Jodie, totally affected with cerebral palsy, attempts to write her first journal entry. She is thirteen years old and is basically nonverbal; she can speak some, but not well enough; and she can't walk or feed herself. She needs a lot of hands-on care, but even with all her limitations, she is still a very happy young lady.
Jan.2.2005~
Dear Journal~
Hi! My name Jodie. I 13 year old, I be 14 year old in summer, in July. I live with family in Tennessee, have mama, daddy, brothers, sisters, they all love and take good care of me.
I go to school, I go to junior high school, where teachers help me. I learning new things every day, but it take very long time for me. I not walk, not talk (much), not feed or dress myself. I be like baby, but I no baby: I big girl. I have many friends at school, and they all love me. I love them, too.
I am in wheelchair. I not walk, never have, never will. I have something wrong called cerebral palsy, CP it's called. I have probs moving, don't move good. It cause my brain damaged at birth, but don't feel sorry for me. At least I still be okay. I now talking some, am now learning to write and read some, write with pointer thingie attached to head, I point to letters, and I write words or tell people what I want. It take very long time for me to do this, but I still do it good. I need help with bathroom, and I eat with tube in my belly. My teacher (or my mommy) put this stuff in my tube, it's like liquid food, and it goes into my tube, to my belly. I no chew or swallow, if I try to, I choke, and I could get very sick. That would not be good. I sometimes have tube in my nose, that is worse than belly tube, but it's the only way I can eat without choking.
I born in Korea, when I was little, and when I was three, I was taken to America, where I come to be with family I have now, family I have now is family I have had almost all my entire life. Only family I ever know, and I love them all very much. I have long, black hair, slanting eyes, and yellow face, and I very pretty, mommy says I am, and so does daddy. I have many brothers and sisters, and they all love me and take good care of me. They love to play with me, and they love to help me eat or change my diapie when I poopoo or pee in it, and they make sure I happy and comfortable. I appreciate that a lot, I really do!
I love to do a lot of things: I love to play with my brothers and sisters, I love to watch tv, and I love to see music singers on tv or on stage, and I love to be read to or held. I love to go to therapy every week, and I love to look at my face in the mirror and see how pretty a girl I am. I love to be with my friends, and I love going to school. I also love having kitties and doggies lay beside me, they are warm and fuzzy, and they make me smile! I also love sitting in my wheelchair and watching the world go by, and I love going for walks (I go for rolls, everyone else goes for walk!). I also love going places, and I love church, church always makes me smile cause I love learning about Jesus and God!
Well, that's it for now. I gotta go; I made just made stinky in my diapies, and I now smell bad. I have to have mama change me. PEWW! I will write again soon!
kind of sad Karen but it makes one realize their blessings on this new years, great story of hope. hope your new year glitters. l&p G
Reviewed by Judy Lloyd
1/2/2005
It is interesting how well the thoughts are conveyed in this story. This reminds me of a boy that I used to see in Richmond that had cerebral palsy but he could use his mouth to write. Told me some of the funniest jokes I ever heard. I see him now and again and he is still at the writing. Thanks Karen.
many think that disabled people have no feelings, especially if they cannot communicate well. how wrong they are...you enlighten them with this hopeful, beautifully written story. well done!
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Jan.2.2005~
