Using my Knowledge to help Others in Need

I've always been a kind, generous, giving person and put others before myself. Although more so now that I know what it’s like from a perspective of someone with a disability, more specifically a spinal cord injury. I need constant help and support from those around in order to live a happy, meaningful and fulfilling life.

I’ve seen firsthand others in similar situations who need support and guidance in their life in order to get through tough times. I have been there before. I’ve struggled to find my place in a world that has a difficult time accepting those who are different from them. When it comes to people with disabilities, I had to unpack a lifetime of negative messages.

One thing that’s unique about my situation is that I never had any anger after my accident. I’ve figured, what kind of life would I be living if I went around being mad at everything that happened to me. I find it fatiguing to go over tireless circumstances, feeling like a victim of something, and self-pitying because I don’t feel it gets me anywhere. Although, I know there are those who have had similar things happen who may struggle with a different way of living and do question things constantly.

Through the last 18 ½ years, my accident has brought me many positives-including great friends, increased empathy, strength, forgiveness, appreciation, openness and a brand-new perspective on life itself. The thing that keeps me going is knowing that I can be there for those in need, along with the people who I care about most in my life. It has always been a part of my self-serving nature, even before my injury.

There are thousands of individuals and families affected each year who have encountered an SCI, and I believe throughout all the different types of disabilities, it’s amongst the most shocking life events one can experience. It often falls under that person’s friends and family to assist them on the hard road ahead to rehabilitation. Also, after this big of significant change, life is usually never the same again. One thing that’s most important is that those affected never give up hope.

This brings me to my next endeavor in my life, assisting others in need of someone who can understand the emotional and physical consequences of an SCI. There’s no doubt that the Internet has a lot of information, although it’s not always the most accurate and there is only so much aid those around can offer. So that’s where help and stories from someone in that same position come in and offer support. Within this is the expectation that they can show some sympathetic and kindness where it’s needed most.

I’m very proud of all the things I’ve been able to do to help out others in my current situation.  I know from past speeches, mentoring, my blog and volunteering that my accomplishments and achievements have not gone unnoticed.  I’m going to continue expanding my knowledge and helping people in need. I reached out to a few different mentoring programs and am in the process of becoming a peer mentor for a couple of different organizations. 

If you know someone who is in need of a mentor or you are interested, please let me know by emailing me at: jtic20@gmail.com.

 Jenni

“Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve.... You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

-Martin Luther King Jr.

Expect the Unexpected

Expect the unexpected means to not be surprised by an unusual event. Anything could happen, and probably will. Considering all the possible scenarios is the solution for a lifestyle without disappointment. Sometimes we will let life guide us and other times we take it into our own hands. However, no matter how organized we are or how well we plan, something may pop up and steer us in a whole new direction.

As my life has unfolded, and with the way things turned out how they did, I am happy to be alive! My willingness to continue pushing through my personal expectations along with remaining positive and persevering is a testament to who I have become. Making an impact on people’s lives is important to me and gives me a reason to get out of bed every day. I can show others not to pretend to be who they are despite their situation. Do not let anything slow you down and do not impose limitations on yourself.

Jenni

Curing Paralysis

Those of us with spinal cord injuries all wish and hope that there was a cure for paralysis. We are now learning that there are ways around an actual cure. By using an electronic device, the people in this video are learning to walk again.

Jenni

Changing Pages

My blog turned 11 years old on October 13. I find it hard to believe I’ve been blogging that long. It’s been filled with great posts of all different genres. In fact, I keep a column on the right side in which I can attach categories to each post. That way if someone is trying to find something specific, they can just click on the category and get it that way. A favorite part about blogging is being able to share my life with others while helping them as well. Also, it acts as a diary for me, allowing me to get my feelings out.

 

Every day I think about how many people are impacted by me or what I have written. Ever since I started this blog, my goal has always been to inspire others and encourage people to go on despite their circumstances. Regardless of difficulties and challenges that everyone experiences, my purpose is to show that it is possible to work through them; to demonstrate that no matter what obstacles we may face in life, there is a way to overcome them. All one needs is a little positivity and faith to know that everything’s going to be okay.

 

I’ve kept a tracker on it so that I as well as others could see how many people see my blog, read my writings, and maybe have been inspired by what I’ve said. Over the years, I’ve done blog posts whenever my blog has hit a certain number of visitors. I wanted whoever visited to know they weren't the only ones reading what I had to say. My blog has made a significant amount of progress since the beginning. I can now say that I’ve reached over 380,000 page views to this day.

Jenni

Unleashing my Situation

I love writing, especially if it's about me because it's another way to get things out that may be stuck inside. That’s one of the reasons why I have my blog. It’s kind of like my diary; a way to share my feelings even though it’s public. In high school and college I took creative writing classes and really enjoyed them. I’ve always thought about writing a book about my life. People have told me that I have a story that should be shared with the world. I suppose if I look back at old posts of mine I could compile them and it would create a book in itself.

I also enjoy speaking and sharing my story with others. I like to inspire them no matter what happens in life to stay positive, and believe that everything happens for a reason. I’ve said this to myself many times and it’s helped me get through situations in my life where I felt like things are out of my control. This is also how I’ve been able to overcome so many obstacles throughout my life, the biggest one being my accident. It’s one thing having a situation happen in your life and another to actually be able to overcome it when needed.

Jenni

Searching for Feedback

I’ve realized that one reason I created this blog is so that no one would feel alone. So that people would feel like they either had someone to look up to, something to look forward to, a person to help make their life worth living, or just lose their way in the life of someone else just trying to live theirs. Since my accident I had thought of myself as a person with a disability-never the other way around. I always strive to look on the positive side and even on my down days seem to find a glimmer of hope.

Lately, I haven’t written on my blog as frequently as I did when I first started it. Some parts were not really having the time, possibly fighting off illnesses or getting sidetracked with other tasks. Another part is I’m not sure how many other ways I can share my story. From this I get a great sense of satisfaction knowing that I could potentially be helping someone else along the way. I also treat it as a diary, to unleash my deepest thoughts; except it’s not so secret because hundreds of people could be reading it.

Very few know that it takes a lot of time and effort to write one single blog post. In the beginning it wasn’t as hard to write because it was all so new, I had many things to say. Since 2008, when I started my blog, it has been getting harder finding topics to talk about or share. As a result, I end up going a while between postings. Nowadays it takes me a couple of days, a week or even a month to finish. Also, I haven’t had that same feeling of satisfaction after writing a post like I did when I started. I suppose this could be another reason why it’s harder to write and finish a whole post.

I wrote a post in 2013 sharing that I’ve kept a tracker on my blog so that I as well as others could see how many people have read my writings, left comments and maybe have been inspired by what I said. Over the years, I would write a blog post every time I hit a certain milestone of visitors. Knowing the number of people reading my blog, I’ve encouraged all of you to pass my blog onto others. The more people that I can share my story with the better!

As you may tell by now, I’ve been stumped lately with ideas about posts to write about. I want to get ideas flowing and the inspiration back that I had in the beginning. One thing that helps is when people leave comments on my blog about how I impact them in some way or if they have questions when they read my writings. Maybe if I propose questions like, is there anything that I haven’t talked about that you would want to know about me? Is there something that I’ve written about that has helped you in some way?

I’m looking forward to hearing what people have to say by commenting. My goal is to reach as many people as possible.

Jenni

Sharing My Story

I’m always flattered when other people ask to share my story. Whether it be my blog, another blog site, someone I just met, a person in a similar situation, a company, a classroom etc. I don’t mind it at all even if I have to tell it multiple times. I look at it as a way of inspiring others while gaining long-term friendships at the same time.

Since I started my own blog in 2008, I have received multiple comments and messages from around the world either sharing their story or telling me how I impacted them in some way. One example would be when I heard from a guy named Jia who lives in Singapore. Although our stories are different, he has the same injury level and also receives nursing care. Now we talk on occasion through Facebook.

A while back I received a comment from someone who lives in Scotland. He said "Hi there Jenni, I just wanted to say how amazing I think both you and your blog are. You seem like a great person and your blog has helped a lot since my mum was paralyzed 2 years ago, she's a C3 complete, so seeing someone with a similar injury is great for both of us. It hit my mum pretty hard getting injured and seeing other amazing women going through what she has really helped her. Thank you so much for writing it and sharing your story and life."

Aside from my own blog, I’ve also written blog posts for the Easystand blog, a company that supplied me with my first stander. I don’t use it anymore though now that my new wheelchair has the capability of standing itself. You can read multiple posts on their site although it’s currently undergoing construction.

Also, Pediatric Home Services asked me to write an article for their Thrive blog. PHS is a company that I order all of my supplies through for my medical equipment. I was excited to get a chance to write something for their blog, especially because they specialize with pediatric patients. I started with them when I was 16 years old after my accident and have continued into their care even though I’m an adult now. Click here in order to read the article.

As far as meeting others, one day I was taking my dog, Brody, for a walk. I ran into one of my neighbors, Rosie, who has 3 dogs and they all came barking towards him. It happened another time a couple days later so I stopped to talk and at that point I shared my story. Not soon after she remembered going to a silent auction for a girl who was just in an accident. Turns out it was me! We met about 5 years ago and since then we’ve become good friends and spend time together pretty much every week.

Another way that I spread my story throughout is by speaking. I’ve done multiple motivational speeches to different Schools and at events. All the way from kindergarten to high school kids along with coordinated organizations. In 2011, I won Ms. Wheelchair Minnesota which gave me a chance to also speak around the state.

I once received an email from a fireman. He told me that he remembered being at my accident and helping out. The way he heard more of my story is actually through his son who was in 3^rd grade at the time. Turns out he had come home from school one day telling his dad that someone in my situation came to his classroom and gave a speech. Somehow he figured out that it was me and we were able to get into contact. It was great to know that I made a difference in this little boy’s life along with a longtime memory of this fireman.

I’m sure there are many more stories like the ones I have shared that have happened and are going to in the future. I’ve always thought about writing a book about what happened to me and my journey throughout life, especially since I love to write. It would also create connections and hopefully bring joy along with inspiration to others.

Jenni

Having Strength

This sign hangs above my doorway. It just proves how strong I am just by the biblical meaning of my name!

I always thought of myself as being a strong person, especially after I had my accident. The strength that came about wasn’t just from physical or mental, but from others encouragement towards my recovery beyond. It gave me peace of mind knowing that there were people helping me to get through the tough processes that got me down. These are some of the reasons why it’s easier for me to help others in need get through theirs as well.

This is one of the main components to why I try my hardest to get out and do public speaking. To encourage others that no matter what happens, life can go on. That despite your current situation there may be other solutions to a problem. It brings me to my conclusion that things happen for a reason. I’ve always tried to maintain this positive outlook and share my presence in life.

I can’t even count how many times I’ve done public speaking events or spoken to others. My favorite is talking to kids; they have so many questions and are very curious. Plus I get to teach them at an early age that even though someone has a disability, it doesn’t mean they don’t have abilities as well. I have even gone back to my elementary, junior high and high school to speak.

My motto is to believe in the ability to figure things out. There will be a better tomorrow, even if it’s a struggle, be okay with it, and over time things will work out. By bringing the fun into the situation proactively, even if I have those feelings of doubt, I’m patient and allow myself to be persistent in my action as well as move past my struggles. While loving others in similar situations, I amplify and respect them; accept them for who they are and appreciate the differences.

Jenni

 

My Friend Karly

On August 20, 2012 my friend Karly passed away. She spent her whole life battling Rett syndrome, a disorder of the nervous system that affected her body and speech. Also, because of the neurological aspect of it she had seizures and uncontrollable breath holding along with hyperventilation. Without the use of her voice and the control of her body, Karly struggled with communication up until the age of 10. That's when her family and therapist figured out a way for her to communicate using facilitated communication; with the help of someone supporting her arm she was able to use a keyboard to type out her words letter by letter. The person helping her could then translate what she was saying allowing her to express her feelings, wants and desires. She also wrote blog posts and amazing poetry along with creating music, all by facilitated communication.

I first learned about Karly on the radio, and through that went to her blog site. I left a comment sharing my story. She got back to me right away and after a bit we set up a time to meet at her house. My first impression was pure amazement; I was mesmerized by her intellect, kindness and accuracy as she typed out what she wanted to say throughout our entire conversation. I went home with a new perspective on communication and the different abilities of people with disabilities. We got together many times after that, including meeting at the Science Museum. She introduced me to her therapy horse, Beau and I got to know her family really well.

Although I'm sad she's no longer here, I know she's in a better place. Karly's faith was stronger than anyone I've ever known and she was very much at peace. Her blog and words were read by thousands around the world and she helped many families dealing with Rhett syndrome. According to her mom, after her passing it received over 10,000 visitors. She taught me to live life to the fullest and to not let challenges stand in your way. She will never be forgotten and I'm proud to call her my friend.

Jenni

 

Earlier this year Karly wrote a poem in which she instructed her mom to post on her blog after she passed away.

 

The Invitation

The music of heaven fills my heart with longings I cannot ignore

The time spent on earth full of its possibilities,

becomes a distant memory

compared to what I see through weary eyes

I leave my love behind to offer as a beacon

for those who wonder if it’s true,

I have seen, I have heard, I am certain

It’s a small step for me now on this path

I hear the tears of many who have loved me so well.

Love another like you loved me,

and this world will be a better place.

I see the face of God

I see my new beginning and I am full of joy

I will watch for you, please come.

Karly Whalin

February 17, 2012

Hospital Hero

I wrote a post a couple weeks ago about all of the opportunities I've been getting to be videotaped for various things. One of them was for Fox 9 news regarding a hospital hero I named from Gillette children's specialty healthcare hospital. It aired shortly after I wrote the post and then the video came out online. Click here to watch the news clip.

I was also sent an e-mail the other day about another chance to be in a video for CareFusion Technologies, the people who make my vent. I'm going to be discussing it more in detail later this week and will let you know more of what it's about when I can. I love sharing my story and also helping out people and organizations share their stories as well. It feels good to be a part of something bigger, and also be filmed every once in a while. :-)

Jenni

Determination

In 1883, a creative engineer named John Roebling was inspired by an idea to build a spectacular bridge connecting New York with the Long Island. However bridge building experts throughout the world thought that this was an impossible feat and told Roebling to forget the idea. It just could not be done. It was not practical. It had never been done before.

Roebling could not ignore the vision he had in his mind of this bridge. He thought about it all the time and he knew deep in his heart that it could be done. He just had to share the dream with someone else. After much discussion and persuasion he managed to convince his son Washington, an up and coming engineer, that the bridge in fact could be built.

Working together for the first time, the father and son developed concepts of how it could be accomplished and how the obstacles could be overcome. With great excitement and inspiration, and the headiness of a wild challenge before them, they hired their crew and began to build their dream bridge.

The project started well, but when it was only a few months underway a tragic accident on the site took the life of John Roebling. Washington was injured and left with a certain amount of brain damage, which resulted in him not being able to walk or talk or even move.

"We told them so."
"Crazy men and their crazy dreams."
"It`s foolish to chase wild visions."

Everyone had a negative comment to make and felt that the project should be scrapped since the Roeblings were the only ones who knew how the bridge could be built. In spite of his handicap Washington was never discouraged and still had a burning desire to complete the bridge and his mind was still as sharp as ever.

He tried to inspire and pass on his enthusiasm to some of his friends, but they were too daunted by the task. As he lay on his bed in his hospital room, with the sunlight streaming through the windows, a gentle breeze blew the flimsy white curtains apart and he was able to see the sky and the tops of the trees outside for just a moment.

It seemed that there was a message for him not to give up. Suddenly an idea hit him. All he could do was move one finger and he decided to make the best use of it. By moving this, he slowly developed a code of communication with his wife.

He touched his wife's arm with that finger, indicating to her that he wanted her to call the engineers again. Then he used the same method of tapping her arm to tell the engineers what to do. It seemed foolish but the project was under way again.

For 13 years Washington tapped out his instructions with his finger on his wife's arm, until the bridge was finally completed. Today the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge stands in all its glory as a tribute to the triumph of one man's indomitable spirit and his determination not to be defeated by circumstances. It is also a tribute to the engineers and their team work, and to their faith in a man who was considered mad by half the world. It stands too as a tangible monument to the love and devotion of his wife who for 13 long years patiently decoded the messages of her husband and told the engineers what to do.

Perhaps this is one of the best examples of a never-say-die attitude that overcomes a terrible physical handicap and achieves an impossible goal.

Often when we face obstacles in our day-to-day life, our hurdles seem very small in comparison to what many others have to face. The Brooklyn Bridge shows us that dreams that seem impossible can be realised with determination and persistence, no matter what the odds are.

Even the most distant dream can be realized with determination and persistence.

Subject: the Seven Wonders of the World

This was originally posted 10/12/08. I'm not sure if everyone's read it, but I think it's a great story so I decided to repost it.

A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the present Seven Wonders of the World. Though there was some disagreement, the following got the most votes:
1. Egypt's great pyramids
2. The Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State building
6. Tt. Peter's Basilica
7. The Great Wall of China
While counting up the votes, the teacher noted that one quiet student hadn't turned in his paper yet, so she asked the child if he was having trouble with his list. The reply came, "Yes, a little. I can't quite make up my mind because there are so many." The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have and maybe we can help." He hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:
1. To touch
2. To taste
3. To see
4. To hear
He hesitated a little, then added:
5. To feel
6. To laugh
7. and, to love"
The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. These things we overlook as simple and ordinary are truly wondrous-a gentle reminder that the most precious things in life cannot be bought or built.
-Anonymous

I love this story! I think it really makes people realize how valuable life is and not to take the little things for granted. There are people out there who can't touch, taste, see, hear, feel, laugh, or love. Think about it. Put yourself in their position, or even my position. Try sitting still for five minutes. No moving around, scratching itches, moving your hair from your face etc. It's hard isn't it. I know there is no way that anyone could know or even imagine how it feels to lose or be missing a sense unless it had happened or was happening to them. Even doing a simple experiment like sitting still for five minutes or wearing a blindfold for a day cannot show someone to the full extent what it's like to have a disability. Just something to think about when you're holding your kids, tasting your favorite food, watching the sunset, listening to the birds, getting a massage, reading a funny joke, or spending time with the people you love.

Jenni

Trees That Wood

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."

Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."

Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me."

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter" ... and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.

At the second tree a woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree so I'll take this one", and he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for. The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark. The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.

Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time. Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said "Peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.

by: Bill Greer, Chicken Soup for the Veteran's Soul

ReWalk

This amazing new technology allows paraplegics to walk again.



I thought this video was so cool. I only hope that one day they invent something like this for quadriplegics.

Jenni

An Inspiring Story

My friend Karly is an amazing person. Fox 9 news thought so too. Maury Glover from the station spent four hours with Karly filming and interviewing her, capturing what it's like to live with Rett syndrome. The clip is called "Woman with Rett Finds Her Voice Through Music" and it aired Wednesday, April 7. The video also shows how she communicates and talks about her recent CD release. I have posted the video clip below. If you want to watch it on the website click here. It is truly an inspiring story and great to know that Karly is becoming famous for her abilities, not her disability. Along with being a composer, she is also a writer and has a blog. Click here to visit it.



Jenni

156 Countries Sing Together

I saw this video and just had to post it.

"On December 7th, 2009 at 1:30pm GMT Starbucks invited musicians from all over the world to sing together at the same time to raise awareness for AIDS in Africa. In that one breathtaking moment, musicians from 156 countries played "All You Need is Love" together. Watch now, as musicians from all around the world come together and share a song."



"Join in by lending your own voice to http://starbucksloveproject.com/ Watch streaming video from countries around the world and then join in by singing All You Need is Love yourself. For each video submitted, Starbucks will make a contribution to the Global Fund to help fight against AIDS in Africa. You can also help increase the Starbucks contribution to the Global Fund by submitting a drawing to the Love Gallery.

The global sing-along is part of our continuing efforts to help fight AIDS in Africa. In just one year in partnership with (RED)™, Starbucks has generated money equivalent to more than 7 million days of medicine to help those living with HIV in Africa."

Jenni

The Brick

I received this story in an e-mail. Thought it was worth sharing:

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something.

As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown.

The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting,

'What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?' The young boy was apologetic. 'Please, mister...please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do,' He pleaded. 'I threw the brick because no one else would stop...' With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. 'It's my brother, 'he said 'He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up.'

Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, 'Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me.'

Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat.. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay. 'Thank you and may God bless you,' the grateful child told the stranger. Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy! push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home..

It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: 'Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!' God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. It's our choice to listen or not.

Thought for the Day:

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.

If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.

He sends you flowers every spring.

He sends you a sunrise every morning Face it, friend - He is crazy about you!

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

Read this line very slowly and let it sink in...

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Jenni

Trapped

The picture above is Rom Houbon, 46, who was diagnosed as being in a vegetable state after an accident in his 20s but can now communicate by computer keyboard. The article below tells his story. I found it on the Internet and thought it was interesting. I couldn't even imagine. Some people look at my situation and say the same thing. I just think about the fact that my situation could be worse, and that there are other people out there who are facing bigger challenges and bigger struggles. It makes me feel grateful for what I've been given-life. If you'd like to visit the actual website where the article is from click here.

Trapped in His Own Body for 23 Years-the Coma Victim Who Screamed Unheard

For 23 years Rom Houben was ­imprisoned in his own body. He saw his doctors and nurses as they visited him during their daily rounds; he listened to the conversations of his carers; he heard his mother deliver the news to him that his father had died. But he could do nothing. He was unable to communicate with his doctors or family. He could not move his head or weep, he could only listen.

Doctors presumed he was in a vegetative state following a near-fatal car crash in 1983. They believed he could feel nothing and hear nothing. For 23 years.

Then a neurologist, Steven Laureys, who decided to take a radical look at the state of diagnosed coma patients, released him from his torture. Using a state-of-the-art scanning system, Laureys found to his amazement that his brain was functioning almost normally.

"I had dreamed myself away," said Houben, now 46, whose real "state" was discovered three years ago, according to a report in the German magazine Der Spiegel this week.

Laureys, a neurologist at the ­University of Liege in Belgium, published a study in BMC Neurology earlier this year saying Houben could be one of many cases of falsely diagnosed comas around the world. He discovered that although Houben was completely paralysed, he was also completely conscious — it was just that he was unable to communicate the fact.

Houben now communicates with one finger and a special touchscreen on his wheelchair – he has developed some movement with the help of intense physiotherapy over the last three years.

He realised when he came round after his accident, which had caused his heart to stop and his brain to be starved of oxygen for several minutes, that his body was paralysed. Although he could hear every word his doctors spoke, he could not communicate with them.

"I screamed, but there was nothing to hear," he said, via his keyboard.

The Belgian former engineering student, who speaks four languages, said he coped with being effectively trapped in his own body by meditating. He told doctors he had "travelled with my thoughts into the past, or into another existence altogether". Sometimes, he said, "I was only my consciousness and nothing else".

The moment it was discovered he was not in a vegetative state, said Houben, was like being born again. "I'll never forget the day that they discovered me," he said. "It was my second birth".

Experts say Laureys' findings are likely to reopen the debate over when the decision should be made to terminate the lives of those in comas who appear to be unconscious but may have almost fully-functioning brains.

Belgian doctors used an internationally-accepted scale to monitor Houben's state over the years. Known as the Glasgow Coma Scale, it requires assessment of the eyes, verbal and motor responses. But they failed to assess him correctly and missed signs that his brain was still functioning.

Last night his mother, Fina, said in an interview with Belgian RTBF that they had taken him to the US five times for reexamination. The breakthrough came when it became clear that Houben could indicate yes and no with his foot. "Powerlessness. Utter powerlessness. At first I was angry, then I learned to live with it," he tapped out on to the screen during an interview with the Belgian network last night, AP reported.

Laureys, who is head of the Coma Science Group and department of neurology at Liege University hospital, has advised on several prominent coma cases, such as the American Terri Schiavo, whose life support was withdrawn in 2005 after 15 years in a coma.

Laureys concluded that coma patients are misdiagnosed "on a disturbingly regular basis". He examined 44 patients believed to be in a vegetative state, and found that 18 of them responded to communication.

"Once someone is labelled as being without consciousness, it is very hard to get rid of that," he told Der Spiegel.

He said patients suspected of being in a non-reversible coma should be "tested 10 times" and that comas, like sleep, have different stages and need to be monitored.

Houben hopes to write a book detailing his trauma and his "rebirth".

Jenni

Humor

I saw this video on a friend of mine's blog and just had to post it for you to watch. It is a quadriplegic on a ventilator with an inspiring message doing a comedy routine. One thing I use everyday is humor. I believe it is a great tool. It keeps me going and always lightens situations. It brings people up when they are down. It can be casual or really out there. This video says it all. The humor that he uses is exactly the type that I say everyday. Enjoy!



Jenni

Today's Lesson

I received this in an e-mail and thought it was worth sharing:

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried
piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.

Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be
covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all
grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.

At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He
was astonished at what he saw.

With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the
animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.

Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the
edge of the well and happily trotted off!

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to
getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up.

Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.
Free your mind from worries - Most never happen.
Live simply and appreciate what you have.
Give more.
Expect less

NOW .......

Enough of that crap. The donkey later came back, and bit the farmer
who had tried to bury him.

The gash from the bite got infected and the farmer eventually died in
agony from septic shock.

MORAL FROM TODAY'S LESSON:

When you do something wrong, and try to cover your ass, it always comes back to bite you.

Jenni