Name is Billie.  Billie Jo Cauthan.  I live in Missoula, Montana, with my parents.  I do not work because my health will not allow it.

I get a small disability stipend every month.  While it isn't as much as I would like, it does help and I am able to pay my bills off, so for that I am very grateful.  Better than living on the streets and begging for food!

I have cerebral palsy (have had this since birth; was left without oxygen when being born and I can't walk very well); in addition, I have heart problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol (on a low salt, no caffeine, low cholesterol diet), and degenerative arthritis.  At the age of 50, I am falling apart.  LOL

I have been in and out of hospital for different things: small strokes (which was how the doctors found out about my heart and blood pressure issues, as well as my high cholesterol levels), back surgery (have had it twice), and surgery on my feet (loosening of tightened tendons, which, in turn, caused me a great amount of pain due to the spasticity in my muscles).

Again, I can walk, just not well.  I use crutches, but for longer trips, I use a wheelchair; it's a lot easier for me.

I do have my parents to take care of me; when I am sick I rely on 'em and I am grateful that they are still around.  Even though they're in their 70's (Pop is 77; Mom, meanwhile, is 72), they are in much better health than I am.  I also have my brother Ryan (47) and my younger sisters Teresa and Heather (44 and 40) to help me out; they do my grocery shopping and take care of my bills if I can't afford 'em or if my medications eat up what little money I have left.

In addition, I have my church family, who make sure that I am eating properly or taking my medications and come by to give me encouragement on my bad days or on the days where I am sick or in the hospital.  Their calls or letters of encouragement brighten up my day; I don't know what I would do without them!  I love my church home!  (I go to a Southern Baptist church not far from my home.  I go just about every week if I am up to it.)

I like to read, write, play games on Facebook, go to church, go to my friend's house for dinner once a week (we get together to shoot the breeze and enjoy each other's company), go to country music concerts, and watch the stars at night if the skies are clear.  I am a regular skywatcher.

Well, I know this isn't much of an introduction, but writing in a journal is something totally new to me and it's a lot harder than it looks.  I thought I would give it a try.  I will write in here another day; untli later, this is Billie Jo Cauthan saying so long; God bless you always!

~Your new friend in Montana, Billie Jo.  :)