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CompactCath This post was made in association with CompactCath, a company that specializes in producing convenient, portable catheters that are perfect when on-the-go.What is CompactCath?CompactCath is a revolutionary, pocket-sized intermittent catheter, designed at Stanford University by both physicians and catheter users alike. The entire catheter will fit in the palm of your hand and is all-in-one, no extra pieces required. CompactCath is pre-lubricated with silicone oil that has proven antimicrobial properties. It also has a drainage control that gives users more control over where and when they drain.. Its unique wheel-like design, plastic case, and protective sheath make CompactCath both extremely portable, and very hygienic.. How do I manage this new process? You’ve been taught to intermittently catheterize (IC) which means two things. First, you’re probably jumping with joy about not having to be in retention all the time. Secondly, you’re going to have to work out how this new process fits into your life. For me, IC was wonderfully freeing. When I first started, the scope of my world grew dramatically. I could now handle long journeys, stay over at people’s houses and travel abroad, without having to worry that my bladder would give up on life and I’d have to rush to the hospital. On the other hand, IC has the tendency to be clumsy, inconvenient and potentially messy – especially when you aren’t used to it. The newfound freedom is fantastic, but the possibility of having to manage catheterization out-and-about can be daunting, to say the least. Fortunately, you aren’t the first to overcome this obstacle. With a bit of expert advice, you can circumvent the pitfalls of catheterizing in public, and re-embrace your life to the fullest. Your Personal Catheter Kit! Does catheterizing in public give you nightmares about performing contortionist tricks while being rammed into a tiny cubicle? Or manically rummaging through your bag to find a loose catheter while you’re desperate to go? Well don’t fear, a handy, compact catheter kit is the solution to your problems. Find a small, cute bag – one that could easily masquerade as a makeup bag or pencil case – and fill it with the following items. Catheters Aim for a travel-friendly brand like CompactCath, so you can fit a good handful in your bag. The last thing you want is to be worrying about running out when you’re traveling. Mirror Particularly if you’re a new user, navigating the IC process can be tricky, as you can’t always get the best view of your urethra. Combine this with a cramped toilet cubicle, and you have a recipe for potential disaster. The easiest solution is to get yourself a small mirror with a stand so you can place it on the edge of the toilet. Then, you can sit down like usual and complete the process with minimal fuss. Just be sure to get a mirror than stands up, as IC can often require two hands. Antibacterial Gel Infection is not your friend. Getting a UTI will make your life incredibly more difficult. Having an antibacterial gel on hand will reduce your risk and increase hygiene level considerably. Plus, sometimes you won’t be able to access a sink to wash your hands beforehand, so having a backup is invaluable. WipesIt’s helpful to remember that IC is a medical procedure, so sterilization is essential. Since public bathrooms aren’t always the cleanest places, having as many tools on hand as possible will massively help you out. A pack of wet wipes can be easily stored and whipped out whenever you need to sanitize the area – or yourself! Numbing Gel (Optional) Some people struggle with the pain of catheterizing. If you already have trouble, then it’s not going to get any easier when you’re in unfamiliar settings. Numbing gel helps to ensure a pain-free process; sometimes it’s just comforting to know that you have it on hand. If you already worry about the discomfort, then add some to your kit. Perfume (Optional) No-one wants to be the person who smells like urine. We all know that catheterization is nothing to be embarrassed about, but we still don’t want to carry around a pungent reminder of that fact. If your aim is off or you get a bit messy clearing up, then having a spray to cover the smell will resolve your issues. Disposable Bags Especially if you’re traveling abroad, you can’t guarantee there will be a bin to dispose of your used catheter when you’re finished. If you end up having to shove it back in your bag until you find somewhere, you want to make sure it doesn’t make a mess. Plastic sandwich bags are cheap and waterproof, making them an ideal choice. So you’ve made your kit. You’re all packed and ready to go. Time to try out your nomadic IC skills International Travel Now you’ve mastered catheterizing in public, you might feel brave enough to venture further afield. In fact, a trip abroad to celebrate may be in order! IC overseas is pretty much the same, but there are some added notes. LETTER FROM DOCTOR Personally, I’ve never had problems traveling with catheters, but you always have to be careful with medical equipment. The worst case scenario is that they’re taken off you at security, and you’re left without for your trip. Fortunately, this can be easily remedied with some documentation. If you get a prescription, then make sure you bring it with you – and that it matches the name and address on your passport. If not, then you can ask for a letter from your Doctor that confirms your medical needs. When I first started, I was given a booklet explaining my condition that I now always travel with. TRAVEL INSURANCE The other important factor is travel insurance. It’s more expensive to get coverage with health conditions. However, if you don’t disclose that you IC regularly, then it could void the policy altogether. It’s understandable that you want to get the cheapest option possible, but it’s taking a big risk if you decide to hide your catheterizing. Fortunately, many insurance companies exist that offer cover specifically for people with long-term health conditions. It’s still a little pricier, but the policies are still affordable and will provide you cover for any problems that might arise from your IC while away. Fortunately, CompactCath doesn’t include liquid like some other catheter brands, so you won’t have to worry about getting it through Airport security. That being said, I still recommend pulling someone aside to let them know you have it, and that you would like them to be discreet if they insist on inspection. The company actually provides a “TSA notification card” to their customers for this very reason! Catheterise with Confidence IC can be inconvenient, but it should never stop you from living your life. Many people feel hesitant to travel and adventure when they’re tied to a medical procedure. However, the reality is that you can be ill anywhere! I hope this post has quelled some of your anxieties about cathetersing in public, and that you can use these tips to make the experience run smoothly. If you have any more ideas that could help others with IC, then be sure to leave a comment below! FREE SAMPLES https://www.compactcath.com/get-samples/

My history with chronic illness I’ve lived with chronic health problems for over nine years now. I’ve faced a lot of difficult to deal with situations, but one of the hardest things that I’ve had to contend with is something that most people wouldn’t even consider to be something associated with chronic illnesses…and that is how much I’ve struggled in relation to my self-esteem, confidence and body image. Growing up As a teenager, I wasn’t the slimmest of girls. I was what most considered to be “chubby,” but I think at first it was related to going through puberty and maturing from a girl to a young adult. Chronic illness changed that. I went from what seemed to be weight caused through a “normal part of growing up” to weight gain and retention that was the result of medications and difficulties being active. Medication side effects One of the medications I was placed was a series of steroid courses. In short bursts they don’t carry many side effects and are fantastic drugs, but when you start to be placed on them longer term, you can run into issues. I was on constant high doses due to frequent,severe asthma attacks and severe allergic reactions. I was faced with rapid weight gain, fluid retention, excess hair growth, excess sweating, swelling to the back of my neck, stretch marks that covered my body – and I’ve not even began to touch on the mental health side effects I face. (Although, I do want to say is that this is my own personal experience with steroids. Please don’t be scared of steroid courses as everyone reacts to medications differently. Some people have little to no side effects at all.) How it impacted my mental health When this medication made me gain weight, I felt at the lowest point I’ve ever felt regarding my body image and confidence. People would constantly point out my weight and I faced comments in real life as well as in the online world – the place I viewed as my escape from my reality. Ending up with a feeding tube I began to worry about never being able to lose weight and it only getting worse. In March 2015, I began to be unable to tolerate anything orally (food, fluids and medication). It didn’t matter what type of oral intake I tried or what medication I tried, I couldn’t keep anything down. I was hospitalized for over a month as a result of it, while we also tried to get on top of my symptoms. My weight began to drastically drop. Doctors had become increasingly concerned and as a last resort decided to trial me with a nasogastric (NG) feeding tube. Thankfully it worked. I managed to tolerate feeds and was sent home shortly after with tube feeds at home. How having a feeding tube made me feel Whilst my weight no longer made me feel down, I now struggled with feeling extremely self-conscious about having a tube stuck to my face. People would be cruel surrounding it. I struggled with going out in public as I was constantly aware of people’s eyes falling upon my face and seeing my feeding tube, staring at me. Sometimes people would go as far as laughing, pointing and speaking nastily to those they were with about me. My confidence plummeted and hit the lowest point it had ever been. This affected me greatly. My mental health began to suffer dramatically and I faced feeling unhappy all of the time. How chronic illness impacted my mental health By January 2016, I felt I was on a downward spiral. I never felt happy and those around me really noticed. I felt I’d lost so much to my chronic health problems. I used to be someone who tried to see the positives in difficult situations, but I just couldn’t seem to find any good. I begged and pleaded for something good, something positive, but it just felt like it was never going to come. When I was first introduced to the idea of beauty pageants In April 2016, a friend on Facebook had posted photos of when she’d competed in a beauty pageant. I felt instantly drawn to the idea. It seemed absolutely unlike me, as it’s something I’d never considered previously. I’d always assumed that beauty pageants were for girls who were really tall, really pretty and very slim. When I’d thought about beauty pageants I instantly thought about girls strutting their stuff on a stage wearing a skimpy bikini. Without thinking too much, I found the UK version of the prestigious international Galaxy Pageants. I found their application form, gave my information, uploaded four photos and clicked send. Receiving the news that changed my life Two weeks later I received an email that has truly changed my life! Reading it, I couldn’t quite believe what I was reading. It felt like any minute someone would pinch me and I’d wake up. The email read, “Congratulations, you’ve been selected as a finalist for Miss Galaxy Scotland 2017!” I’m not ashamed to admit that I cried reading the email. When I told people, they were shocked. I hadn’t mentioned to anyone I’d applied on the basis that I never in a million years dreamed I’d be selected as a grand-finalist! Learning the ropes of beauty pageants From the get-go I had a great deal to learn! I found out that there was so much more to pageants than the physical onstage round. There was charity work, fundraising, appearances, platforms (a cause or charity you support as a finalist/queen) and much more. I began to have such fun preparing for the final! In a very short space of time I’d gone from feeling at my lowest to feeling happier within myself. As my time as a finalist drew to a close, I felt eager to take to the stage and compete for the title of “Miss Galaxy Scotland,” but I also felt really sad that my experience was nearly over. Competing in my first pageant On March 10th, 2017, I took the stage, as one of 15 girls ages 19-29, representing Scotland, to compete in the prestigious UK Galaxy Pageants. I still had my NG feeding tube and worried about the reactions from other people. Walking on stage I felt a confidence I’d truly never felt before. I felt on such a high, completely on top of the world. How pageants made me feel The best part of all – I felt beautiful. The result of my first pageant I found myself feeling very emotional throughout the whole event. I didn’t win the overall title of “Miss Galaxy Scotland,” however I was awarded “Miss Congeniality,” an award chosen by the other contestants as who they viewed to be the friendliest contestant. It was truly one of the best experiences of my life and I found a new lease for life that I hadn’t had before. I feel I achieved so much during my time as a finalist. I made over 36 appearances ranging from public appearances, visiting charity projects, supporting awareness days and more. I also raised over £500 for two different charities – the Anaphylaxis Campaign and The Christie charity. Winning my first title On 28th April 2019 I finally won my title. I competed in the Miss Humanitarian UK beauty pageant and was crowned 'Logan's Legacy Queen 2019/2020'. I raised £180 for the charity Abbie's Army and also received the 'Ultimate Fundraiser 2019/2020' title. Since winning my title I've been making use of it and also continuing to work with my platform for pageants. What is my platform for pageants? My platform for pageants has become advocating for those who have chronic illnesses and mental health illnesses, raising awareness of different conditions. I’m also showing other people that no matter what you’re faced with in life, no matter the conditions you may struggle with throughout your lifespan, no matter what medical aids you may have to use in life – you’re truly beautiful and nothing should take that away from you. Illness can truly make you feel horrendous, not just physically, but mentally too, and it can diminish your self-esteem like mine did for me. But you are not your illness. You’re much more than a list of symptoms and conditions, you deserve to feel proud of yourself – even if it’s just for getting through the day. You’re doing amazing.

I refuse to let this condition define me! My name is Valerie (@surviving_with_cerebral_palsy). I live with a condition known as Cerebral Palsy. I am a child of God, a wife, a mother of 3, a licensed real estate agent, and a YouTuber/vblogger. As we know, living with a disability can definitely have it's roadblocks. I can proudly say I have out beat the odds in every aspect of my life every day. Many people doubted me about everything I have ever done or wanted to do. I didn't let anyone stop me when it came or comes to my life and my dreams. I was told I would never have children. Here I stand proud and strong with not one but three beautiful children and a wonderfully supportive husband. Oh yeah, they also said I would never be able to work. I have to laugh out loud about that one. I am a licensed real estate agent helping make people's dreams come true every day when it comes to selling/ buying their homes. Anyone who is reading this let this inspire you in every part of your life. Never ever let your disability or insecurities stop you from living your dreams. Take it from me, I'm living my best life. With God, anything is possible anything!! Live, Love, Laugh, Dream!

How it started Believe it or not, when I was younger I was scared of horse riding, but now you probably wouldn’t believe me! I think it was because when I was on a pony or horse I felt so high up and I am a bit scared of heights now but not when it comes to my Saturday horse riding lessons. I love horse riding; now I’d happily go horse riding every day if I could. I remember trying out horse riding one summer holiday at this activity day at stables. After the summer holidays, I then decided I wanted to have weekly lessons. I was on the waiting list for joining my local RDA Centre during this time. The waiting lists are so long and I had to wait more than a year. So it was a lovely surprise when I got a phone call from the RDA saying I could join as they had space and would I like to come for an assessment. The Assessment The day of the assessment arrived I was excited but nervous, everyone joining had to do an assessment to see what class best suited them. So we got there and in my normal child way I didn’t want to get on. It took a bit of encouragement but then I got on. I remember I was riding Barbie for my assessment and I loved it she was so calm and gentle. By the end of the assessment I had a massive cheesy smile on my face and didn’t want to get off. And that’s the day my RDA journey started and I got new members to my family animal and human! Through the years I started riding at my local RDA Centre when I was about 8 or 9 I am now 20! Through the years at RDA I have achieved things I never thought was possible. I have challenged myself in an environment where I feel safe and happy. I have done many competitions in The Countryside Challange and Dressage both at regional and national level. Beating the bullies Throughout my education life I have been very badly bullied this lead to me feeling sucidal and developing mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and PTSD. Through these very hard and upsetting times RDA has been my rock. RDA is a place we’re I feel accepted and that I can be myself. I trust horses and ponies more than humans. During the bad times the ponies and horses became my best friends I feel safe with them. RDA isn’t just a place I go horse riding it’s a family! Without the RDA I honestly don’t know where I would be now! They say the bond between dog and man is strong and I know this is true as I have a dog. But I also know the bond between a rider and their horse or pony is also a very special unique magical bond! Exiting News Over the years I have done some amazing things with RDA. Recently though a new Campaign came out called 50 Faces, this campaign is all about celebrating 50 years of the RDA. I am very pleased to tell you I am part of this amazing campaign. Please check out my story at https://www.rda.org.uk/50-faces/ A big dream of mine is to one day have my own pony or horse!

Shalva Band wows audience at Eurovision 2019 The Shalva band performed at the semi-finals of the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv on Thursday, May 16th, 2019. The band wowed the audience with a rendition of "A Million Dreams" from the film The Greatest Showman. Shalva Band's Future The Shalva Band is comprised of eight talented musicians with disabilities and performs to the highest musical standards by invitation at cultural venues and dignitary events throughout the year. Inspiring crowds with its musical repertoire and charm, the band is one of Shalva’s most celebrated inclusion programs. The band members are employed by Shalva as musicians and they also study, work, and volunteer in the broader community. Some of them are graduates of Shalva’s rehabilitative programs and their musical talents were discovered and developed through Shalva’s music therapy program. What began as a unique outlet for talented Shalva program participants in 2005, has developed into a model for cultural inclusion and continues to impact audiences and musicians throughout Israel and beyond. With the band’s growing popularity in Israel, the Shalva Band regularly performs with celebrity artists and at the fore of popular music forums. In addition to being a delightful and inspiring musical experience, the band’s performances shatter attitudinal barriers, causing mesmerized audiences to believe in human potential and dignity. Members of the Shalva Band at a press conference said: “We’ve made a huge change in Israeli society.” “Today, when we walk in the street, the Israeli people want to embrace us, not because we’re a gimmick, but because we’re good at what we do.” When asked about the band’s next steps and dreams, Samteh said that, “we’re already in the middle of our dream... we just want to keep creating and keep writing songs, and performing in Israel and overseas.”

Elijah and Crumpet - Behind The Seams Elijah is nearly 10 years old. Crumpet is kind of also 10. I’m Dad and I’m 46, in case you were wondering. Most people know me as Crumpet from Elijah’s YouTube channel: Elijah and Crumpet. It was meant to be a secret, but in our first ever show, Elijah couldn’t resist being the one in charge and letting everyone know the truth. Now it’s a regular feature of our closing scenes – Elijah pulling off Crumpet and attacking Dad! Let’s go back 10 years … we found out during the pregnancy that our baby had Down syndrome. We decided not to do a blood test and nuchal fold test that looked for markers of Down syndrome; we both felt that having a child with Down syndrome would be something that we could cope with. We already had a 5 year-old son, Thomas, and he was very excited about having a younger brother or sister. We did go for an ultrasound scan at around week 28 and it suggested markers for Down syndrome or perhaps another chromosomal abnormality that may require palliative care for the baby. We decided to have an amniocentesis and it confirmed Down syndrome. We were happy with this outcome because it was not a life-threatening abnormality. We got as much information as we could and were really looking forward to welcoming this little baby into our lives. In some ways it was life-changing, but then in other ways, we just got on with having child number two. We spoke with people who had experience of Down syndrome and used every available means to become as knowledgeable as possible. As Elijah grew we went through the therapy sessions and additional appointments, knowing that we had to give Elijah every opportunity to be successful. Could we have imagined that by the age of 10 Elijah would be championing his disability by having his own YouTube channel, Instagram and Twitter accounts? Or appearing on Australian television? Or having an international following? Not a chance! What we did soon realize very early on was that What we did soon realize very early on was that inclusive education was important to us. It became our goal to have Elijah attend a regular school like his big brother Thomas (who is 5 years older). We attended a Social Role Valorisation (SRV) course which cemented our high ambitions for Elijah, including becoming a Scout, being a school and even University student, being a reader, a musician and a speaker of a foreign language, plus ultimately having a job. Mum has a teaching background in language and linguistics and primary education. She took Elijah to music groups and developed literacy materials which were freely available from all over the world. She learned Auslan and Makaton to teach and communicate with Elijah in sign. She also developed fine and gross motor plans and learned how to use a speech generating device to teach Elijah in case he wasn’t going to speak. We had done baby signing with Thomas, so we started early on with Elijah. As it turned out, he was non-verbal right up until his first year at school in Prep. Elijah showed that he had a great memory, so we made the most of that with reading and sight words. Elijah used his speech generating device in kindergarten. His friends were blown away when Elijah gave a presentation we had pre-loaded into it, as they had never heard his voice. The computer's ‘Australian boy’ voice became Elijah! What mattered most was that he was able to engage with others and really be a part of the group. Music and dance have always been present in our home, so Elijah learned to play with instruments and sing. Thomas does hip hop and Mum can dance well too (not me!) so Elijah has picked up their moves and practices with or without an audience! Now Elijah attends a regular state school where he is in a regular class and has some additional hours of teacher aide assistance. He follows a modified curriculum and he is encouraged to take part in all school activities. He wins reading and class awards in assembly and he is seen as a capable learner. He knows all the teachers’ names and he is very popular amongst his peers, who love the fact that he has his own YouTube channel! So how did Elijah and Crumpet come about? Mum first used a monkey puppet to encourage Elijah to learn words and sounds, which was very successful. I was always impressed at how Elijah would interact with his puppets as if they were living things, even if he sometimes did a double-take at me trying to be a ventriloquist! Elijah always tries to copy Thomas, which has been really good for his development. When Thomas started talking about YouTube and becoming a YouTuber, Elijah was quick to declare that he was going to be a famous YouTuber too. This was the seed for the idea that grew into reality. Embracing social media technologies seemed like a good way of showcasing Elijah’s strengths and as we thought about it, there were many other benefits: from our SRV training, I knew that being a YouTuber was a highly valued role amongst his peer group; Elijah would have to practise content, which would assist his learning; the show would allow others to connect with Elijah, as they would learn about his life and have something to talk about; it might assist other parents of children living with Down syndrome, or anyone seeking information about what life was like living with Down syndrome. We googled ‘how to start a YouTube channel’ and the advice was to just get started, so we did! Filming started with an old camcorder on a pile of books and I had a month free trial for editing software. The feedback was positive and I hoped that friends were not just being kind, but as time went by we developed content and slowly the channel took shape. A new camera, tripod, green screen, editing software and many hours later (nobody told me it takes 4 hours for a 5-minute edit), we were fully immersed in Elijah and Crumpet. Elijah and I discuss each show, sometimes writing out the plan. If there is reading involved, Elijah has to practise until he is confident as it is important that we show him in the best possible light. We do a lot of ad-libbing as Elijah will make a funny statement and we then follow that lead. There is such a lot of content in the pipeline that it is hard to know what to do first. We are trying to appeal to a wide range of viewers, so we might do a chocolate video and then do a Japanese language learning video, then dancing, then wildlife, then travel. Filming takes the least amount of time. Promoting and networking on social media takes more time and editing takes the most. We were doing daily uploads in order to get the content out, but we are now concentrating more on Instagram, since this has a lot more engagement. We have a strategy to build both channels. While subscriber numbers are not a priority, it’s always nice to see a show of support when someone clicks Subscribe (please come and check us out)! Ultimately, more followers means more advocacy and influence, which is a real motivator. It means a lot when someone messages to say that they were feeling low and our show picked them up. I often get woken up by Elijah wanting to do a show, or when I get up I find Elijah in his room reading the words to a song. He really wants to practise and do a good job. It has accelerated his learning and given him some real goals - you just have to watch Elijah rattle off 30 words at high speed in Japanese to see what he is achieving! The routine we have is a good one and it’s a fun activity for us to do together – great ‘father-son’ time! We have connected with some great people from around the world in the YouTube, Instagram and Twitter communities and also the world-wide Down syndrome community and there are many exciting future opportunities which have opened up for us. We are making shows of interviews with other children living with Down syndrome from around the world. We have a world-first international art project using 21 acrylic on canvas paintings. We are seeking supporters who wish to be involved (all you need is a video camera, or even use your phone). In addition to Elijah's emerging work as an artist (see our hashtag #NoSmallArtist), we intend to publish a book and also produce educational material for an international audience. We also have several TOP SECRET international projects, aimed at tackling discrimination, which we would love to tell you more about, but ... ! With over 130 shows uploaded, we are nearing 1,000 subscribers on YouTube and we are on track to reach 10,000 followers on Instagram by the end of 2019. We value your interest and the momentum it creates. With your support, the Elijah and Crumpet show might just go on for longer than we expected … watch this account! Please follow us: Instagram @ElijahandCrumpet Twitter @ElijahCrumpet YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/ElijahandCrumpet

Putting words into practice [this paragraph is adapted from a blog post the author previously published, 'Ten Things I Tell Myself to Make Life Worth Living'] This is a mantra that I’m just learning. It is a challenge, and by no means am I proficient. And while on the surface this phrase seems to echo sentiments that it’s “never too late,” it means something a little bit differently to me. There’s a popular rationalization for transness out there that implies that a trans person is X gender trapped in a Y-sexed body. Personally, that is not my trans narrative. I have perceived myself, however, as the hapless protagonist in a cosmic narrative of a Can-Doer trapped within a Do-Little. I am predictably-unpredictably hindered, hampered, prohibited and limited by disabling chronic illness. I idealize the tenets of minimalism and idolize the gurus who promise that the key to a fulfilling and adventurous life is the process of simplifying day-to-day tasks and purging material objects. The irony is that I live a fairly consistently low-impact lifestyle. I don’t have much to “declutter.” I don’t have an overflowing calendar brimming with engagements. I don’t keep many obligations. I scarcely have anything to write in a to-do list or planner or place in a twee inbox. When I do accumulate tasks, I embark on a journey of epic proportions to hit all the high notes. When the mania strikes, I start plotting. I scheme out several “appointments”. And then I hit my nadir. For me, fatigue, flares and malaise are byproducts of ambition. I quickly become sobered by the humiliation that I have to suspend my schedule. And then I feel ashamed for it. But then I defer back to what I learned all along from my minimalist icons. I appreciate what has “sparked joy” within me in my accomplishments. I appreciate the effort of taking on days, weeks, even months’ worth of accumulation and pre-planning to achieve. I appreciate that a “rest period” is an opportunity to regenerate. If delaying means reveling in the highs and charting a new course, then it’s okay to delay.

Story On October 27, 2014, a tumor was found in my left elbow. It was really big and the doctor’s prognosis wasn’t good. After many tests, I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. Amputation was suggested by some of my doctor's colleagues, but my doctor said he thought my hand could still be saved. An operation was done to remove the tumor, and my hand was saved, but with huge scars, I would always be reminded of what I was experiencing. The tumor damaged a lot of my nerves, so I can't handle my hand well After the tumor removal, I still had 18 rounds of chemotherapy (MAP treatment scheme) and was healed. Now, 3 years later, I can confidently but humbly say I’m an osteosarcoma survivor! Shortly after the treatment, I had an infection in the same left arm which, required a new surgery and a prosthesis was inserted. It’s been a tough ride, but I’m still here. I look at my scars and I don’t find them to be ugly. I've learned to accept them because those scars saved my life. Now I volunteer with cancer patients.

Warriors From day one, both of our boys have been incredible and beat the odds. From surviving stage 4 twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome to multiple surgeries- they’ve survived it all with incredible strength. But for Alfie, this is an even bigger achievement. The disabilities From the moment Alfie was a fetus in my womb, he has been a fighter. He was the twin that would keep me up at night moving around, and the twin who survived when everyone told us there was no hope. Realizing Alfie was disabled came as a massive shock, as we had been told all his tests came back normal. The first sign was his failed newborn screening test at 2 months old. From there he has failed pretty much every other test they have done on him. At two and a half years old, he has the physical development of a six-month-old at best. He still cannot support his head fully. His only mode of travel is to roll around and he is still non-verbal. He will likely be dependant on us for the rest of his life. Amazing Alfie But none of this holds him back. Despite everything doctors said to us, he keeps proving them wrong. Though he cannot sit or crawl, he can roll, and doctors said he wouldn’t. Though he can’t talk, he can understand what is being said to him and is able to communicate he needs and wants to others by vocalizing and pointing. He catches the attention and hearts of everyone he meets. He personality shines brighter than the sun, it is impossible to miss, and his smile fills the room with happiness. Though he may not be able to do everything, nothing holds him back. He truly is the happiest little boy with the biggest heart. He loves truly and his determination means he can do anything, despite his disabilities. NULL He truly is Amazing.

The problem In a world where perfectly healthy people take their own life for no apparent reason, except not seeing any reason to live, I think the topic of happiness is very relevant and important. Is happiness a luxury only for the privileged? Do I need the perfect relationship, environment, house, job, or the right amount of money to be happy? Most of us know that's not the case but still, we can feel miserable. Some have a voice in our head tells us, happiness is not about having what you want, but wanting what you have“. So now we can add guilt to our misery and feel even worse. WHY CAN‘T I BE HAPPY WITH WHAT I HAVE? WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?“ Then we maybe read a short post about happiness or a positive quote, feel a little hope, only to slip back into pessimism and despair. Then if someone tries to address the topic, we find ourselves defending our position, we list all kinds of plausible reasons why things are hard and why we can‘t be happy. We say things like, "would you be happy if you had to worry about putting food on the table? Would you be happy if you worked two or three jobs but still couldn‘t make ends meet? Would you be happy if you were married to that lazy f**k? Would you be happy if you had my health?“ ....and the list can go on and on. No one would argue that any of those reasons could be valid, especially being married to the lazy fork J. Then what can we do? How can we get out of this vicious cycle and sprinkle a little bit of happy dust into our hard, tired lives? My story Before I get into that, I need to go briefly into my own story. I was born in the early seventies, in Reykjavik, Iceland. I‘m the middle of my two brothers and had hard working parents. Raising a family wasn‘t particularly easy there in those days but being a child was lovely. We almost never got what we wanted and didn‘t spend very much time with our parents. But we were happy. We spent our time after school to play with the neighborhood kids. Those kids didn‘t have much either so what was lacking we just imagine we had. You could just use a sheep's jaw for a gun and build ships out of old pallets. One beautiful day, me and my older brother went on a bicycle tour with two of our neighborhood friends. That trip ended when we watched one of them getting crushed under the back wheel of a truck. A little darkness slipped into our lives that day. My brother, who was the oldest in the group (at the age of 10) took it the hardest. He somehow felt he was responsible. Shortly after that, we moved into another neighborhood, but the playful innocence had been diminished. I didn‘t connect the same with kids who still had that, so other kids hurrying into adulthood were more exciting. Smoking cigarettes, petty thieving, and soon sniffing glue. For some reason, things that could take us a bit away from reality. I struggled in my teenage years and got addicted to drugs and drinking. It was so bad that at the age of 18 I was in my first rehab. After that, I managed to get a little hold of reality, got a job at the local power company and started to learn to be an electrician. I fathered two beautiful little girls and life was good. In January 1998, everything changed. When working on a high voltage transmission line I was electrocuted and fell 10 meters to frozen ground. My arms burned so badly that they had to be amputated, my spine broke in three places and I fractured the neck joints. I woke up 3 months later, scared and confused about what had happened. How could this have happened? What kind of a life could I possibly have from now on? Those questions soon had to move for more urgent matters. My liver was dying and I had constant infections in the stubs where my hands used to be. For the next 11 months, I was constantly having a new surgery trying to cut away the infection and save as much as possible of the remaining stubs. Finally, we managed to stop the infection but there were no arms left. Maybe 7 or 8 cm on the right side but only a shoulder on the left. After those battles, my body slowly started to heal. Everything except the liver. As the liver got worse, I got skinnier and my complex became yellow. Medical reasons for keeping me on drugs went away and reality kicked in. The pressure on my relationship grew and we ended up going our separate ways. I moved into my parent's garage and did the only thing I knew to make this life tolerable. I dove head-on into drugs. And why shouldn‘t I? I had lost everything. My health, arms, girlfriend, daughters, job, all gone. I was sick, weak, skinny and ugly. And probably dying on top of everything since this bloody liver wasn‘t getting any better. I told myself that my drug abuse couldn‘t be to blame because I only used natural stuff. Weed and Cocaine are made out of plants, and I deserved it. Eventually, the party came to an end. I was dying, I needed a liver transplant but due to my drug abuse that wasn‘t an option. I was told that if I could remain sober for a year they‘d reconsider. That meant that if I was to live, I‘d have to be SOBER. "Son Of a Bitch, Everything‘s Real.“ I would have to find happiness in a hopeless situation or else kick the bucket. One would think those were easy options, but for me, they weren‘t. Fortunately, I chose life and after 7 months of sobriety, I was put on a transplant list. In the summer of 2002, I got the call. A liver was waiting for me in Denmark. Four years of sickness were finally coming to an end. The government had a special plane waiting for me at the airport and I flew with my family to do the final chapter. It went well and I could go back home a few weeks later but after one week in Iceland, I started to get really sick. I don‘t remember much from the following days but I woke up, back in Denmark with tubes from my new liver and some brown stuff leaking from it. The new liver was failing and I needed another a.s.a.p. Exactly two months after my initial transplant, I had the second one. An organ transplant can put a lot of strain on a person but TWO! Never in my life had I been through so much pain and despair. I was physically exhausted and my spirit was in pieces. A man who had a transplant shortly before me never came out of intensive care. He couldn‘t cope with the idea that he had an organ from someone else so he just died. His head killed him. A young woman was in the next room to me and one day she also died. It felt like death and despair was all that was left. I should be happy with my new liver so I could live long a miserable life, unable to take care of my basic needs, living in my parent's garage, alone. I knew that armless electricians weren‘t in high demand and women sure weren‘t lining up for them either. The lesson Now you might think, "that sucks, but what the fudge does that have to do with me?“ Well, nothing really. The reason I decided to write briefly about my story is that regardless of childhood trauma and disability, I‘m happy. And I don‘t mean happy like I‘m in Disney Land. I mean I‘m generally happy and have been almost since I left the hospital in Denmark. I have good days and some not so good. But the darkness I experienced in Denmark in August 2002 has never returned. I was faced with the reality that this was my situation and I could resist it or except it. So I accepted it. Immediately when I did, everything changed. WOW, how could things possibly change so fast? My brain started to have 100x the processing power. Instead of focusing on what I didn‘t have, I started finding solutions. I read every literature I could set my eyes on regarding spirituality and personal development. My misfortune didn‘t define me, it made me stronger. I didn‘t get what I wanted but like the little boy with the sheep jaws, I discovered that I‘m so much more than I could have ever imagined. I set myself a goal that I was going to get new arms. Even though it had never been done. They already started grafting hands on people, so why not the whole arm, or two? I wrote to hospitals that were doing this with no luck until a famous French doctor came to Iceland as a keynote speaker on face transplants. Because of my goal, I saw the opportunity presented and started calling every hotel in the phone book until I found the one he was staying at. This was in 2007 and now when I write this in March 2019, I still haven‘t had my transplant. But that's fine. The goal gave me a direction and I am already on the waiting list for the donor. I will get the arms but they won't make me any happier. The happiness came from the journey. I have a beautiful life with my loving wife and two dogs. I have a very good relationship with my family and I‘m a grandpa. Today, I'm a life coach and a speaker. I choose a meaningful life. I have a vision for my life and that includes touching as many lives as possible. That's the purpose of my struggles. I gave them that purpose and they became an asset. I create my happiness.

Alex Garza, Model with Down Syndrome I am a 22-year-old aspiring model from Harlingen, Texas. I am a beautiful young lady with the biggest heart. I started modeling with Debi Lou in 2018 and have participated in local fashion shows. I've been very active all of my life. I've been involved with the Special Olympics since I was 3 years old. I've been involved in cheerleading, surfing, dancing, Zumba and currently work at Chick-fil-a. I love fashion and modeling. I've always been ready to model and strike a pose. I hope that someone will help me and work with me to achieve my dream to model at the New York Fashion Week. People with Down Syndrome achieve their goals just like anyone else. It takes determination, focus, and passion. I prove that every day. Models come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. At Debi Lou Modeling Academy, we are redefining the image of modeling by celebrating everyone and the beauty that they share with the world.

Baby steps When I (@nick.dalheim) was a 22-year-old senior in college, my friends and I took some snowboards out to a nearby hill after a solid snow day. Well, as an inexperienced snowboarder and a freak accident on a jump, I landed on my head and broke my neck at C4,5,6 (incomplete). I was a college soccer player, avid runner, and amateur stand up comedian, so I laid there unable to move and was scared for my life. Fast forward 5 years, I have made great strides and am determined to get back on my feet and live the most normal, independent life that I can. I am thankful for my friends and family who have made my situation and life easier and full of love. #sci #boomersooner #driven #quadriplegic