A young girl who broke her neck after falling from a horse continues to adjust to life as a person with a significant physical disability.
Hi! This is Erinn McDonnell writing again. I thought I would continue with sharing my story with you here.
To tell you a bit about myself, I am 17 years old, and I have longish, coppery-red hair, freckles all over my face and arms, very fair skin (I can't get out in the sun, or else I turn into one big lobster! LOL), and am rather thin in nature. I am the oldest of five kids; I have two brothers named Seamus Michael (he is 15, and is about as freckled as me! LOL) and Reginald Patrick (13), and three younger sisters named Mary-Catherine Elizabeth (11), Patricia Colleen (9), and the "baby" of our family, Rhiannon Siobhan, who is six. Rhiannon also is disabled; she was born with severe cerebral palsy, and she can't do a lot for herself; but she is still a very loving child with a killer smile and a very good heart about her. Then there are my parents, my daddy, Patrick (of which my youngest brother, Reggie, shares his middle name with), and my mother, Anne, whom everyone calls Annie. Then we have my grandmother, Sinaed, and her new husband, Wilhelm, whom we call "Billy".
Okay. That is my family. We get along great most of the time, and it seems that since my accident over a year ago, they have gotten closer, and we seem to care for one another now, more than we used to prior to my accident. We also have "found the Light" and we find ourselves going to church every Sunday and Wednesday, something we really never did before we found Christ. I found Christ when a friend of mine, Anh Kim Sandusky, invited me to his church, and I was so moved by the sponteniety and lively nature of the church service and the genunine love that the congregation showed; that I had nothing better to do than to accept Christ into my heart. I then told my family about it, and they gave their hearts to the Lord, and now we are a regular Christian family who is growing in our faith each and every day. We spend time reading the word and doing our devotions, and we also spend time in prayer, and we no longer do things like going to wild, raucous parties, sporting events where alcohol is served, and watch shows with "questionable" material (which seems to be most of it nowadays, it seems). We find ourselves caring for people who are less fortunate, and we are also going around to different schools, where I am sharing my testimony and how God has delivered me, even though I am now disabled.
Now, I am not saying my life is perfect (believe me, it's NOT; I have my bad days!), but I would much rather be positive about my situation rather than lamenting the loss of being able to use my limbs like everyone else, and I have the Love and Grace of my Lord God to sustain me through the dark days. Still, I do have problems where I get frustrated because I may need help whenever I drop something, or I may need help in getting dressed, and the like; but I still can do a lot for myself, even with being what is known as a "high-functioning quadriplegic". Even though my arms are affected by the paralysis as are my legs, I still have enough movement in them to be able to feed myself, brush my hair, walk with my crutches for shorter trips, put on my makeup, and brush my teeth. But I still need help in getting on my pants, shoes, and socks, and I have to have someone come into the bathroom with me, so they can change my catheter bag that I wear, since I no longer can pee like most people. Or they help me whenever I have to poop. It's a bit embarrassing, but I have since gotten used to it, and I have accepted it.
Now, I AM prone to bedsores and bladder (or kidney) infections, so I have to drink plenty of fluids (water), and I have to be moved every so often, so I don't get sores that could become infected if I am not careful. I also am prone to spells of hypoglycemia, where my blood sugar falls, and I get sick to my tummy and get dizzy, and I also have spells of hypotension, or low blood pressure, and that can cause me to black out if it gets too low. Someone has to always be with me because if I black out, I could really hurt myself if I am not careful. But despite the drawbacks that being a quadriplegic brings, I am still happy with my life and how I have adapted to my situation. Sure, there are many days where I cry because I can no longer walk on my own without help, but I see so many people who have it so far worse (such as my little sister, Rhiannon, who can't do even the simplest things without help), and all of a sudden, my life doesn't look so bad. Or I see these people who are multiply disabled (blind, deaf, mute, whatever, or they are mentally disabled), and my heart breaks. Then I can realize the blessings that God has given me, and I can go on with my life and enjoy all that it has to offer.
Karen you are a true champion of those who have special needs!
This story is a beautiful example of people having a great
attitude even though they face the daily struggle of being
disabled. God bless you for being such a powerful voice for
all who must find extra strength to go on each day!
love,eileen
Reviewed by Judy Lloyd
1/29/2005
This is an interesting story and you did this one so well.
Timeless wisdom and advice on the art of living for today’s young and old: The art of thinking, the art of loving, the art of working, the art of leadership, the art of growing old.
A new translation by Sergio E. Serrano of this inspirationa
Hi! This is Erinn McDonnell writing again. I thought I would continue with sharing my story with you here.
