Strength Through God

I have been told my life is a testimony of God.  I have been told that I am an amazing person.  I have been told that I am strong.  

       I do not disagree with any of this and I am extremely flattered by these comments.  I have, however, recently discovered a new way to think about strength.  Most people perceive being strong as always being optimistic and never letting anything get you down, whereas instead inner strength is handling the cards you've been dealt one day at a time.  It is okay to feel your emotions and cry or be anxious.  That is only human.  

       Anxiety is crushing like an elephant sitting on your chest and usually occurs during a period of immense change.  But, this does not mean you are any less strong.  Feeling your emotions is good but always let the optimism win, for handling your cards this way is most joyous. 

       I am told that my life is a testimony of God because He -- along with the friends and family He has blessed me with -- helps me stay strong and be an amazing person. There are verses I have memorized that help remind of what He does for me:

       "For I know the plans I have for you," Declares the Lord "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11 reminds that God knows my life from start to finish.  He is always opening and closing doors, guiding me along the way. 

       Have I not commanded you; be strong and courageous.  Do not be discouraged, do not be afraid.  For the Lord your God is with you, wherever you go! - Joshua 1:9 tells me to be strong as I am never alone. 

       In Gods Word I praise -- in God I trust and am not afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me? - Psalm 56:4.  Nothing!  Mortals can not hurt you more than God and Jesus love you. 

       I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. - Philipians 4:13.  No matter what's on your path anything is possible through Christ.  Don't let the anxiety and bad emotions take hold, as they are not helpful in anyway.  It is okay to feel these emotions but do not let them consume you.  It is easier said than done, I know.  Let God help you be an amazing, strong person with a wonderful testimony to tell

Paying for my Furry Helper

I am not quite sure if you know the story.  If everyone reading this post is aware of how hard and long of a search it was… so let me tell you my journey to find a helping paw.

       A little over three years of researching, emailing, applying, and then being denied from almost every assistance dog school in the US and Canada.  Service dog schools would deny me because I'm legally blind and service dogs only help people who are physically disabled with physical tasks.  Guide dog schools denied me because I also use a wheelchair and guide dogs only help people who are blind with navigation.  Never having both skills, "you can't be blind and have a physical disability" I was told. 

       When I was starting to lose hope on my search, I applied to Canine Partners for Life located in Chocranville Pennsylvania… and got ACCEPTED!  They will specially train a dog for me that has some guide dog capabilities and also complete tasks such as picking objects off the ground and stability during transfers.  They are willing to take on the challenge of helping me to get a furry helper!

       The only catch is because of how specially trained this dog will be its going to cost.  About $3,000 to help pay for the trading and harness.  I have taken the initiative and have created a FUNDRAISING PAGE and any help is appreciated.  Thank you for donatinand and/or sharing my fundraising page.  You are helping me be more independent!

Roll On Another's Wheels

There is an issue in this world; an issue of inaccessibility and political incorrectness.  An issue of rudeness and exclusion in society.  Just because I use a wheelchair or someone may be blind, have autism, have a cognitive disability, a health impairment, etc. does not make them any less human.  People should not be treated or taught differently.  The world should be accessible to everyone!
"(I wanted for) everyone to understand the differences and commonalities we all share. Just because someone uses a wheelchair, it doesn't make them totally different from everyone else. I don't want people to be scared of other people who use a wheelchair or maybe different."- Valerie Crisci Wheelchair Challenge Organizer

Larry Needs To Go

Lord,

       I named it Larry, Larry the lesion.  Larry resides in my midbrain and is uninvited.  He causes headaches, dizziness, and a "pain in my butt".  This lesion that I got tired of calling a lesion so I named it Larry, needs to go away and take whatever damage it may have caused with it.  I pray for healing and pain relief from the Almighty Doctor of the Heavens and Earth!

        My mother and father hate the added stresses that Larry brings.  They hate seeing their daughter sick.  So, again, I pray that You take away all the chest tightening feelings of stress, anxiety, depression, and fear.  I pray that, instead, we feel the love behind the dozens of prayers being sent up for us every day; I thank You for this love and these prayers, too.  Thank You for Your love and presence, as well. 

       I prayed a prayer last night.  I asked that my brain would be healed and today would be better a day.  I thank You for answering my prayer!  Today was a better day; the pain was less!  I pray that the days continue to get better and that Larry the lesion gets evicted from his residence. 

In your sons name,

Jesus Christ,

I pray,

Amen.

The Blood Cell Diaries

Dear Diary,
       While doing my daily circulations today I realized that the Master is not producing enough oxygen for us to filter through this temple.  All attempts to do our job have been thwarted when the knowledge came to us that the Master's lungs would not be producing a supplemental amount of oxygen.  It was necessary for a plan to be devised.
       The decision was made to multiply.  If we duplicate and travel through the blood in packs it allows us to filter a sufficient amount of oxygen, even if the Master is having trouble breathing.  It is really an ingenious plan!
       The only fault in this ingenious plan is that the Master has become annoyed with us.  Her reduced lung capacity does not comply with our act of multiplication.  This act of multiplication deceives the prying eyes of nurses and doctors as the oxygen in the Master's blood will always be 100% no matter how poorly Master's lungs are performing.  Vital signs will be stable.
       This temple of a body has always been good at compensation.  We take care of our Master!
Sincerely,
The Red Blood Cells