[(JD)]

I'm not surprised, but happy. I didn't get to sleep until 6 am today. (I had driven the expressway yesterday, rather than the turnpike, and it takes so much out of me, I end up taking a nap in the afternoon.. .which messes up night sleep times.)

I really didn't think I could wake up much more drive and do physical therapy today. But I did. Before that though, I don't know where the time came from I called the home insurance company who's billing is totally messed up and were cancelling my coverage next week (got that cleared up.) I called the hospital billing company who had been billing me since the visit in early December, instead of billing the disability insurance company (they had listed the insurance as "other insurance" so they didn't bill them .) And then... I called SouthWest Airlines to "beg" I thought for a replacement voucher.

They damaged my motorized wheelchair on the last flight, and politely gave me a travel voucher. I need to book for my son's family's visit to Disney in March that I am going up for. The airlines NEVER (? Did I say never?) replace any vouchers. I hoped I could plead my case, since I firmly believe that the contractor also stole the voucher when he took my credit card, Disney dining card, and blockbuster gift card.

They didn't ask any questions. I told them that I think the voucher given me for damage to my wheelchair was stolen and could they research it to see if it was used. Yes. Was it? No. Can I have it replaced? Yes. Can I use it to book online? Yes. Can they email it to me? Yes.

Now that's a miracle! Thank YOU GOD!

[bebop]

alright!! good things do still happen!

[(JD)]

Daily, in fact, but I just don't always tell. (((hugs)))

They've already emailed me the voucher!

[SeptemberMorn]

[(JD)]

I was able to make all the arrangements for going up to Orlando and meeting my son and his family in March! This is big for me, as scheduling correctly is in an area that my brain was greatly affected. Let me share just what I needed to do, and you can add in what stress you think it involved.

Email friend who is going with me, about flight schedules. She lives an hour south of me, and works 9-5 normally. The last flight out from the airport which is 45 minutes north of me is 7:45 pm. She has already "taken" that Friday off from work, but now needs to get someone to work her late hours on the flight day. She has to be at my home by 5 pm, because the airport shuttle has to pick us up then.

Before securing flights, book room at Disney World. It's in season (Resurrection Sunday week) and peak rates, and they are already filling up. ( I just can't stay at a value resort there this time, as it is too far out. Plus, the motor coaches are farther apart 20+ minutes, they only take 2 wheelchair ppl at a time and I would have to take Caleb on one to the kennel where I will let him play during the daytime.) Find passholder numbers. Oh well, no discounts during peak season.

Book flights. Fill in all forms regarding wheelchair battery handling, and service dog flying in cabin. In midst of booking online, have to find my rapid rewards number. Have to also find the flight voucher numbers. (They damaged wheelchair last trip, gave me flight credit.)

Arrange Magical Express, free airport transportation when I stay on site. Accessible vehicle.

Arrange airport shuttle. Accessible vehicle requires an additional contact. I've learned to go ahead and book as a regular trip online, get my reservation #s and then request the accessible vehicle. Otherwise they try to charge extra and also say they can't provide the service.

Email to the MS society requesting use of motorized wheelchair bounces, twice. I use a different email address of my own, and it goes through. Now waiting to hear. It's complicated this time, because I also need it for 10 days ahead of the Orlando trip, for some Scouting volunteering. They've dropped it off and pick it up afterwards at the Council office before (and Council moves it to the school with their equipment.) BUT I need them to pick it up and bring it to my home for my trip. AND I have to schedule it for when I am Home! Whew! No reply yet. If this falls through, I will have to rent one.

I think there was more. I do have to renew my dining experience card, and make dining reservations. I sent son an email with suggestions. IF he doesn't reply today, I will go ahead and make them; one can always cancel what I don't use/need, but at least my friend and I will be able to sit and eat while there!

Make copies of all reservations, documents. Send copies to friend via email. Create trip folder for all documentations.

whew! Now to finish Caleb's training so he flies in cabin with me. He's done really well this week, btw.

Being able to do all this is wonderful! (I'm working on self appreciation ) Yes, it's taken 21 years of therapy to retrain my brain and also my mind and body, but look where I'm at now! Yes that is a long time, but if I hadn't stayed on path, I would still be "here" but without being able to do this. Thanks for reading! I hope it will encourage others to stay the path of healing.

I thank God for His mercies in helping me stay calm through all this, and even though it took a few tries on some things, I was able to keep focus to complete the tasks!

[(JD)]

One of my son's called me today, in reply to a family email I had sent out. He offered physical help with my mom, who needs to "increase" her free space in her apartment so she can move about easily with her walker. Little did I know that while we talked, mom was in the ER from having fallen, and my sister (who didn't know that mom had fallen) had emailed me a scathing email accusing me of not being "there" for mom.

That's the short story. BUT, God knew I would need my son's help before I did (natch) and my son moved at God's calling to contact me and offer his help. God is good! And He showed me His kindness again today.

[SeptemberMorn]

God is wonderful so he knows how much you'll need your wonderful son! Don't know what I would do without my men! Of course, I wouldn't have them and they wouldn't be as wonderful if God hadn't known I would need them so much!

[(JD)]

Things don't always work out how I plan them, but they seem to go anyway!

I was on my way to an Orange Bowl Ambassador thank you party recently, and my GPS would NOT take the address! I was all dressed up with no place to go..lol Well, I had received an email by a politician that I am "watching and following" so I punched in the address of their Ft Lauderdale HQ and went there! I ended up organizing their map of churches for the county. It only took me 2 hours; someone had taken the entire day before to do maybe 10 of them.
It didn't hurt that I had done this very thing a few years ago for the Boy Scouts, when they were kicked out of all the sponsors who had anything to do with "government." Seems you can't believe in God and be sanctioned by our government.

This was a good thing, though. I don't know if I will vote for this person, but I want them to stay in the race so I can make a good decision later on...FL votes in primary on Tuesday the 29th.

[(JD)]

I continue to be blessed. But then, I delight in even the smallest things that I feel are all sent to me from God.

I long ago began a bucket list, and then when the movie came out recently, I have begun to revive it. My main idea was to do things that were "once in a lifetime" - sensations even if not truly.

I had hopes of following through on the invitation to go sing in the Olympic Choir this summer, but alas cannot travel that long on a plane! But the invite is choice in itself, don't you think? I do!

But then, I had opportunity to wear a costume representing a well known entity ( think national team sports mascot) and that was/is fun ... national TV no less. Of course, no one knew it was me.

I am not thinking beyond anything more than the initial item on this one today, though: for just receiving it is plenty to enjoy!

I was nominated to be a delegate at a (political party's) National Convention!!!! This is fun.

[Rapunzel]

(((((((( Sky ))))))))))

You have come so far since I met you. I am continually amazed. I have followed this thread and didn't really know what I could say that would add to it, so I didn't respond until now, but can I just say that I am impressed with your progress and ability to appreciate what life has to offer you. I don't think you could do that four years ago.

Love,
Rap

[(JD)]

Thanks. Better pain management (including meds) and constant work on stress control has been key.

I just returned from the Florida Primary Party...where Senator McCain spoke (you saw him on national tv.) I was about 12' in front of him, and shook his hand as he left the ballroom. He has a genuine spirit, which exuded from him. I hope he's real. But anyway... cross another "once in a lifetime item" off my bucket list! Thank you God.