Have you read The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin? It should be required reading for all of those affected by a disability and their parents! This is the gospel according to Mertz It’s Sunday and I’m sitting in my favorite Starbucks here in Greenwood Village, Colorado; reading the New York Times.
One of the articles [...]
As I grew older, and lot more appreciate of all my moms efforts; it amazed me all of the time and concern she gave me over the years. It was mom who spent countless hours at the hospital, at physical therapy and cheer leading me down the path of life. Now it was my turn.
I [...]
I attended a wedding reception for a buddy of mine on Valentines Day! I was approached by a woman who had a 16 year old daughter with cerebral palsy. Her daughter uses forearm crutches and the same crutch tips as myself. We had a great conversation about her daughter and the struggles she had fought [...]
It was a spring morning in Grand Junction, Colorado. From my hospital bed I could see the sun and the first signs of Spring. Suddenly my day dreaming was interrupted by the clanging of the metal blinds against the door of my room. In burst Henry Swenson, grinning from ear to ear and the brightest [...]
One morning I had a new vistor to see me. His name was John and he informed me that he was going to measure me for full leg braces and crutches. What a great day. I felt like I was making progress at break neck speed. Only a few weeks earlier I had moved to [...]
Shortly after being able to move my toes; my doctors decided it would be fine to start spending some time out of the bed and in a wheelchair. I was never so glad to get out of that stinking bed and into the wheelchair ! It was a very small move but for me it [...]
I saw this picture and it reminded me of a song that was done by Burton Cummings. It is called “Stand Tall” Some of my favorite lines are the following:
Stand tall, don’t you fall
For God’s sake don’t go and do something foolish
All you’re feeling right now is silly human pride
-Burton Cummings
There will be days when [...]
Did you see the Saturday Night Live skit about Governor David Paterson? Paterson is legally blind and according to the New York Times, portrayed as disoriented and buffonlike. His office said the skit amounted to nothing more than cheap ridicule. The Governor is well know for making light of his disability-but not on this night.
Paterson’s [...]
If it were up to me a mandatory course on improv humor would be required for all children with disabilities. To parents I would offer this insight-the healing doesn’t start until the laughter begins, I’m serious. Humor is the universal language and it’s impossible to have a pity party and laugh at the same time.
Humor [...]
I was very fortunate to have many family and friends come to see me in the hospital. Some of my visitors I didn’t even know. They would tell me they were friends of my Aunt Jennie or Aunt Mary sent me. I was one lucky kid to have such a caring group of individuals surrounding [...]