MS Awareness with the Sacramento Rivercats. September 1, 2011

My first attempt at a video slide show!
It's important for all of us to create MS Awareness!  Wear orange get out there and be seen!
This was such a fun day the weather was perfect and the Rivercats won! 

Creating awareness for Multiple Sclerosis!!

The Help

I really enjoyed this book!  Set in the 1960's in a small town in Missippi.  Skeeter, a young woman who returns home after graduating from college determined to become a writer decides to write a book "from the point of view of the help".  The help, being black women who have spent their lives taking care of white families and basically raising their children. 
I loved the movie.  I actually saw it twice.  I loved that it is so powerful and evokes every human emotion.  One minute your crying and a minute later you're laughing. 
If you enjoyed the movie you definitely should read the book to gain more depth and understanding! 

Josh Groban Straight to you Concert

Sadie and I before the show

Sadie and I had the best time.  We went to the Cheesecake Factory in Sacramento for dinner before the show.  Our seats were on the floor very near the stage.  Josh is an amazing performer and so funny!  He sang all my favorite songs!  I love him!!  He's wonderful!!!
I'm looking forward to his next concert!

Josh & Beth sing Happy Birthday!

Josh Singing my favorite song "Awake"

"Don't Give Up"

Josh Groban!

By now you all know I love Josh Groban!  Straight To You Tour  I bought our tickets the first day they went on sale!  Being a wheelchair user I knew I needed to call to get wheelchair seating.  I called the Power Balance Pavilion in the early afternoon and was prompted to leave a message.  Since their office was closing at 5 o'clock I waited patiently (well okay so not so patiently) for them to call.  It was 4:30 and no one had called so I called an alternate number.  I really wanted my tickets! I was able to talk to the person in charge and got the best seats.  She said she was surprised these particular seats were still available  "The most sought after seats" so I bought them!

Willow Tree Angels

Willow Tree Angel A tree a prayer 
A beautiful gift, the second addition to my collection.  This was a birthday gift from my mother who is my biggest cheerleader!
Willow Tree  sculptures are hand carved.  Pieces are cast from the original carving and then individually painted. 
Susan Lordi says " I like to keep the interpretation of Willow Tree open.  I hope this makes it more personal, and allows the viewer to decide its meaning."

My Birthday with Sadie and Tim!

My birthday was very special!  I can't wait to blog about it as soon as I get the picture's. 
I wanted to say thanks to Sadie & Tim for making my day so special!
You two are amazing together and you spoiled me.  I love you! 

Berkeley

Golden Gate

Buckeye Roadhouse, dinner

S'more pie, delicious birthday treat!

This pie had a marshmallow meringue topping with a graham cracker crust, delicious chocolate, almonds chocolate chips warm delectable delicious! 

Stay tuned for more details and pictures.

My Birthday card from my Mom and David!

I love greeting cards!  I get it from my mom.  I love shopping for that perfect card.  Reading all the cards for the right occasion until I find that perfect card. 
I love receiving cards from family and friends.  I like to read each card and the heartwarming words that are written inside.   I know that person sending that card has taken their time to find the Perfect card! 
This was the card I received from my mom and David

Happy Birthday to You

Each year is a number
but that's just the start!
Try counting the friendships 
you hold in your heart.



Then count the good deeds
that you often do.
(You might have to stop
at a million or two)

Count things you've accomplished
and kind words you've said.
Count places you've been
and good books you've read. 


Then count if you can,
all the lives that you touch
with the everyday caring
that matters so much. 


The difference you've made
will be perfectly clear -
And you'll know why your birthday
counts more every year. 


Happy Birthday

Twenty Two Years....

22 Years ago today in 1989 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.  The day before my 25th birthday.  I will always remember that day.
I had spent almost that whole year before going through test after test.  Some very painful and uncomfortable tests I might add!  I went to the doctor complaining of  weakness on my left side, accompanied by numbness, tingling and poor circulation. 
My husband was in the Air Force and we were stationed in Holland, Soesterberg Air Force base.  The base only had a clinic, so we had to see Dutch specialists and use the local hospitals. 
I had to see a Dutch neurologist his name was Dr. Kools.  He was probably in his mid to late 70's.  He sat across his desk from my husband and I smoking an unfiltered cigarette.  He had a very thick dutch accent. 
After several tests he found nothing wrong and sent a letter to my Dr. on base saying that the problem's were "psychological".  We went home knowing something was wrong, but not able to put a name to it.  I returned a few months later, after several falls demanding an answer.  He decided to put me the hospital for the dreaded "lumbar puncture". 
Once again sitting across the desk from Dr. Kools, cigarette in hand, January 9, 1989.  He said "You have Sclerosis Multiplex"
He put me in the hospital for 4 weeks of steroid treatments.
Now I had a name to put to this problem, but what was MS?  We didn't know, but we were going to find out!
Fast Forward 22 years!  Have I endured it well?  I think I have!

Why not me?

People often ask me if I ever say "why me?" I realized I don't.  Have I ever said "why me?  I don't think I have.  When I was first diagnosed with MS (1989) we didn't have a lot of information about it.  I didn't really know what MS was!  We were being positive about things and I didn't think I would end up in a wheelchair.  Fast forward 2011...using a wheelchair and the best technology,  I can drive my chair using head controls and the greatest head control technology to operate my computer.
I think the real question should be "Why not me?"  I think I handle it well!  I try to be positive and "Always Look Up"!  I believe what you put out you get back.  So I keep smiling, laughing, living and loving! 
I have a good healthy cry every now and then.  I think a good cry cleanses the soul! 
My life isn't perfect, but it's my life and I'm thankful everyday to be alive.  I have people who love and care about me.  A son who loves me!  A roof over my head, food to eat and great friends!    I know God loves me and I thank him everyday!  What more could anyone ask for!

Shower Transfer Bench

This is how I get in the shower!  Versa Transfer system
5 years ago I was in the Vacaville reporter, a local newspaper.  Every Christmas they do a spotlight called "The giving Tree"  They focus on different families, with different needs.  I was given this wonderful gift that really changed my life.
It makes it easier when you don't have a roll in shower.
It's truly wonderful to be able to get into the shower everyday!  I think people take it for granted! 

Last year I was the recipient of the giving tree once again when I got my new van!
Stay tuned for that story!

IHSS Advisory Committee Chair! This is what keeps me busy!

I'm the Chairwoman of the Advisory Committee for Solano Counties In Home Supportive Services and Public Authority.  We put out a newsletter 3 times a year and this year (2011) we added "Always Looking Up - Comments from the Advisory Committee Chair.  This is what I wrote:  I hope everyone had a Happy Holiday Season and are looking forward to a wonderful new year!  I wanted you all to know what the Advisory Committee has been up to in 2010 and tell you what some of ours plans are for 2011.  

First and Foremost, we have been actively involved both at the County and State level, trying to keep provider wages at the current rate.  Provider wages have so far been spared, but consumer hours were cut by 3.6% across the board.  IHSS provider wages are near and dear to my heart - currently I have 5  wonderful providers and it is important to me that all providers receive a living wage!

To advocate on behalf of a living wage for providers, we spoke in front of The Solano County Board of Supervisors, we recently met with Supervisors individually and we met with Assembly member Mariko Yamada in her office at the state Capitol.  We attended a Senate budget hearing when there were talks of cutting provider wage to minimum wage and attended Capitol Action Days in May.

Currently we are in the process of planning this years Spring Conference set for April 20th,   "Simple Lifestyle Changes to keep Moving Forward" and I hope you will all attend!  Keep your eyes open for further information!

Lastly I invite all consumers, providers and family members to attend our Advisory Committee meetings on the third Monday of every month, with a few exceptions.  We meet from 2 - 4 in Fairfield.  We are your voice so we would love to hear from you.

Remember to "Always Look Up" Keep smiling and God Bless!

-Donna Brown

Honesty!

I'm teaching a lesson in church tomorrow on "Honesty"!  What did I learn from preparing this lesson?  I realized that people have so much more respect for you when they know you are a "truth teller" and not a "liar"  Don't ever lie and then you will never be "caught in a lie".  "Honesty is the best policy" 

What a great lesson so much great material I can't wait to teach it to the girls!

What exactly is MS?

I often get asked that question.
MS is an inflammatory disease of the Central Nervous System (CNS) The myelin sheath around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged.   Which leads to scarring in the brain and a broad spectrum of symptoms. 
Everyone with MS experiences different symptoms, depending where the scars are in the brain.  Usually people with  MS have fatigue, sometimes severe.  Most people who live with MS have difficulty in hot temperatures and sometimes have trouble getting warm.  Also muscle spasms seem to be common.   I'll tell you more about my life with MS and how MS affects me in future posts.

I love this song!

I was watching Ellen DeGeneres last week and Bruno Mars was on singing Just the way you are.  The song is so sweet.  I just love it!  I can listen over and over.  I had to download it as soon as I heard it!  To be completely honest I'd never even heard of him. 
I love  Ellen she makes me laugh and her attitude is amazing!  I wanna be on her show some day! 

Always Looking up?

I was being creative when I came up with my Blog title.  Anyone who knows me knows I use a wheelchair, a high tech wheelchair at that!  So therefore because of my positive attitude and the chair "Always looking up" fits me perfectly.  My friend Teri asked me yesterday "is your blog name because you use a wheelchair or because of your outlook on life?"  I said "both" so now I can write about it in my blog.  Thanks Teri!

Letters to Juliet

I watched Letters to Juliet this morning such a cute romantic story about destiny and love.  Of course I'm a sucker for a feel-good romance.  Italy is a beautiful setting for any movie and definitely doesn't let us down here again. 
Amanda Seyfried is the star, but Vanessa Redgrave is certainly a star here as well.   Definitely a chick-flick, but I'm a sucker for those too!  Very refreshing in this day and age to have a PG rated romatic love story.  You should absolutely see this movie, I highly recommend it!

How I use my computer!

I sit in front of my computer, usually my laptop.  I wear glasses so I put a reflective dot in the center of my glasses.  I use a mouse that looks like a camera and with infrared technology called Smartnav/Naturalpoint I can operate my cursor around the screen like a pro!  The camera picks up my head movements, (slight head movements).  There is a toolbar at the top, or wherever you want it on your screen,  called a Dwell clicker.  I select single click, double, drag or right click.  I just dwell slightly like less than a half a second and then I use an on screen keyboard called Click-N-type to type or I can use Dragon naturally speaking voice recognition software.  You customize your natural point to your own needs. 
I LOVE IT!!

And life goes on!

Well it's October already and I realized as we get older time goes by faster and faster!  The holidays are right around the corner! 
Five years ago almost to the day, October 7, 2005, my husband left us!  He kissed me good-bye, dropped our son off at school and hit the road for his new life in Idaho.  It was surprising to me that he could do that.
He left a detailed letter explaining how he had reconnected with a former high school girlfriend and he loved her since he was 15.  WHAT?  Looking back it all fell in to place!  I was so busy trying to figure out how to make things work; I should have seen he already had 1 foot out the door.  This woman had mailed my husband a cell phone so they could speak without me finding out and of course there was e-mail.  He let my son speak to this woman and showed him pictures of what was to be his new family, she had 3 children.  He had asked me earlier in the year to see a counselor with him, a woman we had seen earlier in our marriage (1999) after I had discovered his infidelity.  It was during that session he said he wanted a divorce and was taking our son and moving out of state.  As luck would have it Susan, our counselor, was a children s court advocate and told my husband he could not legally take our son.  This threw a wrench in his plans.  Unfortunately he had been sharing all of his plans with our son since before his 11th birthday he had turned 12 by now and had turned 13 before his father left.  What a horrible burden for such a young child.  My son  left in February of 2007, when he was 14 to live with his father and new step mother.  They were married and divorced in early 2006.  This was more difficult for my son than I knew.  First the two people who came together to create him had moved on, his father to a new relationship and myself struggling to make our life work.  My family and friends were here by my side through it all.  My son was feeling more and more disconnected from us all.
It's been 5 years now and life goes on.  I'm so much better off now.  I miss my son everyday and I'm sorry he is the one who will be permanently scarred by our divorce. 
I am now an advocate in our community for the Elderly and disabled and hope to be an example to others who live with disabilities like Multiple Sclerosis.

Overcoming Adversity!

I think people should decide before challenges happen in their life how they will handle them!  I've made up my mind that I will be positive and keep looking up!  I'm not saying I don't break down at times because at times  a good cry is good for your soul! 
Everyone experiences Adversity during their lifetime!  Some of my challenges and adversity are a little more obvious because I use a wheelchair, but I have had a lot of adversity that's not quite so obvious. I embrace my challenges and adversity because it makes me who I am today. 
This is my journey and my faith will guide me!
There is so much adversity in people's lives mother's losing babies, husbands losing wives too early in life after struggling with illness, families with children addicted to drugs, daughters losing mothers, divorce, cancer or  other disease's, heartache, families unable to conceive so many things.
We learn from all of our experiences in life.  We all need to learn from each of our trials.  Learn and endure!  Never quit and endure to the end!

God loves me!  I know he does and I love him too! 

God doesn't make bad things happen, he just promises he'll be with us when they do!

My baby boy is 18!

Got my license!

My son turned 18 on Sunday!  It's a milestone birthday!  They still need us, but think they don't.  He got his drivers license Monday, would have gotten it on Sunday if that darn DMV would have been open! 
I hope and pray he gets his act together!
I Love that Little Boy!