My name is Ronee' Le-Anne Reaux (my last name is pronounced ROW). I am nine years old. I live in Nashville, Tennessee with my mama and daddy and also my family. I have many brothers and sisters; all of us kids are adopted, even me. (I was adopted when I was a baby, right after I got out of the hospital.) I get along with most of them (although they DO drive me crazy at times, especially the littler ones).
I am in the 4th grade at Eastview Elementary School, and my teacher is Mrs. Hemingway. I had her last year. It's NOT because I flunked out or something--it's because she now teaches kids who are gifted, talented, or both. I'm a member of that class. It's called "Kaleidoscope." I LOVE school. We're always doing something neat or fascinating. Like last week: we went to the zoo, and I got to see the cheetahs. (I LOVE cheetahs!) They were SO-O PRETTY!!
As you know from looking at me, I am physically disabled. I use forearm crutches to walk and use a wheelchair at times. I've been this way since I was little, like maybe 4/5 years. I use crutches because I have systemic-onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. It's the most severe form of the disease, and my major organs (heart, lungs, stomach, etc.) can be affected whenever I have a "flare", which is when my disease is acting up. I can feel very sick when I have one of these "flares." At times the pain is so severe I end up in the hospital. (I was diagnosed with JRA when I was five, but I first started having the pain when I was four.) My joints are affected. It is especially bad in my knees, hands, wrists, hips, elbows, and feet, and I also have it in my neck somewhat. I also have it in my lower back (but not as bad as the other places). At times the pain is so bad I can't walk, and then I use my wheelchair. The worst times for me are in the early morning, when I first get up, and also at the end of the day, when I go to bed. Then I'm so sore and so stiff I can hardly MOVE!!!!
I also have bronchial asthma and have several allergies. I sometimes have trouble breathing, but I find, as I grow older, my asthma is FINALLY starting to get better! I don't have as much trouble (although I have to be careful: I have to avoid nuts AT ALL COSTS, and I also have to avoid getting stung by bees; I can have a SEVERE reaction and get VERY sick in a hurry--and, if I DON'T get help right away I could possibly die). To help my breathing I do "breathing treatments," which is where I breathe a medicated mist into my lungs from a machine, to help keep them clear, and I also take an inhaler 3 times a day.
I oftentimes wish I wasn't physically disabled. I wish I didn't have to depend on my crutches or my wheelchair. I wish I could run and walk like a lot of my friends, but hey--that's okay: I can live with it. Besides, there's MANY MORE people who aren't as fortunate as me (like my older sister, Jodie), so I can count my blessings and be grateful. At least I can WALK, even if it IS on crutches!!
One thing about me is this: I am a singer. I LOVE to sing!! In fact, that is my dream: to be a famous country star, like my favorite, Loretta Lynn. I LOVE country music, and I LOVE Loretta Lynn! She is TOPS in my book!! (I have seen Loretta Lynn in concert LOTS of times. I even got to sing with her once. That happened 2 years ago. That was NEAT, but I was SO-O SCARED!!)
I first sang in public when I was four. I sang at a festival; I don't remember which festival it was, but I remember there was a WHOLE MESS of people there!
I've been singing ever since. (Now when I'm sick I DON'T sing. I only sing when I'm well.)
Enchanta (50,000 words) is an imaginative young adult fantasy novel for children eight to thirteen that adults could also enjoy. The story has lots of magic, adventure and surprises.
Enchanta (50,000 words) is an imaginative young adult fantasy novel for children eight to thirteen that adults could also enjoy. The story has lots of magic, adventure and surprises.
