My name is Mildred Q. Tackett.  I live with my sister, who acts as my caretaker.  I am totally bedbound and am paralyzed:  have had to live like this for the past ten years. Was diagnosed fifteen years ago with super progressive nuclear palsy, a mean cousin of Parkinson's disease, and rapidly lost one skill after another.  It was very hard to accept, but I decided that in spite of it all, I was going to live life to the fullest.

I'm now unable to do anything for myself:  feed myself, walk, talk, move my body (all I can move are my eyes, which I use as commuication:  one blink for yes, two for no). I can move my head a little, but not much.  I require much in the way of 24-hour care.  My sister, Ocie, takes care of me, and willingly.  I also have nurses come with the more difficult tasks.  This way, Ocie can have a break from me.

One thing I can do is pray.  Believe me, when one is in a situation like mine, prayer is about the only thing I have, and I do it for many hours a day.  I have a prayer list that Ocie wrote out for me, and I go down each name and pray for their needs.  Salvation for family or friends.  Healing from sickness or disease.  Financial breakthroughs.  Deliverance from drugs or other pressing problems.  Comfort for grief or loss.  Spiritual peace, wisdom, or discernment.  Prayers for our brave men and women in the military, and prayers for peace/protection upon them and their families.

I get such joy whenever Ocie or one of my nurses tell me that people have been touched by my prayers.  Even though I can't see them physically or do much for myself, it is gratifying to know that even God hears my thoughts, and especially my prayers.  And it is good to know that He is still on the job in answering each and every one of the prayers that I send up to Heaven!

I used to go to church, but obviously, now I cannot.  I miss hearing Pastor Corbin deliver his powerful sermons, hearing the choir sing songs of praise, and seeing all my friends.  If I want to have church, they come to me (usually on Saturdays), and we then pray and worship the Lord together.  It is always a wonderful time because I know the Lord is right beside me and will never leave or abandon me.

I also can express my thoughts/feelings.  I have Ocie write down what I am trying to say (like now, for instance), and maybe one day I can put them all in a book.  That way people can still see that I am at least able to do some things!  I am not totally helpless, like a lot of people who don't know me well enough are often led to believe!

Well, Nurses Jinny and Carmen are here; they are going to give me a bath.  That will be so good; I absolutely cannot stand being dirty!  Then Ocie is going to fluff my pillows and put the head side of my hospital bed up, so I can look outside at the pretty flowers and trees and watch what is going on outside these four walls.  That always brings me such joy!  In addition to this, I am also going to do my daily prayers. Until later, this is Mildred Coates saying so long and God bless!

~Love, your new friend, Mildred.  :)

*to be continued.*