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

Back to Blogging

Hey again all!

This semester has surely been a wild ride! One of the reasons I have not posted is because I have been crazy busy!  As many of you know, I was living on campus for the first time.  Sadly, because of circumstances that I couldn't control, I had to move home.  I am going to live on campus next semester though.  The best part,  I know things will be different!  I just have to get through this semester first though!  I knew UMBC was going to be different than the community college, but it was a shock when I realized how much more work there actually was!   It is definitely  a huge adjustment getting used to the workload.  I am managing though.  I like all of my classes except for statistics.  The professor might as well be speaking Greek. It made it even harder because at the beginning of the semester, my note taker wasn't giving me any notes!  Needless to say, I had to remedy that issue real quick, and I did! I just can NOT wait until winter break.  I need to just relax, I feel like I've been going non-stop!  I miss my social life!  It will be worth it in the end though, because I will have a bachelors degree in Social work, and I can officially start changing lives!  How rewarding is that?

On another note, I finally applied to be Ms. Wheelchair MD!  I am super excited.  If I am blessed enough to be selected I will be competing in the national competition in Ohio this coming July!  When, and if I compete nationally, I will be in Ohio for a week!  It's super cool, because you guys will be able to watch the whole thing online!  I will for sure keep all of you posted!

Until next time,
~C

College life.

Hey guys!  Sorry I haven't posted in a very long time.  I have been busy adjusting to college life. I moved onto campus at the end of August.  I love my dorm!  It's so pink!  I channeled my inner Elle Woods!  I never expected that living on my own would be such an adjustment!  I am learning to love it though. I have met some pretty awesome people. I met another transfer student.  Her name is Kelsey.  She transferred from a school in California.  She and I have a class together, so we usually do lunch and dinner together.  speaking of eating on campus, I am not a fan of True Grits, or as it is affectionately called, "D Hall"  My room mate warned me that the food is not the greatest.  Never have I had such an appreciation for my mom's cooking!  Classes are going well.  I like most of them right now, but I'm sure that will change come the end of the semester!  The only class that I expect will be a struggle will be statistics.  Not only because math is my nemesis, but because we are using an online program that the professor does not know how to use.... GREAT! Guess I will have to ask the TA for help!  Well, I am off to class!   Until next time!

~C

Just writing....

Hey y'all!  I feel like I've really been lazy these days, sorry I haven't posted in a while! I figured today would be a great day to post since I'm at my house listening to some good music.  So beyond relaxing!  That's when I like to write the most because my mind is really clear.  I was watching an episode of"Push Girls" last night, and it go me thinking.  The theme of the episode was about stem cell research and the wheelchair community.  I know that stem cell research has always been a controversial and political issue. To be honest with you, if I had the opportunity to have stem cells help me walk, I have no idea what I would do.  I think that it would be really cool to walk obviously, but in my mind, the lord made me this way for a reason.  I have to go through my life with purpose.  As much as I bitch and complain about how much being in a wheelchair sucks, I have gotten to do some pretty cool things!  From a very young age, my father always told me, "use your chair to your advantage!" The lord gave you a set of legs that didn't work great, but my god, did he give you a ridiculous intellect"  I hate the fact that some people are shocked to hear that I am okay with the lord made me!  Those people that are shocked are usually the ones that are closest to me!  I wish they would just lay off. I honestly think that's why it has taken me so long to accept myself for the way I am.  It really makes me sad when I am meeting a group of new people, and the ones closest to me make me feel as though I can't get to know  these new people, because those close to me view me as still very young because I need so much help.  Because of this, I usually act no like myself when I meet new people and the ones that still see me as a little girl are around.  I am so happy to start at UMBC in the fall!  I know the lord has some big plans ahead for me, I can't wait to see what they are!  Today in fact, I took another big step toward independence, I decided to apply for a service dog through Canine Companions for Independence.  It will be a crazy long process. I am waiting to see if I am even a candidate.  I don't see why I wouldn't be  though.  Time will tell!
Until next time
~C

"Push Girls" Episode 3

Hi everybody!
This episode really made me mad. I can't believe Mia's mom would act like that. I felt as if she got no support at all from her mother.  Speaking from personal experience, I have no idea where I'd be if I didn't have the support from my friends and family.  I give Mia snaps though... she was able to help her mom see that she wasn't broken, and still able to function.  I also loved the end of the episode when they showed Angela's "celebration of life party"  It is sometimes really easy for disabled people to get in a depressive state of mind.  For me, I sometimes tend to focus on the stuff I can't do. Instead of doing that I need to take a lesson from these girls, and celebrate how awesome my life is!
Until Next Time
~C

Episodes 1 and 2 of "Push Girls"

This show is excellent!  Being in a chair myself, I can relate to all the things that the girls go through.  I have to say out of all of the girls, I can relate to Auti and Mia the most. My friends have called me a fire cracker before! The dance was killer!!!  I try not to let things bother me.  I also try to attack life and kick butt in all I do. Auti's husband said " The chair is something that's part of you, and I'll have to deal with it because I love you"  That is like the sweetest thing that I have heard anyone say. I love how Mia didn't back down on her desire to have a child.  It is no secret that breakups suck.  I was glad she was able to stand her ground.  Tiphany's sense of individuality is something to be admired.  She is also hilarious. Angela is awesome for getting back into the modeling world.  You go girl!  I have wanted to model for a while now, but I do nor even know where to begin. It would be so incredibly awesome if I could tell my story on a future episode of, "Push girls" Unlike the girls on the show now, I was born with Cerebral Palsy, and thus, I have been in a char my whole life.  I hope I can share my journey with the public on "Push Girls" one day!
Until next time!
~C

Loving Life at the Moment!

I am loving life at the moment!  A few posts ago, I was writing about how I wanted to see more disabled awareness in the media... Well, there is a new show on the Sundance channel called, "Push Girls"  The main goal of this show is to dispel any ignorance that people may have about the disabled.  The premiere is tomorrow at 10!  You can watch it early by clicking here! Throughout the series I will be sure to blog about it, and share my thoughts with Y'all.  I am so excited to watch.  It will be quite therapeutic for me! It is so nice to know that I am not alone in this.  I now feel like I have an even bigger platform to spread my message. I first heard about these inspiring ladies on The Ellen Show.  I was in all of their, "never say die" attitude!  You can watch their ellen interview here  I even shared the link to this blog on "Push Girls" Facebook page, and they got back to me.  How awesome is social media?
Until next time.
~ C

Sweet Summertime!

I made it through another semester!  Holy moly, college is going by so fast.  I can't even believe it.  I am so excited because my grades came in, I achieved a 3.75!  SO happy.  But enough about school.  It is finally summer.  I plan to have a low key break with a little bit of fun too.  I may have the opportunity to go parasailing!  I have always wanted to do that.  I love trying new things.  It is definitely a way to experience life.  I will try my best not to be too scared.  I am learning that you have to face your fears head on.  When you conquer your fears, it is such a great feeling!  Lately, I have been living by the mantra, "let faith be your guide, it will get you through the hard times."  If you get scared or worried, that's is ok, have faith that things will work out.  In my life they always have.  It is so important to remember to not sweat the small stuff.  The events in life that seem so big, and stressful, are usually events that pass with time.  These big events are important because they shape us into the people we are.
Until next time,
~C

It's Been a Few Weeks...

Hi everyone!  It's my spring break, so I figured I'd write a new post while I have time.  I just recently got some pretty exciting news, I got accepted to The University of Maryland, Baltimore County for next fall!  (Go Retrievers!!)  I am so excited for this new chapter of my life to begin!  The best part, I may be living on campus!  I am excited, but kind of nervous at the same time.  I am excited  because I will get the "normal" college experience. I am also scared because that will be the first time ever that I'd be living in my own without my parents' help.  Overall though, I think living on my own would be good for me because it would give me a sense of autonomy.  I would be able to make decisions on my terms.  I am also super excited to make new friends at UMBC!  I am thinking that I want to join a sorority.  I guess I'll have to wait and see how everything plays out!  I will be sure to keep you updated with everything!  Thanks for reading!
Until next time!
~C
  

Slightly Annoyed With How Much Things Cost The Disabled

I know that things are expensive in this world, but my god, is it really necessary for companies to charge ridiculous amounts for equipment that a person with a disability needs... or even wants?  I honestly think it is absolutely nuts! I understand that the disabled community are a special group of people, and that we have different and unique needs.  We can't just go to the store and buy a run of the mill wheelchair, table, or car...we have to almost always have to get things custom made.  I realize that because these things are custom made, that jacks up the price... but in my opinion companies take it too far.  All I can say is thank the lord for good insurance!  However there are some things that disabled people may want that most insurance will not cover!
      The other day, I was watching a show and it had a segment about biking and the disabled!  I thought it would be really cool for me to get my own bike that I could actually use.  After thinking about it, I remember how my parents and doctors tried to get my insurance to help pay for one.  But, my insurance denied me my bike because they deemed it,"recreational" instead of, "medically necessary ".  I wonder if insurance companies understand that something as simple as a bike, something that many little kids take for grated is something that disabled people could actually benefit from?  Without insurance, my bike will cost me over 2,000!   I wish insurance would help the disabled out when it comes to recreational activities and equipment.  Something has got to change!
Until next time!
~C

L.O.V.E. and Relationships

It's almost Valentine's day, or as I call it, "Single's Awareness day."  I am the typical young adult when it comes to my views on love and relationships.  I want to find that guy that makes my heart skip a beat, I want to smile a mile wide when he texts me!  :)  Being disabled however puts a totally different dynamic, and almost pressure on a relationship.  Most guys put such an emphasis on looks.  I have always had this fear that I will being judged for the way I am.  I always tell people, "if I didn't have this chair, things would be so much different."  I still have this irrational fear that when guys see my chair they will run away! I just wish that people wouldn't be so quick to judge, and actually give people with disabilities a chance.  I never thought that I would be able to meet a total sweetheart like that!  I thought that that type of guy only existed on books or movies.

Well, I was wrong. I met a great guy!  We went out to dinner, and even to a Ravens game.  I had such a great time.  Unfortunately, we are not together anymore.  Even though at times I feel sad that we are no longer together, I am truly blessed that he was in my life for the little time he was in it.  He showed me that total sweethearts do exist in this world.  He also showed me that I am worthy of a fantastic guy!  I am such a hopeless romantic it's crazy!  Now I know what those giddy feelings feel like, and I am so looking forward to feeling them again!
To all my readers that have a disability, let me be the first to tell you, GREAT guys do come around.  NEVER EVER feel like you aren't good enough for a relationship, it will happen sooner or later!  I had a friend always tell me, "you are the lucky one, you will always get the nice guys... us 'normal' girls have to go through the jerks first!"  I never believed my friend when she said this to me.  It turns out she was right.. we will get the nice guys first!"  When I do meet a total sweetheart again, I will be the luckiest girl ever!  All you need is faith!
Until next time
~C

Back to College: Spring Semester

It's that time again, time to hit the books.  After a very low-key, uneventful, and relaxing break, I was so ready to go back to classes.  Little did I realize how much of a pain it is to get accommodations  for those classes.  In past semesters, I had really understanding professors who just gave me copies of notes without me having to fill out the necessary paperwork.  At my college, students with disabilities are supposed to have paper work filled out saying that they have a legitimate disability.  I can understand having to fill out this paperwork if a student doesn't have a visible disability, but it's so obvious that I have a disability, I am in a wheelchair after all.  I believe it is incredibly asinine that disabled students have to jump through these hoops, we have enough things to worry about in our lives, the least professors could do is make our lives a little easier!  If a professor sees a student struggling to write notes, I believe they should anticipate that students needs, and offer up a little help.  After all, that's what makes a good teacher!

When I was sitting at home over break, I began to think about the ridiculous amount of money I would have to spend on books.  I hate textbooks because they are so big, heavy, and hard for me to manipulate!  I just recently bought myself an iPad 2 so that I could put my textbooks on it.  Talk about the ultimate in accommodations, they are so easy to use!  Not to mention I saved over $200 on my textbooks, and all I did was download the free Amazon Kindle app!  Anything to make my education a little easier!

Until next time.

~C 

Disabled People in the Media

 With the winter premiere of ABC Family's Switched at Birth, I Thought that I would post about disabled people in the media.  I find this show incredibly interesting, it tells the story of Bay and Daphne, these two young girls were what else, switched at birth.  Daphne is a deaf person who doesn't seem to let anything bother her.  Well, aside from normal teenage girl problems!  I love the fact that networks are raising awareness about disabilities.  I want to see way more! Switched at Birth is the only show that I know of where one of the main characters has a disability. It would be so awesome if there was a show about a person who had multiple disabilities or exceptionalities. That way, some people with disabilities would feel that they could relate to, or idolize someone who goes through some of the same things that they do.  I know from experience that it can sometimes be difficult to relate to people simply because they do not understand what I am going through.  I also believe that it would do wonders for other disabled people and "normal" alike because it would show them that their situation could be a lot worse, and things happen for a reason.  It is all about how we deal with it, and triumph through the bad circumstances that we have been given.  I am a firm believe in the statement, "We all have a purpose in our lives, it is our destiny to find out what it is!"
Until next time.
~C

First Post. Happy 2012!

Hey everyone!  Happy New Year.  Here's to hoping 2012 is wonderful.  My name is Christy. I am 20 years old.  I am in college majoring in psychology.  A few months ago, I decided to start a blog about my life. :) One of the main reasons I decided to start this blog is because I want to raise awareness about disabilities.  You see, I am not your average 20 year old college student. I have a disability myself.  I have what is called Cerebral Palsy.  I was diagnosed with C.P. when I was 18 months old.  I use a power wheelchair to get around.  I sometimes get sad because I'm not able to get up and get things myself.  However, I am a very lucky girl!  I still can speak on my own, feed myself, and I have full cognitive ability.
   I felt compelled to write this blog for others who are in the same situation as I am,  I want others who have a disability to know that they can still follow their dreams... it just may take them a little longer to accomplish them!  I also want others to know that it is NOT ok to take "no" for an answer.  If you want something, fight for it, no one said life was easy, but it's definitely worth it! NEVER SAY NEVER!  Until next time!
~C