Hello, to all my good friends out there. First off, I would like to say I am sorry for being gone so long. Believe it or not, I was having the biggest writer's block even though I am truly not a writer in any sense of the word. But I was really at a conundrumof what I wanted to say next. I just knew that it had to do with monkey bars. Intrigued?
Let me start by giving you a little history into the sort of person and I am and how I think. I picture everything. When I see a maze I form a picture in my head first on how the maze will end. If I throw a party I picture how the party will go. I am sure we all do this, and we will do our damnest to make the outcome picture exactly how we imagined it. Which leads me to a email conversation that I was having with my wonderful friend Dana.
Why is there always monkey bars?" I write.
Dana writes back and you can hear the giggle in her voice, "What are you talking about? Monkey bars?"
On my recent 5k Run for your Lives obstacle course the last obstacle was monkey bars.
"Yes, my Moby Dick, is monkey bars. I always see myself crossing them with no problem and that I just sail across like my 6 year old, but all I seem to do is grab one rung and then wham! into the water. If it was a life or death situation I would be dead. "
Dana writes back really laughing now, and writes, "It cracks me up that your crying moment morphed into cussing when confronted by those damn bars." hee hee..
Living with Cerebral Palsy requires creative thinking in all aspects of my life. I type with one hand about 25 wpm. I eat and write with my left hand, and I carry most items with my left hand. If something I need to do requires both hands, I will work it so my right arm or hand is construed in some sort of geometry angle with no name to make whatever I am doing work. Sometimes it works, sometimes I am cleaning a mess up. The point is before I do anything I picture in my head how it will work. This is the same with the monkey bars. I stand on the platform, I picture that I am going to fly over the monkey bars to the other side. It is the most frustrating thing in the world to me when this does not happen. What happens is I fall to the ground and my son running off giggling knowing he is better then me, in his 6 year old way.
I owe this "picture everything" talent to all my parents. (Yes, I said all) I grew up with my twin and knowing that I was different, but not that different. C.P was not to be used as excuse, ever. In turn, I have to give my parents credit for developing my critical thinking skills when I am carry the 20lb box with one hand, or dangling from the tree house 7 feet off the ground but knowing I am not going to be able to climb the rest way up. So thank you moms and dads for helping me develop my pain tolerance in life so early. And developing my mantra "Oh this going to hurt."
Next. Picture this 2.....
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Modern Day Slavery
I read this on NBC News Friday, and watched in on Rock Center that night and I have never been so furious. This antiquated loophole in the Fair Labor Standard Acts which was written in 1938 allows Goodwill, along with other companies to receive an "exemption" certificate to pay people that are disabled lower then federal min. wage based on time studies. This is the stupidest thing I have ever heard! There are no excuse to be morally and ethically wrong. Goodwill CEO in Portland OR. made over $500,000 last year. Goodwill is a billion dollar company that gets grants from the Federal Government to "help" disabled workers. This a company that has worked their whole marketing campaign on hiring disabled citizens. I have been lied too, we have all been lied too. No one regardless of race, sex, color or religion, disable status never should be regarded as a second class citizen. Every one please pass this on. One person in Pennsylvania was paid .68 cents hour with Cerebral Palsy.This effects me and it effects all of us.
http://openchannel.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/06/21/19062348-disabled-workers-paid-just-pennies-an-hour-and-its-legal?chromedomain=rockcenter&lite
Disabled workers paid just pennies an hour – and it's legal
http://openchannel.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/06/21/19062348-disabled-workers-paid-just-pennies-an-hour-and-its-legal?chromedomain=rockcenter&lite
Monday, June 3, 2013
Sometimes I have to let it go.
Like playing on those inflatable slides they have for the kids now. It not just bounce houses anymore, some companies have these humongous slides, and to get up to the very top of the slide you have to climb a ninety degree angle up the back of the slide, standing on a cushion of some sort that sinks into the floor, in the meantime you have to grab onto these foam "things" to pull yourself up on and use them for steps too. (Really?) I think I tried to climb this wall last weekend for a good forty minutes, because dang it, I was going to get up this slide. My husband kept telling me to give it up after I fell into the cushion that went to the cement floor underneath, but my stubbornness got the best of me. The sad part I couldn't even figure out why I wanted to get to the top. It wasn't until my 6 year old son came over to me and said "Mom let me show you how to get to the top of the slide." I finally sighed, and said OK. I followed Luke to the bottom of the slide where he proceeded to take off his socks and climb to the top of the slide by using the slide itself. It is really perplexing at times like those to think that adults are smarter then children.
When will I learn.
When will I learn.
Monday, April 8, 2013
"Are you crying?" "There is no crying in......"
Finish that sentence. I can't tell you how many times in the last few months I have said it in my head. At work, at home, in the car. Everyday I have a new challenge, a new pain that is different from the day before, and yet, I get up every morning groaning, shuffling to the coffee pot and wondering if this pain somewhere in my body is just an ache that will go away as the day goes on or will it follow me until I go to bed. Then the cycle starts again the next day. No one will ever notice the physical pain I am in that I have learned how to cope with the pain. I still have to get up, go to work, be a mom, a wife, a friend, and still act like that there is nothing wrong except the ache of the "good knee" is the sign of arthritis and knowing, as my orthopedic Dr. puts it, "I'm screwed." Now, the point to all this wishy washy rant is tell you the two ways I have solved my mental debasing I go through everyday.
1. I have lost all sympathetic nodding to others that complain about their aches and pains, but do nothing to help themselves.
a. Do not look for me to agree with you. I am not listening to you. All I am thinking is you are complaining way too loud because I can not hear myself judging you. (Thank you Laura for that great quote) That is right people, I admit it! I am not saying nice things in my head about you. I am thinking that you are not helping yourself by getting every procedure done in the book, or getting a second opinion from another Dr. because the first Dr. did not tell you what you wanted to hear. Sometimes it really is tendinitis in your butt. Yes, this is possible, it is called an inflamed bursitis sack that sits by your hip bone. The best treatment for this is regular visit to your physical therapist, massage therapist because inflammation is normally caused by wear and tear. No, I am not a Dr. This is only an opinion through my experience and I recommend anyone who is concerned to go to the Dr. for the diagnosis.
2. Pay it Forward.
a. Help those that need the help. My friend recently found out that she had a Cam impingement in one hip and a Pincer impingment in the other. She just got done with her first hip arthoscopy. She healing nicely, and she is even going to the physical therapist that I recommended to ghelp with her first bout of healing. The point is that I took my negative thoughts and helped her by answering questions she had and just being there for her. Her impingment just happened. There was no reason towards why her hips caused the impingment it was just wear and tear, but as a person that had been through the surgery twice before it was my duty as a friend and because I am a know-it-all I was meant to impart my wisdom of experience. As I said from the beginning the main reason I write this blog is to share my experiences to make it easier for others.
I know this blog is kind of downer but as my friend Angie pointed out recently sometimes there is crying in life and not everything needs to be hidden behind your smile. You need to let people know it sometimes. This followed by the question, "Now tell me again what you did on a bike?"
That story is for next time.
Goodnight.
1. I have lost all sympathetic nodding to others that complain about their aches and pains, but do nothing to help themselves.
a. Do not look for me to agree with you. I am not listening to you. All I am thinking is you are complaining way too loud because I can not hear myself judging you. (Thank you Laura for that great quote) That is right people, I admit it! I am not saying nice things in my head about you. I am thinking that you are not helping yourself by getting every procedure done in the book, or getting a second opinion from another Dr. because the first Dr. did not tell you what you wanted to hear. Sometimes it really is tendinitis in your butt. Yes, this is possible, it is called an inflamed bursitis sack that sits by your hip bone. The best treatment for this is regular visit to your physical therapist, massage therapist because inflammation is normally caused by wear and tear. No, I am not a Dr. This is only an opinion through my experience and I recommend anyone who is concerned to go to the Dr. for the diagnosis.
2. Pay it Forward.
a. Help those that need the help. My friend recently found out that she had a Cam impingement in one hip and a Pincer impingment in the other. She just got done with her first hip arthoscopy. She healing nicely, and she is even going to the physical therapist that I recommended to ghelp with her first bout of healing. The point is that I took my negative thoughts and helped her by answering questions she had and just being there for her. Her impingment just happened. There was no reason towards why her hips caused the impingment it was just wear and tear, but as a person that had been through the surgery twice before it was my duty as a friend and because I am a know-it-all I was meant to impart my wisdom of experience. As I said from the beginning the main reason I write this blog is to share my experiences to make it easier for others.
I know this blog is kind of downer but as my friend Angie pointed out recently sometimes there is crying in life and not everything needs to be hidden behind your smile. You need to let people know it sometimes. This followed by the question, "Now tell me again what you did on a bike?"
That story is for next time.
Goodnight.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
"It's Just Casey" The Adventures of Living and Aging with Cerebral Palsy
Neither can I.
The Final Battle
Standing on the hill I was thinking. Dwelling on the fact that this could be it for me. I hadn't even finished the first mile and I am about to be hit by this Zombie who is watching us with eager eyes. "Come my pretty", she saying, which was more of a moan then actual words. As I was planning the actual path I was going to take, and looking at the ground with its ruts and the brush around the trail and thinking how am I going to get around this without hurting myself. When all of sudden I hear from the back of our bunch "1...2...3!" Our makeshift team surged forward, I paused for a second and realized my twin has already taken off. Oh, great, she has left me again. I bounced after her and ended right behind her. She was trying to figure the best way to run around the Zombie without grabbing for her when I came up behind and went to her left, while the Zombie went for her right. And as I flew by her I came up with this one thought. The thought that we don't say out loud because maybe this is the true you and not the nice person that you believe you are. But because I am honest to my readers I will tell you my deep dark secret.
I will not hesitate to use you as a body shield to protect myself from a Zombie war.
And that is what I did to my sister. I let the Zombie go for her as I used her as a body shield, and yes, I ran on.
At the bottom of the hill was a wonderful, beautiful water station signaling the end of the first mile and I still have three flags, and yes, I was getting cocky. After hydrating and ready for the second mile I knew now after a rocky start I really could finish this. I was hurting by now, my knee was killing me from when the eagle landed previously and my hip was starting to remind me that I do have Stage Four Arthritis but I pushed on. There was a maze that I flew through, a couple more fields, which I will now admit that I have lost one flag and I have reached the 2 mile water station. Yea, for me!
The Last Mile
If you all have seen my blog you will notice that I posted a picture with an arrow and the word "hill" on it. This was the first of many of the "hills" on the last mile. I would like to say that I breezed right through, but let me say, no one "breezes" these hills. They are made for dirt road motorcycles that requires wheelies at the top. But I will say that I did make it up the hills without sliding back like everyone else was doing. (Thanks Brooks Trail Running Shoes. Always give credit were credit is due.) It wasn't until I ran into a large Zombie that for the record got a little too friendly by slipping her arms around me to steal my two last flags. I was irritated, but well crap happens. So I ended up helping my team by acting like I had flags and ended up being the body shield for others. (See, always remember to pay it forward) I was walking towards the end of the race now and one of the race photographers was taking pictures, and since I had nothing to lose I stopped in front of the photographer and strike a pose. Ta DA! I stood there as he snapped, and when he was done he said, "here you might need this." He hands me a red flag. (Oh, yes, I found a safety box!) The game was on once again!
Well.. on when I make it up another hill and the three Zombies on top of it. ( By the way, I have no idea where my sister is at this time.) I ran as fast as I could up the hill feeling like I was Ms. Flash Gordon, but the truth is it was probably more like Yertle the Turtle. Which didn't give the Zombie any kind of challenge and I will admit that by the time I was at the top, I just tore the flag off my belt and handed it to him. He smiled.
That was it. That was the last hill now there was a couple of last obstacles to complete and a run down the virus infected shoot and to hose off in freezing water line. But it was done. I was handed the medal, my very first one ever. Let's all say ahhh. But to me this was a great achievement.
I would have never thought in my life that I would complete a 5k obstacle course. I am not naturally athletic nor have I really been inclined to be so, but when I saw read about this race originally, I was compelled to just do it and I didn't quit. I will never be a marathon runner and I will always have to work harder, but the truth of this is I tried and I succeeded.
See you May 11, 2013
http://www.runforyourlives.com/north-cali-overview-2013/
I will not hesitate to use you as a body shield to protect myself from a Zombie war.
And that is what I did to my sister. I let the Zombie go for her as I used her as a body shield, and yes, I ran on.
At the bottom of the hill was a wonderful, beautiful water station signaling the end of the first mile and I still have three flags, and yes, I was getting cocky. After hydrating and ready for the second mile I knew now after a rocky start I really could finish this. I was hurting by now, my knee was killing me from when the eagle landed previously and my hip was starting to remind me that I do have Stage Four Arthritis but I pushed on. There was a maze that I flew through, a couple more fields, which I will now admit that I have lost one flag and I have reached the 2 mile water station. Yea, for me!
The Last Mile
If you all have seen my blog you will notice that I posted a picture with an arrow and the word "hill" on it. This was the first of many of the "hills" on the last mile. I would like to say that I breezed right through, but let me say, no one "breezes" these hills. They are made for dirt road motorcycles that requires wheelies at the top. But I will say that I did make it up the hills without sliding back like everyone else was doing. (Thanks Brooks Trail Running Shoes. Always give credit were credit is due.) It wasn't until I ran into a large Zombie that for the record got a little too friendly by slipping her arms around me to steal my two last flags. I was irritated, but well crap happens. So I ended up helping my team by acting like I had flags and ended up being the body shield for others. (See, always remember to pay it forward) I was walking towards the end of the race now and one of the race photographers was taking pictures, and since I had nothing to lose I stopped in front of the photographer and strike a pose. Ta DA! I stood there as he snapped, and when he was done he said, "here you might need this." He hands me a red flag. (Oh, yes, I found a safety box!) The game was on once again!
Well.. on when I make it up another hill and the three Zombies on top of it. ( By the way, I have no idea where my sister is at this time.) I ran as fast as I could up the hill feeling like I was Ms. Flash Gordon, but the truth is it was probably more like Yertle the Turtle. Which didn't give the Zombie any kind of challenge and I will admit that by the time I was at the top, I just tore the flag off my belt and handed it to him. He smiled.
That was it. That was the last hill now there was a couple of last obstacles to complete and a run down the virus infected shoot and to hose off in freezing water line. But it was done. I was handed the medal, my very first one ever. Let's all say ahhh. But to me this was a great achievement.
I would have never thought in my life that I would complete a 5k obstacle course. I am not naturally athletic nor have I really been inclined to be so, but when I saw read about this race originally, I was compelled to just do it and I didn't quit. I will never be a marathon runner and I will always have to work harder, but the truth of this is I tried and I succeeded.
See you May 11, 2013
http://www.runforyourlives.com/north-cali-overview-2013/
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)