Life is filled with minor annoyances. Little things that happen on a daily basis that make our life inconvenient, frustrating and downright stressful. How we choose to handle these events determines our peace of mind in any given moment. Today was one of those days. The running stroller finally arrived, a week ago. It has been sitting in our garage for a week because I was relying on my husband to put it together. As it came in a little box, I anticipated hundreds of pieces with complex directions and frankly was not up to it so I asked my husband to handle it. Today, he had the time and put it together. Into the bedroom he came, while I was relaxing and reading to let me know it did not look like the stroller that I had borrowed from Tommy. Upon investigation, it is the wrong stroller. GREAT!! Just GREAT! (and a few other words) Back to the receipt, and return policy on the Internet, phone call, e-mail and wait until Monday to see what the outcome is. I'm just not sure if the error is mine (which I have automatically assumed, and the error I've already figured out will cost me $200.00) or the error was on the part of the company. Why am I jumping to conclusions without waiting for the customer service to call me back? Why am I putting myself through the worst case scenario? All I can do at this point is to wait until Monday.
These are the little events that occur as a result of living life. Compared to the big things, death, financial ruin, illness, is this really such a big deal? But these are the daily events I often choose to go crazy over!
I think I'll concentrate on paying attention to all the things that go smoothly in my life, at least until the next annoyance!
Have a blessed day, pay attention to all things that occure without incident, inconvenience or annoyance!
M
"I am running, with perseverance the race that is set before me."
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
Humility
I will never in my life have as much humility as Brendon. This is something that comes naturally to him, and I have to work hard at everyday! Brendon knows the humility of relying on others. When you can't dress yourself, use the restroom or even turn over in bed you know humility and the importance of relying on others. You know the importance of having others in your life to help you. You know that God didn't leave you in this world to be alone, or to figure things out for yourself. I often have thought with sadness that Brendon would never be able to run, do yoga, or anything the physically active can do. Over time I have changed my thinking. But there are things Brendon experiences that I may never know. I may never know the total dependence on others and the faith that my needs will be met through no action on my part. I will probably not be featured on a television news cast, get to fly as copilot in an airplane, have a group of Tennessee Tech students work to modify a bicycle for me, be a guest at the Shriners Circus or any of the other numberous things Brendon has been able to do because of his disability. As his mother I am challenged to figure out ways to include Brendon and this year he will get to cross the finish line of a 1/2 marathon. How many 9 year old children can accomplish this, or are even given the opportunity to do it? I have become willing to accept his disability not as a negative event in his life but an opportunity to think of things in another way. God has given me all I need to take care of him and God will continue to put people in his path that will be there for him. For this I am grateful.
" You've had more than enough teachings. You have been given everything you need in order to be free. It's time for you to go out in the world and live a happy life!" -Eat, Pray, Love p. 313
M
" You've had more than enough teachings. You have been given everything you need in order to be free. It's time for you to go out in the world and live a happy life!" -Eat, Pray, Love p. 313
M
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Thank You Team Hoyt
I would like to thank first Tommy Mcauley (at T.E.A.M Mcauley, check out their non profit) for the use of your stroller, for being at local races and showing me what is possible for a running mom, and for inspiring me to take my own physical journey with Brendon. Thank you for also connecting me to TEAM Hoyt http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS596VsNEOE, this is a father son who raced with his son in the 60's, an unheard of feat at the time. I think you will be moved by this short video. Thank you all parents who have come before me to make the road a little easier for Brendon and I. And thank you for all the parents taking wondrous journeys and putting their children out there for all to enjoy.
Brendon is going to be a celebrity again, many of you got to see him last year at the MDA telethon Labor Day 2007. Scott Couch from Fox 17 will be doing a follow up story on Brendon for the 2008 telethon on our new journey to finish the Virginia Beach Marathon. More detail to come.
Brendon is going to be a celebrity again, many of you got to see him last year at the MDA telethon Labor Day 2007. Scott Couch from Fox 17 will be doing a follow up story on Brendon for the 2008 telethon on our new journey to finish the Virginia Beach Marathon. More detail to come.
June 5, 2008: Orange Beach, AL First Training Day
June 5, 2008
Today was the first day to run with Brendon. We are in Orange Beach, AL. It bagan with the frustration of unfolding and putting together the stroller. It looked so simple when Larry and Tommy showed me. When all else fails read the directions, that didn’t help, more frustration. Just 5 seconds before the cursing ws going to take place, sanity returned and a quick “help me” prayer was sent up to whatever power available. It worked, levers were fastened, poles in place, locked and loaded we set out. I had already scoaped out the route, pretty straight and with a side walk. It was exactly 8:30 am, Brendon was the timekeeper. Note to self, get a good training watch. A cell phone will work in a pinch, sunglasses, water, Chap Stick, wash cloth (to absorb the sweat), ball cap and room key, we set out. HOT, we should have set out earlier, partly cloudy, sun strong, light breeze and 78 degrees, humid! 10 minutes, sweat dripping, thank you for the wash cloth, essential for keeping sweat out of the eyes. 15 minutes in, bathroom break, at this pace we’ll never finish> Now we’re ready! Prayers, are continual companion, we’re on our way. Finally a rhythm and pace is set. With Brendon keeping track of the time we’re on our way. I keep my mind clear by constant prayer; the rosary works great for this. Brendon hums and makes up songs. Brendon tries to tell me something. “What?”, I respond. I can’t make out what he is saying. “Talk LOUDER,” after several exchanges like this I hear what he is saying. He comments, “When you’re breathing hard, does it help if I sing songs?” Absolutely, joy I feel and all the sweat, heat and fatigue disappears with this simple exchange.
48 minutes later, we’re done. Short cool down walk, Brendon begins to complain, the hat, and the shoulder harness is bothering him. Because his neck is so stiff, he sometimes gets uncomfortable. Be grateful for a neck that moves from side to side. I have to solve this problem before the race.
We made it, now coffee, sit down, put on swim suit and head to the pool!
M.
“I am fighting the good fight, I am running a strong race, I am keeping the faith”
Today was the first day to run with Brendon. We are in Orange Beach, AL. It bagan with the frustration of unfolding and putting together the stroller. It looked so simple when Larry and Tommy showed me. When all else fails read the directions, that didn’t help, more frustration. Just 5 seconds before the cursing ws going to take place, sanity returned and a quick “help me” prayer was sent up to whatever power available. It worked, levers were fastened, poles in place, locked and loaded we set out. I had already scoaped out the route, pretty straight and with a side walk. It was exactly 8:30 am, Brendon was the timekeeper. Note to self, get a good training watch. A cell phone will work in a pinch, sunglasses, water, Chap Stick, wash cloth (to absorb the sweat), ball cap and room key, we set out. HOT, we should have set out earlier, partly cloudy, sun strong, light breeze and 78 degrees, humid! 10 minutes, sweat dripping, thank you for the wash cloth, essential for keeping sweat out of the eyes. 15 minutes in, bathroom break, at this pace we’ll never finish> Now we’re ready! Prayers, are continual companion, we’re on our way. Finally a rhythm and pace is set. With Brendon keeping track of the time we’re on our way. I keep my mind clear by constant prayer; the rosary works great for this. Brendon hums and makes up songs. Brendon tries to tell me something. “What?”, I respond. I can’t make out what he is saying. “Talk LOUDER,” after several exchanges like this I hear what he is saying. He comments, “When you’re breathing hard, does it help if I sing songs?” Absolutely, joy I feel and all the sweat, heat and fatigue disappears with this simple exchange.
48 minutes later, we’re done. Short cool down walk, Brendon begins to complain, the hat, and the shoulder harness is bothering him. Because his neck is so stiff, he sometimes gets uncomfortable. Be grateful for a neck that moves from side to side. I have to solve this problem before the race.
We made it, now coffee, sit down, put on swim suit and head to the pool!
M.
“I am fighting the good fight, I am running a strong race, I am keeping the faith”
Written June 4, 2008
June 4, 2008
Everyone should have the opportunity to set and achieve goals, family members of those with disabilities are no different. On Labor Day, 2008 Brendon, his older brother Ryan and I will set out to complete the Virginia Beach ½ marathon. Brendon’s two brothers have been blessed with bodies that can endure the vigorous demands of physical exercise and sports. Both participate in football, wrestling and a variety of other physical challenges. Brendon is being given the opportunity to finish a race, his physical body cannot complete with out help. Ryan and I will be his legs, he will be our motivation, our heart.
I have completed the initial steps, to get in shape, get permission and make arrangements with the race directors and have even been able to raise the $785.00 cost of the stroller. On with the training.
Everyone should have the opportunity to set and achieve goals, family members of those with disabilities are no different. On Labor Day, 2008 Brendon, his older brother Ryan and I will set out to complete the Virginia Beach ½ marathon. Brendon’s two brothers have been blessed with bodies that can endure the vigorous demands of physical exercise and sports. Both participate in football, wrestling and a variety of other physical challenges. Brendon is being given the opportunity to finish a race, his physical body cannot complete with out help. Ryan and I will be his legs, he will be our motivation, our heart.
I have completed the initial steps, to get in shape, get permission and make arrangements with the race directors and have even been able to raise the $785.00 cost of the stroller. On with the training.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
About Running Mom's Brendon:
Pregnancy was uneventful. I felt good, had energy and got good reports on my regular check ups, and at 7 lbs ½ oz., a little smaller that the 8 lbs 2 oz and 9 lbs 11 oz of my other boys, we were unconcerned. However, there were a few unusual circumstances that made Brendon’s birth different from that of his brothers Ryan (now 18) and Andrew (now 12). He had early apgars of 6 and later 8, but he had a dislocated left hip and right knee. On day two the orthopedist showed up to cast his right knee. It was bigger than he was, and a little imposing, and I was to discover this was going to draw attention and questions which required explanations from family, friends and total strangers. He wore a hip harness for the first 6 months of his life. This was just the first of many visual differences and equipment which would draw curious looks and attention and become an everyday part of Brendon’s anatomy. Anonymous, Brendon was not going to be.
As I describe our current journey toward another new finish line, I cannot help to reflect on other paths explored, hopefully I will be able to do this in a way that makes sense to the reader.
This will be Brendon’s first ½ marathon, a distance of 13.1 miles. However, in pregnancy Brendon bounced inside me while I completed the Honolulu marathon in December of 1998, a distance of 26.2 miles. Little did I know during my training, following a 20 mile distance run that I was pregnant. I remember a cold, chilling November training run. I decided to go to the doctor because I had at the time a cold which did not seem to be going away. My menstrual cycle was halted, but this is not unusual in any strenuous training program. The doctor decided to do a pregnancy test just in case. When she came back into the room and informed me I was pregnant, I said there was no way. We bantered back and forth before the realization sunk in. I headed to my OBGYN to discuss my condition and get reassurance that the training had’t inflicted any harm on the developing fetus. I asked if I was going to be unable to run the marathon. He assured me that he was unconcerned, though he wouldn’t advise any new mother beginning this type of training. Since I was already in shape and the baby was used to the training, there would be no harm in continuing. He cautioned me to be sure to take it easy, not going for any records, rest if needed, hydrate and pay attention to nutrition. I took his advice, finishing the race in less than 6 hours, it took forever. I stopped at the aid stations to get my vitals checked, drank lots of water, digested protein and took advantage of every port a potty along the way, onward we went. Just for the curious, in no way did the distance racing contribute to Brendon’s disability. Muscular Dystrophy is a genetic condition and is no way caused by any pregnancy factors.
As in any long distance race, I have stopped to rest, paid attention to the needs of my physical body, gotten filled up, emptied out, slowed down to prevent running out of energy, paid attention to injury prevention and sped up to keep up with the crowd and ventured off the path, often being dragged back on course, sometimes willingly and many times not. But I have endured. I have grown in physical strength, emotional stability, mental capacity but most noticeable in spiritual dimension. I continually reference my higher power, whom I chose to call God. I hope to encourage and instill a desire to persevere despite challenges toward a deeper joy. Persevere with faith, humility and love. Mostly I hope to inspire you to find your joy, your passion, the thing you seek with the power you need. Ambitious, RIGHT! Possible, ABSOLUTELY!!! Please comment, offer suggestions, celebrate and share your story with me. Follow me, run beside me and forge ahead of me to achieve your own desires, reach your own goals and endure all this life has to offer. Blessings for joy!
M
“I am fighting the good fight, I am running a strong race, I am keeping the faith”
Pregnancy was uneventful. I felt good, had energy and got good reports on my regular check ups, and at 7 lbs ½ oz., a little smaller that the 8 lbs 2 oz and 9 lbs 11 oz of my other boys, we were unconcerned. However, there were a few unusual circumstances that made Brendon’s birth different from that of his brothers Ryan (now 18) and Andrew (now 12). He had early apgars of 6 and later 8, but he had a dislocated left hip and right knee. On day two the orthopedist showed up to cast his right knee. It was bigger than he was, and a little imposing, and I was to discover this was going to draw attention and questions which required explanations from family, friends and total strangers. He wore a hip harness for the first 6 months of his life. This was just the first of many visual differences and equipment which would draw curious looks and attention and become an everyday part of Brendon’s anatomy. Anonymous, Brendon was not going to be.
As I describe our current journey toward another new finish line, I cannot help to reflect on other paths explored, hopefully I will be able to do this in a way that makes sense to the reader.
This will be Brendon’s first ½ marathon, a distance of 13.1 miles. However, in pregnancy Brendon bounced inside me while I completed the Honolulu marathon in December of 1998, a distance of 26.2 miles. Little did I know during my training, following a 20 mile distance run that I was pregnant. I remember a cold, chilling November training run. I decided to go to the doctor because I had at the time a cold which did not seem to be going away. My menstrual cycle was halted, but this is not unusual in any strenuous training program. The doctor decided to do a pregnancy test just in case. When she came back into the room and informed me I was pregnant, I said there was no way. We bantered back and forth before the realization sunk in. I headed to my OBGYN to discuss my condition and get reassurance that the training had’t inflicted any harm on the developing fetus. I asked if I was going to be unable to run the marathon. He assured me that he was unconcerned, though he wouldn’t advise any new mother beginning this type of training. Since I was already in shape and the baby was used to the training, there would be no harm in continuing. He cautioned me to be sure to take it easy, not going for any records, rest if needed, hydrate and pay attention to nutrition. I took his advice, finishing the race in less than 6 hours, it took forever. I stopped at the aid stations to get my vitals checked, drank lots of water, digested protein and took advantage of every port a potty along the way, onward we went. Just for the curious, in no way did the distance racing contribute to Brendon’s disability. Muscular Dystrophy is a genetic condition and is no way caused by any pregnancy factors.
As in any long distance race, I have stopped to rest, paid attention to the needs of my physical body, gotten filled up, emptied out, slowed down to prevent running out of energy, paid attention to injury prevention and sped up to keep up with the crowd and ventured off the path, often being dragged back on course, sometimes willingly and many times not. But I have endured. I have grown in physical strength, emotional stability, mental capacity but most noticeable in spiritual dimension. I continually reference my higher power, whom I chose to call God. I hope to encourage and instill a desire to persevere despite challenges toward a deeper joy. Persevere with faith, humility and love. Mostly I hope to inspire you to find your joy, your passion, the thing you seek with the power you need. Ambitious, RIGHT! Possible, ABSOLUTELY!!! Please comment, offer suggestions, celebrate and share your story with me. Follow me, run beside me and forge ahead of me to achieve your own desires, reach your own goals and endure all this life has to offer. Blessings for joy!
M
“I am fighting the good fight, I am running a strong race, I am keeping the faith”
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Let me first dispense with the general facts about me. I am middle age, have been married for 20 years and have three sons, Ryan 18, Andrew 12 and Brendon soon to be 9. I have been through, like anyone else my age many ups and downs, twists and turns in the journey we call life. This blog will speak to my journey toward acceptance and joy through the challenges of raising a child with a disability, being a mother of three sons and being married 20 years.
Brendon my youngest son has muscular dystrophy, a genetic condition present at birth that doesn't allow his muscles to keep up with the growing demands of his body. He travels by a power driven wheelchair, attends a regular elementary school with an assistant, and enjoys being active. He is healthy, filled with joy and courageous with an unending supply of patience. He is the happiest, most content person I have ever known. He is a continual source of amazement for me and all who know him.
I have set out to achieve an adventurous goal: TO RUN THE VIRGINIA BEACH 1/2 MARATHON WITH MY 18 YEAR OLD SON AND MY 9 YEAR OLD SON WHO HAS MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY, with my husband and 12 year old cheering us on. Ambitious, maybe, crazy a little but it can be done and has been done by others. I want to cronicle our progress toward the marathon finish line and beyond. Join me and share your experience and inspiration with us on this journey!
Brendon my youngest son has muscular dystrophy, a genetic condition present at birth that doesn't allow his muscles to keep up with the growing demands of his body. He travels by a power driven wheelchair, attends a regular elementary school with an assistant, and enjoys being active. He is healthy, filled with joy and courageous with an unending supply of patience. He is the happiest, most content person I have ever known. He is a continual source of amazement for me and all who know him.
I have set out to achieve an adventurous goal: TO RUN THE VIRGINIA BEACH 1/2 MARATHON WITH MY 18 YEAR OLD SON AND MY 9 YEAR OLD SON WHO HAS MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY, with my husband and 12 year old cheering us on. Ambitious, maybe, crazy a little but it can be done and has been done by others. I want to cronicle our progress toward the marathon finish line and beyond. Join me and share your experience and inspiration with us on this journey!
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