Born in 1948, I've lived with Cerebral Palsy (CP) since birth, using an electric wheelchair to get around. I currently live with my husband, Rod, in Central Minnesota.
CP is a trauma to the brain, usually at birth, that basically affects motor skills. Its severity depends on how much brain damaged occurred during the trauma. It could be as slight as walking with a limp to living in a completely vegetative state. Me -- I cannot walk, so use a motorized wheelchair. I look drunk because of my involuntary movements (which comes in handy at times when I really am drunk!) My speech sounds like a 45 rpm record (remember those?!) being played at 33 1/3. Other than that I'm pretty normal, whatever that is? I was spared my intelligence, which only 40% of those affected with CP can say. For that, I'm grateful!
I have had the privilege to work with students with disabilities as a teacher's assistant in the St. Paul, MN Schools, teaching the 3 R's and bit of independence. That experience allowed me to be Transition Coordinator with the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living. During that period in my life I wrote several independent living skills teaching manuals for the St. Paul Dept. of Education. I also was awarded the very first Governor's Victory Award in Minnesota for overcoming disability. Winners from each State received their award at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.
To balance my life of advocating independence for people with disabilities at the MN Capitol and in numerous organizations, I enjoyed square dancing with the Perfect Squares for 18 years. Perfect Squares is an outgoing gregarious group of wheelchair dancers that perform exhibitions in cities throughout the US and Canada.
Having a disability and working for those with disabilities became a 24/7 job after 40years. I left the big City behind to escape a hectic lifestyle and moved to the country. Living life as everyone else, I was still being faithful to my purpose of letting others see me doing everything they did. I even discovered how fun winter could be by joining the local snowmobile club riding behind my husband on snowmobile outings! I served the community as Secretary of the local Lions Club. My term is completed in June 2006, and still remain on the Board in the position of Editor for the newsletter.
Surfing the Internet, I came across Send Out Cards. The system allowed me to send a real card to anyone via the Internet. "Wow, what a find!," I thought and signed up as Distributor right off the bat. No longer did I have to depend on others to assist me buying, writing and mailing cards for me!
I also opened an online downloadable audio book store. Our hectic lifestyle rarely leaves time for relaxing and reading a book, so more people are taking up listening to audio books as they go about everyday tasks. Even music sites like Itunes and eMusic are seeing the market for downloadable audiobooks soar!
The relationship between Send Out Cards is simple. Both are designed to make life easier. With a click of a mouse, one can now send a card and/or listen to a classic novel. My goal it to present both of these as tools that can provide independence and enjoyment to persons find it difficult to write a greeting card or turn a page in a book.
More info on Send Out Cards and AudioBooks Warehouse can be for at http://MakeItHappenOnline.net/
Sunday, September 23, 2007
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