Typical art therapy consists of a therapist helping the patient maneuver through the strokes and movements required to complete the drawing. The trouble with this is the therapist finds themselves doing most of the work, while the patient is along for the ride!

Take a look at this story here: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09204/985720-58.stm?cmpid=news.xml

Encouragement: How Far Would You Go to Tell People about CP?

Hey Guys~

I know it's been a while since I've regularly updated this blog, I'm sorry! I'm just now starting to get a hold on things. Maybe just me, but I seem to be having a hard time getting back into the routine of real-life and I don't know why. It's not like I have these amazing pressures coming back right after the cruise. Oh well.

Now that I have a lot of links that I can feature on the blog. Things should return to normal soon enough!

But back to the question I posed earlier. How far would you go to get people more involved in learning or helping out with your disability causes? According to a recent article, some people would go to great links. Ben Dobson is one such individual. Recently, he participated in the annual Benjamin Franklin Memorial Poker Run. During this event, hundreds of motorcycles gathered and drove around town, stopping at several pubs along the way. This event was put together in a effort to help people with CP as well as other physical disability.

So what makes Ben so special?

He actually rented a Harley-Davidson motorcycle to attend the event!

To find out more, please go to:

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20090726/NEWS01/907260542/1001/NEWS

It's been one of those weeks

Hey Guys~

My apologies, it's just been one of those weeks. You know the kind I'm talking about.. the kind where you are once again reminded about permanence of your situation. Your days are consumed with therapy and doctors appointments. You know they have your "best interest" at heart, but you just want to be left alone to live your life. You need to get away, time to breathe and be yourself. You need to remember how special you are in your family's eyes as well as God. After having 14 shots of Botox and training yet another personal assistant, you have no idea how much I was looking forward to this weekend. Maybe it's just me but I don't feel as if this round of Botox is working like the last one. Although, with this stressful life I live, so many factors could influence it.. As I'm writing this, even, I'm wearing a plastic wrist splint on my left arm and having spasms..

Anyway, these are the days and weeks that I need to be lifted up to "higher ground". This idea is not a new one. In fact last night I came across this devotional than I thought I would share with you. It involves one of my mentors, Joni Erickson Tada. In that, she tells the story of one time she was in a car accident on the way to a speaking engagement. They looked to see whether her legs were swollen-a signal to her that something was going wrong in her body. At first, nothing happened and they proceeded to the airport.

In her own words, I will continue the story: "All seemed fine, so we cautiously proceeded on to the airport. Midway through our flight, my leg began to swell. When we arrived at our destination, an ambulance took me to the hospital where x-rays confirmed I had broken my leg. It was 3:30 a.m. by the time they put on a cast and released me to go back to our hotel. To calm my nerves, I asked God if he would give me a hymn to sing. Immediately, I began humming, "Lord, lift me up and let me stand, by faith on heaven's tableland; a higher plain than I have found - Lord, plant my feet on higher ground." The next day I traveled onto Lancaster Bible College to give the commencement address. As I sat on the platform, the graduation program began with a hymn. The audience stood and sang - I couldn't believe it! - "Still praying as I'm onward bound, 'Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.'" In that moment, she was reminded of God and his constant presence in every circumstances.

Next time you feel down, look around God shows himself in many different ways. I have to remember my citizenship is that of Heaven. Where no pain and discomfort exists

Speaking out.. Sometimes We Don't Give Life Enough Credit

Okay,

First off, I have passed by the subject several times thinking this is just minority opinion. After all, not everyone believes that having a disability (physical or otherwise) is the end-all of life, right? According to all the media attention, it speaks with a negative perception of disability. In other words, people seem to prefer death over disability. Being a communications major, I question the validity of such a survey- how it was done, how many people were surveyed, how the survey was distributed etc.

On a personal level, I can't help but be appalled. After all, it is people like me that the media is speaking of. They are not giving the power of the human spirit or life itself enough credit. Yes, sometimes it would be easier to give up; but think about who you would be leaving behind. Now, some people may say, I have no one. I once heard a saying that went something like this, "Never forget you are someone in this world, because you mean the world to someone. " That's absolutely true. People are impacted by you, by me whether we realize it or not. To dismiss that fact would be a great disservice.

I'm sorry but I can't help but think it's articles like these that help to encourage the public view. It's hard enough having to deal with the realities of a disability, but to be pitied for it. That's makes it twice as difficult. You see, having a disability is more of a inner battle then an outer one. Every day is a conscience choice to live my life, despite my fears, insecurities but most importantly, my feelings. I choose to live for something bigger than myself. In my case, it's my faith. For some, it may also include family and friends. So, if any of my readers ever happen to encounter a difficult situation, please give yourselves a chance. Don't give up. Life is worth living. No matter the circumstance.

To my disabled friends, let's keep living proving the article wrong. Everyone on this earth can make a difference. In fact, I think I'm going to make this week a perfect example. For the rest of the week, I am going to feature people who are disabled that have made a difference with their lives. Some of them have been featured before on this blog, but I think this is so important.

Sincerely,

Debbie

___________

Below is another person's view on this controversial article

Please feel free to take a look

http://fatjacksrants.blogspot.com/2008/07/us-perception-of-disability-not-good.html

Jesus Christ is in everything

Okay,

So it's a Sunday and I couldn't help writing a post early. I feel like I should have gone to church today, but I can't. We don't have a church here yet; I know at some point we will though. That's good because I need somewhere to belong right now. I thought about this yesterday while reading a blog of my friends and trying to catch up on the hundreds of e-mails I had.

One of the earlier blog posts caught my attention. It was "Finding Jesus Christ in Cerebral Palsy ." That is a very bold statement. It's not a statement really but a declaration. The author continues by saying that as he got older he began to stop wishing to be healed and saw his circumstance for what it was.. a gift from God. Using 2nd Corinthians 12:7-10, he supports his assertions by saying every circumstance - even his disability- is a unique experience that is meant to bring glory to God. That struck me. I had always been told that while I was growing up. I believe that too; it's just that as you get older, the world tries to get a hold of you. It's a constant struggle to remain focused. Another verse that pertains to this topic is 2nd Corinthians 12:9 which says,

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Having said that, I am also reminded of an old college saying,: "... that in all things Christ must have preeminence ."


http://lifefaithdisability.wordpress.com/2008/06/28/christ-in-cerebral-palsy/