Sunday, February 27, 2011

My Extreme Makeover

In today’s society some people are afraid to ask for help. We often think that our friends, family and greater community is to busy to help us or that asking for help would be too much of a burden on the ones we love. However, what I have come to realize throughout my work with the IAMC is that lots of people want the chance to help someone, they just don’t know how. The world is smaller than we think, everybody knows somebody. In the olden days people would help each other with everything without a question or hesitation. That is what you, my readers did for me. I expressed a need and you came through. I truly believe that if it wasn’t for your generosity and KOKO’s willingness to step in I, wouldn’t be sitting in this chair typing this. You all donated to me because you saw my true potential and the gifts I have to offer the world. By donating you not only helped me, but you helped spread the message of generosity and working together to make a difference. Here is the video of what I like to call my extreme makeover.

Now as expected with any new chair there are adjustments that have to be made to make the person more comfortable. After waiting a while I decide that I am hungry so my mom and I decide to get snacks by pushing me in an office chair. We ask someone in the hospital where we can get snacks and off we go. When we get in the elevator a little boy looks at us like we are crazy. I am sure he was thinking I have seen a lot of crazy stuff but this, this is crazy. I guess when there’s a will there’s a way.

Finally this month I got to go skiing for the first time. I have wanted to go skiing since I was ten years old, it was a long time to wait but well worth it. Now I am totally in love with the sport. I have never felt this way before, I can't believe I am saying this but for the first time in my life I don’t want it to stop snowing so I can do it again and again and again. For those of you who haven’t skied before go do it. It is very exhilarating. I can cross another thing off my bucket list. My next goal is to go skiing in Colorado and or Utah after all I would love to go skiing with my cousin Ben and I haven’t seen my camp friends in forever. Plus I have never been to Utah and hear that like Colorado they have a great program for people with physical disabilities.
Thank you for making it possible for me to keep rolling!
With all my love and gratitude,
Jessi