Tag Archives: independence

Day 864

When life doesn’t go as planned don’t whine just do what you have to do– that’s what I learned today 🙂

It’s 2 : 33 PM on day 864 of my journey towards independence and I’ve managed to take off my dirty t-shirt and put a clean t-shirt on, stretch my hamstrings, practice sitting up straight to strengthen my core muscles, brush my teeth, pray, read Genesis 38, publish my Disability of the Day feature, practice typing with both hands, feed myself Appam and baked beans for breakfast and watch TV.

This morning I was so excited about changing my t-shirt in record time until my sister came in and told me I put it on the wrong way around I was pissed and frustrated and I whined about it for a while but when I was done I sucked it up and put my t-shirt on the right way around. When life doesn’t go as planned do you whine or do what you have to do?

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Day 863

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Cerebral Palsy is preparing me for life– that’s what I learned today 🙂

It’s 3 : 25 PM on day 863 of my journey towards independence and I’ve managed to take off my dirty t-shirt and put a clean t-shirt on, stretch my hamstrings, brush my teeth, practice sitting up straight to strengthen my core muscles, pray, feed myself All Bran Flakes with apples for breakfast, read Genesis 37, publish my Disability of the Day feature, practice typing with both hands and watch TV.

This morning it took me ages to change my t-shirt but after much perspiration – literally – I did it I never quit that’s one of the things I love about myself in a way me having Cerebral Palsy will serve me well in the future because everything in life requires perseverance which is the one thing I have in abundance thanks to Cerebral Palsy. Have the challenges you’ve faced in the past been a blessing in disguise?

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Day 862

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We must be grateful for our abilities – that’s what I keep learning 🙂

It’s 6 : 25 PM on day 862 of my journey towards independence and I’ve managed to take off my dirty t-shirt and put a clean t-shirt on, stretch my hamstrings, brush my teeth, practice sitting up straight to strengthen my core muscles, pray, feed myself All Bran Flakes with apples for breakfast, read Genesis 36, publish my Disability of the Day feature, practice typing with both hands, watch TV, make sandwiches as part of Virginia’s Sandwich Run and spend time outside -the weather today is AWESOME the sun is out the sky is blue I’m so glad I took time out to enjoy it.

This morning I was watching an episode of Expresso– a South African breakfast show – in which Joost van der Westhuizen – father, former Springbok (South African rugby player), philanthropist and Motor Neuron Disease sufferer –was being interviewed I don’t know him but I felt really bad for him I can’t even imagine what it’s like to lose all your abilities agonizingly slowly I am just so thankful to be alive and relatively healthy. Are you grateful for your abilities?

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Day 861

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Photo credit: Mail Online

A hug is like a boomerang – you get it back right away. ~ Bil Keane

It’s 3 : 45 PM on day 861 of my journey towards independence and I’ve managed to take off my dirty t-shirt and put a clean t-shirt on, stretch my hamstrings, brush my teeth, practice sitting up straight to strengthen my core muscles, feed myself Batura and baked beans for breakfast, pray, read Genesis 35, publish my Disability of the Day feature, practice typing with both hands and watch TV.

As you may or may not know today is World Hug Day so be sure to spread the love with lots of hugs. Happy World Hug Day everyone ((giant bear hugs)).

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Day 860

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Always be true to who you are– that’s what I learned today 🙂

It’s 6 : 23 PM on day 860 of my journey towards independence and I’ve managed to brush my teeth, go to church, feed myself McDonald’s chicken nuggets for breakfast, go visit people, publish my Disability of the Day feature, publish my Kid of the Week feature, practice typing with both hands, practice sitting up straight to strengthen my core muscles, stretch my hamstrings and watch TV.

Last night I was told by my mom that I shouldn’t blog about anything too personal because it was embarrassing the intention behind this blog is not to embarrass anyone or throw anyone under the bus the intention behind this blog is to use my experiences to help special needs parents and to give able-bodied people a window into the world of special needs so often people see a “disabled “ person somewhere, say poor thing and walk away through this blog I hope to show people what it’s like to live with a “disability” and make them a little more grateful for all that they can do in the process. Are you only true to yourself if everybody else is okay with it?

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Day 859

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The road to hell is paved with good intentions– that’s what I keep learning.

It’s 2 : 46 PM on day 859 of my journey towards independence and I’ve managed to take off my dirty t-shirt, brush my teeth, clean myself after going to the bathroom – my mom insisted on doing it again even after I told her I already did it she just can’t seem to let go – put a clean t-shirt on – my mom insisted on putting my left sleeve on for me because she claimed I was taking too long – feed myself Batura and potato curry for breakfast, publish my Disability of the Day feature, read Genesis 33 and practice typing with both hands.

Today is Saturday which means my mom is around to help me even though I asked her not to my mom is the most well-intentioned mother I know but somehow her actions don’t seem to match her intentions she wants all of her children to be happy, healthy and independent but particularly with me she “helps” to the point of doubly crippling me I so wish I could make her understand that although her intention is to help me her actions are hurting me. Are you always well-intentioned but often misguided?

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Day 858

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Practice makes perfect– that’s what I keep learning 🙂

It’s 1 : 52 PM on day 858 of my journey towards independence and I’ve managed to stretch my hamstrings, take off my dirty t-shirt and put a clean t-shirt on, brush my teeth, pray, read Genesis 32, feed myself baked beans on toast for breakfast, publish my Disability of the Day feature, practice typing with both hands, practice sitting up straight to strengthen my core muscles, practice taking off and putting on a t-shirt and watch TV.

This morning I had a hard time putting my left hand through its sleeve so hours later I decided to try doing it again with another t-shirt it’s still hard but I will keep practicing until I get it right. Do you have the perseverance to do something until you get it right?

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Day 857

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You have to be patient with yourself – that’s what I learned today 🙂

It’s 2 : 34 PM on day 857 of my journey towards independence and I’ve managed to stretch my hamstrings, take off my dirty t-shirt, clean myself after going to the bathroom – I was so happy I was able to do that all by myself can you imagine what it’s like (sorry to be graphic) to be almost 22 and to need someone to help you wipe your fecal matter it’s humiliating of course the people in your life try to make you feel better about it by saying stuff like it’s just the remains of what you ate but still it doesn’t make you feel any less small in the moment – put a clean t-shirt on – today I was even able to put my left hand through it’s sleeve by myself I’m so proud of myself 🙂 – brush my teeth, feed myself All Bran Flakes for breakfast, pray, read Genesis 31, publish my Disability of the Day feature, practice typing with both hands, practice sitting up straight to strengthen my core muscles and watch TV.

Today I did most things with regards to personal care by myself which made me realize I could do anything I set my mind to it would just take a lot of time patients has never been one of my strong suits but I’m learning to be patient with myself. Are you patient with yourself?

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Day 856

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Life is too short– that’s what I keep learning 🙁

It’s 4 : 13 PM on day 856 of my journey towards independence and I’ve managed to stretch my hamstrings, take off and put on a t-shirt – today I had a hard putting my left hand through it’s sleeve our housekeeper helped me tomorrow I’ll try to do it properly by myself – brush my teeth, feed myself an egg sandwich for breakfast, publish my Disability of the Day feature, practice typing with both hands, listen to music – I LOVE The Up Side of Down by Chris August it’s such an awesome song 🙂 – watch TV and practice sitting up straight to strengthen my core muscles.

Yesterday I found out Alice Pyne – my biggest inspiration – died on January 12^th what struck me most about Alice was her sense of humour and determination to live life to the fullest in spite of terminal cancer (she encouraged people to register to become bone marrow donors, started her own charity, Alice’s Escapes, met amazing people and did amazing things) I have never met Alice in person but through her blog, tweets and Facebook statuses she has inspired me to earn every breath I take by giving more than I can. RIP Alice this world is better because you were in it.

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Day 855

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Dreams can come true if you’re willing to work hard– that’s what I keep learning 🙂

It’s 2 : 56 PM on day 855 of my journey towards independence and I’ve managed to stretch my hamstrings, take off my old t-shirt and put on a new one – it took me three attempts to put my t-shirt on right first I wore it inside-out, then I wore it the wrong way around eventually third time around I put it on right as the saying goes if at first you don’t succeed try, try and try again 🙂 – try to clean myself after I went to the bathroom, brush my teeth, read Genesis 29, publish my Disability of the Day feature, practice typing with both hands, practice sitting up straight to strengthen my core muscle and watch TV.

Today as I was cleaning myself after I went to the bathroom I realized dreams can come true if you’re willing to work hard at this stage of my life I am able to do a lot more for myself than I could two years ago I still have a long way to go in terms of being as independent as I want to be but at least I’m moving in the right direction. Are you willing to work hard to make your dreams come true?

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