Quick update

Hey Guys~
For those of you that don't know, I've been in the hospital for the last two weeks fighting a infection. The infection started in my back and continued to infect my baclofen pump and some of the screws in my back: as a result, my pump had to be removed as well as some of my screws in the back. Now, I'm on oral baclofen three doses a day both morning and night. I'm also taking Iv medications as well as some other medications..

But really it's not as bad as it sounds... I'm glad to be home

Candid Camera is back on television

Welcome back, everyone!

Happy late Memorial day to all my readers! Let me begin this post with a great debt of gratitude to all of you that have served or are serving in the military. It's because of you that we enjoy the freedom of America on a daily basis. May we never lose sight of that... God bless America!

The weekend was beautiful, yet hectic one for my family. For the last few weeks, I have been without my regular personal assistant because of a lapse in my waiver from Virginia: in that respect, I'm lucky I live at home so it hasn't been a big problem because someone is always around. Still, it worries me that this kind of thing can be allowed to lapse if you're not careful. The good news is, I'm approved and back on the waiver with another agency. Now, I'm just waiting for my personal assistant to start again on Monday: unexpected circumstances have kept her out of work until Monday.

On Saturday, my family and I had friends from church over for a barbecue. It was nice to see my parents connecting with people again: it's been a long time coming and I know they've missed it as much as I have. On Sunday, we went to church as usual and then had dinner with my brother and his family. On Monday, it was off to a cookout at my brother's. To top it off, we've had our roof repaired for the last few days. As you can imagine, we're all exhausted-especially my dad; to be honest, I don't know how he does it...


That being said, I thought this post was the perfect way to begin the week. I've heard it said that "Laughter is the best medicine": well, we're in luck.. Candid Camera is back on television.. The thirty minute program premiered on the Gospel Music Channel on Tuesday at its regular time (10 AM). Hosted by Peter Funt and Suzanne Somers, this program takes a quick look at the funniest candid moments of the early 90s.

So if you're ever in the mood for a laugh, you know where to find it!

Encouragement: Honoring Mattie Stepanek

As many of you may know, Oprah's last show is this week. While I don't agree with many of her perspectives on faith etc., she has introduced the world to several inspiring people her time on the air. One of them being 13-year-old Mattie Stepanek. I featured him several years back because of his outspoken views on peace and living the best you can through whatever circumstances God gives you...

You see, Mattie was born with muscular dystrophy despite this devastating diagnosis, he used his time on this Earth wisely by spreading the message of hope to everyone he came in contact with. Despite his youth, he had wisdom beyond his years. He even went as far as publishing two books entitled Heart Songs and Journey through heart songs, which went on to be put to music with the help of country music star Billy Gilman.

You can find more about his books and CD on Amazon.com. One of his most famous sayings was:: "We are a mosaic of gifts and each of us has our own inner beauty no matter how we look,"

In the most recent interview with Mattie's, we find that his message lives on. In his final hours, he never gave up the positive attitude by "challenging his mom to inhale. Do not breathe to simply exist"

The "Uplift Someone" campaign on GMC TV

Happy Monday!

I am pleased to start this week on a good note, with the help of GMC TV's newest campaign. Ifyou are familiar with the ad, Nick Lachey shares the ability we all have to brighten someone's day by doing something unexpected and showing you care. It's a powerful message! To find out more about the initiative, you can click here: http://www.watchgmctv.com/news/press/gmc-launches-its-biggest-ever-pro-social-initiative-uplift-someone-advertising-agency-upf.

To take part in the project, consider doing something for someone or purchasing the "uplift" bracelet to remind yourself of the cause. They can be found here:

http://www.watchgmctv.com/uplift

Lady Gaga Lyrics for Her Newest Single, "Born This Way"

Welcome Back, Everyone~

Okay, so I'm having a bit of a debate with myself while writing this post. First of all, I don't want my readers to think I am a fan of Lady Gaga or all of her music because I'm not. Second of all, I am conflicted with with a majority of the lyrics of her song. Still, I find the concept of her newest single "Born This Way" to have a ring of truth as it relates to the disabled community itself. Although some of the stances are clearly used to share a political opinion, the overall message remains the same.. "... I was born this way" and "God makes no mistakes"

The full lyrics can be found here (http://www.metrolyrics.com/born-this-way-lyrics-lady-gaga.html?flv=1. Along with that, here is a deaf person's take on the song-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8FzGJfsEZQ (presented in American sign language)

I apologize if this post offends anybody, but I thought the "concept" of the song was worth sharing.. I'm still not sure if I'm doing the right thing!

Encouragement: P & G Thank You Mom Advertisement

Okay~

So I don't usually highlight advertisements on my blog. But I thought this one was pretty special. I think it came out around Mother's Day and P & G kept using it for the big response they've received. My apologies for not knowing what the initials stand for: anyway, the company does a great job at showing how the Special Olympics helps the disabled community.

Check it out here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/PGThankYouMom?v=7HJa46dB2LQ&feature=pyv&ad=6826557524&kw=thank%20you%20mom&gclid=CPCd58v99qgCFUOo4AodFV_wSA

Dr. Phil Highlights Bullying of The Disabled and Other Groups Of People

Welcome Back~
For those of you that follow my blog daily, you may have noticed that today's post showed up a day late. Or maybe you didn't even notice... Either way, I am back from a short vacation in Annapolis, Maryland. My dad had business there and I decided to join him. My mom is off on a short vacation as well, visiting family.
It was a great time, just spending time with my father and being able to reflect on my life in new surroundings. Granted, I would have liked to have stayed a longer to see the sights of Annapolis: my dad told me the Naval Academy was down that way. Meetings kept my dad pretty busy though.. Still, I managed to make the best of my time there-tasting eggs Benedict for the very first time and making good use of the hotel's Internet connection.

Now that I'm back, though, it's time to let you in on the latest issues regarding the disabled community.. I'm talking about the constant tendency to "look down" on those with mental or physical impairments. This was the controversy discussed on Dr. Phil's "Bullies Beware" episode. In this episode, a 26-year-old woman says she is "proud" to be a bully. She even goes further by saying handicapped people make her feel uncomfortable.

As usual, Dr. Phil tries to put everything in perspective. He not only reasons that she might feel the need to bully because of her own insecurity and lack of knowledge about a disability. What irks me most was when a actor playing a disabled citizen talked to her, she wouldn't give him the time of day: but when he stood up (later on in the show) only than did she start talking!