Guest Blogger Nicole Small: "The Stereotype Of Paraplegics"

Growing up I often wondered what I would become when I matured into the adult that I have become today because I never saw many people much like me in public during my child hood this could have been because of different circumstances such as that fact that I was a specific place at a certain time. I then would go back to these various places i.e. restaurants and movie theaters and still wouldn't see anyone much like me. This made me think...is it because people just find it difficult to go out into the world because of the obstacles they may face due to their specific disability or is it because of the fact that they were afraid of the looks and rejection that they would face from society? I would very much agree with the fact that people in my situation find it very difficult to be socially excepted by people in today's world. Do I fault those people who glance at me with a puzzled look upon their faces? No, because they don't know what it is like to be me. The only people who know what it is like to be a disabled person is obviously the disabled person themselves then their family and friends. Growing up I would have jumped at the chance to educate those people who were to scared to ask what was wrong with me because I feel it would have opened up a line of communication and an opportunity for them to learn something knew about someone whom they've never met before. During my childhood it was very hard to have to deal with the stares from strangers because much like them I too was trying to figure out myself. I always knew I was different from my peers because I couldn't run onto the playground during recess and I couldn't do specific activities during PE. I learned to become at peace with this because I knew I was made this way for a specific reason and it has taken me 24 yrs to figure out how the best way how to deal with what I was given because I had to deal with not only my disability  and everything that came with it but I had to deal with everyone around me who didn't know me and what I was capable of, they just saw a little girl in a wheelchair and thought I was hopeless and helpless and would stay this way for the rest of my life. I am hear to tell you to please don't believe what people think of you if they do not know anything about your personal life if they have no value in your life they their opinion or what they think of you should have no value to you and you should just brush it off and go on with your day because what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. God surrounds us with people who understand us and he also puts people in our path so we can teach them something knew and we are the only people who can fulfill that job for him. God puts people on this Earth for a reason, he has a plan for us and it may take some time for us to come to terms with what our mission in life is. I feel as though God's mission for me in life is to help other's who are like me. My challenge to all of you in this next year is to take a few minutes out of your day and reach out to someone whom you don't know that quite well and share something about yourself, it only takes one minutes to make an impression on someone and a first impression can make a world of difference on someone. Make it a positive difference and put a small upon someone's face who maybe having a difficult day even though they haven't expressed it verbally towards you.

Forever Thankful

Major holidays always seem to surprise me. Not in the way of the last minute shopper, but in a way that I know a lot of families can relate to. Every year I think "Wow, we made it through another year and we're OK.".

I'm thankful for every opportunity I get to say that. Every chance I get to prove to my son that even in our worst of situations we can get through it together, as a family, and we will truly be ok.
We are in a much better place than we were two years ago, and every year since that year we have gotten stronger, bonded closer, and I have become a better mother because of the things he has taught me.

This year we spent Thanksgiving with the Salvation Army, handing out meals to the homeless. This is not a new feat for me, but it's a first for little man, and although I know I've raised him well, I was unsure of what he would say or how he would act. He does not have a filter, does not get that he may say things that can hurt other's feelings when to him it is just the plain and obvious truth.
He did more than impress me today, he astounded me. With no hesitation he walked up to people, asking them if they were hungry, and would they like a meal. He interacted with people and made jokes.  Suddenly I no longer saw my baby, but a little boy and the future young man he would be.
He made me proud that I was the one lucky enough to raise him.

This year I am thankful for many things, but I try to be thankful every day. I have a list I've taped months ago to my door to remind me why I should be grateful, why it is important to stay humble and never forget where I have been no matter how far I go. Every day has granted me new opportunities and I speak to more and more people that are leading this company toward an extraordinary path of success.

I don't believe in luck, just fate, so today I am thankful for that. Thankful that I always cross paths with people who have exactly what I need, because I know many people do not get as many opportunities as we have. I can appreciate it, because I know eventually I will be able to give back through larger acts, but for now I am grateful that I can give back in any small ways I can. I am especially thankful for people and family who see me as I am capable of becoming and not just who I am now. Without their confidence and help I know this road would be far less paved. That means so much and for it I owe them the best possible version of myself.

Happy Holidays everyone.

Love,
Danielle

Miranda Smith on Chronic Illness

Janiyah was my biggest baby that I gave birth to and now she is my smallest child right now. Ever since she was 2 months old she would get bronchiolitis. She would get it once a month up until she was about 8 months old. Then two months later she got walking pneumonia for the first time that took three rounds of antibiotics to clear up. When Janiyah turned 5 months old, she was hospitalized for the first time for five days because she got the flu and got severe bronchiolitis as a result. Now she only weighs 18lbs 9.5 oz at the age of almost 14 months. We are going through testing trying to figure out what is keeping her from growing on top of why she is getting so many lung infections. As a result of her health, I cannot work. This puts a huge damper on our finances, but if she goes into daycare, it could give her a serious lung infection that in turn could kill her. People don’t understand that she is as sick as she is because she is not sitting in a hospital 24/7. A child does not have to be constantly in a hospital to be considered a special needs child who gets chronically ill. It can be frustrating as a mother watching your child suffer time and time again because she keeps getting sick. I am praying that they can figure out what is causing all of this to be able to help her better

Autism Awareness Day

Making special needs toys is a huge task.

I try to talk to as many people I can,

stay informed,

learn,

keep an open mind,

but nothing is as taxing, 

or as selfless

 as raising a child with special needs.

Every day could be different.

Every day can be a challenge,

but the love is the same.

Never ending, and deep, and beautiful. 

The kind of love only a parent can give.

Please take a moment today to share this post.

Maybe it will stop and make someone think.

We can all change the world together.