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.)
Grab your inner child, and jump into Edie's latest 'puddle', as she takes us for a delightful trip through the magical landscape of a child's imagination. Her wonder-filled poems take the ordinary situations and places around us and stretches them t
The multiple award winning, 5 Star story of a baby penguin who searches the world to find the woman that saved his life. A wonderful novel with a Christmas feel. Loved by all 4 - 94. Novel or E-book
