She without arm, he without leg - ballet - Hand in Hand

Oh, the resiliency of the human spirit!! This is absolutely beautiful.

An Inspiration

Yesterday, Evan and I had an opportunity to attend a presentation by a remarkable woman named, Marilyn Hamilton. Marilyn is the co-founder of Quickie Wheelchairs. Injured in a hang gliding accident, she found the old clunky 60 pound wheelchair unacceptable. With the help of hang gliding friends a lighter wheelchair was invented. That first wheelchair was created in an old shed. Today, hundred's of Quickie Wheelchairs are made in one day at the Sunrise Medical Plant in Fresno, California. When Evan was working on his Eagle project to collect wheelchairs for developing countries he was invited to tour the plant where they make wheelchairs. At the end of the tour they donated 30 wheelchairs to his project and we were able to meet Marilyn Hamilton.

It was fun to meet her again. She is full of life and enthusiasm. She was great to encourage Evan in his bowling!! Marilyn is extremely fashionable. I noticed that her wheelchair was immaculate, with a very cool paint job and lighted front wheels. It matched her clothes or her clothes matched her wheelchair!! Evan is a boy so his was dirty!!! LOL


I love to meet great roll/role models like Marilyn. She faced her challenge and achieved so much. Her Quickie wheelchair design was revolutionary for the wheelchair industry. I'm so glad that Evan can have the sporty light weight wheelchairs that are standard today for those living with paralysis. Marilyn's theme is "Conceive. Believe. Acheive!! I think that is an important concept for all of us!!

Burden or Miracle?

"They" said he would be a burden to my family, simply because he would be born with a severe birth defect. Cambridge dictionary defines burden as: something difficult or unpleasant that you have to deal with or worry about. "They" even went so far to suggest that his life would NOT be worth living. I have never for a moment considered Evan a burden in my life. He has an innocence that is endearing, always wanting to do what is right. Never once has Evan ever complained about being born with spina bifida. Therein lies the miracle! Miracle, from the Mirriam Webster dictionary: 1 : an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs 2 : an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EVAN! I can't believe you are actually 20 years old!! You have indeed been a blessing in my life. I have witnessed miracle after miracle in your life. That you have survived twenty years with all your medical problems is indeed a miracle. I will never forget the time that your leg healed from that severe burn in one weeks time!! Or when your potassium dropped so dangerously low that you had a grand mal seizure. Or, that you survive those horrible 41 days in the hospital following spinal fusion surgery and all those complications. I know that Heavenly Father put you here on earth for a grand purpose. You have helped my faith to grow in ways it never would have grown without you in my life. Your laughter and love for life warms my soul. I'm honored to be your mom and love you dearly. Happy Birthday.

Tearjerking Radio Commercial

On the way home this afternoon, I heard it. A story was told of a little boy who wanted to be superhero. He told his wish to the wonderful people at The Make a Wish Foundation. So one day while he was watching TV in his Beetleboy outfit a newsflash come across the TV that his help was needed. So off, this pint-sized hero went to save the day!! And save the day he did. I just loved the story!! I love Make-a-Wish. It always brings fond memories of Evan's wish trip to New York City. Good thing I wasn't driving!!