Encouragement: What Is It

Hey everyone,


I came across this devotional excerpt from one of Joni's books and I thought it would provide a good start to the next week. The premise, what is encouragement? As I said many times before, having a disability is not always a positive experience. After all, we often have to depend on others for our every need. But it also allows us a unique opportunity to inspire others through everyday perseverance.

Or as Joni's puts it, "Focusing on suffering is a dead end. Rationalizations and justifications do nothing but harden your heart, making things worse. However, softness of heart comes when we encourage one another in our suffering - spreading truth, imparting hope, bearing the burden, sharing the load, praying alongside, and offering a comfortable shoulder to cry on. Thank God there were Christian friends who stuck with me, scolding me when I complained, and cheering me on when I chose a brighter outlook. My hardness of heart melted and I became soft and pliable in the hands of God."

So, today remember Hebrews 3: 13

Personal note; If any of my readers want the link to get the devotionals themselves, please feel free to e-mail me. The devotional that I just paraphrased had a great impact on me, I would also be happy to forward a copy of that e-mail to you. Because I have to admit her words are even more powerful than mine. =)

Guest Post: A Father's Perspective

So,

It's about that time. As promised, here is the first ever guest post on Rollin' Into the Future. As you may have guessed, I am extremely proud of my family. It is because of them I am who I am today. They each help me grow in unique and different ways. I have to admit I got a knack for writing for my dad. That being said, you have him to thank for the writing of this blog. In fact, he initially gave me the idea and I was, "What would I have to say to them?" As it turns out, I have a lot to say. Chuckle.

So, with no further ado-

A Father's Perspective
By Debbie’s Dad

Debbie has asked me to write an article for her blog and I chose to write about my perspective of her life as my daughter, a wonderful and disabled young woman. I must first admit that I am understandably proud of her accomplishments, including her faithful publication of the blog “Rolling into the Future”. Let’s consider the three perspectives that I have of Debbie’s life.

A look At the Past: Gratefulness

Debbie was born very prematurely and was in the hospital for many weeks before she could come home, and then her development was very slow for the first year. At about one year, the doctor informed us that he could confidently diagnose her with cerebral palsy. Debbie’s mom and I were shaken – because we both new people with CP. Soon we got her into therapy and then into a United Cerebral Palsy school (at age 2) and prayed for the Lord to help her achieve her best. We had no idea what capabilities she would develop, but soon it became evident that she was quadriplegic; she had limited use of her left hand and virtually no use of her legs. She progressed well and the Lord gave her a good mind and heart – and she loved school. By ninth grade, she began using speech recognition software (she is an early pioneer of the use of this technology) and graduated from high school in the National Honor Society. She proceeded to Community College and earned her Associates degree in 4 years, and then went to Concordia University (and lived in the dorm!) and within 3 more years, earned her Bachelor degree. As I look back on the first 10 years of her life, I never would have imagined she would come so far! Her mom and I are truly grateful!

My Perspective Today: Inspiration

Today, I am blessed to have a daughter that is a wonderful young woman who is an accomplished college graduate, a writer, and the most enduring person that I know. I am very proud her – but I would rather call my pride “inspiration” because she encourages me. I see her deal with personal adversity and frustration every single day – and confront it with patience, grace, and faith. Most people do not have any idea about the challenges of the daily life faced by the disabled – I get to see it up close. Debbie’s posts to her blog are major efforts even with her voice recognition software –a simple “copy and paste” is a major effort. And yet she plugs on without complaint – and with a glow of purpose in her smile. She believes that she is encouraging someone out there as she adds word upon word, paragraph on paragraph and blog post upon blog posting. And I believe she is encouraging people out there – even as she encourages me right here. Debbie is my daughter, my friend, and often my date as we go to movies and out to eat together. What a blessing to have such a sharp young woman to talk with, to discuss issues of faith, and to laugh with while watching “Judge Judy”.

Looking to the Future: Faith

It is not a secret. The greatest concern of any parent of a disabled child is the apprehension about care for their child when the parent dies. This is my greatest concern; it is a test of my faith in the Lord. I can try to set aside a trust fund, try to help her find faithful friends she will have through life, and help her find a place, a career, and goals for life, but I know that there will come a time when I will not be there for her. And so I trust the Lord, who has cared for us so far, and I make reasonable plans for her. We all look toward the future in faith, but I guess I do in a special way.

So, how do I sum up my perspective of life as the father of a disabled young woman? I live with fond memories in gratefulness, inspired as I see her live with difficulty and grace, and I live in faith as I trust the Lord for her future.

Encouragement: A Parent's Love

Hey Guys ~

So it's the middle of the week and I'm looking forward to the Guest Post from my father on Friday. But before that occurs, I thought I would pose a question to my readers. How far would you go to to provide for your children? If you're like most parents, mine included, you would do anything to help them.

Recently, this question became a reality for the Peters family. This Georgian family of five is no stranger to adversity, coping with children who have disabilities. Their daughter was diagnosed with Stills disease; on the other hand, one son has autism. In order to fund for their medical care, they did the unthinkable-they put everything they own on eBay.

To read more about their incredible story, go to the link below to see the original story http://specialchildren.about.com/b/2009/01/27/special-needs-family-puts-everything-it-owns-on-ebay.htm

The Peter's Family-The Winning Bid
http://specialchildren.about.com/b/2009/02/02/winning-bidder-in-special-needs-familys-ebay-auction-wont-take-delivery.htm

Sneak peek

So,

This week my readers may be in for a few surprises. Many of you may remember me mentioning a guest post by my father. This will certainly be a interesting experience for me, to see my disability through another person's eyes besides my own. I will be honest, I don't know exactly what he is planning to say but I know it will be something to look forward to. But first, I wanted to let you know what I'm planning for this blog and a near future. In past posts, I featured a young man who displayed his blindness, manages to inspire millions with his music and unbreakable spirit.

Well, he's done it again. This time, he is telling his story in his new autobiography entitled I Am Potential. I recently bought the audio book from the bookstore and plan on sharing my insights with you. But for now, here's a sneak peek-

http://www.crystalcathedral.org/hour_of_power/videos/detail.php?contentid=3589&programID=2034

"Fireproof" movie starring Kirk Cameron

Okay,

So I'm running a bit behind this week. As you could probably tell, my heart hasn't been into much lately. I can't quite explain what I'm going through; except to say, I am rearranging some my priorities. Over the past few weeks, I've realized some things about myself that need to be changed. There are some friendships that have changed as a result. But more importantly, I have realized the importance of a reliance on God. As a woman, I find this reliance often replaced by human relationships. I will admit I have a tendency to do this.

But as a friend reminded me this week, "A perfect love drives out fear." The only perfect love is that of God. The movie "Fireproof" also reminds me of that. Starring Kirk Cameron, the movie chronicles a marriage on the brink of divorce. When he receives a book called "The Love Dare", he embarks on a journey that changes everything..

For more information, view the trailer-

http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/

Encouragement: Positive Role Model-Ms. Wheelchair Visits Virginia Beach

Well~

As previously posted, I'm not really up to writing much these days. But I have had this link for a while, so I figured I would let it speak for itself. Here's an example of a positive role model to people in wheelchairs.

http://www.disabilityarticles.com/wheelchair/ms-wheelchair-america-in-virginia-beach

Personal Reflections: Not My Best Few Days

Okay,

So I haven't had the best few days. If you would have asked me a while ago, I would have told you I was done most of my growing. But I guess I was wrong. I continue to learn that growth is in fact part of a never ending process to self-improvement. Over the past few months, my journey towards more independence hasn't been easy. In fact, I find myself taking more steps back then forward-in terms of the tightness of my muscles.

I am dumbfounded and looking for answers .. how can someone who has come so far in so many years just change so drastically? In an effort to search for answers, I used the web and came across this interesting article regarding the effect of CP on the maturity of a person. I thought I would pass it along to my readers. If anyone else is going through this struggle, please feel free to e-mail me. I'd be interested in hearing your story

http://www.bccerebralpalsy.com/growingup.htm

FYI, I'm sorry for this post. But these are just some things I had to get off my chest. I promise to be more positive in the upcoming post.

Best regards,

Debbie