Down Days – Take 1

  Everyone experiences a down day every now and again!  Persons with a disability, who live with chronic pain, endure more down days than most.   One of my favorite go-to lift-me-up techniques centers around baking and cooking.  So tonight I am dehydrating strawberries for special loved ones.   Then tomorrow freshly made lasagna with homemade noodles will fill the kitchen with delicious smells.  Even more heavenly, I love the mess.   What is your favorite "cheer me up" activity?

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Rae Bower — One Person Made a Big Difference

When I first met Rae Bower, I immediately noticed her large motorized wheel chair.  Within nanoseconds, though, my eyes focused on her beautiful face.  Translucent skin framed high cheekbones and a smile that drew you right to her and went all the way up to her embracing eyes. Then she greeted me in a quiet voice with a lilting accent.  Rae announced she was born in New Zealand.  Why do we love such accents? We met at a Disability Advocates of Kent County (Michigan) Board of Directors meeting, of which I was an officer and Rae was a new member.  She introduced herself as having marketing skills and hoped to utilize her talents in expanding accessibility for persons with a disability, especially regarding sidewalks and expanding transportation services.  Few knew that Rae already made a huge difference in a New Zealand community and that she would steamroll much needed accessibility changes in Grand Rapids in less than 10 years. NEW ZEALAND Raewyn…

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Why This Title? Why This Blog?

Why This Title? The title came about like so many great ideas—at a favorite restaurant.  The credit belongs entirely to Dave Bulkowski, Executive Director of Disability Advocates of Kent County, Michigan.  As board president at the time, Dave and I regularly met to discuss board business, issues about disability advocacy and future trends.  I distinctly remember the booth where we ate.  Dave faced the kitchen and I faced the tables, the entrance, and the huge picture window.  I love people-watching. Since both of us have exploring minds, our conversations always veered off topic.  This particular time, we spoke about difficulties with some acquaintances. Then Dave calmly stated in a nonchalant voice, “You know, I’m not O.K., you’re not O.K., but that’s O.K.”  I laughed, because he was so right.  Each person has habits, hobbies, characteristics, or passions that are so often annoying and unpleasant.  We humans then might complain about that person.  Of course, each one of us tends to believe that…

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