A young Appalachian girl has a happy life, even with living with spina bifida.
My name is Teal. Teal Renee' Odenkirk. I am ten years old, live with my family in Manchester, Kentucky, right smack dab in the mountains.
My family consists of my mamma Joyce, my daddy Tandy, and my brothers Tinsley (11), Trent (9), and my sisters Tinie (7--she's right small for her age), Trina (5), and the baby, Tennedie, who's a bit over one year old.
We also have six dogs and six cats. We live on a farm, but have no farm animals. We did have some, but they runned away. Now we raise vegetables, sell 'em to the community, to try to raise money for our family. We're poor folks, but we are proud.
Life may be hard, but I am happy. I have the good Lord on my side (our family is very religious; we are Christian; myself, I got saved when I was six; been saved four years), and I don't know what I would do if I didn't have Jesus!
I do have a disability that requires me to use crutches or (if out in public or in town) a wheelchair. I was borned with spina bifida. I have never known what it is like to walk on my own by myself. I have had many surgeries on my back, and when I was two and four, I had a shunt placed into my head, to help drain some of the fluid from my brain. I have been in and out of the hospital since I can remember, but the doctors and nurses have taken right good care of me.
People sometimes treat me bad because I am handicapped, which makes me sad, but most people treat me nice. It could be worse. I'm just glad that I don't get teased, like a lot of disabled kids do. I can be thankful for that!
I have been asked to talk about my disability at different gatherings or at church, and I have written some stories about life with spina bifida. I'm proud to say that a few of my stories have been published.
On that, let's just say when I grow up, I want to become a writer. Looks like I'm off to a great start! :)
One of my goals is to have a book by the time I'm a teenager. I'd like to write about what it's like living with a physical disability like mine. Not many books out there about spina bifida unless you know where to look; I'd like to see that change. There needs to be an awareness, a sympathetic ear for people who are disabled, people like me. It's frustrating when people treat me bad just because I don't get around as well as my peers.
Sometimes I get so frustrated I cry. But not too often.
I do get mad at people when they cut in front of me or try to knock me down. Can't they even see that I'm there?? They treat me like I don't matter, or am invisible, and it really makes me crazy-mad! I get so mad at them sometimes I want to either buzz their toes with my wheelchair--or give 'em a good whack on the shins with my crutches!
Well, I am going to go now. I hope you enjoyed peekin' into my life. I will write in here again soon; take care!
Saying goodbye from the mountains of Kentucky, this is Teal Oderkirk signin' off! So long! :)
Oh my gosh! I am so glad that I stayed up late to catch up on my reviews...you've touched my heart dear friend in a special way! You've brought tears to my eyes...thank you so much for this wonderful and touching offering centered in my little hometown, and the mama having my name! Touching and very realistic about a real disease that affects many! I can't wait to read more of what is going on in Teal's life in the mountains...you are a special lady my friend with a wonderful gift! Again, so glad I got to this wonderful offering tonight, made my night! God bless!
Blessings,
Joyce B.
I can identify with much of Teal's story. I was raised on a farm too. We didn't have as many cats and dogs though. Teal's aspirations to write a book by the time she's a teenager shows great strength and inspiration by someone who is ill with spina bifida.
Dear Renee on a wheelchair:
The world are like a jungle, full of butterflies that are there, flying to make you happy, and flowers, and rivers, and hills and everything that was in Paradise, but like the Garden of Eden, there are a few snakes hiding in the tall grass or hanging from trees.
When one of those snakes cut in front of you, don't be mad, thing about all the butterflies around you that smile to you friendly and not for pity.
Little young woman, feel to be much upright, above the snakes!
Georg
Reflections and Nature Watercolors is a collection of Margaret's spontaneous positive thoughts in celebrating and reflecting on life and her nature watercolors.
