Encouragement: Patrick Henry- back on track

Hey Guys~



So I hope my last post on Patrick Henry helped my readers get back on track with my review of the book, I Am Potential. I realize it had been a while since I've posted on the book so I wanted to give a slight summary before I continued my analysis. For those of you that are new readers, you can always start at the beginning of my analysis by searching under "Patrick Henry" as a tag.



In my last review, we were exploring Patrick Henry's love for music. Not only did he have a talent for music, but this became an undeniable bond between father and son. Like I said, it was a love they both had and John Henry taught him everything he knew. Watching his son grow, however, he began to realize he didn't have the experience needed to take his son to the next level. So, his next teacher was Diane, a fellow blind person. Her blindness was never considered a disadvantage, but a advantage. That way Patrick was able to concentrate on the music rather than his technique.



At the age of 10, though, she suggested John Henry find someone new; she had done all she could for his son and couldn't wait to see what his future brought. Over the next few months, Patrick Henry struggled through his music lessons. As his father had predicted, the next teacher did his best to "correct" his skills, never taking into account the limitations of his disability. In the end, that teacher didn't work out leaving the Hughes family to wonder what was next for their son.



"Finding someone new wasn't easy and the search dragged on; then, as always when it's most important exactly the right thing happens," Patrick Henry says.

But God already had that figured out. As a youngster, Patrick and John often went to the mall and played on the more expensive pianos in the stores. He wanted to make sure that his son got the experience of playing on the real thing. During one of those visits, unbeknownst to them, a piano named Ms. Henda (I apologize if I've spelled the name incorrectly, I have never heard this name before) listened intently, saying that is she ever got the chance to teach such a talented young man, she would love to do so.

Years later, the two were back again searching for advice on where to find a new music teacher. Guess who was in the store- Ms. Henda. Immediately, she agreed to teach Patrick Henry, understanding the adaptions that needed to be made.

"Let's do what we have to do to get it done," Sure, the music wasn't exactly the same. But he enjoyed it just the same.

As their lessons progressed, she continued to be amazed at his accomplishments. She would give him tasks, assuming it would take a long time for him to learn; but he would be back the next time ready for more. He lived for the music, loved spending every waking moment at the piano.

I think his father puts it best when he says, "I think the litmus test for passion is how you react when your passion is taken from you,"

During times like his back surgery, he wasn't the same without his music or being able to play. But he came back stronger than ever

A tribute to Eunice Kennedy Shriver

Okay,

I would like to apologize, today made me realize I'm not as disabled- minded as I thought. Or politically minded, for that matter. It has been all over the news that Eunice Kennedy Shriver back today at the ripe old age of 88. Shriver is synonymous with her work with the special Olympics. Encouraging statements applauding her work came from millions of people, including Pres. Obama. He said in part of his statement, "She taught the world that no mental or physical barrier can restrain the power of the human spirit ."

See this Washington Post article for more information.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2009/08/11/DI2009081101008.html

Patrick Henry, I am Potential a slight review

Welcome back~

OK, so I know it's been a while since my last installment of I Am Potential. When we last left
Patrick Henry, he had just undergone surgery for his scoliosis. As he began to recover, he was allowed to go outside on his swing when the unexpected happened.. and broke his leg. In the last post, we also examined how they "coped "with such circumstances. Continue with me as I attempt to summarize what I believe are the most important lessons that can be learned through Patrick Henry and his family. Here is a slight review:

Do What You Can To Change What You Can

"I have learned that when situations are challenging, you have to rise up, or there'll get you down and keep you there.. "Says Patrick. He uses the example of playing with his brothers, saying that he could have given up. But what good does that do? You never know what you are capable of until you try

As I examined earlier, it all comes down to one thing when faced with the decision to do something. Fear. Fear of failure or inability to step outside one's comfort zone. There's one problem with that though. "If you give in to that fear, you might never know how good things could be or the problem might get even worse if you choose to ignore it," he says.

It was the hope he had for a better future and life they kept him going despite his disability.

Pursue Your Passion As If You're Life Depends on It.

Someone once said, "There is only one passion; the passion for happiness." (Patrick credited the person as Dennis, but I was unable to understand the last name.) For Patrick, this passion has always been music.

Why?

Because music has the ability to transport him places beyond the limitations of his disability. He is able to "see" with his imagination what a moon looks like or feel as if he is walking on air. He is limitless and anything is possible.

"Music is my key to life; the more I play, the richer my life becomes," Patrick says. As we explored earlier, this talent for music was discovered purely by accident while his father was babysitting. It had an unusual calming impact for the blind child; but as he grew, the talent became more intense, being able to play notes just by hearing them.

"After a while, I think dad gave up trying to figure it all out and just accepted that God had given me a wonderful gift,". Patrick Henry says .

For father and son, the piano allowed for some bonding time. "It wasn't just the music; it was sharing something we both loved," he said. As with life, it wasn't always fun and games because Patrick often found himself frustrated when his father had to work.

"I didn't like it but you can't always have things just the way you want." This father and son music games continued until about the age of five. At that point, John Henry knew he wasn't able to give him the experience he needed. The next teacher was Diana and like Patrick Henry, she was also blind.

Been kind of out of it this month.

Okay,

So I will do to admit that I have been kind of out of it this month. I just didn't feel like putting on a show that everything was okay when it wasn't. I've had a number of health issues distracting my time. Without going into details, things don't seem to be "processing" directly in my stomach ; part of me wonders whether these problems are disability related. Anyone else having the same type of problem? Just wondered. Anyway, I'm going to the doctor soon enough- I have an appointment next week.

Still, life is good. Or at least that's the way I'm trying to look at things this week. I had a few interesting opportunities come my way.

Anyway, a lot has been said lately about the use of stem cells to help treat people with cerebral palsy. Personally, I don't know whether I agree with the treatment or not; my opinion depends on exactly WHERE and HOW the cells are collected. Still, one can't deny the impact it has had on those willing to try the therapy. One of those even being a writer of TO THE MAX. I haven't heard any updates as to his progress.

Since it's such a controversial issue, I thought I would post this article.

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/Parents39-delight-at-transformation-in.5535869.jp

What are your thoughts?

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/

Who Moved?

Hey Guys~

Okay, so in reality I'm more than a week behind on this blog. I don't know what it is, but every time I think I have it all figured out, something knocks me off my feet again. I am reminded of an old saying used in semi-popular movies. It goes a little something like this, "Who Moved?". It's a rhetorical question, but often is supposed to people who have lost their faith or "moral compass"

Simple but poignant. This question causes people to really think about their relationship with God. After all, God (if you truly believe in him) is the one thing that remains constant in this ever changing world. He is our Creator, an all knowing and all seeing God who knows us better than we know ourselves.

In the midst of my difficulties, this came to mind. And so I thought I would share it with you.

Please keep me in your prayers as I have undergo some health issues and spiritual trials.

Thanks again for reading this blog.

Debbie

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