2008

I can 't believe I haven't written in so long. I think it's because I've been so overwhelmed with how much I have to say that I just didn't bother. It kind of stinks because it's been a pretty incredible year...monumental actually. Between getting married, going to Ireland on our honeymoon, supporting and watching the first black President get elected! I wish that I had documented my thoughts along the way, it would have been interesting to look back on them in the future. Oh well, I'm trying to make up for lost time now. Not that I'll get to write in detail about all of my experiences throughout the year but I'll summarize.


First, my wedding and honeymoon were absolutely perfect! I really can't think of a better word to describe how well they went. The weather was beautiful on the day of the wedding, everyone that I wanted to be their was and everyone chipped in to make it a perfect day. Tom was so handsome in his suit and he is the perfect husband, I just love him soooooooooo much! The honeymoon was unbelievable as well. First, going to Ireland was just major in it self but going there on our honeymoon made it even more special. The country is just absolutely beautiful and the people were so friendly! Now I know how all those people in those sad Irish songs feel, they long for their beautiful Innisfree, Erin! Oh how I love thee! It was an entertaining and educational experience, my favorite combination :).



Lastly, Barack Obama. What can I say, he has inspired me so much! I was never a big politics person before I started following his career. I've read both of his books and was an avid fan of his election campaign. I was glued to the TV from the point that he was nominated as the Democratic nominee up until he was elected the President of the United States! What I love about him is that he knows that in order to fix alot of the problems that we have in our country today we have to fix our infrastructure. He has alot of common sense and I can tell that no matter what happens in his presidency he will be very honest with us. I hope that I continue to be inspired by him... 2009 will certainly be an historic year.

Different But Equally Valid

This quote come from an article in a book called "The Ragged Edge: The Disability Experience from the Pages of the First Fifteen years of the Disability Rag". The "Disability Rag" which chronicled the early years of the disability rights movement. When I was reading this book I was moved to tears, anger and disgust in reading about what people with disabilities have been through for hundreds of years. It also inspired me to read about all the hero's in the movement who paved the way for the Americans with Disabilities Act. We still have a long way to go but it's good to know that there are other's out there who have fought and will continue to fight for equality in the future, and I hope to be one of those people. Anyways, I came across some amazing quotes in this book and I wanted to document them here in my blog. The first one is about diversity.

"If we've learned anything from other oppressed minorities it's that you gain nothing from efforts to assimilate into the culture that devalues you. We will never be equal if we accept token acceptance as slightly damaged AB's (Able-bodied people). Politically and psychologically our power will come from celebrating who we are as a distinct people. I'm not content being a pale version of the majority culture. I want to be a strong version of something else-different but equally valid."


I've always tried to fit in with the able-bodied people around me, mean while I was miserable. The minute that I accepted my disability for what it was and how it affects me, the easier my life suddely became. And now that I'm learning about my disability history and culture I don't feel so alone anymore. My feelings are becoming validated from others who have been in my shoes. I am different but I'm am definitely not a broken version of an able-bodied person. I am a strong version of someone with Muscular Dystrophy. I work, I travel and I contribute to my community. My muscles may be weak but my heart, mind and spirit are as stronger for it.

What is a good friend?

Is it someone who always gives you a ride to work, goes to the night club with you every weekend, calls you all the time or knows exactly what you want for your birthday? For some people they would say yes to all of these options and others might say no to all of them. All of my life I've tried to figure out what makes a good friend and I tried to be that. In a lot of respects I think that I've failed in being a good friend and in other ways I think that I have been a good friend because I really tried to be there for them because that's what I would want in a friend. People's interests and personalities change through out there lives as they become more comfortable and confident with who they are as a person. Someone who fit into there lives before one transitional point might not fit into there lives anymore they've fulfilled there purpose , so to speak. Friends come and go in our lives, so to say someone is a good friend really depends on how long you have known them and what you've been through together. Although even if you have known them for a long time people can disappoint you and make you wonder why your friends at all.

Expectations
I guess I do have expectations in friends, and people in general. Things that seem to be common courtesy to me don't seem that way to others. My mom recently told me not to expect anything from anyone cause you will always be disappointed. It's sad, but true. People are generally out for their own best interest. School, work and various other activities generally keep people occupied and thus leave little time for the ups and downs of other people's lives, even there own friends. It might sound negative, but I've been through a few experiences to know that you really need to protect yourself.

Good News
The good news is not expecting anything from people makes for a few enjoyable surprises in the end. It also makes life a little less stressful when your not hoping and expecting something to happen. Most of the time if you want something then your just going to have to ask for it.

In the End...
The people who may need a little help in the being a good friend department also might have a little growing up to do. For now I'll try my best not to expect to much from folks and try to live as stress-free as possible. Cause really people... aren't friends supposed bring happiness into our lives instead of more UN-needed stress?