Long Live Summer!

My Lake

So far summer has been full of relaxation, beaches, bike rides and babies!

I have been drinking lots of water, eating lots of fruits and vegetables and doing as much yoga as possible (sometimes twice a day).  My neck, back shoulder pain have stayed minimal. I account this for the effort I am putting into my body. Sometimes, this is hard because it's not something I want to do. But overall looking at the big picture, I'm glad I've made the effort.

County Park in St. Joe

I have been able to keep my house clean enough to my standards and have done a couple of household projects that I think about doing during the school year but never get done. The flowers in my yard have never looked better!

I was able to enjoy beach time in St. Joe, MI with great friends. I know so much more about the northern half of the small cities along Lake MI, so it was great to spend time along the southern half of my Lake! I also enjoyed a day of jet skiing, friends and a summer picnic with them. I feel like I have gotten spoiled because all of these outings have been during non-holiday week days when nobody else is around! These were truly enjoyable days!!

I have always been hesitant to branch off and take bike rides out of my neighborhood when I am alone. I worry it's not safe and I also have a decrease to let my mind wander when I bike ride on unknown paths. I think when I hesitate about something, it's important to give myself a nudge and get out there and face the fear or anxiety to at least try.  These bike rides are just a teanie tiny way of me doing that! I have been getting myself out there and checking out local bike paths and just enjoying the beautiful summer days! Some of the sites have been really pretty!

Sycamore Creek in Mason

Baby Life Long Friend! 

Two of my friends are experiencing some form of motherhood for the first time.  One of these friends bought a miniature golden doodle who is the most photogenic pet I have ever seen! Some friends and I threw her a puppy shower one evening :) My friend I have had around the longest has become a mommy to a human child - a little boy! So, it's safe to say that Auntie Kim has struck again! What a fun way to spend sometime off from work :)

Turning the bad into the good!

I keep writing and saying........I get really, really excited about the simple things that many people take for granted. I have no doubt this is because I have extra hurdles and challenges due to CP.

I am not the only one who feels this way! Check out this little girl and her excitement for one of the millions of accomplishments she will have! Such a little star!  I hope she realizes the sky is the limit. One of her greatest gifts will be to spread her enthusiasm and happiness to others around her!

https://www.facebook.com/SharingIsCaringNewsner/videos/423716898135818/UzpfSTIxMTIwMjUyNToxMDEwMDk1MjYzNTQyNDg4Mw/

Where do I fit in? Is my outer shell all that matters?

As for the medical community and government purposes I am in a minority group. I am disabled. Sweet! Bring on the cool parking spaces and free passes to National Parks.

To my friends and family??!! I'm non-disabled. I am self sufficient, smart. I am relied and depended upon for various reasons. When asked to cut the meat or vegetables or multi-task.....I'm like........do you have any idea what you just requested?

I feel like myself when the disability is forgotten. And when I mention it, the other person relates to me by describing their annoying hang nail.

To society and in my social life?? I guess this is where it's just weird and confusing. I am able to create my own "norm" and ignore ignorance that really just isn't necessary. This is cool and fun but it hasn't always been that way for me.

When I was a child it seemed easiest to fix my social awkwardness by sending me to camps or groups of kids with physical disabilities. Once in 6th grade teachers attempted a peer to peer situation for me which humiliated me! It all would have worked out better if they would have addressed my highly sensitive and empathetic nature.

Sometimes when sales people or professionals over the phone hear me speak they assume I am not smart. They assume they can take advantage of me or I can't understand what is happening with the transaction.


As an adult working in a professional setting it has been assumed that if I am unsatisfied with my job situation, I have the right to request reasonable accommodations even if I have been performing above and beyond the essential job duties on a daily basis. It's seems that simple but it's not.

When it comes to dating there have been misconceptions of who I actually relate to just because of my outer shell or "annoying hang nail."  This has happened since I started dating. When I was online dating I received emails from men in New York and Indiana just because we had one thing in common - our outer shell.  Just recently I realized these type of assumptions exists when I am not even attempting to date. That's when I realized I will be discriminated against. There will always be innocent, perhaps even kind ignorance that exists just because I am a minority. It feels like when it comes to dating "society" thinks it should be simple for me. Find a guy with CP, so I can have someone I can relate to. Birds of a feather flock together, right? On the flip side it seems kind of scary and complicated for "society" to see me as single, happy and successful.   Maybe with this kind, ignorance these people want a simple fix to complex questions that I rise for them.

As I get older, it's been a good experience to learn how to handle these people and situations. One of my favorite lines has been "Would I date someone with a white car?" I honestly think about people who are different sizes and races than the "norm". I've realized they have experienced the same situations and feelings I have.

 I honestly kind of like being a puzzle that others can't solve! Game on, society!