A Portrait of Me #2: Ronee' LeAnne, aged 10
by Karen Lynn Vidra, The Texas Tornado
Monday, March 31, 2003
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First Johnny, and now Ronee' Le-Anne's turn to talk about herself. She is Johnny's adopted sister.
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Hi! My name is Ronee' Le-Anne Marie Reaux, and I am 10 years old. I will be 11 on December 25, on Christmas Day.
I am ten, as I just said, but I don't look it. I happen to be very small. I look more like a six-year-old, and at times, being short can be downright embarrassing. People are always making fun of how short I am, and it really bugs me! I don't tease them; WHY should they tease ME??
I have big, black eyes fringed with long, lacy blue-black lashes, a turned-up nose, fat cheeks, a round face (my cheeks make it look even rounder!), and shiny, blue-black hair that USED to fall to below my knees; but now it goes to past my shoulders. (I am letting it grow out again. I got it cut nearly a year ago.) I also have deep dimples in my cheeks when I smile, and even when I DON'T smile, the dimples are always there! People say I am cute, or even adorable; and that is okay, but I wish they would stop telling me that all the time; it gets old after just a bit!
I am rather thin in build, and I happen to walk on Lofstrand (forearm) crutches because I have a disease that affects the joints in my body. (My crutches are bright neon pink. They are really bright! :) ) I have systemic-onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and it causes me unending pain and problems moving. I am never without pain, and some days are definitely worse than others. I also wear braces on my legs for support; I don't have very good balance, which is why I use the braces and the crutches. I have had JRA since I was five (but maman tells me I have had it since the age of four; I was diagnosed at the age of five). I take medication for my arthritis, and sometimes, I have "flares", which is where my disease is most active. Whenever I have a flare, I can get an upset stomach, a high fever, a rash on my face, intense pain in my joints, eye pain or severe headaches, chills, or problems with my breathing if my lungs are affected. I also can have chest pain if the lining around my heart is affected. I have the severe form of JRA, as you can probably guess.
I also have asthma, and I sometimes have problems with my breathing, especially if I eat something I am not supposed to (like PEANUTS) or get stung by a bee; and sometimes I will have so much trouble breathing I will have to go to the E.R. for a shot or some oxygen. I take an inhaler several times a day, and I find that, as I get older, my asthma is getting better. It REALLY used to be a problem for me, but now I don't have as much attacks as I used to. But I still have to be careful, and I still have to take my medications.
I love to engage in many different activities. For starters, you will find out that I love to sing. In fact, I want to be a professional country singer when I grow up, just like my favorite female singer, Loretta Lynn. I have been taking voice lessons since I was small, and I still take them to this day. My voice lessons has really helped my breathing and my control when I am singing, and I think this is one reason why my asthma is getting better. I have had the pleasure of performing for many of my favorite country stars (including Loretta Lynn herself! :) ), and I have been on "Star Search", which was a big honor (I lost, but I still had a BLAST! :) ). I also have performed at many Cajun and country music festivals across the South, and I have met many nice people. In addition, I even recorded my first CD last year of Cajun and country music, and that was fun, too! :)
Besides singing, I also love to model, read, write in my journals, write stories or poems, draw, go to school (I am in the Talented/Gifted class at my school, and I am happy to say that I do well in all of my classes!), watch "Star Search", "Bugs Bunny", "SpongeBob Squarepants", "Ahhh! Real Monsters", "Rugrats", "Animal Planet's Funniest Animals", "Crocodile Hunter", "America's Most Talented Kid", and watch the Christian shows on tv, play my musical instruments (I can play the Cajun accordion, fiddle, guitar, and piano), and go to concerts (doesn't matter, as long as the music is good, and I like the person, I will go!). I also love meeting my favorite stars in person and having my picture made with them! Another thing I love is going to church and learning and singing about my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! (I go to Christ Community Assembly of God Church, and my pastor is Mr. Bruce Bilkey.)
I live in Nashville, Tennesee, with my maman, daddy, brothers and sisters, and my grandpa and step-grandma. I was adopted when I was a baby, and the family I live with now is the only family I have ever known; but I DO have a real sister who lives with another family. I also have a half-sister, and she lives with the same family. They live across the street from me, and so I get to see them every day. I was adopted because my real mom didn't want me because of my being sick, but it still turned out well in the end because I still got a family who loves me, and better yet, so did my sisters; and we also got to meet each other again a few years back. And ever since, we have gotten to be very close! (My sisters' names are Robyn Charmaigne and Lu-Anne Kay, and Robyn is my twin. She is five minutes older than me, and she is taller and heavier; so we are easy to tell apart. And besides, Robyn is NOT on crutches while I am! Lu-Anne, meanwhile, is going to be 15 in July, and she is really pretty!)
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| Reviewed by Michelle Kidwell Power In The Pen |
4/3/2003 |
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Another wonderful story Karen, keep the great work up!
God Bless
~M\ichelle~ |
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| Reviewed by Jennifer Cary |
3/31/2003 |
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Karen,
YOu've really got a knack at understanding kids and writing from their prospective. Great job!
Abundant blessings,
Jenny |
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| Reviewed by Karla Dorman, The StormSpinner |
3/31/2003 |
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| (((karen))) cute story...enjoyed reading! (((HUGS))) and love, karla. :) |
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