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היי שמי אלכס ואני בן 22, לומד במכללה ויש לי ספינה ביפידה. אני גם מרים משקולות באימונים לקראת המשחקים הפראלימפיים ב-2020. התחביבים שלי כוללים WCMX, יצירת תלבושות עבור קוספליי, ליל כל הקדושים ופיתוח גוף. אני גם אוהב זריקת סכינים וגרזנים, זהו התחביב האהוב עליי. אני מחשיב את עצמי כמכונאי בעידן המודרני. Hi My name is Alex & I'm 22 years old, in college, and I have Spina Bifida. I am also a power lifter training for the 2020 paralympics. My hobbies include WCMX, making costumes for cosplay and Halloween and bodybuilding. I also LOVE knife and tomahawk throwing, of all my hobbies throwing is my favorite. I also consider myself a greaser in the modern age.

Growing Up Without Knowing I Had Autism My name is Margaux, I'm 29 and I reside in Greater Vancouver, Canada. Growing up, I always stuck out like a sore thumb. I was bullied each and every day and had a very rough life at home. At a private, community, religion-based elementary school, my peers were not so accepting of me. I was ridiculed frequently, and asked "Why are you so weird?" or "Why are you so different?". I never had the answer. As far as I was concerned, I was just me.I cried multiple times daily, the dread of going to school, the sensitivity from harsh words I recieved and the terror of being screamed at by one of my parents when they arrived home in the evening. I always felt anxious and like I was walking on eggshells. It was something i'd much rather forget. I started seeing a registered psychologist each Friday. I received a proper diagnosis of Anxiety, ADD, Depression and she mentioned I had sensitivity to sound. I was always pulled out of class to be put in a smaller, remedial environment, about 4-5 students with one special education teacher. The kids would have a field day with us when we were carefully 'extracted' from the mainstream environment and subsequently put back afterwards. Each day was a traumatic experience and it carried on in to high school. It wasn't as severe, but it was still very detrimental to my mental health. A Diagnosis Was Finally Made Fast forward plenty of years: I'm an Adult now. I sure don't feel like one. An internet 'bully' of mine once said to others that she thought I have Aspergers. The more I looked in to it, the more it actually made sense to me. Autism, actually. I did online tests, I read character traits and suddenly it all came to light: THIS IS ME!THIS IS WHO I AM!I couldn't believe my very eyes. How did this diagnosis get missed, especially by a university professor (my childhood psychologist) who my parents were paying HUNDREDS of dollars & it was supposed to be for my benefit? PSHHHT. My benefit?! UM, I believe if I had the diagnosis as a Child, there would have been much, much more resources for me to have accessed. I did my research and found a Psychiatrist at a local university who specialized in Autism assessments. I got my family doctor to refer me. The wait was 6 months, but when I finally recieved the call that I had an appointment... Well, I was slightly relieved and slightly anxious. August, 2017: My Mom was required to be there. She was with the Psychiatrist for 2 hours and I was with him for 1 hour, directly following. He had me read a book and do other tests, as well as have conversations with him. He welcomed my Mom in to go over the results, he said I was DEFINITELY on the spectrum. FINALLY. A DIAGNOSIS! My Mom was in tears. She couldn't believe it. I'm an Artist, I'm a Writer, I dabble in YouTube videos, photography, vegetarian cooking and baking. I love my two cats and travelling. I'm texture sensitive. I'm light sensitive (flourescent lights can disappear for all I care), I'm sensitive to smells, I can't stand tight spaces, I love chocolate, the 1960's, 70's, thrifting and retro things. I don't have much of a social life. I'm a recent hire at a worldwide Coffee Shop chain and I'm learning to be a Barista. My learning curve is a unique one, I'm a visual learner and need directions to be repeated. I love my family very much. Raising Awareness for Autism I run http://www.navigatingjourney.com My mission is simple: I want to bring awareness to autistic causes and showcase venues, products and experiences for my followers. Won't you join me?

Physiotherapists Helping People With Chronic Pain Chronic pain causes suffering for patients and managing chronic pain is one of the most common assignments in the health service. It is important to realize that the patient with chronic pain is the patient who has experienced an upregulated central nervous system (CNS). With all the issues associated with the accident (stress, anxiety, fear, failed treatment, different explanations of the injury), the CNS heightened its sensitivity as a means of survival, a process referred to as central sensitivity or secondary hyperalgesia. So what should we do (as physiotherapists) to help people with chronic pain? Tip #1: Identify patients with “red flags” Patients with a red flag should be referred for additional testing and medical management. Tip #2: Educate the patient about the nature of the problem Recent research has evaluated the use of neuroscience education in decreasing pain and disability among patients with chronic pain. It is recommended that therapists educate patients more regarding their pain as opposed to only using anatomy models. Tip #3: Provide prognostication Physiotherapists should focus on function rather than pain and then set attainable goals related to exercise, function, and social interaction. Tip #4: Promote self-care A powerful management strategy for patients with chronic pain is to teach them strategies to help themselves. This fosters greater independence and helps with the development of coping strategies, teaching patients that they are able to manage their own pain. Tip #5: Get patients moving and active as early as possible Movement is essential. There are many reasons to get patients to move soon after injury, including (from a biological perspective) blood flow, removal of irritant substances, and (from a psychological aspect) coping strategies, empowerment, and more. Tip #6: Decrease unnecessary fear related to movement, leisure, and work activities Therapists should aim to educate their patients suffering pain and thus reduce fear. Tip #7: Help the patient experience success Encouragement is important. Patients with chronic pain have numerous psychological comorbidities such as depression, poor body image, and lack of self-confidence. Tip #8: Make any treatment strategy as closely linked to evidence of the biological nature of the problem rather than syndrome The physiotherapists should explain to the patient what happens on a biological level that causes the pain and what can be done. There is growing evidence that the more patients understand the biology behind their pain, the better understanding of the pathology they have and the better their understanding of the proposed treatment plan. This is another cornerstone of neuroscience education— “biologizing” a patient’s pain. Tip #9: Consider multidisciplinary management Physiotherapists should based on their experience and evaluation, decide if a patient may need additional help (psychologist, physician, etc). Tip #10: Assess and assist recovery of general physical fitness A vast body of evidence supports the use of aerobic exercise in the management of patients with chronic pain. Therapists should help patients develop a home exercise program that includes a large focus on aerobic exercise. Reference • Moseley GL, Butler DS. 15 Years of Explaining Pain – The Past, Present and Future. Journal of Pain. 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2015.05.005 • Booth J, Moseley GL, Schiltenwolf M, Cashin A, Davies M, Hübscher M. Exercise for chronic musculoskeletal pain: A biopsychosocial approach. Musculoskeletal Care. 2017. https://doi.org/10.1002/msc.1191 • Louw A, Zimney K, O’Hotto C, Hilton S. The clinical application of teaching people about pain, Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. 2016. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2016.1194652

The Calm Before the Storm Hi Everyone! My name is Courtney, I am a 23 year old explorer, beach bum, motivator, daydreamer, foodie, frequent flyer, book worm, girl boss, radiator of good vibes, & caffeine dependent life form who lives for the simple things residing in Tampa, FL. I was born with Muscular Dystrophy, which greatly impacted how I navigated my world. Despite the challenges I faced, my disability never stopped me from living my dreams; striving for success and happiness. Transferring to the University of Tampa was a great accomplishment that started a new chapter in my life, and I was ready to thrive. However, I could have not been able to predict or prepare for what transformed the course of my life. Massive Ischemic Stroke On December 19th 2016, I had a massive ischemic stroke that deprived my brain of oxygen due to loss of blood supply. I was immediately taken into surgery where a cerebral angiogram was performed to remove the clot. The procedure was a success, although the damage had already been done. No one knew the extent of my brain damage, until I awoke. As I became conscious it was like my brain was cracked open like an egg and scrambled onto a plate in front of me. I knew what I wanted to say, but the words would not come out. I felt as thought I would be locked in my own head forever. For someone who could never stop talking, not being able to express how I was feeling and being trapped inside my scrambled head with my own thoughts tortured me. To imagine that in the matter of minutes my once preconceived future was ripped out of my hands. Although it may have felt like the end of the world I once knew, it was really just the beginning. Not only was I given a new body, but a new attitude and insight into what I believed was my purpose on this earth. I spent Christmas and New Years under the dull yellow lights of a hospital room. I was painfully alert, trapped inside a body that would not work and could not communicate. I formed thoughts and sentences but could do nothing with them. I spent the next month in rehabilitation re-learning how to speak, spell, sit up, and stand. I experienced language and speech aphasia. I was like a child relearning how to formulate sentences and properly pronounce words. This was a long and frustrating learning process. I still find difficulty finding the right words, understanding what others are saying, and struggle with reading and writing. If you saw me a year ago, no one would be able to predict how well I would be able to speak and articulate my thoughts to others once again. Even though I no longer have control over the right side of my body, as a result of the stroke, I knew that as long as I could recover my brain by finding new ways to think, learn, and make connections; my words would come back and I would survive. But don’t let my optimism fool you, this was not an easy task. I was intensely lonely, trapped in my mind. I felt as if no one could understand what was happening to me. There is life after a stroke One of the hardest long term challenges as a result of my stroke has been the change in my mental heath. Depression, anxiety, agitation, and lethargy have entered my life, and continue to impact me everyday. It is not uncommon for a stroke victim to become apathetic, depressed, and have frequent mood swings, but this is something I never had to deal with before. I felt like my brain was set on fire and it was my responsibility to put it out and rebuild on the residual damage without any help. Losing a part of your brain is not like losing your memory. I knew who I was, who I loved, and what was important to me. I believe that this is what truly motivated my recovery. I was able to retain the knowledge and relearn the tedious processes for doing simple tasks that had been wiped clean from my brain. This took time, patience, and the love, kindness, and support of my family and friends. Their encouragement and persistent positivity, radiated back into my heart. I was lost. I lost my sense of self. Who was I? This is a question I still ponder, but now I finally feel found. I think back on this time in my life, which felt like a never ending black hole that I was not able to escape. But the point is that I did. What I truly learned from this long process is that, focusing on recovery doesn’t mean you have to stop living your life. Many of my old hobbies were no longer an option. This did not discourage me but rather gave me an opportunity to explore new things that have become an integral part of my happiness. If you can make the mental shift and view this stage of your life as an opportunity to grow, you’ll come out stronger for it. You will need to accept the help of your loved ones, but do not ever back down in the face of what looks like defeat. If you feel like you can’t live a happy life until you’re better, then you’re creating your own unhappiness by not living in the present moment. Living in the present is a choice that you have to make every day, and honestly some days will be harder than others. There will be times where you want to cry and shake with anger coursing through your veins, but always remember that there IS a life after stroke. We cannot control what life has behind the next door. What if all we truly have control over is our response to what has happened to us?

אסיר תודה שאני עדיין מסוגל לעבוד כשוטר לפני חמש שנים, רגל ימין שלי נקטעה כתוצאה מתאונת אופנוע עם נער שסימס בנהיגה. לאחר שבועיים בבית החולים ועשרה ניתוחים, החלטתי להטיל מטבע ולקטוע את רגלי הימנית. לאחר שישה חודשים של שיקום חזרתי לתפקידי כשוטר פעיל. אני מסוגל לשרת את הקהילה שלי כשוטר אפילו עם הרגל התותבת שלי. המוגבלות הזו לא מונעת ממני לבצע את תפקידי ברחוב. אימצתי את האתגר ואת הקשיים בעבודה עם רגל תותבת ואני מקווה לעורר השראה באחרים לעבוד באכיפת החוק. שום מוגבלות לא יכולה לעצור אותך. אני אסיר תודה לעד על שהייתי מסוגל להמשיך לעבוד באכיפת החוק ולשרת את הקהילה. I am grateful that I am still able to work as a police officer Five years ago, I had my right foot amputated as a result of a motorcycle accident from a teenager who was texting and driving. After spending two weeks in the hospital and enduring ten surgeries, I decided to flip a coin and amputate my right foot. After six months of rehab, I returned to my job as an active duty police officer. I've been able to serve my community as a police officer even with my prosthetic leg. This disability deos not prevent me from performing my duties on the street. I've embraced the challenge and difficulties of working with a prosthetic leg and hope to inspire others to become law enforcement officers. No disability can hold you back. I am forever grateful that I was able to keep working in law enforcement and serve the community.

Knowledge is Power Pain. I know it well. For me it started in my twenties as a manageable irritation in the backgound of my life. By my early forties it had morphed into an all-consuming nightmare. I felt helpless, useless and unable to function. It was so awful that at times it made me wish my life away. I was in constant, agonising and debilitating pain. My knowledge of pilates, exercise and especially yoga were of help - but just not enough. A respected chronic pain specialist told me that my nervous system was permanently damaged, nothing further could be done to help me and I should begin to use a wheelchair. But I turned it round. Yes, ME. I was the only one who could. I didn't do it alone, of course. I had help from some wonderful teachers. Some, I interacted with in person, others I met through their work and writing. I'm sharing with you the books that helped me layer up the knowledge, understanding, confidence and experience that allowed me to turn my life around. Here are the first 5 - I'll follow up with another 5 next time. #1: Somatics - reawakening the mind's control of movement, flexibility and health, Thomas Hanna Reading this book was the beginning of getting better. I had never heard of Somatics and stumbled upon it on YouTube. After five minutes of doing a somatic movement clip I found, incredibly, I experienced almost instant relief from the worst of the biting pain in my back. It wasn't a miracle recovery, you undestand! Yet this was something else - I had just got to a place nothing else had ever been able to access! Maybe the pain specialist was wrong? I had to find out more. I ordered Hanna's book and devoured it from cover to cover. Though I had an exercise-y background, this was unlike anything I'd ever read. It was a different kind of movement. It seemed to have something to do with feelings and emotions. It was about the mind, body and whole person. It was about responses to stress, unconscious patterns, and being stuck in habits. It was about the nervous system and brain, rather than muscle, joints and bones. It was about humans as 'somas' - living breathing, thinking, sensing, feeling, moving, responding, adapting beings - experiencing the body from within. It was a revelation. The photos in the book are not the greatest, but the text - well - it changed my life and this is now my work. That's another story, though. #2: Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers, Robert Sapolsky Thomas Hanna's book triggered my interested in stress and its effects on the body, which brings me to Robert Sapolksy's work. I can not imagine a more comprehensive guide to the phenomenon of stress. It's a rocking good read - brought to life with great stories, anecdotes and humourous asides. (If you like to be read to - even better! Robert Sapolksy himself narrates the Audible version and he is a very engaging speaker.) The very same biological cascade that drives a lion to run after its meal or a zebra to run for its life is triggered when we have stressful thoughts; "For the vast majority of beasts on this planet, stress is about short term crisis... When we sit around and worry about stressful things - we turn on the same physiological responses - but they are potentially a disaster when provoked chronically." It is well known that stress affects the pain experience, so it is in our interests to know it and manage it. Not only do you get cutting edge research in this book, but also a comprehesive guide to coping. #3: Explain Pain, David Butler and Lorimer Moseley The must have guide to how pain works and the factors that influence the pain experience. I was once handed a self-help book on chronic pain and it junked it as it was as dull as ditchwater. Conversely, this book is never dull and neither is it patronising (as I have found some materials aimed at the pain sufferer to be.) Far from being a fatiguing monolith of text, the layout is spacious and punctuated with unique illustrations that are unusual, illuminating and edifying. It is written for both clinicians and patients and is packed with useful golden nuggets of information delivered in straightforward language. I found it intriguing - exciting, even. It opened up a new world for me which I am still discovering. Now, even if the science of pain is not your thing, you can't help but emerge a little wiser and a bit more informed after reading this book. It's pricey, but a useful one to keep on your shelf. Whenever you have a setback you can remind yourself how pain works, and rationalise why you might be experiencing a flare up and what you can do about it. #4: Mindfulness in 8 Weeks, Michael Chaskalon The best thing about this book is the fact that it is accompanied by quality audio practice material. It is a stand-alone 8 week course in mindfulness practices that you can do by yourself. Though I would always recommend doing a mindfulness course with a group, sometimes it is simply not possible. Even if you are experienced in the art of mindfulness, it is useful to have access to purposefully, wisely, helpfully and intelligently narrated audio materials such as these. A wealth of scientific literature and research exists out there to attest to the beneficial effects of mindfulness. It is almost too simple - coming back to the breath and focussing awareness on the body. The more difficult bit is that it has be be directly experienced and repeated regularly. When you are sensing your breath in your nostrils and the noticing the rise and fall of your belly, it's harder to ruminate on other things. Michael gets the pace just right and he narrates in a way that is simple and satisfying, acknowledging that your mind will wander- this is ok. There is a type of mindfulness practice called 'body scanning', which involves taking awareness throughout the whole body and paying attention to the sensations in each part. I doubted at first that focusing on a body in pain could be of any use. However, I have found that when I apply the spotlight of my awareness to the lesser-noticed parts, non-painful and neutral areas in order to sense and notice what they feel like - I actually feel pleasant sensations and if pain or discomfort is present elsewhere it often fades. #5: The Brain That changes Itself, Norman Doidge Well, the title says it all. YOUR BRAIN CAN CHANGE! We live in an age where neuroplasticity - the ability of the brain to adapt - is on the verge of becoming a household word. It used to be thought that the brain developed during critical periods in childhood and then ceased to produce new cells in adult life. It is now known that the brain can reorganize itself throughout a lifetime, both physically and functionally. 'Stories of personal triumph from the frontiers of brain science' is the book's sub-heading, and that is what it delivers. It is a powerful and uplifting read that at the very least will have you entertaining the possibility of being able to influence your own brain for the better. It is known that pain is an output of the brain. (This does NOT mean that we are making it up!! Pain is very, very real - as real as the visual world around you, which is also an output of the brain.) The gift in this paradox is that we can exert a certain amount of influence over the output of our brains, as is shown chapter after a chapter in this book. How might YOU be able to change your experience of pain? You will no doubt get some ideas from this read. Even more if you follow up with the sequel, The Brain's Way of Healing. Over to you! Do you know any of these titles? What have you read that has helped you deal with, understand or dampen your pain? Are there any other non-fiction books you would recommend for people with issues of persistent pain? How about fiction - what lifts your spirits? Please leave your comments and suggestions in the Yoocan chatrooms!

Caregivers Care giving is a full time job. It is hard work... emotionally, physically, and mentally. There are no words that can fully describe what it is like to watch your children... with exhausted bodies, tired eyes, sick bellies, pain that ranks off the charts... while they simply try to get through another day... often times from bed. Doctor appointments that never end, holding hands through needle pokes and procedures, drying tears during surgeries... both children and my own... endless pill bottles and trips to the pharmacy, trip after trip to clinics and hospitals hours from home, staying at Ronald McDonald Houses so often they know intimate details of our life, being with doctors and nurses so often it has become our child's "norm", awaiting much needed medical supplies to arrive in the mail, counceling appointments, home nurse visits, contacting doctors offices and schools with updates and plans and concerns... overwhelming, never ending doctor bills...The list is endless..... The life of a caregiver is giving Over the years I have found one of the most gut twisting, heart breaking moments... is watching the kids peers living life without them. Watching their lives and relationships grow... knowing our child was tucked in bed, at home, missing out on life without them. I have spent numerous moments in my car crying, screaming... after watching one more soccer game, one more birthday party, one more play, one more school dance... without them. The life of a caregiver is very much different than what I had ever expected... We all dream of amazing things for our children... I didn't know this would be part of our personal journey together as a family. Despite feeling overwhelmed and tearful... we choose to celebrate all the milestones that are put in front of us. We celebrate having one more day... The little things become HUGE. Yesterday, sitting in our 13 year old daughter's PT appointment, we came up with a wonderful way to combine the daily walking she does with her PT moves she isn't too thrilled about... and SHE DID IT! She did it with a smile on her face that lit up the room! She did it... knowing she could accomplish this! She did it and felt pride! I smiled on the outside and cried on the inside... because that is what we sometimes have to do. We take the moments of achievement... no mater how big or how small... and we roll them into a mountain of "YOU DID IT!" The life of a caregiver is 'giving' even when you are exhausted yourself... during the late nights and early mornings... cleaning up messes from sick bellies, holding hair back and washing faces, crawling in beside your child to protect them from whatever monsters are ravaging their bodies with illness and pain, reassuring them they will be ok... even when you can't believe it yourself. Standing in the darkness, at their bedroom door... listening to them breathe, knowing they have finally found sleep when they have fought so hard with pain. Those moments are life changing for a parent and caregiver. Finding joy even when your heart is breaking. Fighting even when you want to lay down in the path and give up. I discovered a lot about myself these past 32 years of parenting that I could have never imagined when I was 21 years old and holding our first born in my arms... I have discovered layer upon layers... of how strong I am after providing around the clock care to our chronically ill children. I want other parents to know.... I see you. You can do this! You've got this! You are not alone. You can join Ellen's Journey with EDS at https://m.facebook.com/empoweringellen/ #TeamEllen #EDS #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #OneDayAtATime

קפיצה במקלחת אלה הרגעים בהם אני יכולה לתדלק, רק להיות לבד ולנשום. איכשהו ברגע זה כוח הטיהור של מים חמים יורד על פני ומוחק כל הקשיים. שתיקה. בדידות. מילים הנושאות משמעות שונה ועמוקה יותר בימים אלה. החיים האלה דורשים כמות מופרזת של תקשורת. אני כל הזמן מסבירה מה אני רוצה, איך אני רוצה לעשות דברים, איפה זה או ההוא... אורח החיים הזה תמיד בודק את הסבלנות שלי, מלמד אותי איך לתקשר טוב יותר, איך להתמודד עם התסכולים שלי ובסופו של דבר איך להיות עצמאית יותר, כי אני באמת מרגישה ששם רמה מסוימת של אושר נמצאת, עבור כולנו. קשה להעביר באופן מלא עד כמה קשה תמיד להסביר דברים למישהו אחר, אבל זה מתיש מבחינה נפשית. תארו לעצמכם שהייתם צריכים להביע את הדברים הפשוטים לכאורה למישהו אחר: איך לבצע את כל שגרת הבוקר שלכם, איך אתן אוהבות את הקפה שלכן איך אתן אוהבות את השיער שלכן שטוף. וזה רק בשעות הראשונות של היום. הערת שוליים: עבור מישהו עם פחות תפקוד ממני זה סיפור אחר לגמרי. זה קשה בטירוף. נשימות עמוקות. אני מתגעגעת רק לנגן כמה שירים ולקפוץ במקלחת. היופי השקט המלווה את ריטואל הטיהור בבדידות. (אנחה) Jumping in the shower It's moments like these when I can refuel, just be alone, and breathe. Somehow in this moment the cleansing power of hot water cascading down my face erases whatever hardships heavily linger. Silence. Solitude. Words that carry a very different and deeper meaning these days. This life requires an excessive amount of communication. I'm constantly explaining WHAT I want, HOW I want things done, WHERE this or that is....this lifestyle is always testing my patience, teaching me how to communicate better, how to deal with my frustrations, and ultimately how to be more independent, because honestly I feel that is where a certain level of happiness lies, for all of us. It's hard to fully convey just how hard it is to always be explaining things to someone else, but it's exhausting, both emotionally and mentally. Imagine if you had to verbalize the seemingly simplest of things to someone else: how to execute your entire morning routine, from how you like your coffee to how you like your hair washed. And that's just the first few hours of the day. Side note: for someone with less function than me it's a whole different level. It's crazy hard. Deep breaths. I miss just playing some tunes and jumping in the shower. The quiet beauty that accompanies a cleansing ritual in solitude. (Sigh)

Born As An Amputee My name is Diane. I'm 45 years old. I am the oldest of 3 and the only one born with a disability within the family. When I was born back in 1972 the technology of sonograms weren't available. So to everyone's surprise out I came without my lower limbs....yes I was born an amputee. Not knowing my fate, doctors insisted my parents have a priest come to baptize and give me my last rites, because we are Catholic. Doctors performed all kinds of tests and the results were the same...we found nothing and everything came out fine. We have never seen a case like this and don't understand how such a thing can happen. Five days later both me and mom were being discharged. With fear in her stomach, mind full of stress and a heart filled with love we were on our own to figure out how I would make it. One day after being fitted for my arm prosthetics someone saw how sad mom was. She told her that sometimes when parents are faced with an abnormal child the best way to move on and not think so much about it is to have another child. Being that there aren't any disabled people on either side of my parents generations this kind of thing happening again wasn't likely. My mom went home continued crying and heart breaking daily decided to take the advice of the individual at the hospital. A year later mom and dad were expecting their second child. To there surprise...TWINS. Yup, mom had fraternal twins...a girl and boy. Now 23 years old mom would have 3 children under a year and one with a physical disability. Mom elated with love and joy about having 2 healthy babies but .....TWO. Panic struck. Feared she wouldn't be able to handle 3 babies alone all day and all night but still a glimpse of hope that the tears and sadness would finally come to an end. How I learned to be independent despite being an amputee As time went on mom got her routines down and found depression was a thing of her past. The individual at the hospital was right and mom found it was the best advice she'd ever gotten. As I got older and school was in my near future it was time to figure out how that was going to happen.....Not many public schools in a 10 mile radius of my home accepted children with disabilities. On a big yellow bus I found myself each day at 7am making rounds picking up other disabled children who were attending the same elementary school I was. For the next 6 years I'd be put on a yellow bus at 7am to arrive at school for 9:00am and not return home until 4:00pm. Yup, I was the first one picked up in the morning and the last dropped off. I would be spending 3.5 hours traveling to and from school 5 days a week for the next 6 years!!! Just when mom had her routine down school puts a monkey wrench into it. She now was going to be faced with getting me up and ready for 7am. Thankfully my siblings had another year before starting school. Mom found herself having to wake up at 4:30am. She'd wash up, get dressed and at 5:00am off to wake me, wash my face, brush my teeth, dress me, fix my hair, feed me breakfast, make my lunch, carry me and my wheelchair up 8 steps and on the bus I went. That's right...an hour and half every day to get me ready for the day...crazy right?? As my first school year came to an end mom had to figure out how to get 3 kids out of the house by 7:30am. Mom quickly realized it took too much time getting me ready and was time I needed to figure out how to do that ON MY OWN... Yikes!!! One Saturday morning mom set her alarm for 7am and woke me up. As I sat up in my bed I saw my clothes laid out beside me. Confused, I asked why I was going to school today? Mom said no school but you will be learning something more valuable that school cannot teach you... confused yet again...mom said you'll stay in this bed until you are fully dressed and do not call me to get you until you've completed this task. Panic stricken I did the only thing that made sense... CRIED!!! An hour passed and I knew mom wasn't fooling around and if I wanted to start my day and eat I'd have to figure something out. Making Dreams Come True My life went on, I continued learning and as I grew so did my independence. As a teen I was quite popular. I went on to finish high school, graduated college with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology, and furthered my education going to graduate school studying Rehabilitation Counseling and getting certified as an alcohol and substance abuse counselor. I dated, I had a career as a Counselor working with mentally ill adults, I drove my own car and just when I couldn't be happier...or so I thought...my heart found its other half making me whole. My disability never stopped men from dating me or in this one particular case...asking me to marry him. I WAS GETTING MARRIED!!! I met my now husband at the end of 1997 and we were married in 2000. Wait for it...on Friday the 13th...yup you read correctly. The best day of my life...until we had our first child. As we made plans for the big day, venues, dresses, guests, food, transportation, flowers, but wait what about me? I'd never dreamed about my wedding day like most little girls but I have dreamt about being able to dance with my dad. I've seen my parents dance throughout the years. I've seen my sister dance with our dad at her sweet 16 and other family events and I've always wanted to. So now would be the only chance I'd have and I would find a way to do just that!! With most of the planning set I began thinking about my gown, going down the aisle, being in front of the church, my first dance with my husband. How was I going to make these things happen? Cause I will make them all happen...but HOW? I knew I was NOT going down the aisle in my wheelchair. I knew I couldn't walk because I stand 3 feet 9 inches and my husband 5 and a half feet tall...too awkward!! I began doing my research on braces for my legs... yup going back...but with a twist. I was going to walk down the aisle at least 4 feet tall and without crutches cause that's how my dreams went. I found a wonderful prosthetic company upstate about 2.5-3 hours away from my hometown. That's right!! My fiancé and I traveled twice a week for 9 months to practice. My therapists thought I was completely nuts. I was basically learning and training to walk on stilts if you will and yes I was only a foot shorter then my fiancé with them on. I was going to do this no matter what!! Only people who knew about my prosthetics were our parents, my siblings, and my maid of honor. Everyone else was going to find out on the wedding day. I couldn't wait. The day finally came and oh boy was dad nervous. He filled his tuxedo pockets with Allen wrenches, nuts and bolts "in case" something happened. You see dad could fix and build anything. Instead of this being a happy ball of nerves Everyone who knew was so nervous for me. No need folks...I GOT THIS!! The prosthetics were long and heavy. My gown was long and heavy, but my dream of dancing with my dad was going to come true. My thoughts of walking down the aisle and having my first dance with my husband was going to come true. On this Friday the 13th in 2000 was going to be a day DREAMS COME TRUE!!! I had 204 people in complete shock, not a dry eye in the place...literally. I DID IT. I MADE IT through without any issues. A day I'd never ever forget. I danced, I walked around greeting and thanking all of our guests, it was wonderful and I was exhausted. I couldn't wait to take off these prosthetics and I never wore them again. Even years later I found that I'm so much more comfortable and independent with my own parts. But on that day my dreams came true and I'd do it all over again if I had to. I'm as independent as they come I'm able to care for myself in terms of dressing, showering, doing my hair and make up. I love to cook and prepare all of the meals for my family and I'm able to feed myself, I drive, write, and lots more. I was blessed to find an extraordinary man who was made just for me 🤗 and together we were blessed with 2 beautiful gifts from god. I carried both children full term and delivered both C-Section. As a young teen I was given 2 opportunities to have surgeries of all four limbs and at the time my parents allowed me to decide because it was something that would effect me forever. There were no guarantees that it would be successful and there would be years of therapy and rehabilitation. I opted out. I felt very comfortable in how I came into this world. I knew I'd one day live a wonderful life because I knew all I was capable of. I found with the body I was given I was able to do so much more with what I had and I did. I dated, went to bars and clubs, graduated with a Masters Degree in Rehab Counseling and I'm certified in ASAC. I found the love of my life, left my job to be a stay at home mom, and have a wonderful family and I WOULDN'T CHANGE A THING 🙏🏼 Check Out My YouTube Channel Dyan Has Plans: www.youtube.com/channel/UCbTbTNpXEoJhlGD1mEh7KuA

קצת הקדמה היי, שמי ראניה, אני בת 28 ואובחנתי עם טרשת נפוצה בגיל 19. זה בהחלט היה מסע מאתגר. עם זאת, בימים אלה אני משקיעה את כל האנרגיה שלי לגייס כספים ומודעות עבור מחלה בלתי נראית זו שגורמת כאב, אובדן תחושה של איברים וכן מספר עצום של סימפטומים אחרים כמו תקיפת העצבים במוח ובחוט השדרה. הנה סקירה קצרה של המסע שלי. Let’s set the scene Hi, my name is Rania, I’m 28 and I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at 19 years old. It has definitely been a challenging journey. However, these days I put all of my energy into raising funds and awareness for this invisible disease that causes pain, loss of feeling in limbs, and a huge number of other symptoms as the disease attacks the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. Here is a little overview of my journey. If you woule like to know more, please follow me: Instagram: @missanonyms Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/missanonyms/ Visit my website: www.missanonyms.com איפה המסע שלי עם טרשת נפוצה החל "סליחה יש לך טרשת נפוצה" - כך אובחנתי עם המחלה הנוירולוגיות הכרונית הנפוצה ביותר בקרב צעירים אוסטרלים. הסימפטומים שלי החלו עם מיגרנות, סחרחורת וחוסר תחושה בצד אחד של הגוף שלי. כשאובחנתי האינסטינקט שלי היה לנחם את אמא שלי, שעכשיו הייתה עם שתי בנות שאובחנו עם "מחלה בלתי נראית" זו - טרשת נפוצה. לא ידוע למה גם לאחותי וגם לי יש טרשת נפוצה, אבל אני אלחם עד הסוף כדי לעזור למצוא את הסיבה והתרופה. מאותו רגע ואילך נשבעתי תמיד להישאר "חיובית" כדי להפחית את כאב הלב והכאב של הורי - כאב שאסור שהורה ירגיש. שיטה זו של התמודדות בלהיות חיובית ולא לאפשר לעצמי להתאבל על האבחנה שלי הובילה לשנים רבות של חיים בהכחשה. בגיל 19 הייתי צריכה לעזוב את גיל העשרה מאחורי ולהתבגר מאחר שהייתי צריכה להזריק לעצמי תרופות שלוש פעמים בשבוע. זה היה קשה מאוד כי לא יכולתי לשלוט על המחלה או בכאב הקיצוני ובחבורות איתן הזריקות והמחלה הותירו אותי. עם זאת, באמצעות חשיבה חיובית ומערכת תומכת חזקה הגעתי לאבני דרך רבות. Where my journey with Multiple Sclerosis all began “Sorry you have MS” was how I was diagnosed with the most common chronic neurological disease of young Australians. Reflecting on my symptoms it all started with migraines, dizziness and numbness all down one side of my body. When I was diagnosed my instinct was to reach to comfort my mum, who now had two daughters diagnosed with this “invisible disease” – Multiple Sclerosis. It is not known why both my sister and I have Multiple Sclerosis, but I will fight until the end of time to help find a cause and a cure. From that moment on, I vowed to always stay “positive” to lessen my parents heartache and pain - pain that no parent should have to bare. This method of coping by being positive and not allowing myself to grieve my diagnosis led to many years of living in denial. At 19 I had to leave my teens behind me and grow up as I needed to inject myself 3 times a week with medication. Being a control freak this was extremely difficult as I couldn’t control the disease or the extreme pain and welts the injections and the disease left me with. However through all of this with a good mindset and strong support system I reached many milestones. החיים עם טרשת נפוצה כיום כל התקף טרשת נפוצה, מאתגר ככל שיהיה - עושה אותי חזקה, חכמה יותר וגורם לי להעריך את הדברים הפשוטים בחיים הרבה יותר. עכשיו, לאחר שקיבלתי את מה שהחיים נתנו לי, אני עלולה להמשיך להיות מוכה על ידי המחלה הזאת, אבל תמיד אקום בחזרה ואמשיך להילחם - בשביל אחותי, אמא שלי, בעלי, המשפחה ובשביל כל האנשים החיים עם טרשת נפוצה. Living with Multiple Sclerosis Today Each Multiple Sclerosis relapse, although challenging, makes me stronger, wiser and appreciate the simple things in life so much more. Now, having accepted what life has handed me, I may keep getting knocked down by this disease, but I will always get back up and keep fighting - for my sister, my mum, my husband, family, and on behalf of all people living with Multiple Sclerosis.

כיצד אנו קובעים את מגבלות החיים שלנו שמי דיוויד ונולדתי עם פגם בחוט השדרה שנקרא ספינה ביפידה. הרופאים אמרו להורים שלי שלעולם לא אצעד... וואו, כמה שרציתי להוכיח שהם טועים. הורי, למרבה המזל, היו עקשנים כמוני ולא קיבלו את הניבוי הזה. בעידודם נאבקתי מהיותי עם מחוך עד החזה ללא מחוך כלל כיום. ב-2013, בגלל פצעי לחץ ברגליים, הייתי צריך קטיעה. בעוד שהייתה זו מכה קשה עבורי באותה תקופה כי נלחמתי שנים רבות, גם זה לא עצר אותי. למעשה זה שחרר אותי. היום אני מטפס מצוקים, משחק כדורעף חופים, צולל ועושה כל דבר אחר בחיים שאני רוצה. אני מקווה שכל ילד, מבוגר, מישהו שם בחוץ עם אתגר בחיים יידעו שיש להם את היכולת להגדיר את הגבולות שלהם הכי גבוה שהם חולמים. למדתי ממורה לטיפוס מצוקים, כי "אנחנו עולים על הקיר בדרכנו, גם אם זה לא התוואי שנקבע לנו". הסתגלו לנסיבות שלכם ואני מעודד את כולם להמשיך לטפס דרך החיים. How we set our own limits in life My name is David and I was born with a spinal cord defect called Spina Bifida. Doctors told my parents that I would never walk...And boy, did I want to prove them wrong. My parents luckily were just as stubborn as I would become and wouldn't take that prognosis. With their encouragement, I fought from chest high braces, to none at all today. In 2013, due to pressure sores on my feet, I had to have an amputation. While a heavy blow to me at the time since I had fought this for many years, this wasn't going to stop me either. In fact it freed me. Today, I rock climb, play beach volleyball, scuba dive, and really anything else in life that I want. I hope that every kid, adult, anyone out there with any challenge in life knows that they have the ability to set their limits as high as they can dream. I learned through a mentor in rock climbing, that "we get up the wall in our own way, even if it's not the route laid out for us". Adapt to your circumstances, and I encourage everyone to keep climbing through life.

המוזיקה שינתה את חיי היי! שמי הוא הארים ואני מוזיקאית בת 21 עם משהו מיוחד במינו - יש לי שיתוק מוחין ספסטי. עכשיו, אני יודעת מה אתה חושבים, "מוזיקאית עם שיתוק מוחין? איך זה עובד?" - רק הישארו איתי... מצאתי דרך ייחודית מאוד לנגן בגיטרה בעזרת מוזיקאי מדהים בשם בריידן ווד ומנגנת כבר למעלה מ-5 שנים. Music Changed My Life Hi! My name is Harym and I’m a 21 year old musician who has something quite unique about her- I have Spastic Cerebral Palsy. Now, I know what you’re thinking,” musician with CP? How does that work?””- just stay with me... I found a very unique way to play guitar with the help of an incredible musician named Braiden Wood and have been playing for well over 5 years now. איפה אני כיום כיום, אני שמחה לומר כי מעולם לא ויתרתי על החלום שלי. אני בצמד שנקרא Everglade, נהנית מהחיים ועושה את מה שאני אוהבת לפרנסתי. מוסר ההשכל של הסיפור שלי... לעולם לא לוותר על החלומות שלכם גם כשאנשים אומרים שאתם צריכים! Where I Am Today Today, I’m pleased to say that I never gave up on my dream. I’m in a duo called Everglade and enjoying life doing what I love for a living. Moral of my story is.... never give up on your dreams even when people say you should!