Category Archives: My journey towards independence

My journey from utter helplessness to independence

Day 2791: Creating a New Legacy

Speak your heart even when it makes some uncomfortable – that’s my message to the world

It’s 12 : 45 PM on day 2791 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, read a Bible verse, have breakfast and promote my 50 New Feet Campaign benefiting MiracleFeet – A HUGE thanks to Anonymous who donated $25 which brings the total raised to $14 434 only $4 316 more to raise by June 17, 2018 to reach my new goal of helping 75 kids with Clubfoot by June 17, 2018.

Recently I was on the phone with my sister and I said to her I’m really proud of the work you’re doing (she was on a road trip with her medical school classmates providing healthcare and education to people in the rural areas) the poor thing didn’t know how to respond she shrugged and said um okay we’re not very affectionate with our words in our family so I understood her response but ever since my surgery whenever I feel something good I want to say it because life’s too short not to I want to create a new family legacy where people can say and receive words like I love you and I’m so proud of you without feeling uncomfortable.

Day 2789: Just Be Happy

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Life doesn’t have to be perfect or easy for anyone to be genuinely happy – that’s what I was reminded of today.

It’s 2 : 32 PM on day 2789 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, read Exodus 23:25, go to church, have breakfast, spend time outside – it was fun with minimal technology I loved it -have lunch and promote my 50 New Feet Campaign benefiting MiracleFeet – raised $14 409 only $4 341 more to raise by June 17, 2018 to reach my new goal of helping 75 kids with Clubfoot by June 17, 2018.

Today hanging out outside under the blue sky and getting up to a lot of shenanigans with mom I was reminded that life doesn’t have to be perfect or easy for anyone to be genuinely happy.

Day 2788: Albinism Is Beautiful #AlbinismIsBeautiful

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[Image credit: Nigerian Health Blog]

“Our diversity is our strength. What a dull and pointless life it would be if everyone was the same.” -Angelina Jolie

It’s 12 : 37 PM on day 2788 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, read Matthew 6:9, have breakfast and promote my 50 New Feet Campaign benefiting MiracleFeet – raised $14 409 only $4 341 more to raise by June 17, 2018 to reach my new goal of helping 75 kids with Clubfoot by June 17, 2018.

Recently I was watching One Day Leader – South Africa’s best youth leadership show – and watching one particular episode I found that in some parts of South Africa people were killing people with Albinism because of their traditional beliefs I was horrified Albinism, after all, is just a genetic condition that causes some people to have little or no pigmentation it’s NEVER something that should get anyone murdered. #DifferentIsCOOL #AlbinismIsBeautiful

Day 2787: Sweet Memories Made Playing Memory

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It’s the little things that show a person’s heart – that’s what I’ve realized.

It’s 12 : 30 PM on day 2784 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, read Revelation 4:8, have breakfast and promote my 50 New Feet Campaign benefiting MiracleFeet – raised $14 409 only $4 341 more to raise by June 17, 2018 to reach my new goal of helping 75 kids with Clubfoot by June 17, 2018.

This morning I had a sudden flashback to a few days ago when S (my cousin’s wife) and I were playing Memory (the card game) with a family friend’s 8-year-old and S realized I wouldn’t be able to reach down to the bed to flip the cards so she arranged the cards on the table attached to my wheelchair and we all played I think her considerate action moved me so much because I could tell that she was determined that I be included which is even sweeter considering she only joined our family a few months ago (usually it takes people a while to know what to say and do around me) every time I think back to our friendly game of Memory I think of the newest Varghese and I smile because she’s sweet, she’s kind and she’s forever going to be one of us.

Day 2786: What Are Mistakes?

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Mistakes are an opportunity to do things over and to do them right – that’s what I’ve realized

It’s 12 : PM on day 2786 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, read Jeremiah 17:5, do some work, have breakfast and promote my 50 New Feet Campaign benefiting MiracleFeet – raised $14 409 only $4 341 more to raise by June 17, 2018 to reach my new goal of helping 75 kids with Clubfoot by June 17, 2018.

Yesterday I was distracted and made a mistake which made me realize mistakes are an opportunity to do things over and to do them right.

Day 2785: Solving Big Problems in Small Ways

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Sometimes we can only solve big problems in small ways and that’s okay – that’s my message to the world.

It’s 10 : 22 AM on day 2785 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, read Daniel 3:17-18, have breakfast and promote my 50 New Feet Campaign benefiting MiracleFeet – raised $14 409 only $4 341 more to raise by June 17, 2018 to reach my new goal of helping 75 kids with Clubfoot by June 17, 2018.

Recently I realized that sometimes we can only solve big problems in small ways and that’s okay so even though I can’t solve world hunger or fix South Africa housing issues I do what I can when I can regarding or related to those issues (being the change we want to see is simple but difficult and sometimes we won’t be able to bring to the table the solutions we wish we could but in those times especially we should bring to the table the small solutions we have)

Day 2784: Africa Month and the 42-Year Illegal Occupation of the Western Sahara

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“I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself.” – Nelson Mandela

It’s 12 : 44 PM on day 2784 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, read Exodus 23:25, have breakfast and promote my 50 New Feet Campaign benefiting MiracleFeet – raised $14 409 only $4 341 more to raise by June 17, 2018 to reach my new goal of helping 75 kids with Clubfoot by June 17, 2018.

The month of May is Africa Month and while I’m proud to be African and we have much to celebrate I would like to call attention once again to the illegal occupation of the Western Sahara by Morocco (can you imagine fleeing from war to what you thought would be a temporary refugee camp only to still be there 42 YEARS LATER?) the United Nations recognizes the Western Sahara as a country separate from Morocco but the referendum the UN promised in 1991 is yet to take place and why because Morocco has powerful allies at the UN. To the UN: I know for a fact that it does not take 27 YEARS to organize a referendum please I BEG of you put your selfish interests aside and think of the Saharawi children who are growing up in the blistering heat on the borders of Algeria with less than the basics.

Catherine Constantinides at the Saharawi Refugee Camp

A Week in Saharawi Refugee Camps | Michael Cost

Day 2783: Focus on What You Love

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What you focus on expends – that’s what I was reminded today.

It’s 12 : 22 PM on day 2783 of my journey towards independence and I managed to spend time with my parents, pray, read Proverbs 13:12, have breakfast and promote my 50 New Feet Campaign benefiting MiracleFeet – raised $14 409 only $4 341 more to raise by June 17, 2018 to reach my new goal of helping 75 kids with Clubfoot by June 17, 2018.

Today while I was doing something I loved all the things I would probably never have were not in my head I guess what I focus on expends while the rest of everything just shrinks.

Day 2782: My Sunday Break

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Resting is not wasting time – that’s what I’ve realized

It’s 11 : 03 AM on day 2782 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, read 1 John 5:4, have breakfast and hang out with people

Today for the first time since my recovering from surgery i’m going to just rest I’m going to just hang out and enjoy the sun, family and food because I totally deserve 24 hours for myself.

Day 2781: The Story the World Likes to Tell

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The world likes to tell the story of the differently-abled person who is downtrodden and helpless – that’s what I’ve realized.

It’s 1 : 37 PM on day 2781 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, read Psalm 118:6, have breakfast and promote my 50 New Feet Campaign benefiting MiracleFeet – raised $14 409 only $4 341 more to raise by June 17, 2018 to reach my new goal of helping 75 kids with Clubfoot by June 17, 2018.

Today I noticed something that made me realize that the world likes to tell the story of the differently-abled person who is downtrodden and helpless I say this because I always see stories of people helping differently-abled people but I seldom hear stories of differently-abled people helping themselves and others (I have an uphill battle ahead of me as I look to rebrand being differently-abled)