Determination A Labeled Disabled Post While getting ready for the doctor today the word “Determination” came into my mind as I was having physical problems getting ready. I pressed on and here I am…not just dressed, but ready for the day. I remember as a child, being so small. The cabinets my mom kept the powdered sugar was up high and I wanted it. I wanted something sweet and I was determined to get to that powdered sugar. So first I pulled up a chair…it did not give the height I needed…so from here I stepped on the counter…from here I looked down and thinking, “If I fall my mom is so going to know what I am doing and I am going to be in so much trouble.” But that sugar called my name and as I reached and got the box I had not just the sugar but a certain victory. (Sorry mom…another confession I know.) I remember that sugar being so sweet as I stuck the spoon into it to reward myself from the climb after climbing down on the counter…and easily knew my way back up to put the sugar back up. I have no idea if my mom noticed that sugar level decreasing as it did. So what is determination? Here is what Websters Dictionary says: de•ter•mi•na•tion noun \di-ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən\ : a quality that makes you continue trying to do or achieve something that is difficult : the act of finding out or calculating something : the act of officially deciding something However what does it mean to those of us that are not able bodied? It means no matter the struggle…no matter the pain…no matter the limitations we need to push on. We have to learn new ways of doing things. I am unable to scale the kitchen counters to the shelves since 2010…but…there is nothing wrong with asking for help. If you live alone, you can ask someone to help you put things where you can reach them when you are alone. Reach out to your neighbors, churches, wherever you can get help. I know the frustration we feel going out in public… people look at my cane before they look at my face…many tell me I am way too young to be the way I am…but this is who I am now…this is my life now. Adapting can and is very hard when you have been newly diagnosed…as I was after my accident. But if you have determination and a positive look on life, you can still accomplish most of what you put your mind to. I am now saying you can do anything and everything…as our bodies do have its limitations, however we need to learn our limitations. I know as a mother and a wife I have to be careful what I do so I can hold up to cook dinner, then there are days I am unable to cook dinner, and I have to go rest as I have done too much…so do not kick yourself if you are unable to do so much. In stores, I search out the tall people to reach things, instead of scaling the shelves the way I used to do before the accident. I also must give much credit to my team of doctors and nurses that do keep a close monitor of my health. I will be doing more subjects in the near future of- Depression, family, friends, and so much more. I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas Season!