A Wheelchair View

Readers of my blog know that I have been through it the last few years. The loss of a marriage and our home and our pets followed by the death of my best friend really took its toll on me and my family. I have to admit as much as I tried to fight it off I lost a bit of myself and gained a good 45 pounds that has put me at 197 pounds. I want to make it clear that there is nothing tragic about putting on a few pounds. It is quite normal when you are middle aged, but for me as a woman with a physical challenge it affects my mobility and independence.  I am starting a journey of recovery. I will never weight this much again. It is not healthy for my 5'5" frame and quite frankly I want to look good when I hit my 50's lol.  There will be more to come. :) 

After my husband and I separated last year I deemed 2012 as a year of losses. I found it to be appropriate as I lost my transportation, my job, my pets, and my home. I sold my camera equipment and many other beloved possessions to move back to my hometown and literally started over. When 2013 came my life was completely different. I had my own apartment, a new job and I declared it to be a year of taking chances. So I blew off the metaphorical dust off of my book manuscript and updated it and through the inspiration of my late best friend Jesi, I published Echoes Through Corridors Silence in Rooms. Jesi recently passed away due to a heart attack. So much of her life was unfinished at 40 years old. This only fuels my intensions for this year and even though she is not physically here to push me as she always has I still hear her voice saying, “Well? What are you waiting for?!” I have received amazing comments on my book and had many people thank me for helping them realize th...

Beyond the Silver Lining by Etha Walters I took this photo while sitting on the patio of my new apartment. The blue sky and big fluffy clouds greeted me with such promise for a fresh new start. When my husband told me a year ago that he wanted a divorce, I had no idea how much my life would change. The last six months have been the most devastating. I sold everything that I could to move including much of my photography equipment, and literally felt stripped of everything. This heavenly view, right off my patio gives me great hope in what is to come. It is just me and Miss Cleo (My cat) now, and I am adjusting quite well to my new environment, and yes, living alone. Moving furniture and boxes around with my body and my wheelchair reminds me that I am still strong and I can still do this. Other challenges take a little more practice and commitment, but that is just life in a wheelchair. Now that I am settled, it is time to rebuild my life. The kids are gone and I am now single ...

Over Christmas the disabled community lost two of it's members by the taking of their own lives. One had been suffering greatly with AIDS and the other was crushed by chronic pain and financial pressures. When I learned of this my blood ran cold and the horrific idea that more was to come during this economic crisis flooded my thoughts. My own experience is not exempt from the hardships that these men face. There are many things that I need that I don't have the resources or the money for. I am still amazed at how many people assume that a disability paves the way to an easy life, that the government takes care of the bills and medical needs. While there is awesome help there are also many strings and many road blocks that a disabled person has to overcome to gain financial Independence and stability. When it is gained it is very fragile, it only takes one bout of sickness, an injury or mechanical failure to rip it away. I didn't bring you to this dark place to talk about t...