My Unexpected Journey

Since my accident, three years ago, I have been able to travel multiple times. This past week my family and I got to go to California, which is now the farthest trip I have done. It was so much fun getting to see family and enjoy the weather but being in a wheelchair and traveling is not the best combination. There are twice as many obstacles in your way and stress added on top of that but if there is a will there is a way. And I have a whole lot of will. To make this easier to read I’m going to do sections on each main obstacle I had to overcome and the tips to overcome it. Keep in mind I was with my parents the whole time so they helped me a lot. The obstacle of flying in an airplane- This is my first time getting to travel by plane, post-accident so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Fortunately, I have a good friend who is very experienced in using a wheelchair and traveling. I evaluated our traveling experience and gathered up some tips. What to expect at the security ch...

HEY!!!  So happy you landed on my page!! I know I haven't posted on my blog in awhile (I'll get better at that) but I wanted to show you guys my most recent drawing projects! I love art and the fact that I can do it 98% independently makes me love it even more. I can't thank the Lord enough for blessing me with an amazing family, community, and providing me the ability to draw even with my disabilities.  PLEASE CHECK THEM OUT :) Above was my first commissioned project, saw hello to Augie!  8x10 This is my sweet cousin, Eleanor! 8x10 All are done in pencil THANK YOU SO MUCH (please subscribe!!)

This past weekend I got to go bowling! Turns out they have a metal slide that little kids and handicapped folks can use! You may have already known that but I didn't until a friend told me. It was very easy to use and I was able to move it around easily.    My parents set the ball on top, then I pushed it down as hard as I could I took my good friend Aaron with me. He is on the Special Olympics bowling team....yes, he beat me! Once in awhile he used the slide too! Bowling was A LOT of fun! This wont be the last time I go!

I've always been really into art and drawing but after my accident i lost all of my ability to use my hands/fingers and parts of my wrist. A couple weeks after the accident, I finally picked up a marker and drew picture of a flower and clouds. I had to use a device wrapped around my hand to hold the marker. It was very, very sloppy but I still did it and I was okay with that. Two years later I'm still drawing but I think you'll notice a big difference. I no longer need to use the device wrapped around my hand. Instead, I wrap the drawing utensil around my fingers. But don't let that confuse you with the fact that I have regained the ability in my hands. I haven't. My disabilities in my hand are still the same but I just have learned how to work around them. These pictures are in consecutive order from first time I picked up a marker to present day. Also, there are pictures on how I hold the utensil. Below: my first drawing post injury  Bel...

Another step towards independence is re-learning how to cook. Now with these new obstacles in the way, I needed to find a way to overcome them. My lovely cousin Heather came over to supervise my cooking. She pretty much was only going to help me if I caught on fire… but her strict discipline helped me achieve my goal. The first meal I made was taco salad. Heather put all the groceries in their designated spots, I got them out while maneuvering around my disabilities, opened them when needed, and cooked away. The hardest thing to do was cook the meat because it took a lot more endurance than expected. After I was done cooking the meat all I had to do was add a little seasoning. Then on my plate I added salad, corn chips, and the appropriate toppings (sour cream, salsa, cheese, and Catalina dressing). I was able to get everything out of their packages and onto the plate without assistance. WITHOUT ANY HELP. It was perrrfectooo!!! And most importantly I was very proud of myself for b...

I’m FINALLY getting a puppy! I’ve been waiting for this moment for quite some time!!! My family use to have a dog named Ruby. She was a beautiful, perfect yellow lab. She was so smart and so loving so this next dog has some pretty big “paws” to fill. But don’t think it was easy finding this puppy, mom was very specific with what she wanted; no shedding, not too big, not too small (she thinks I’ll run over it, but give me some credit mom… I’ve only put like 20 marks on our walls (that was facetious)), preferably a yellow/gold color, and it has to be a girl so I don’t have a tally-whacker rubbing all over me. The search was on!!!! Multiple Google searches and craigslist searches to find this “perfect breed” and I finally stumbled upon a mini golden doodle litter that would be ready to sell/pick up in the middle of July. We have already met the puppies and put a deposit on my favorite one so I cannot wait till we meet again in two weeks!!!! I feel like I’m about explode, I’m too a...

I’m sorry for not posting anything last week, I’ve just been really busy! I didn’t forget to, I just haven’t had the time. I just started an online course which pretty much took up my free time and on top of that, I’ve been sucked into a black hole called the television. But don’t worry, I haven’t been watching junk, I’ve been watching the world cup!!:) I played soccer my whole life so when my accident happened it was quite devastating being told I would “never walk again.”   Man, did that suck. I miss it sooooooo much BUT for the time being, I’ll just watch the world cup here on my t.v. I kinda get over it and suck it up when I'm told something like that. I’m not going to sit here and pout, ya it sucks but I need to move on. Ya, I miss it but now it’s just become a part of my life. Plus, there are adapted sports made for people like me! I went to a sporting event in Louisville, Kentucky last year with a good friend who is also a quadriplegic. It was called quad rugby or wh...