Noticing Newbies

Aisha,

Thanks for the welcome! I hate labels too. I never have really considered myself "disabled". I can thank my parents for that because they never treated me that way. Sure, I was blindsided and overwhelmed by what was going on with my ability to walk because honestly I had never given any thought to things changing from the way that they were. Does anybody ever expect anything to happen to them?

I'm not freaked out or worried. This is just a part of life. Sure, trying to figure out how to work, do therapy, and balance everything else in my life can be a challenge, especially with pain interrupting my sleep pattern, but it's not anything that I can't manage. The challenge is trying to do the therapy schedule that my treatment team wants, 3 hours a day for 5 days a week. It's hard to balance work with that. Work has been losing that battle lately, but I'll figure it out.

As for the adventure, you are already here! The thing that I need most from people are names of people to support while I walk. I think that is harder than doing a crutch-free mile in every state. It's just going to take getting the word out to people about what I am trying to do. Being a counselor, you understand how people facing challenges can feel overwhelmed and become isolated. This is all about showing them that they aren't alone and that no matter what they may face they have the power to accomplish great things. It just takes a little faith and a lot of hard work!

It was nice to meet you. I'm sure I'll see you around.

-Mark