Reminiscing: How Far I've Come.

Welcome Back Readers~

I was reminded this weekend about how far I've come since the early years of special education. For those of you who are new, special education can be classified in several ways: 1) a group of people with various disabilities in a specific classroom who are attempting to mainstream into the public school system..2) a type of education specially designed to assist in the learning process of a specific person etc..

In this case, I am talking about the first classic definition. I myself was put into a classroom which we lovingly named "Room 54: where are you" in which I learned the necessary skills to succeed in the regular classes. I was among friends with dwarfism, ADHD, CP, and other disabilities. In this class, not only to learn academically but some social skills that I would need to survive in the outside world.

A recent movie on CBS called A Smile As Big As the Moon starring John Corbett also illustrated the experience I had. In this movie, the group bonds over trying to learn the necessary skills in order to attend Space Camp. It also highlights the difficulties I faced while trying to mainstream myself into the public school. The movie will re-air on Sunday or Saturday (I'm not sure which) on the Hallmark Channel for those of you who have the channel. I would encourage you to watch it if you have a child going through the mainstream proces or just someone with a disability!

My New Apartment

Welcome Back~

So it's been a little longer than I planned in writing this blog; but it's been a transition on my end. I went from having several hours on my own plan and write to having almost full-time care and supervision. I don't blame the state though, they're doing what they think is best. It's just one of those times where I don't really appreciate the label of a quadriplegic...

Still, it's hard to deny see God's hand at work through it all; hence, Sundays sermon called "Trust In Transition"-something I still have difficulty doing. Anyway, I will post some pictures when I get a chance...

Encouragement: New Year, New Chapter!

Hello Again, Friends ~

It's hard to believe that it's been almost a month since I had time to write on this blog. The truth is, our family had been through a lot during this time that writing here has been the furthest thing from my mind. Now that things have called down somewhat, though, I feel I owe you an explanation for my absence.

To begin with, there was the unexpected death of my sister-in-law's mother that reminded me how fragile life can be. Her example gives me yet another reason to believe that living a Christian life boldly has the capability to change the lives of the ones around you, but those of complete strangers. It also got me in touch with some classic hymns that I'd practically forgotten about from childhood; there's one in particular that come to mind. The title is: Because He Lives, Lyrics Written by Bill and Gloria Gaither. The chorus lyrics are as follows:

"Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.

Because He lives, All fear is gone.

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living just because He lives."

Sometimes it's hard enough to remember that we don't control our situations; But God does. Well, the same goes for our future. God loves us so much that he's invested himself in you and me and what bigger sacrifice can there be than that? I'm just sayin'!

As many of you know, I'm also beginning a new chapter in my life as I have decided to rent an apartment with a friend of mine from church. The next few weeks will be an adjustment for me as I deal with new challenges both financially and emotionally. Still, I know God has some lessons for me to learn in terms of my independence otherwise he wouldn't have placed such an opportunity in my midst. Whatever happens, I will rest on the promises laid for me in this hymnal and Bible verses such as Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you.. To give you a future and a hope"

Anyhow, as I make such an adjustment over the next few days, please don't be disappointed if I don't write on here as often as I should-at least in the beginning anyway. You see, I'm not scheduled to have Internet until Tuesday of next week at my new place; but you can be sure that I will keep you updated on my new adventures. Being away from the blog this past week has taught me how lucky I am to have a voice in order to speak my mind despite having a disability. But let me explain why; along with being busy this week, I had a sickness that caused me to lose my voice..

As a result, I was not able to use my voice recognition software to write or use the computer. This experience gave me a glimpse of what it must have been like for people with disabilities with an high intelligence who were unable to use their hands. I am lucky that technology has made such advances to help people in my circumstance.