Post by Ginnie on Jun 17, 2011 15:16:25 GMT
Up until a few years ago, whenever I would meet or see a disabled person I'd shy away from their presence. Lots of preconceptions would enter my mind about who they are, what they do...
How do you talk to them? Will they understand me?
About ten years ago, a physically challenged lady moved in down the street. She was in a wheelchair, my she was tiny, with a funny shaped body and face and small weird voice. It was winter and we just had a snowstorm - about two feet of it. Her husband was frantically shovelling the driveway so that her wheelchair could make it to the door. Meanwhile she is in the wheelchair halfway out on the road.
I was out shovelling my own sidewalk. Seeing this, I thought "she'll get hit with a car if she stays out there", so I went down to help out. That's how we met.
I found out that she was born with a bone disease. Very, very fragile body. She's got pins all over the place in her bones because they've been broken so often. If she falls, lets say out of a chair she can wind up with many broken bones and fractures.
She's since become a very good friend. I love to make her laugh and tease her about her cooking. She is a very gentle, honest and good person and I think the trials and tribulations of her life has made her stronger.
By knowing her, it has made it so much easier to deal with people who are "different" than I am - not only physically, but mentally as well. I'm finding that though they are challenged in some ways, they generally have an innocence and honesty that many regular folks have lost.
Which brings me to an update on my sister Rhonda. As you might remember, she suffered a severe brain anurism last October. Well, she is home now, living at my Mom's. It is incredible that she's still alive! And though her memory can be faltering at times, she is remembering more and more. The thing is, she doesn't "remember" everything that is right or wrong, or know when to be discreet or distinguish what is real and what is not - but she is re-learning these concepts. That is very important because it means she will be capable of being more aware, and perhaps one day taking care of herself, though that part seems doubtful. Its amazing how honest she is, and how happy she can be. She was in such a good mood the last time I saw her. She wanted me to get "The Survivors Guide to Brain Injury" and I ordered it from Amazon.
I have to get an MRI someday soon, to see whether or not I have an aneurism too. Since Rhonda's episode, I've had a neice pass away from one (she had an MRI but it "missed" it) . Her dad (my brother) died at 37 from an aneurism years ago. So it tends to run in families.
I'm learning more to appreciate live as I live it - not hoping it'll be better next year, but making it better NOW. For life can be short.
How do you talk to them? Will they understand me?
About ten years ago, a physically challenged lady moved in down the street. She was in a wheelchair, my she was tiny, with a funny shaped body and face and small weird voice. It was winter and we just had a snowstorm - about two feet of it. Her husband was frantically shovelling the driveway so that her wheelchair could make it to the door. Meanwhile she is in the wheelchair halfway out on the road.
I was out shovelling my own sidewalk. Seeing this, I thought "she'll get hit with a car if she stays out there", so I went down to help out. That's how we met.
I found out that she was born with a bone disease. Very, very fragile body. She's got pins all over the place in her bones because they've been broken so often. If she falls, lets say out of a chair she can wind up with many broken bones and fractures.
She's since become a very good friend. I love to make her laugh and tease her about her cooking. She is a very gentle, honest and good person and I think the trials and tribulations of her life has made her stronger.
By knowing her, it has made it so much easier to deal with people who are "different" than I am - not only physically, but mentally as well. I'm finding that though they are challenged in some ways, they generally have an innocence and honesty that many regular folks have lost.
Which brings me to an update on my sister Rhonda. As you might remember, she suffered a severe brain anurism last October. Well, she is home now, living at my Mom's. It is incredible that she's still alive! And though her memory can be faltering at times, she is remembering more and more. The thing is, she doesn't "remember" everything that is right or wrong, or know when to be discreet or distinguish what is real and what is not - but she is re-learning these concepts. That is very important because it means she will be capable of being more aware, and perhaps one day taking care of herself, though that part seems doubtful. Its amazing how honest she is, and how happy she can be. She was in such a good mood the last time I saw her. She wanted me to get "The Survivors Guide to Brain Injury" and I ordered it from Amazon.
I have to get an MRI someday soon, to see whether or not I have an aneurism too. Since Rhonda's episode, I've had a neice pass away from one (she had an MRI but it "missed" it) . Her dad (my brother) died at 37 from an aneurism years ago. So it tends to run in families.
I'm learning more to appreciate live as I live it - not hoping it'll be better next year, but making it better NOW. For life can be short.
