Tag Archives: Cerebral Palsy

Day 2286: Choosing to be happy

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You can’t make anything all you can choose to be is happy– that’s what I’ve realized.

 

It’s 12: 21 PM on day 2286 of my journey towards independence and I managed to  watch The Perfect Holiday – great movie -pray, read Micah 5: 2, have breakfast and work on my  25 Smiles Campaign    –raised $9 261.04 only  $3 238.96 more to raise to reach my second goal of raising $12 500 for Smile Train before Jan 10 2017 (SO SO SO GRATEFUL to everyone who has supported this campaign so far ).

 

Today I realized that you can’t make anything all you can choose to be is happy (the only person we have any control over is ourselves),

 

 

Day 2285: Remember the Unloved and Forgotten this Festive Season

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Remember those who feel unloved and forgotten this festive season– that’s my message to the world.

 

It’s 10: 28 AM on day 2285 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, read Isaiah 9: 6 have breakfast and work on my  25 Smiles Campaign    –raised $9 261.04 only  $3 238.96 more to raise to reach my second goal of raising $12 500 for Smile Train before Jan 10 2017 (SO SO SO GRATEFUL to everyone who has supported this campaign so far ).

 

This morning I read a post which reminded me that me that Christmas is not a happy time for some so I ask that all of us remember those who feel unloved and forgotten this festive season.

Day 2282: Differently-abled by association?

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When one member of a family is differently-abled the whole family is differently-abled by association– that’s what I’ve realized.

 

It’s 11: 02 AM on day 2282 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray and work on my  25 Smiles Campaign    –raised $9 261.04 only  $3 238.96 more to raise to reach my second goal of raising $12 500 for Smile Train before Jan 10 2017 (SO SO SO GRATEFUL to everyone who has supported this campaign so far ).

 

A while ago I realized that when one member of a family is differently-abled the whole family is differently-abled by association because I’m in a wheelchair when my family is with me they’re limited in the places they can go and the things they can do my head knows it’s not my fault because I didn’t ask to have Cerebral Palsy but my heart often feels guilty about it because I know that they didn’t ask to have a family member with Cerebral Palsy either.

Day 2280: Vanity and What you Contribute to the World

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What you have to contribute to the world matters way more than what you look like– that’s what I’ve realized.

 

It’s 10: 10 AM on day 2280 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray,   read John 1:9-10    and work on my  25 Smiles Campaign    – yesterday Anonymous  donated $50 and Daleen Bernard donated $25 (thanks SO MUCH to them both) which brings the total  raised to $9 261.04 only  $3 238.96 more to raise to reach my second goal of raising $12 500 for Smile Train before Jan 10 2017 (SO SO SO GRATEFUL to everyone who has supported this campaign so far ).

 

This morning I was making a video and towards the end of the video I noticed just how awful I looked (I had just woken up) but I finished the video and posted it online because I realized that what I  have to contribute to the world matters way more than what I  look like.

 

Day 2279: 25 Smiles Campaign Eleven Months Later

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A smile is priceless – that’s what I’ve realized.

 

It’s 11 : 50 AM on day 2279 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, have breakfast, read Titus 2:11 and work on my 25 Smiles Campaign – raised $9 186.04 only  $3 313.96 more to raise to reach my second goal of raising $12 500 for Smile Train before Jan 10 2017 (SO SO SO GRATEFUL to everyone who has supported this campaign so far ).

 

Today marks the eleven month anniversary of my 25 Smiles Campaign benefiting  Smile Train so far ninety people (including me and my family) have made donations to this campaign and between us we’ve donated $9 186.04 I am so grateful. Thank you Sneha Abraham, Frank Burns, Gaynor Young and Barbara Royce, Justine Perry, Madalyn Sklar, Catherine Cook, @Maewmb, David Boutin, Sarah Britten, Jim Mahar, Nancy, Rema aunty, Paul and Juliet Merrell of Big Planet Radio, Bev Bern, Julie and Don Faughnan, Amit Abraham, Benjamin and Amelia, Athira Issac, Liesel, Priyachechi, Joubert Botha, LA Janssens, Anatoli, Arun Babu, Stan Faryna, My Paper Parties, Happy Odd Girl, Adam Butler, Deepuchachen, Tinuchachechi and Jerynchachen, Duane, My Paper Parities 2, Joyce Childers, Jacqui Mackway -Wilson of Go Social SA, Kevin B (on behalf of Lesley), Meg Guegan, Susanchechi, Reshma Jacob, uncle Abraham Matthew, Debbie McMannis, Anish Krishnankutty, Ellyn Harris, Zak Ebrahim, author of The Terrorist’s Son: A Story of Choice, Joseph John, Reshma Ravi, Wayne Mansfield, Jinuchachen, Samuel Kochukanayathil, Laura, Tim Fargo, author of Alphabet Success – Keeping it Simple. My Secrets to Success and founder of Social Jukebox, Shari Mason, Benjin Thomas, Bruce Sallan, Nithin Yohannan, Juliana Mullan, Fireman Max, Yusuf Abramjee, Nisha Kotecha, Deepthi Abraham, Jiya, Seema, Anush Alex, Daleen Bernard, Teresa Williams,  Stacey Chassoulas, Maddie, Nay731, MJ Merk, Eapen family, Preethachechi and Tonychachen,  Linda Mastroianni, Dr. Ann Abraham, Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour , Bithun Babu, Sherilchechi  and everyone else who chose to donate anonymously for your generous donations. Thank you uncle Abraham Matthew, Jacqui Mackway-Wilson, Stephanie Young, Susannah Schaefer,  Sue-Ann Allen, Caryn Gootkin, Britt Michaelian,  Lakshmi Pillai, Akhil Tomy, Thara, Anjali, Sherin,  Pamela Eapen, Good News Shared, ViralFlash, GoodThingsGuy, 52 Feminists, Smart ZAR Girls, Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour, Minister Derek Hanekom, Catherine Constantinides, Nicolette Human, Mireesha Narsai, Nk Obi, Kerri Stein, Beverly,  Andrea, Kalay Maistry and everybody else for helping spread the word about this campaign. ‏

[Update January 12, 2017: Campaign ended 2 days ago. Final total raised is $10 317.04 [enough money to sponsor 41 smiles]]

Day 2278: Hindsight

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Hindsight is 20-20– that’s what I’ve realized.

 

It’s 12: 39 PM on day 2278 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray,   read Romans 12:9  and work on my  25 Smiles Campaign    – a special thanks to the Huffington Post South Africa for publishing a blog post about me entitled The Unbreakable Spirit .

 

Last night reading some of my old blog posts I couldn’t help but think jeez I was harsh I guess with age comes maturity and the realization that everybody does the best they can with the knowledge, skills and talents that they have at the time.

Day 2277: Imagination Vs. Reality

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Things tend to be worse in our imaginations than they actually are in reality– that’s what I’ve realized.

 

It’s 11: 15 AM on day 2277 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray,   read Titus 3:4-7   and work on my  25 Smiles Campaign    – yesterday Sherilchechi donated $25 (thanks SO MUCHc chechi) which brings the total  raised to $9186.04 only  $3 313.96 more to raise to reach my second goal of raising $12 500 for Smile Train before Jan 10 2017 (SO SO SO GRATEFUL to everyone who has supported this campaign so far ).

 

Last night was the first night without mom and actually things were not so bad because sisi Amanda helped me with everything before she left (God bless Amanda she arrived at 8 AM yesterday and only asked us to drop her home at 7 pm because she knows that until my sister comes back on Saturday evening only she is around to help me with female things).

 

Day 2276: Mom Goes To India

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I’ll be ok no matter what – that’s what I know.

 

It’s 10: 27 AM on day 2276 of my journey towards independence and I managed to go with my family to drop mom off at the airport, pray,   read Proverbs 12: 9  and work on my  25 Smiles Campaign    –raised $9 161.04 only  $3 338.96 more to raise to reach my second goal of raising $12 500 for Smile Train before Jan 10 2017 (SO SO SO GRATEFUL to everyone who has supported this campaign so far ).

 

This morning mom left to go visit grandma in India which means it’s just me, my brother and my dad until my sister comes back from varsity in three days (our housekeeper will be here till the evening but won’t stay) times like this I wish I could do more by myself my dad doesn’t mind helping it’s just so humiliating it grates at my very soul.

Day 2275: Summer in South Africa

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South Africa is one of the most beautiful countries in the world – that’s what I want the world to know

 

It’s 10: 53 AM on day 2275 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray,   read Revelation 1:18  and work on my  25 Smiles Campaign    –raised $9 161.04 only  $3 338.96 more to raise to reach my second goal of raising $12 500 for Smile Train before Jan 10 2017 (SO SO SO GRATEFUL to everyone who has supported this campaign so far ).

 

This morning as I stared out our dining room window at the Jacaranda tree under the blue sky I couldn’t help but be in awe of the beauty of nature South Africa truly is breath-taking in the summer (I LOVE living here this country is filled with beauty, diversity, pain and possibility….. I truly feel welcome and valued here I don’t think I would believe so much in the possibility of me if I didn’t live in the land of possibility).

Day 2274: Forever in Our Hearts Nelson Mandela

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“There are many people in South Africa who are rich and who can share those riches with those not so fortunate who have not been able to conquer poverty.” – Nelson Mandela

 

It’s 12: 20 PM on day 2274 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray,   read Hebrews 12:5 and work on my  25 Smiles Campaign    –raised $9 161.04 only  $3 338.96 more to raise to reach my second goal of raising $12 500 for Smile Train before Jan 10 2017 (SO SO SO GRATEFUL to everyone who has supported this campaign so far ).

 

Today marks the three year anniversary of Former President Nelson Mandela’s death I know he lived a long life and made a massive impact but I still wish he was here the world needs him now as much as ever before. We Miss You Madiba.