WRITE YOUR OWN STORY

Dealing With Life and Suffering...How?
As I was completing the video for this article, I stumbled across an article that had the title of my most favourite quote ever. It is from Joni Eareckson Tada. Click here to see the article titled with her quote "GOD IF I CAN'T DIE, TEACH ME HOW TO LIVE." The perfect quote to start off this article on a very controversial and intense subject. A prayer Joni uttered when she was deeply struggling with coming to terms with her newly acquired spinal cord injury from a diving accident that left her paralyzed from below the shoulders down. Click here to read an interview where she addresses pain and suffering.
From Loss To Hope...
Okay, first of all I encourage you to watch this very moving video, before I share the one that prompted this blog article and then my response video way down below.
 Click the Title below the image of these beautiful girls to see it: 

The Kemp girls, watch their video. Photo from www.fightSMA.orgOne SMA Family’s Story: From Loss to Hope

Beautiful family, aren't they!

Can you tell I am not wanting to share what I am about to share? It is a subject that infuriates me and breaks my heart to hear others like myself, speak out about wanting to legalize assisted suicide - wanting to have the "option" available if one chooses.

When you meet precious children as in the video above, and the countless others I have been honoured to meet since my childhood who were born with all types of disabilities.

On that inspiring note, this morning I began watching the video of Julia Lamb down below. At first glance,when I saw the title:

"B.C. Woman With Degenerative Disease Challenges  Assisted Dying Bill" 

See?

I was wrong! Foolishly assumed, that because of the title, of the above CBC news video article, that Ms. Julia Lamb, was fighting against the assisted suicide bill, that was tragically passed recently in our home land of, Canada. Yay, glad to see someone on our national news, speaking up against it, this should be encouraging and inspiring. After all, there are many of us in this entire world, who believe regardless of our disabilities, diseases or illnesses, that life, regardless of how difficult and painful and even scary it might get, is something we must do - live life no matter what! 
That God Himself, is the only One who knows when and how we are to leave these physical bodies. We do not have the "right" to kill our selves, with assistance or not. Yes, many think we do. There was a time in my second decade of life where I was so down, I contemplated suicide. But thankfully, I was too terrified of dying then because I didn't know what would happen. It was then that I faced a twenty year death sentence. If you have followed this blog, you will know that around seven or so, a Doctor told my Mom in front of me, that I had Muscular Dystrophy and would be dead at twenty. (Needless to say, that is a topic for another day. ) 
Before I realized that her views are contrary to mine. I thought it was really neat that she also has spinal muscular atrophy, the same diagnosis as myself. I don't get to meet too many people with SMA in our home town. (my first diagnosis I had was wrong). Based on her description and details about her life thus far, it would seem that she has type 2 SMA.  I have type 3 SMA.  My dear nephew Kyle, who had type 1 (infantile SMA) and after eleven days, went right into the Arms of Jesus. Life expectancy predictions,  is something I learned the hard way, to not live by. Yes, it can offer an average range. But ultimately it is in God's hands and many, including myself, lived past the prognosis given at diagnosis. As well, we may have an idea of may happen to our bodies as the motor neurone deteriorate based on the history of many who have come before us. Yes, everyone I have met with my type, have all been far different in severity than myself. Such as the fact that I stopped walking by age 14 and our friend in Iran, is in his thirties and he can still walk and work full time. Another fellow we met in Peru, can stand up with help....see what I mean. 
I spent all day trying to find the right words to say and now the day is coming to an end and I am not done....so here is a video I made to supplement the point of this article and maybe tomorrow I will conclude with all the rest of the words. no words can express how sad this whole subject makes me....so for now I want to say this to anyone facing a life altering diagnosis.
Write Your Own Story
Like one specialist told me years ago when I was asking if I was to expect that one day I may need a  respirator or GI tube for feeding, he told me to "Write your own story." Clearly,  the range of severity at varying ages is not consistently the same. 

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

Say No To Murder, Of All Kinds - Life, Is Not Up For Debate

Yup, that is Me back in 1966 or so!

They're at it again! It's been out there all this time, but I confess, I have been looking down at my feet. It is such a painful subject, I stepped back a while ago and tried to ignore the Euthanasia issue. Ashamed that I whimped out because it frustrated and saddened me to no end, realizing that even those I thought cared about protecting all life, have fallen for the lie.
As a person who lives with a progressive neuromuscular disorder called Spinal Muscular Atrophy, that can weaken my muscles to the point that I may need a respirator or be fed by a tube one day, I shudder to think that people I trust actually believe it would be ethical to end my life if I asked them to.  Recent headlines about our new Liberal government seeking to work on legalizing Doctor Assisted Suicide or Death, left me with no other option but to speak out again. Even if no one listens, what matters is doing what I believe is right. The results are in God's hands.

So, I started by trying to write an article about this passionate subject and the feelings about it are so intense, it is hard to put it on "paper," so I recorded a video. It is the best way available, to share my heart, to plead with people to think, think about what it really means to say yes to legalizing Doctor Assisted Suicide, Euthanasia and even "mercy" killing. Think hard and long about what it all actually means before you endorse such acts. The blood of the innocent, unborn babies, murdered every day are already on our hands as a society, to add more...

Of course, I know many won't agree about the sanctity of human life at all stages and will agree that it is a great option to have for suffering loved ones or themselves.  Whether anyone wants to believe it or not,  just as 3x3=9,  regardless of  whether we accept it as truth, the answer is 9, always will be. The same goes with taking human life, regardless of why or how or when, it isn't right. No debates about that.
Here's the video...  I feel convicted to share this.
Anyway, here is the video.

Protect All Life, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made.

Because I made a series of vides a few years ago on the subject, I will not repeat what is in there. So the videos are below incase anyone is interested. Again, the topic breaks my heart and infuriates me so much.

Info Links:
From the Council Of Canadians With Disabilities (click the title to see the article):
I Am Not Dead Yet!

Frequently Asked Questions about Doctor Assisted Suicide And Euthanasia

Incase you want to see the videos from a few years ago, here are the links...
Life, Not Up For Debate Part #1

Life, Not Up For Debate #2

Let's Show Em What Dignity Is

BE INSPIRED...PURPOSE AND REASON!

We heard a Pastor once, passionately declare to the congregation, how insensitive it is when someone

is suffering or struggling, to be told that "all things happen for a reason." It wasn't the first time I heard words from his mouth that made my heart sink, because it was obvious to me that I was the person he was describing.
After all, being honest about yourself and repenting of anything that God may be showing you through the lips of another is one way He teaches us right? I remember a distinct sinking feeling in my heart, because I was one of those people. No, not the suffering person, but the one who always uses that very same phrase "all things happen for a reason." Never did I think I was being insensitive. It is something I know to be true from experience. That includes even if you can't see why at the time. Nothing is ever in vain. God is Sovereign and even if some things make no sense, I know He is worth trusting completely.

Thankfully, God taught me a while ago, to not assume that Christian leaders are right all the time, to make sure that their words line up with His Word, so the sinking feeling left as fast as it came as I was reminded that it is true, all things do happen for a reason and nothing happens without purpose. Just read these words from God's infallible Word:

Luke 12:7 NASB - "Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows." 

Romans 8:28  And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

[Rom 9:13-23 ESV] 13 As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." 14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. 19 You will say to me then, "Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?" 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me like this?" 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory--

Psalm 139:1b-4 O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all.

Psa 139:13-17 For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
Purpose
Pretty much, most of us who live and breathe, have been inspired by the life of another.  Joni Eareckson Tada who dove into the Chesapeake Bay at the age of seventeen, breaking her neck, resulting in paralysis from the shoulders down. From the depths of despair, seeking death, she was stretched and challenged, pushed to emotional brink and physical limits that most of us will never know, to the point where she unswervingly could declare to a peer who was questioning the "whys?" questioning God, that she would rather be in this wheelchair knowing Him, than on her feet without Him. Thanks to God opening our eyes to see, we believe beyond all doubt that, because He knows all things, He permits in our lives to cause us to see that we need Him above all others and secondly, to then encourage and support others who may live in similar situations.
Fear No More
We didn't always see life or God in this way. At the ripe old age of seven or so, after years of tests

and speculation about why my legs were so wobbly, collapsing beneath me from the time I began to walk, I heard a "specialist," declare to my mom, when I was about seven years old, that I would be dead by the time I was twenty. That caused me to face the real meaning of life at an extra young age. Only God knows why, but the meaning of life and what happens when we die, pounded at my heart repeatedly.  It gnawed at my spirit and often lead to deep times of depression because I was terrified. Many nights, I would lie in bed agonizing over why I had just lived today, that today can't be re-lived and tomorrow, will fly by just as quickly. To just let go of these thoughts and live life to the max, was not an option. If you have ever gone through the same thing, you know just how much those thoughts and queries consume everything you are.

Respite from this mindset occurred after much testing and seeking, the day I knew beyond all doubt, that Jesus Christ is our  Lord and Saviour and anyone else's, just for the asking, by believing. Every fear of death and question about meaning melted away. For me it took years of searching, even passing on thee Answer early on.  It took years of multiple bad life choices. But even in all that, there was purpose in all of that. That includes  perverse horrible encounters with abusive individuals and being robbed of childhood innocence early on.  Without all of it, I wouldn't be able to knowingly say,  I understand, I have been there and I know the only One Who can help you. There is a reason for everything. Nothing is in vain.

on that note, it is not insensitive to say to someone who is suffering, "everything has a reason or purpose." Not, if you mean it. To those "Christian" leaders who think it is insensitive, clearly must not trust in God's Sovereignty. Again, see what god's Word says.

Praise God, We Made It Through….

This time last week, I was sharing about how I was about to try spending the night sleeping in my power tilt wheelchair. Did I make it? Well, here I am. I meant to write about it the next day, but...needless to say, my brain cells were lacking all last week. After some much needed R.E.M. sleep, I can now put words together, to share the following.
I Must Be Dying…

First of all I want to thank God for giving Craig and I the strength to make it through last week. A quick recap (read about it here), my main Personal Care Attendant had to suddenly be off for a week or so, to recover from a back strain injury, acquired at home. Which meant,  I had an, "Uh Oh, what am I going to do" moment. When you depend on the arms and legs of others to get in and out of bed, among a myriad of other tasks, the temptation to panic arises during those moments. And anyone who knows me, knows that even though 99 percent of my life span, has been spent relying on the assistance of others, I am the opposite to a laid back person. When the girl I count on suddenly is unable to give me a hand and I don't have back up assistance for those "just in case moments," my initial reaction isn't as I know it should be… relax, pray to God for help, sip a cup of coffee and

Me in 1966. The best way to sleep in a bed or crib :o)

reflect on how it will all work out….Nope, that's not me, just ask my dear husband…"Craig! What are we going to do? I am going have to live at the hospital or, I must be going to die, so God knows I don't need anyone to help me. Oh and all of this is said loudly,  repeatedly, under great duress, with poor Craig reassuring me that all will work out fine. Do I accept his assessment of the situation? Nope, of course not! Again, the freak out, over reaction, panic and anticipation of a fatal coronary event ensues. And this is just when I have only one employee and am trying to hire a second person.
God's Grace, Really Is Amazing!
Well, thanks to I am sure, God's intervention, a week ago this morning,  as my injured attendant was clearly not doing well physically, an unusual peace flooded my heart and mind.  The temptation to freak out with worry, after she left, did knock at the door, but it didn't happen. Knowing that I had no one to fill in for her, an amazing calmness came over me. I even had a bigger reason to panic, I had been in process trying to hire another morning person, but hadn't yet. And yet still, I sensed that worrying and freaking wouldn't help anything, that God, as He always does, would provide what I needed.  And guess what, He did! Thank You God for Your amazing Grace, for providing me with the best of care and the hearts of three caring, committed, willing and reliable ladies. Did I worry even a little? Of course I tried it, but recanted as God took care of all the details.
The Camp Out
Okay, so yes, God provided for my needs all last week. Thank you Lord for that, thank You for everything actually. I was never stuck in or out of bed and thanks to my dear husband, he helps me out as he always does. But, like I mentioned, I wanted to try to see if I could sleep in my tilting wheelchair, just for the first night. Here's the thing, I didn't have to, I had planned for the worst, hence the plan to not go to bed, but both of my casual gals were able to give me a hand that night and morning. However, I insisted on trying out the camp out idea and decline their offers.
Energize?!
Well, Craig got comfy on the futon in the living room, I got him to wrap me as snug as a bug in a rug with my favourite "Minky" blanket, Star Trek's Deep Space Nine was set to play, while I tried to sleep….and then I tried the video of the book of John….then I tried to shut it all off….and keeping my eyes closed through it all, while Craig was sawing logs, the hours ticked by, 2….3….5…and then by six am - ish,  Craig got up and we made a great scrambled egg breakfast. It all had to be God's grace because there were times that day, where my heart felt like it was going to just stop beating. My disability involves progressive muscle weakness, so I am use to that floppy, limp feeling.  It felt like five pound weights had been strapped to my limbs. Actually that is the best way to help someone understand what progressive muscle wasting feels like. Clamp on some weight to your limbs and carry out your day. Can't be one or two pounders,  try at least five to ten pounds. Pretty much, gravity is my enemy.
Anyhoo, that following night, in our real bed,  as I laid there anticipating a restful sleep, in spite of the second, third and fourth winds,  the physical fatigue intensified and the weakness actually made me nervous. I told Craig I thought I might not make it through the night. Well, I did.  (you have no idea, how many times he hears me say those words)
Lessons
Number one, no, sleeping in my wheelchair is not a good idea. However, if I had no choice, I could survive it, Lord willing.
Lesson two, if someone offers you help, take it. After all, when you ask God for help and He throws you a life line, it is really silly to push it aside. I admit that even though I knew in my heart God would care for my needs, I took control and planned for the worst scenario and as a result spent a night of sleeplessness when I didn't have to. May He remind me of this event, should a similar scenario occur ever again.
A third lesson I want to share with anyone who doesn't know that God loves us and wants us to depend on Him. I have been hiring my own PCAs for about twenty years now, and must testify that without God being life, I wouldn't have been blessed with so many dedicated employees. He loves us and wants us to depend on His care.  I have lived without Him in my life and I could never go back to that life. If it wasn't for the love and care of Jesus Christ, this time a week ago…well, let's just say, I believe I never even would have lived to get to this point in my life.

And thank you so much to my great PCAs. You have no idea how much your willingness, blessed me with reassurance not having to "worry" about how I was going to get to or out of bed. We all made it through and are on the other side.  And thank You God for bringing our main PCA back to us, healed and raring to go. 

Get a Kleenex...

http://www.joniandfriends.org/radio/5-minute/paige-and-tyson-snedeker/

Tempted to stop watching the news lately? I've met those who say they never know what's going on because they can't take it, too depressing for them. As for Craig and I, we may enjoy diversions but, we also believe it is our responsibility to know what's going on with the human race. Craig feels that even though it is often tragic and heartbreaking, knowing what's going on beyond our four walls - helps him know what to pray about or who to pray for. We are warned in the Bible about such days. Thankfully God provides rays of sunshine to encourage and strengthen us, be it through His Word, through friends and family or even through the lives of perfect strangers. Well, people we have never met, who are technically strangers but thanks to modern technology, we get to "meet" these people through media such as television and the internet.

Meet the Snedeker family, particularly Paige and Tyson. Here are rays of light to cut through some of the dark stories of late. "Meeting" this family left me with a kleenex in hand… speechless and in awe of how lives like these can actually be real, but they are. (Click the title to watch the video)

http://www.paigesforgodsglory.org/about/

"The Snedeker Family - No Unhappy Endings"

So, if you find yourself grumbling and complaining about the upcoming big "holiday" event, first of all you may want to rethink the whole thing, it causes that much stress…if not, take a break and watch one of the most incredible stories I have ever seen. Two parents have three young children who all have what appears to be a genetic,  mysterious, life threatening, neuromuscular disorder that has no name. Imagine that? Your children, short of a miracle, will not life a full life span due to a disease that can't be diagnosed. Leaving them, legally blind, hearing impaired, connected to respirators, using  power wheelchairs and completely dependent on the arms and legs of others, Paige and Tyson are two incredibly inspiring individuals. They lost their brother to the same disorder at a much younger age than they are now and they both give God all the glory. Only God can put hope and joy in lives that most would consider not joyful or hopeful.

Below is the Link to the Video that left me speechless and tearful (inspirational tears)

  The Snedeker Family - No Unhappy Endings

Below is the website that Paige has featuring her beautiful children's book (click the title to link up)

Paige and Tyson Snedeker - Article from Joni and Friends website

http://www.biblicaltraining.org/testimonials/tysonsnedeker

Below, Tyson Snedeker mentioned in the video about wanting to have a ministry devoted to learning about the Bible. I found this website that he and a friend, Judy Rooks  have called Biblical Training.

Tyson Snedeker -Biblical Training

Going With The Flow -Part 2

Fitting In At Any Cost
Wish I could say that smoking was all I did in an attempt to "blend" in with the world, my choices spiralled down wards until Jesus saved my life in my early twenties.  Sparing the sordid details about my behaviour, let's just say, I was as lost as lost can be. More details on another day.

The point of bringing that up is to share just how compromised and desperate some of us can become when we are convinced, the only way to stop the pain in our hearts, is by going with the flow. Problem is, that flow can be likened to a river of icky white Bondfast glue. Sure at first, some may believe you are one of them and not "different" at all. You may even have a dude come and tell you are cool! But the longer you are trying to flow down that river of glue, that glue starts to form a skin as it begins to dry, as a result, you start to hit globby areas and end up getting caught up in behaviours you never intended. Slowly but surely, if you stay in that river, the glue hardens and so does your heart and mind. Before you know it you are being arrested for shop lifting, boys use and leave you, people are calling you seedy names behind your back, and your spending any time you can numbing the pain with alcohol or drugs, just to mention a few...
Embrace Reality!
More than anything, I am so thankful to our Lord Jesus Christ, for opening my eyes to see the lies I was believing and literally saving me, soul, body and spirit. He taught me to embrace the red. Meaning, let go of trying to be someone and something you were never created to be. Embrace all that is unique and different and me! Life with a disability or visible difference, that some like to point out, is just something that I would have to accept,  instead of hurting myself to show "them" I was equal. How silly to think that I could actually hide those four wheels!
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Looking back during the years I was up to my neck in bad, self destructive behaviours, I am in awe and thankful, for the many times it must have been God, Who made sure I would receive messages of Truth.  Not that I was always listening, but He knew what I needed to go through - nothing was in vain.
One time that was so obviously, Him speaking to me...still warms my heart...

Up until the age of fifteen, out of ignorance, I had no problem with abortions. Convinced that, it was just a means of ending a pregnancy and that was that. There will be more about this very serious topic another day. I bring that up because a few years later, after seeing a poster in my apartment building, I went to the community center next door. It was to view a special presentation that featured a film I had never heard of called,  "The Silent Scream".
It was the most traumatic short film I had ever seen. It was a video of an ultrasound during an abortion. I can't bare to watch it again, but I have linked the title of it, incase you want to see it. There was a discussion afterwards. Clueless at that point about the organizations called, Pro-Choice and Pro-Life at the time. That evening, my heart sank. It was there that I learned there were people who supported what was happening to this baby, even after watching what we all just did!
From the back of the room came comments and declarations about human life and the so called "right" to end it, that made no sense to me at all. It was logical, wasn't it? Then, the most amazing thing happened, a lady in the front of the audience, shared Psalm 139 out loud.
Up until then, opening the Bible my dear Grandma H, had given me was rare. As she read God's Word, my heart felt something it hadn't experienced before. Feelings of my own purpose and the love of a God who chose to make us, one by one. It was incredible!
Returning back to my apartment, I unburied my Bible, and looked up Psalm 139. These Words, His Words, were a huge revelation to me. The God of the universe, planned us before any parent ever even wanted to have a child!
Psa 139:15-17  NKJV - My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, [And] skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When [as yet there were] none of them.  How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!

Assuming my folks didn't know about this, I still remember the excitement as I dialled them up and read the passage to my Mom. 

Thank You Lord!

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling, Keep Those Tires, Rolling!

Kaboom!

Last night as my dear husband was starting to cook dinner, suddenly, we heard a gunshot! No, not really, sure sounded like one though. Turns out it was his rear wheelchair tire that suddenly just blew out. Needless to say, it startled both of us. I, in my usual manner, went on about how he shouldn't have overinflated his tires a couple of days earlier, sure of myself, that that was why it blew. Of course, I don't really know for sure, but in my brain, logic says, when things like that happen, there must have been a way to prevent it. He does affirm that he always over inflates them by about seven pounds. (Never over pump tires because it can cause exactly what happened to him!) And yah, sometimes, stuff just happens. What did Craig think? He thought perhaps, it was a pushpin that he spotted on the ground at our local wheelchair repair shop! Sharp objects, are not something you want to see when you have pneumatic tires, but that shouldn't cause a blowout! 

 

After I raved on about the over-inflation thingy, and how on earth are we going to get help right now concern...with one phone call, thank the Lord, we were able to locate one of my PCA's (Personal Care Attendant)," to come and retrieve his spare wheel. A great reminder of how important it is, to have spare parts for such emergencies. Riding around on a rim can damage your wheels, not to mention, most people using manual chairs, can't transfer safely from their wheelchair without locking it.  Flat tires can't be braked.
We were quite thankful as well, that it happened once he was home. We both have many stories to tell about how "breakdowns" have happened once we were in a safe place, like at home. Be it a bent front wheel fork, blown or flat tires, failed or dying power chair batteries or a broken motor, we definitely feel taken care of.

Okay, I just have to share a couple of these stories, they are just too phenomenal to withhold. Before the age of mobile phones, instead of depending on our local wheelchair accessible transit vans, whenever the seasons permitted, I would "walk" all over our fair city. One particular warm summer day, as I was headed to a family function, my front wheel hit a curb sideways. For some bizarre reason, the fork that I had believed to be solid steel, bent so much that my wheel was seized. The break down was right in front of a street side shop that just happened to have their door open. Of course, I didn't see it as a good thing at first (no, I am not a "half full" kind of person) and fear flooded every part of my body, wondering what on earth will I do? Suddenly all the worst case scenarios left my brain and then came the "duh!" moment!  Clearly, because the door was ajar, I could yell for help. So, I did, and the kind person called the accessible cab and my family fixed me up.

Another outstanding "event" that is so obviously a, "God's perfect timing moment,"  was over fifteen years ago when a girlfriend and I borrowed my parent's van and drove from Thunder Bay to Ottawa. Since staying at the local University residence was far more economical than a motel, we stayed at Carleton University.

On the very first day, of what we originally thought would be a four week visit, Randi, on a bicycle and I in my power chair, cruised our way down town. If I have calculated it correctly, that would be about a 7-9 kilometer walk, one way only. We made it back to the residence and as soon as we entered the building, my wheelchair ceased to work! As bummed out as I was about facing the possibility of having to return home, thankfulness flooded my heart as the multiple scenarios that "could of," happened played out in my head. What if it would have...broke down crossing the four lane intersections or any where else on one of those frantically bustling streets? There would have been no trip back home for me, except maybe in a pine box, had it happened then.

Oh, and In case you are curious, one phone call home to my best wheelchair repair dude and all was well the next day, we stayed on for two weeks taking in the sights and sounds, not to mention a few trips to the IKEA store!
Those are two of many, many stories about how things (not just wheelchair breakdowns)  in my life, could have ended up far worse, had they not been orchestrated by my Lord's perfect timing. Makes me wonder why, I still feel the need to panic and fret, EVER! Sigh.

Wouldn't you know it, today, the day after, I was watching Craig's other tire and I noticed a bulge in the rubber. Now, here's a shocker, wanting to prove my point (know anyone like that?)  about over pumping tires, I "googled" the subject and lo and behold, yes, over inflation can cause a tire to burst. In all fairness to my beloved husband, he told me that he has been over pumping his tires for more than ten years now and this is the first time anything like this has happened! So perhaps, I am not as right as I think I am...yah, that's always a possibility.
Here's the thing, using a wheelchair for over thirty years, had lead me to believe that I knew everything I needed to, in order to keep everything working well and to avoid any mishaps. Turns out I was wrong! (pssst...don't tell Craig) Apparently, I have been neglecting my own wheelchair maintenance duties. Assuming that I am not alone, I thought it would be a good idea to post the web sites that enlightened my ignorance. (Just click them on)
Power Wheelchair Maintenance Tips
Manual Wheelchair Maintenance Tips 

Final note: Did you know that mobility equipment such as, wheelchairs are a blessing and not something everyone in this world has access to.  Just ask the awesome people at "Wheels for the World" (or our friend Julio in Peru). All the more reason to take care of what we have as best we can and consider supporting those who are devoted to spreading mobility around the world.

So Just What is Anita's Disability?

Just thought before we go on any further, especially, regarding the recent topic addressing the legalization of Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia in general, that perhaps it would be best if I shared just what it is, that causes me to use a power wheelchair full time. If you are anything like me, usually when I seek advice or information, it wouldn't be from those who have no idea what they are talking about. You know, those certain "never" married, Priests who give pre-marital counsel to young couples. Or Occupational Therapists who assist others with rehabilitation and yet have never once experienced any form of disability or physical issues. Sure, I realize that sometimes that is just the way it goes and we have to receive support and advice from those who have been trained in a certain area of expertise. Doctors are perfect examples of those who may have never undergone any physical health issues, yet we must go to them to receive diagnosis and advice. But, I think you know what I am trying to say.

That's me way back!

For the same reasons above, even though "Walking. Way Overrated," hasn't covered all of the following areas, yet, I thought it would help to share a condensed version of the specific topics that God has blessed me with experience in and this will help you to know where I am coming from: the meaning of life, general knowledge of various disabilities, neuromuscular disorders, spinal muscular atrophy, children and disabilties, growing up in an institution, facing a death sentence at a young age, scoliosis, wheelchair accessibility, advocating for vulnerable persons, designing wheelchair accessible homes and environments, adaptive living, jewellerymaking, fine art painting, visual arts, life as a Christian (about twenty-three years), singleness, alcohol and drug abuse, marriage (been joyfully married for ten years! Praise God!)...and a bunch of other experiences... I

 am still on this earth, able to produce this blog/vlog by the precious grace of God and nothing at all to do with me.

Life, Not Up For Debate -Part 2

Life -Not Up For Debate: part #1

It saddens me to think that in this day and age we actually have to fight, to protect human life. The justification to end life due to progressive disability diagnosis, inconvenient pregnancies, or for so called merciful purposes, just spins my head. To think that there are fellow humans, that live amongst us who actually believe human life is something we have the right to distinguish. No regard for God's creation and purposes. No regard for my peers who live with many of these same diseases or diagnosis,' that others want to be killed because of. 

The phrase "Dying with Dignity," is often used as an excuse to justify the "cause." What many seem to be ignorant of is that it takes far more dignity to live out a difficult life, than to just snuff it out. That is the easy way out. 

My husband lives in extreme pain, and never ever would he try to end his life. Yes, he asks God to heal him from it, or to help him endure it and at times, just like myself... asks God to please take him to Heaven now! (Depending on how bad the pain is.) Of course, it isn't a pleasure living with pain and suffering and we fully understand the desire to end the pain. At the same time, we know that purposely causing your own death is wrong. It goes against everything God teaches us. In fact, it is during those difficult times that we lean on the Lord our God, with more might that on not so bad days. Learning to depend fully on the One who created us, no matter what it takes, is worth more than I can ever say. Again, yes, there are times we may ask God to remove us from this ailing body, but when He doesn't, we trust that He is caring for us. That He allows these struggles for His Higher purposes. 

[2Co 12:7-10 NLT] 7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

If you are suffering and live with out Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, we guarantee you that the desire to check out or get swallowed up in self pity, will over take you. My husband and I spent the first half of our lives without Christ, and we would never want to live that way again. That includes when we weren't living in chronic physical pain. A part from Him, we would not be able to live life to the fullest with or without physical ailments.You have a choice to make, life with Him or with out Him. He loves you and wants to bear your burdens and may even heal you or your loved ones in pain. You have nothing to lose. Seek Him...

Below is a video I made  talking about the importance of protecting all life. As a person with a progressive neuromuscular disorder as well as growing up with many many friends, living with a range of disabilities, my heart breaks whenever I hear news stories about how those who are fighting with the court system to enable Doctor assisted suicide.