July | 2005 | The View from My Chair 2005 July | views of life expressed by a woman using a powerful wheelchair

July, 2005

I’m Feeling Better!

July 28, 2005 by Karen of Scottsdale

I’m not completely over this bug but I am feeling a lot better and was able to work on some projects today. Not a whole lot has been going on around here and I think Norm and I are suffering from the summer doldrums.

The two of us were watching TV together last night and there was this commercial showing kids skipping along a pathway. Without really thinking Norm says to me, “Do you like to skip?” I said, “What?” It suddenly dawned on him what he said and then we both were laughing hysterically. He told me how much he enjoyed skipping as a child and realized of course that I have never skipped before. Wheelchairs just don’t do that sort of thing. I told Norm that I wanted to see him skip but he said it’s been too many years so he’ll have to practice first. Now that I think about it I’m not sure I want my six-foot four-inch, soon to be 62-year-old husband to skip around the house. Norm’s a wonderful man but he’s never been athletic or physically coordinated.

One thing very special that did happen this week is the letter I received in the mail from my five year old niece Mackenzie. She drew a lovely picture of me and her. A few weeks ago I also received a letter from my eight year old niece Hannah. I love receiving letters from my girls. It’s hard to be away from them — they live in San Diego. I hope to go visit them soon.

I’m listening to The Fish on XM satellite radio and the song playing currently is “Voice of Truth” by Casting Crowns. I love that song because it really speaks to me. Sometimes when things aren’t going well or when I’m sick I pay too much attention to the voices in my head telling me of all of my failures and how bad things are and how they’re never going to get better, etc. etc. I thank God that he reminds me not to listen to those voices because they are telling me lies. This song I’m listening to has the following chorus:

But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story.
The Voice of Truth says, “Do not be afraid!”
And the Voice of Truth says, “This is for My glory”
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth.

Amen!

I hear Norm driving up with our dinner! Tonight we’re having Schlotzsky’s Deli! Yummy.

2 Comments:
At July 28, 2005 7:43 PM, It’s me, the guy in the back room said…
I remember also that I had magic shoes when I skipped around Denver.I will look for them and practice….oh no…..I don’t remember where I put them. It might be hard to skip without my magic shoes.

At July 28, 2005 9:01 PM, songstress7 said…
Yay for feeling better! And yay for Schlotzky’s – mmmm.

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Cough, Cough — I’m Still Here

July 27, 2005 by Karen of Scottsdale

My nasal infection is still here and now it’s draining into my lungs which causes me to have to cough a lot. For those of us with SMA coughing takes every ounce of strength we have. My doctor gave me Singulair today to help dry up my drainage so I don’t cough so much. It’s a once a day tablet so I probably won’t notice anything for a few hours. I have one more day of antibiotics which gives me a dizzy feeling a few hours after I take my daily dose. So, I’m not doing a lot these days except resting. I’d like to be able to blog about all that’s going on in the news and fun stuff but I just don’t have the energy. I appreciate your continued prayers. A friendly hello from any of you would be nice too.

2 Comments:
At July 27, 2005 2:19 PM, Mr. Karen said…
Just a friendly Hello from the back room!

At July 27, 2005 10:59 PM, songstress7 said…
Oh, goodness! Here’s hoping you feel all better soon… being sick just bites.

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Good News and Bad News

July 22, 2005 by Karen of Scottsdale

By the time I got to the doctor my lungs had cleared and she said they sounded good. The bad news is that I definitely have an infection which appears to be in my sinus and right ear. I have a fever of 100.6° and my heart rate is higher than normal. The doctor put me on antibiotics and took some blood tests to see what’s going on with me. She also said it could be a strep infection. I have to go back on Wednesday. I still don’t feel all that great but she said that’s because my body is fighting an infection. She gave me samples of the antibiotic so I don’t have to get them at the drugstore. I like that because it saves some money since I don’t have supplemental insurance. Thanks for your prayers! If I feel better tomorrow I’ll try and post something more interesting than oh woe is me stuff. I’m going to take a nap now.

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I feel terrible.

July 22, 2005 by Karen of Scottsdale

I woke up this morning with a runny nose and coughing. I was able to clear it out and thought I was okay but now my lungs are filling with congestion so something is definitely wrong. Because of my disability it is very hard to cough and it takes all my energy. I’m going to the doctor today because I get pneumonia very easily so she wants me to start on medication right away to keep the infection from getting worse. I don’t think I’ll be able to post anything for a few days. I’d appreciate your prayers.

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Outer Space — The Final Frontier

July 20, 2005 by Karen of Scottsdale

Back in 1969 I was five years old and I remember a momentous event took place — the first manned Moon landing. Today is the 36th anniversary of Apollo 11. In honor of that event Google has created a map of the moon which you can see here. Use the zoom controls by pressing on the plus sign and you will learn what the moon is really made of.

Also I was saddened today to learn of the death of James Doohan better known as Scotty of Star Trek, dead at the age of 85. He was one of my favorite characters on Star Trek. I remember being very young and watching Star Trek with my dad. I don’t know if I really understood what was going on but I enjoyed every episode. I think I have seen every original series Star Trek episode at least 10 times. There was something special about Star Trek that intrigued me. In my mind other sci-fi programs and movies of the 70s couldn’t hold a candle to Star Trek. I’ve seen all of the Star Trek movies and every one of the spinoff series.

I’ve never believed in extraterrestrial life so I’m not sure what it is that really fascinated me about Star Trek. Perhaps it might have been the excitement of the future possibilities of technology. Having been disabled my entire life I have benefited greatly from advances in engineering and computer technology. When one is limited, such as myself, in the physical realm advanced technology brings a freedom to one’s ability to be creative and purposeful in society. As I watched Star Trek as a child, all those many years ago, I never imagined that one day I would be sitting in front of a computer speaking words that are typed on the screen just as I’m doing this very moment. As one of my other favorite Star Trek characters would say, “Fascinating!” How much do you know about Star Trek? Can you guess which character often used that phrase? Let me know your responses in the comments section.

2 Comments:
At July 21, 2005 10:22 PM, Pastor Jack, Sr. said…
As the guy with whom you watched most of the Star Trek series, I would say it was the one with the “pointy ears”!

At August 03, 2005 2:25 PM, March Hare said…
Hi Karen,I found your blog via LaShawn Barber. I noticed that you read Michelle Malkin, too. Two other blogs I recommend are The Anchoress and Happy Catholic (who also enjoys science fiction). Links are on my blogsite: http://www.marchhareshouse.blogspot.com. My favorite Star Trek character was Dr. “Bones” McCoy, although I had a soft spot for Scotty as well!Regards…

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Video Blogging Weenies

July 18, 2005 by Karen of Scottsdale

The link to the video is at the end of this post.

My handsome and talented husband, Norm, has continued searching through the family film vault to find more 8mm clips of me when I was a wee lassie (“little girl” for you non-Scottish types). This week’s collection brought back some old memories! The first part of the clip you’ll see my mother and my grandmother on a merry-go-round at the park with me and my cousins. I had such a little tiny wheelchair in those days — I was probably about four or five years old so I would say it was around 1968 or 1969. They put the wheelchair on the merry-go-round so I could ride with the other kids! (Mom and I had matching dresses that she made herself.) I remember that event because as you will see the Oscar Mayer Wiener mobile showed up at the park and they gave us kids tiny whistles that looked like hot dogs. If you’re over 40 you might remember seeing those whistles as a kid.

The next part of a video shows me with curls sitting in a little rocking chair holding a kitten. Unfortunately 8mm film didn’t have audio capability in those days so I have no idea what I am saying but I seem to be pretty excited about that kitten. My mom and dad are in the clip as well and boy did they look young way back then. The last part of the video shows me being pushed in my tiny wheelchair, holding onto my lunchbox, going to the school bus and my mom picking me up to put me on the bus as I wave to the camera.

I was bused to school in another town. It was a school for the handicap and I went there for kindergarten, first and second grades. This was while we lived in Costa Mesa, California but the school was in Santa Anna. It was not anywhere near my neighborhood. I think the name of the school was Carl Harvey School for Crippled Children. Yes, back in the day I was known as a crippled child. Definitely not politically correct terminology today. Who cares! I’m proud to be a crippled kid! (Note to you “PC” types — for the self-esteem of a young child I would never use that terminology today but in those days nobody knew any different and I don’t ever remember being ashamed of that title.)

Okay here it is — click here to see this video of me. It’s a little over a minute long and don’t forget to turn up the volume and click play. Enjoy!

Previous video blogging: A Blast from My Past and Karen Visits Scottsdale Firehouse

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Anybody out There?

July 17, 2005 by Karen of Scottsdale

Have you ever made a change in the way you look and no one noticed? Did you get a new haircut or hairstyle and no one noticed? How about buying a new dress or suit that you wore to church or a party and you were sure that somebody would say something about it but no one said a word? Doesn’t it make you feel like people aren’t really looking at you? Or how about when you rearrange the furniture in your house and your spouse or roommate or friends you invite over don’t even notice?

Well… I’ve done some major remodeling here (and I’m not talking about the right hand sidebar) and no one has said a word! What do you think of my new header? (The image on top of this page.) I’d like to hear some feedback please. If you don’t like it please tell me, I can take it. If you do like it let me know. If you don’t care then let me know that to. Just say something, please.

There are two ways you can let me know: (1) click on the comments link and type something there but be sure and put your name or some identity that I might catch on to instead of using “anonymous.” (2) use the e-mail link on the right hand side of this page and send me a message or use my supersecret private e-mail address if I have given it to you previously.

Thank you! I await your responses.

4 Comments:
At July 17, 2005 7:58 PM, An Internet sort of Guy said…
No, I have never bought a new dress and no one noticed. In Fact I have never bought a dress for myself. Pants and Shirts are more my style.I like the Header. It adds a Professional look to your blog.

At July 17, 2005 9:26 PM, songstress7 said…
I did come see your new header yesterday… but for some reason I didn’t decide to comment *forehead smack*…I like it – very nice graphic… it really adds a lot to your look.And yes, that has happened to me more times than I care to count.

At July 17, 2005 10:39 PM, Pastor Jack, Sr. said…
Well I wish I could tell you I noticed the header was different but the truth is I thought something looked different – brighter and fresher – but had no clue what it was till now. I can tell why men don’t say much – we can’t figure out wht it is. Whatever it is I like it.

At July 18, 2005 9:51 AM, Father of 3 said…
I didn’t notice the sidebar. I did notice the header… only because you told me. I’m a guy, what’d you expect!

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Island in the Sky

July 16, 2005 by Karen of Scottsdale

Norm and I watched this 1953 John Wayne classic this evening about a transport plane that crash-lands in the frozen wastes of Labrador and the pilot, John Wayne, has to keep his men alive in deadly conditions while awaiting uncertain rescue. I had never seen this particular John Wayne movie before so it was fun to see an old movie that was new to me. It was black-and-white and we enjoyed it because there were so many old but young familiar faces in this movie. I don’t know what his real name is but one of the characters was a young copilot who was played by Alfalfa from the old “Our Gang” kids movies from the 40s. He looked like he was probably about 20 years old in this movie. John Wayne’s character was of course the leader type and the hero of the story but he was also a man who showed he had doubt and fear which is unusual for John Wayne movies. If you’ve never seen this one you gotta do it because it’s a good one. It was definitely refreshing to see a movie where no one used constant profanity and no one committed adultery. They just don’t make movies like that anymore.

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