Big Changes

When I turned 30 in May of last year, I had no idea at the time how much my life would change within those 12 months.

That day, May 10, 2009 was spent at my uncle’s house celebrating Mother’s Day. For me, the visit ended with a bang, or rather, a fall. You see, as I was heading to my parents’ van, my walker hit something on my uncle’s driveway which caused my walker to tip completely over. As I fell with the walker, I was sure I would bust my face, but thankfully, I just scraped my fingers.

I have always been terrified of falling, so for it to actually happen, I was sure I would never be comfortable on my walker again. I told my mother how scared I was to use the walker again, and she told me that I couldn’t let the fact that I fell stop me from using the walker. The following day I did get back on the walker to attend a program that my oldest nephew was in. I was so happy that I wasn’t nervous using it, because I was so sure I would be.

The following month, I was going to spend the weekend with my sister and her family. We went to a local swimming pool and I was talking with my sister, and I told her I was thinking of spending the summer with her. She loved having me over, so I knew she’d love the idea, especially since her husband was working out of town at the time.

So, I went to my house and got some things I would need during my stay. One night, I was sitting at the dining room table listening to music and working crosswords, and within a few minutes, I was clinging to the table. I was terrified that I was going to fall out of the chair. I had been having this feeling off and on for about a year and a half, but lately it had gotten worse. In order for me to be slightly comfortable, I had to put a chair on both sides of me.

I knew something had to be done.

I finally did something about the situation in November, when I went to my family doctor.

He asked me how I felt when the feeling of falling kicked in. I told him that it felt like the chair I was in was high in the air, and being afraid of heights, the feeling freaked me out. He prescribed Paxil to calm my anxiety, and it has helped me tremendously. I can now sit in any chair without feeling like I’m going to fall out of it.

During the same visit, we also talked about scheduling me for some physical therapy, because at the time I only used the walker when I absolutely had to. I know, it wasn’t very smart.

I went to therapy from November to March and out of all the times I’d done physical therapy, this was the best experience ever. I miss going to therapy, but I am thankful to know that because of it, I am more comfortable walking than I’ve ever been.

In March, while searching groups on Facebook, I learned that it was National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. I was so thrilled to see that the condition I’ve had since birth, was finally being recognized nationally. I knew I had to find a way to get involved. I sent friend requests to several people, and spoke with a few who have children that have the same type of CP that I have. They appreciated me for sharing my experience with them.

In April, I was searching Facebook again for information on a comedian named, Josh Blue, who also has CP. While I was looking at his page, I saw a picture of a man in a Navy uniform.

I clicked on the picture, and I found out that it was the cover of a book called, “Someone Like Me.” The man who wrote the book also has CP, and he spent 20 years in the Navy, all the while keeping his condition a secret. As soon as I finished reading about his story, I sent him a message, and was shocked when I got a reply a few minutes later. I totally didn’t think he’d respond, because I figured he was too busy with book signings and interviews.

For the past few weeks, I have spent a lot of time spreading word of this man’s story, telling people to buy his book and join his Facebook pages.

I am so inspired by his story, that I would like to try to put my own journey with CP down on paper. I am also wanting to get involved, in some way, to spread the word of Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. I want to see if I can get something done locally to celebrate this cause, and the people who deal with it from day to day.

Queen For a Day

We've all had embarrassing moments in our lives that we hope will never be brought up again. The following is one such story that took place when I was about seven years old.
At the time, I rode the bus to and from school. One afternoon, my mother helped me off the bus. And as she was walking up the stairs to our house, she said that she had received a letter about a program called, King/Queen For a Day.
The program was for disabled children and their mothers. The program was a chance for the kids to feel good about themselves. To celebrate what and who we were, at least that's how I saw it.
A couple days after mom told me about the program, my father took me to the Ramada Inn to register, because mom didn't get off work in time to take me. So we go inside, and we walk upto the desk and register. The woman tells us that every boy and girl has to wear a crown and sash to every event.
There's only one problem with this. The lady informs us that they have run out of all the "King For a Day" sashes. This means that for the entire time I'm there, I will have to wear the "Queen For a Day" sash.
My father asks her if it's absolutely necessary for me to wear the sash. The woman says, "Yes, every child must wear a crown and sash during the program." Dad apologizes to me, as if it's his fault.
The rest of the program made up for the fact that I was wearing the humiliating sash. The only bright spot was that the sash was yellow. We went to the Police Academy, and the officials spoke to us about the importance of being a police officer.
After the speeches were over, they gave us all the chance to ride in a police car. I loved it, because they let us work the siren. The officer I was riding with told us he hoped he never had to arrest any of us in the future. I kept thinking knock off the jokes, cause they aren't funny....lol.
After the ride in the police car, we headed back to the hotel for one last event. The people in charge handed out trophies to all the kids, and told us they hoped we enjoyed ourselves.
And with that, my day as a "Queen", was over. But when I got home, the teasing from my brother Eric began.
I hope that this story makes you laugh, because it is one of the funniest events of my life!!