Jodie, who has severe spastic cerebral palsy and can't do a lot for herself, writes in her journal to let her friends know what has been going on in her life.
Tuesday, March 22, 2005, 5:33.p.m., C.S.T.~
Dear Journal~
Hi! This is Jodie. I be fine, hope this finds you well.
I sorry for not writing in here much, but have been busy school, therapy, learnin to talk, read more. I be trying to improve on my writing, but writing so hard, take very long time to do. I can't use hands, so I write with pointer on head, type letters I want to make words, words then go on computer, and then you know what I say/think. I am so happy I can make wants/needs known, it so hard to try to put into words from mouth just how hard it is for me.
I be getting new wheelchair, one I have now getting to be too small, to worn out. I also be getting new braces for legs, and I may be having surgery on hands, as they start to curl under, cause me pain if I try to move them. I also may be getting surgery done on legs, muscles not working right, and it cause pain. I still eating by tube in belly, it take very long time for me to eat, maybe an hour to feed me and get stuff into my belly from tube. I also still need help with dress, bathroom, having face washed, hair brushed, teeth brushed.
Having this, cerebral palsy, only way I know of my life, it is not easy, but I think I do pretty good. I now can make myself known to people, I can write and type now, I can go places in my wheelchair, and I can ride in van. I can go to school, learn many things, I can go to store, go to movie, go to amusement park, ride some kid rides. I also can go to zoo, where I can look at the animals, I think I like the cheetahs the best.
In four months, I be fourteen, I be having birthday party, friends from school and family sure to come to help me celebrate my birthday. I love birthday, I get presents, and I get cake made with my name on it. Can't eat it, but I still love it, as it is so pretty! I want new clothes, new dollies, new toys for birthday, also want new stuff for my computer. I am getting good on computer, computer is easy for me.
My friend from school, Gabi, died last month, she had cerebral palsy like me, but she had other problems, and she got sick with infection, and she died. I was so sad, I miss her laugh, her smile, and her pretty brown hair and eyes. She was okay one minute, but then she got infection that put her in hospital, and she got worse and die. I didn't go to funeral, but I heard about her dying from her momma, and when I hear of it, I cry hard and long, mama had to comfort me, hold me in her arms, so I could stop crying. Ever since, I be sad and lonely because she was my friend. I also lost my friend Toby, he died of a seizure, and he died before Christmas. I don't like to talk about it, this why I not write of it til now.
I go to church on Sunday for Easter, I love Easter service at church, music so pretty, make me want to dancy in my wheelchair, make me happy! I love dressing up and looking nice, and I love message of Jesus coming to life after he died on cross, and how happy everyone is! I love Jesus, he is my best friend besides my family and school friends, and he lives right inside of me. I wish I could see him in person, I would tell him about my c.p. and ask him to make me all better, but he won't come yet. He will come someday, but til then, I have to be patient and wait just like anyone else.
~Written by Jodie, aged. 13 1/2, on Tuesday, March 22, 2005, in evening time.
Karen a heart breaking write on a lovely brave young lady....excellent
Hugs, Carole
Reviewed by Tracey L. O' Very
3/22/2005
Karen this is such a heart breaking story. It is happy for the part of her being thrilled to do things on her own. It's the disease such a sad thing to see. I got tears. Thanks for this story Karen. Good awakening story.
You're a good lady Very Caring understanding and a talent to bring the light forth for us to really see inside their minds and lives.
Beautiful!
Love Traceyxo
Reviewed by Judy Lloyd
3/22/2005
Again you write so powerfully and realistically in how you describe the people who suffer from disabilities and other tragedies.
This is so sad. I don't wish any disease on anyone. Especially on children. When I was at Sparta, they had two cottages for the kids from Southern and Northern Colonies, which were for the mentally and very badly physically challeneged. I had met some of them, and they were so happy, always asking for help, which I was only too happy to do. These kids, most of them had Down syndrome and C.P. It was awful to see, but when I saw their smiles, and their trust and energy, I was happy that they could at least "feel" alive. I am so sad, when I read something like this. It just makes me cry, that these children have to suffer so much. May the Lord bless the little children of the world, and especially those with dreaded diseases that will probably one day, take their lives. These are very sweet children with trust in you, oh Lord and an energy that is so surprising. Please oh Lord, these children did not ask to boran or afflicted with these diseases. Please take them to your Father's house, should they no longer be with us on earth. This I ask in the name of the Lord Jesus, the deliverer of all mankind from sin. Amen.
May the Lord be with you Karen, and also with your dear sister Karla, and at your sides constantly. With much love in my heart, joy to the world, peace on earth & ((((((((((((((((MANY, MANY SISTERLY HUGGGGGGGGGGSSSSSSSSSS)))))))))))))))))))))))))), Barbie
A wicked Cajun Fairy named Robes Pierre entered the impenetrable Magical doll land of Sha Bebe. Queen Faustina, the ruler of the doll land, thought she had destroyed him, but he's back! Will the doll land survive his evil ways?
