Having a disability means....

A ton of people have asked me, "What is it like having a disability?"  Holy cow is that a loaded question or what!  To me disability means so much.  The most obvious definition being struggle and sacrifice.  I can't hop in a car and drive myself to the store to run a quick errand.  I can't just go to a friends house because 9 times out of 10, I can't get my power chair inside.   So, that means I have to wait until I get driven around  by someone, or that friend I wanted to hang with has to hang with me at a more accessible place.   I also have to watch how much liquid I consume.  more fluid in the bladder, means more bathroom breaks. Again, that means that I must wait to have help from someone.  Disability also means that I cannot be modest in the slightest!  Since I need help with my activities of daily living, I don't mind having those conversations that would make some people uncomfortable, "Can you help me get my bra and shirt on" comes out of my mouth as easily as a patron at a restaurant would ask their waiter or waitress, "Can I get a glass of water?"
Disability also means surgery sometimes, Surgery recovery means pain.  It comes with the territory.

   Enough of the "can't's"  I'm not a negative thinker!  I have my disability to thank for that!  Disability also has some crazy awesome perks, too!  I can get REALLY close seats at a concert!  I've seen concerts in the front row before!  Another perk is that I can wear really comfy slippers all the time.  No high heel pain for this girl!  One of my favorite perks is to have been the one to educate others about me and my disability.  I love educating children. I get so many silly questions from kiddos. My favorite question was from a nine year old girl, She came up to me and asked , " Do have parents?"  I just smiled and said, "Of course I do.  I have a mommy and daddy and they love me so much." She just  giggled, and said, "Oh ok"  I don't mind if kids ask the silly questions.  It's just their curiosity!

There are days that I would give absolutely anything to be able to walk, or drive, just to give those who help me a break!  I have my disability, yes.  But I am thankful for it because when I finally accomplish something, it tastes a million times sweeter!  Count your blessings people!

Until next time,
~C

Two Years Later and it's Back to Posting

Hey guys!  Well, It finally happened...  I graduated college!  I was crazy busy in my last two years; that's why I hadn't posted in forever and a day! I'm happy to be posting again.  As my friends and family know, my five year journey in college was really trying for me! There were times that I just wanted to quit.  I'm so glad I didn't though!  College might have been one of  the most difficult times in my life thus far, but I met some of the coolest people at school!  I got to follow in my mom's footsteps and join, a sorority, and make friends I know that will last a lifetime!  (That sounds ridiculously cliché  I know but it's true!)  Aside from the "typical"memories I made in college, I learned way more than I ever thought I would, and no, I don't mean information from textbooks.  I learned how to advocate for myself, I learned the importance of just letting stuff go. I had professors that didn't give a hoot about my situation and would mark me down for not going to class because my chair would short out due to a really terrible rainstorm!  That's ok though, situations like that taught me the importance of not getting so angry, but just fighting for fairness in my situation.

My last year of college was one that I enjoyed a lot.  I had an internship as part of my social work degree.  My internship was an eye-opening experience for sure.  I worked at a homeless shelter.  My job was to assist clients in anything that they might have needed.  This was something as simple as getting them bus tokens so that they get to work, or helping them call their insurance company so that they would be able to go to the doctor.  I liked my internship because it allowed me to be reflective.  I used to think my life was difficult until I met some of those clients.  They were some of the most resilient people that I had ever met in my life.  My internship allowed me to notice the little blessings in my life and enjoy them more!  I guess that's the biggest thing I took away from my time in school for those five years!  Life may seem difficult and down right annoying at times, but it can also be awesome, too!  It''s all about perspective!

Until next time,
~C  

Strengths

Hi!

The semester is in full swing again, and that means staying up late writing papers, eating not so great college food, and hanging out with my sorority sisters, and roommate.  For one of my classes, we had to write about strength. Specifically, my personal strengths.  I thought I would share my thoughts with you!  Enjoy!

Strength.  To me, this word is more than just a word that can tell or show how physically fit someone is.  Strength is about how emotionally secure someone is.  Are they able to overcome the curveballs that life throws at them?  Are they able to see the good in a situation that on he outside looks horrible?  Finally, do they show growth when they come out of a situation?    That is when a person’s inner strength shines through.

            As I was growing up, my parents always used to tell me that it is important to be strong emotionally.  I have had to overcome so much adversity in my life.  I was born with Cerebral Palsy.  This condition makes it difficult for me to walk As a result, I rely on a wheel chair so that I can get where I need to be.  To people on the outside that do not understand the situation, think that that must make me sad at times.  I would be lying to you if I said I did not get sad sometimes, but this is the life that The Lord has blessed me with.  It is up to me to see what the positives are in my situation.  The strengths.  Even though He has shortchanged me in my ability to walk, he has also given me many blessings.  He blessed me with intelligence.   He also  blessed me with the ability connect with people and form friendships.  To some this may seem trivial, but to me the ability to form strong bonds with others is paramount.  If I did not have this ability, it would much more difficult for me to ask for help.  Strength.  We all have it inside of ourselves; it is up to us to find it.  Even though situations may seem grim at times, they do not stay like that forever.  It truly is all about perspective and a person’s ability to be resilient.

The Pageant!

Hello all,
       I am so sorry I have not posted lately!  This summer has been so crazy.  I went to the national Ms. Wheelchair, USA competition!  That week was probably one of the best weeks of my entire life.    I have made friends and memories that will last a lifetime.  I didn't take the title, but I am so happy I took the opportunity.  I learned so much about disability, my life, and myself in general.  I am so blessed to have met the amazing ladies that have changed my life forever.  It was so great to get a new perspective.  That week in Ohio was great for my psyche.  Back at home, I am not around people who face the same obstacles as I do.  We were able to share how we all overcome adversity in our own unique ways.  It was awesome for me to just feel “normal.”  I didn’t have to look up to everyone when I was speaking.  That was a first! 
            As for what I learn about life, and myself , I learned that you don’t have to apologize for what makes you YOUnique.  I am so proud of myself for even going after the crown!  Five years ago, there is NO way that I would have done that!  I am so proud that I did.  I also now know the importance of listening to those who have your best interests at heart.  You see, I am a very stubborn woman.  I am so used to trying to do things myself, that I hated asking for help.  But I learned that asking for help doesn’t make you less capable, it actually has the reverse effect.  I didn’t even think it was possible, but that week made me love myself even more than I did before I left!  So grateful and blessed.
Until next time,
~C

What a Difference a New Semester Makes!

Hey everyone,
 I apologize for not posting lately!  I hope everyone is doing well.  I sure as hell am!  As you all may know, I moved back on campus this semester.  At first, I was a little nervous because I didn't want it to be like last semester.  I can say with 100% certainty, that I AM SOOOO MUCH HAPPIER THIS SEMESTER.  I seriously cannot even begin to describe the amount of joy I have around campus this time around! I have a fantastic room mate named Laura.  She makes me smile and laugh daily!  She is the epitome of a sweetheart.  She is a pre medical student, and also a twin!  (I wish I was)  Sometimes, her twin sister Lauren comes to stay with us on campus!  It's super awesome when she visits.  Those two ladies are awesome; no joke!  I also took another chance this semester at rushing a sorority on campus!  I had a fantastic time during rush week this semester.  I was nervous about rushing again, because In the fall when I rushed, I did not receive a bid.  I figured that I would give it one last shot and I am so glad I did!  I am now a member of the Gamma Pi chapter of Phi Sigma Sigma!  I cried like a baby during bid day!  I swore I wouldn't but I did!  I love my sisters so much.  Never have I felt so "like" everyone else.  My sisters always want to make me feel part of the chapter!  My sisters and I are even doing the color run in may.  Since I can't run.. my sisters are going to take turns pushing me the whole way, while we get paint thrown at us!   My sisters  don't judge me because I am different!  That is truly one of the greatest feelings ever.  In my life, I am often looked upon as, "the girl in the chair"  They just see me as a fellow sister! I am so thankful for my sisters!  I love it!  I am so excited because tomorrow is new member pinning!  So many new opportunities are coming my way!   I am so thankful!

Until next time,
~C

2012 is History! (almost)

Hey guys,

WOW!  I can't believe that I started blogging a year ago!  As 2012 is coming to a close,  I couldn't be happier!  This past year has taught me so much.  The importance of inner strength, the importance of a smile, and the importance of amazing friendships.  I am so happy 2013 is almost here.  Ready for an amazing year, I will make it the best one yet! With a little more than an hour until is gone, I wanted to share with you some of my personal resolutions for 2013, which I am going to start calling,"the year of Christy"  To some of you this may seem selfish but for the next year I will work on "me".  I want to be a better, more well rounded me.   My resolutions for the year of Christy are as follows:

--  Smile every day, and mean it!  This past year I had to fake a smile sometimes!  I hated that!  I want to be genuinely happy in 2013.

--  Help those who are less fortunate than me.  This past year, I was helped though so much stuff.  I want to pay it forward.

--  Be open to new love!  Ok, yes, I get it.  I'm a hopeless romantic.  I want to be in an amazing relationship.  One that always keeps me laughing.  One that makes me want to be a better person.

-- Be less argumentative.  This is so difficult for me to do.  I always want to have the last word.  I think I can do it though.

--  Be more active!  I want to be able to get out of this damn wheelchair more than I do now.

Well, I'm gonna hit the hay!  I'm sleepy.  See y'all next year!  Peace out 2012!

~C 

Big News!

Hi,

I have big news to tell you all!  As you may have seen in my last post, I applied to be Ms. Wheelchair Maryland, USA, I am so beyond excited to share with you guys that I was crowned!  I am going to be  competing in the national pageant in July!  I am so honored and blessed to be representing my state!  Now the hard work begins, I have to start fundraising to pay for my entry fee.  I have some ideas of how to fundraise, but I need some more!  I also need to start looking for dresses!   That is going to be the fun part!  I can not wait to see what opportunities my new title will bring about.  No doubt it we be an incredibly amazing journey. Oh, and by the way, I forgot to thank my friends and family for the support as I decided to pursue this amazing goal of mine.  I love you all!

Until next time,

~C