Micah Fowler takes center stage in Speechless, giving Disabled Community a voice

Welcome Back Readers,

According to a new study, over 95% of disabled characters on TV shows are played by able-bodied actors. To be honest, I'm not surprised. There needs to be more diversity of disabilities shown on television. This would hopefully develop a new understanding for general audiences and begin a open dialogue of how to interact with the disabled community.

Apparently, I'm not the only one that feels this way. Scott Silveri said he based the comedy off his own experiences, having a disabled sibling with a disability. In attempt to be authentic, he felt it was important for a real disabled actor to play the part. That's where Micah comes into play;Like the character of JJ that he plays on the series, he also has cerebral palsy. The series will attempt to uncover the myth of what it means to have a disability; although it does that and so much more.

Speechless airs on Wednesdays at 8:30 PM





 For more information on the show, or Micah Fowler, please see the following links:

http://www.ew.com/article/2016/09/20/speechless-micah-fowler-breakout-star

http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/speechless-abc-premiere-creator-disabled-actor-micah-fowler-1201867014/

https://www.buzzfeed.com/arianelange/micah-fowler-speechless-abc?utm_term=.ygR1LEOxk#.hvZwnK81L

Encouragement: Real Sportsmanship

Dear Readers,
It's the beginning of another week and I thought I would start it with a little encouragement. 

When I say the word football, what comes to mind?

Football..

Touchdowns..

Tackles..

I bet good sportsmanship isn't at the top of the list.

But Max Akin tried to change all of this with with one simple act. He passed his homecoming crown to a friend, K.L. What's more? K.L has cerebral palsy


To find out more information on this story, you can go to:
http://www.wfaa.com/sports/high-school/homecoming-king-passes-crown-to-friend/318892002

Encouragement: Teens with cystic fibrosis give "For Better or For Worse" new meaning

Welcome Back Readers~

They say the Lord works in mysterious ways, that's certainly true for Katie and Dalton Prager. At the age of 18, the two became friends and bonded over Facebook learning they  had something in common- they both had cystic fibrosis. Despite knowing the risk involved, a romance blossoms. Two years later, the couple married. But this story doesn't have fairy tale ending you'd expect. While Katie did undergo a lung transplant, it has failed and now she has entered hospice. She remains positive focusing on quality of life now rather than quantity. Her husband plans on being transferred to a hospital closer to her in Kentucky

For more details of their story, go to: 

http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/09/health/cystic-fibrosis-fault-in-our-stars-couple-hospice/

Paralympics are on tonight- September 7

Dear Friends,

Since my dad wrote about the "unseen" Olympics last week, it is with great pleasure that I highlight the disabled athletes representing their country in the Paralympics starting tonight. I hope you will join me in listening to their courageous stories; hopefully this will create a new understanding for what people with disabilities encounter on a daily basis.

Here is the Paralympics schedule-

http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/paralympic-schedule

Wining in the Unseen Olympics

Wining in the Unseen Olympics

Welcome Back Readers~

            You may recall that I sometimes have guests write posts for this blog; that way you are able to my disability from a different perspective than my own. For instance, a while back my dad shared the impact assistive technology has had on creating a sense of independence in my life;. This time, though, he shares a more personal side-comparing my struggles (and those of the disabled community) to that of the Olympics! I think you will find it a interesting comparison...

            Without further ado..

            For the past two weeks Debbie and I have watched a few Olympic events together, but none were as inspiring as the nights we watched swimmer Katie Ledecky win in an individual event, and then  in a team event. She was beaming with a wonderful smile and was so happy to have won the gold medal.  And, watching her, we were very happy for her, too. Her hard work, dedication to practice, and commitment to a goal were rewarded – in public, with the admiration of many watching around the world. These events are for the top competitors in the entire world, and at the point in time of those Olympic events, there was only one “best” in the world, and she was the gold medal winner. It must be intensely gratifying to receive the accolades on such an occasion!

            As I thought about these exciting events, I thought about another unseen Olympic competition- on that also requires dedication, persistence, and endurance in the face of challenges on a daily basis. But there is no massive audience, no cheering and little recognition for the effort.  This competition is not for the best physical athletes, but instead for those who are physically disabled.  

            I think of my daughter, Debbie, whose completion is with discouragement and despair. Her Olympic challenge is not for a week, but for a lifetime. The event she competes in is to live her life trusting in the love of a faithful Heavenly Father, even in the presence of her quadriplegic condition, enduring the physical and social trials of her life.   I watch her complete and win on a daily basis.

       The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians about the athletes of his day, who competed in biennial games near Corinth to win a wreath made of pine boughs. He asked them, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.  And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. (I Cor. 9:24-25)

       
     The unseen Olympic events that Debbie and all believers compete in are the trials of life that test our faith in the unique circumstances of each of our lives. Debbie, in her own special way, faces sever physical limitations that render her immobile, and unable to freely use her hands to care for herself of enjoy eating a meal by herself. The other challenges of cerebral palsy are nagging inabilities, discomforts and pain. In spite of this, her daily contest is to trust her life into the hands of God’s grace.  She seeks to “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:24). That is, to glorify God by revealing Christ’s character in her life – a yielded spirit in the presence of a significant and very visible adversity in life.            

    We each face adversities in the circumstances of our life, and we do not compete in the special “Swim Lanes” where Debbie competes. But we each face the challenge to live for Christ and “press toward the goal”.  

            Yes, Debbie is a winner in the unseen Olympics in her own right – and the unseen audience is her Lord and Savior. She smiles, just like Katie Ledecky, as the Lord gives her his inner peace to know of His love. 

MUSIC Monday

Dear Readers~

Occasionally, I will post music videos on this blog meant to inspire and encourage you. This week, I would like to highlight music from Lauren Daigle's album How Can It Be  Although a majority of the songs have a upbeat tempo, the themes center around the same topic- keeping our minds on Christ and remembering His character even in the midst of trials. My favorite happens to be the track entitled "Trust In You"; I hope you find it as encouraging as I do.


Lyrics for Lauren Daigle's Trust In You

Letting go of every single dream
I lay each one down at Your feet
Every moment of my wandering
Never changes what You see

I’ve tried to win this war I confess
My hands are weary I need Your rest
Mighty Warrior, King of the fight
No matter what I face, You’re by my side

When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!

Truth is, You know what tomorrow brings
There’s not a day ahead You have not seen
So, in all things be my life and breath
I want what You want Lord and nothing less

When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!

You are my strength and comfort
You are my steady hand
You are my firm foundation; the rock on which I stand

Your ways are always higher
Your plans are always good
There’s not a place where I’ll go, You’ve not already stood

When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!

I will trust in You!
I will trust in You!
I will trust in You!

God is not finished with me ( or you) yet!

Welcome Back Readers~

          Our church has spent the last several weeks studying Philippians. In this book, the disciple Paul is writing to the church of Philippi from prison; despite his circumstances, his outlook is quite positive. Why? Because Paul is keeping his eyes fixed on Jesus. He is certain that no matter what is happening God is in control and is taking care of everything! He is not afraid of what the future holds, instead, he believes the work of Jesus will continue with or without him. Philippians 1:6 says, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ."

Paul reminds us that this does not happen overnight, rather it is an ongoing process of spiritual growth. It begins with God's justifying work of the cross, where he paid the ultimate price for all our sins. Once we accept this free gift of salvation, it is then that the transformation takes place.. Although we are sanctified or "set apart" by the work God accomplished on the cross, it is the circumstances of our lives that develop through character and faith. Philippians 2: 12 -13: "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."

In today's world, we act as ambassadors for Jesus Christ. If we are truly walking by faith, our lives serve as beacons of hope to those around us. That does not our lives will be perfect; instead we will point the way to someone who is! Paul continues in verse 14-18, saying " Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”^] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky  as you hold firmly to the word of life poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.  So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

With that thought in mind, I came across the following song by Matthew West. It is called "Mended"

Hope you enjoy..