Disability or not?

Hey guys,

Like most bloggers, I often wonder whether I'm focusing on the right things when I'm writing in this blog . Over the years, I've done my best to focus on the positive aspects this life has to offer.

It's difficult though. Not to get bogged down with a disability and lose focus. Here are the thoughts from the "Differently Abled" Blog whose author had returned, seeing a new perspective in life.

Http://lifeofthedifferentlyabled.wordpress.com/2010/06/08/disabilities-%E2%80%98r%E2%80%99-us-not/

Encouragement A different side to Simon Cowell

Okay~
So everybody thinks they know Simon Cowell as the tell it like it is Judge previously on American Idol. His harsh and witty criticisms leave contestants speechless and audiences laughing. But there is a softer side to this "tough" guy. Take for example his reaction to little Bethany Fenton's death earlier this week. Cowell was first introduced to the little girl after learning it was her final wish to be able to spend a day with him. You see, Bethany was diagnosed with a brain tumor and had undergone several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation over the last year.
Granting her wish, he allowed the young girl to attend Britain's Got Talent as well as mingle backstage with the contestants. To top it off, she got to sing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" to the judge.
For more on the story, go to
http://www.popeater.com/2010/06/09/simon-cowell-bethany-fenton-wish/?icid=mainmaindl2link3http%3A%2F%2Fwww.popeater.com%2F2010%2F06%2F09%2Fsimon-cowell-bethany-fenton-wish%2F

The Big Debate

Welcome back~



Over the last year, I've expressed increasing frustration with my disability. Having cerebral palsy, spasms and rigidity have become a way of life for me; but its gotten progressively worse as I've grown. I've tried just about everything from Botox to therapy to increase my range of motion and abilities.. Unfortunately, these techniques only offered temporary "fixes" to my problem. As a result, I am forced to look into the final and most permanent option- Surgery.



I had an appointment today with Dr. Edwards. The appointment went well, Dr. Edwards said my situation was better than most then he's dealt with. He suggested that I undergo a muscle lengthening in my left arm to increase my range of motion and it that works maybe going on to my wrist. It would involve a outpatient surgery (2 to 3 hours), casting for several weeks and three months of therapy. He is hopeful that I may be able to drive my chair after that. I don't know how I feel about the surgery; but I have a lot of apprehension going into it considering all the risks involved (blood clots, nerve damage etc.) I've never liked surgery, let's face it, no one does!



But if I do decide to proceed, the surgery will probably take place late August early September.

A World of Possibilities

Hey Guys ~

Okay, so I'm just now getting back to finishing up last week posts. A lot has happened in the
last few days (6/9), some of which I will go into in later posts.But for right now I would like to share a unique website with you.
http://possible-ologist.blogspot.com/ - a blog focused on looking at the world in a very unique ways..

A World of Possibilities

Encouragement: Update On the World 's Only Deaf/Blind Triplets

Welcome back~

Dealing with a disability is hard enough with one child. Just imagine having triplets. Three years ago, I first heard about this story with the help of Dr. Phil show. Like most parents, George and Liz struggled to provide the best care for their special needs children. So they came to Dr. Phil seeking advice and guidance. He came up with a plan to provide the girls' with a intervenor, someone who would help to provide in-home assistance and teach teach the girls. He also started a fund for them, providing financial support. Thanks to the support from viewers, the foundation has raised over $270,000 for the family to date.

Now they're back. Unable to find the necessary intervenors because of immigration difficulties, the girls have retreated into the darkness once again. Intervenors are people with specialized skill sets there are capable of dealing with a variety of disabilities.

"With an intervenor, the girls' sign language vocabulary exploded and now it just trickles.. It has been a slow deterioration of our hopes and dreams for our children!" says George.

As a result, their marriage is in trouble. They've exhausted all of their options and feel like they have failed as parents. George is afraid to come home at night, knowing the situation that awaits him; on the other hand, Liz is just struggling to get through another day of her own. They have little time for each other as individuals.

"The girls' disability affects every facet of our lives: if I had to weigh what was more important, the intervenor is way more important than getting our marriage fixed,"said Liz

But as Dr. Phil so eloquently put it, the kids need them both as a family unit. Not only for their children's security, but providing the couple with "a soft place to fall" in times of trouble. In order to help in the reconnection process, Dr. Phil along with Fandango and The Cheesecake factory provided them with gift certificates so they could go on dates for a year for free.

But the biggest surprise came in terms of an intervener. During the program. Dr. Phil introduced them to Linda Gatz. Linda is not only going to move to Texas to become their intervener for a year, but will also be searching and training other people to follow and her footsteps.

For more information on the Dr. Phil foundation for the girls, please go to Drphil.com

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Citation for TV Program: "Silent Darkness" Dr. Phil Fox channel 5 WTTG DC, News at 3pm, May 31, 2010

Sixth grader May Be Blind, but He Still Has His Vision

Hey Guys,

Happy Memorial Day. I hope everyone has enjoyed a three day weekend as much as I have. It was certainly jampacked with a lot of surprise visits from people in our family's past. It was nice seeing them and being able to catch up. As a matter of fact, I'm writing Monday's post early so that I don't have to worry about getting to the computer. Dad's got the day off, it looks like we are going to have a family barbecue. Hopefully, it doesn't rain.

Anyway, I came across an interesting new segment on Friday that I thought might interest you guys. It featured the amazing story of 12 year old Bjorn Brooks; Suffering from a degenerative disorder called retinitis pigmentosa, he is using his blindness to create awareness for the disease. Recently, Brooks has begun organizing a walk at his school to raise funds for the organization. The ultimate prize: a lunch with well-known musician, Genuine!

In terms of a cure, Bjorn sees one in the future.

"As long as you hope, something good will happen," he says.

Things weren't always this easy though. It wasn't until this year that he really took hold of his disability and turned it into something positive.

"A positive attitude makes a good person; so I just figure if I have it, I have it. Don't mope!"

Inspirational words, huh?

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Citation for TV Program: News Segment Fox channel 5 WTTG DC, News at 5 pm, May 28, 2010.

A Father's Sacrifice

Welcome Back~

Well, today's Friday and I seem to be a little sore from the dentist yesterday. Being disabled, it's often difficult for me to relax my facial muscles.(i.e. my jaw and lip muscles) I am lucky to have the a dentist, that is willing to adapt to the circumstances based on my ability. For example, they are able to do most procedures in my chair with it tilted back; that's one of the advantages of a reclining wheelchair. Anyway, I am still in quite a bit of pain. My back teeth are always the hard ones.

Still, "No pain, no gain."

Right?

As promised, below is my review of "Extraordinary Measures". This movie is very inspirational, showing the links that a father will go to help their children. They will stop at nothing to ensure they get the best of everything, no matter what the cost. Brendan Fraser plays John Crowley, a father who invests his own money in an effort to find a cure for Pompe. In first glance, this movie reminded me a lot of Pursuit of Happyness (probably because it was produced by the same person). This movie gives a accurate portrayal of the conflict of interest that sometimes occurs between healthcare and society. All in all, it was well written and kept you guessing; although I would have liked to see more of the impact this journey had on the family dynamic as a whole.

Happy Memorial Day to all my readers!

Have a great weekend. Hopefully, it won't rain!

Until Next Time,
Debbie