My Supports

There are many supports in my daily life, both large and small, that make my life a little easier.  I think that a lot of times we don't miss these kinds of supports unless they are gone.  When they are gone we realize just how helpful they are in accomplishing daily tasks.

Some of my daily supports:

• Emotional Support
• I am very grateful for a network of loving family and friends who are committed to talk with me through problems and pray with/for me.  Sometimes I don't want to bother others with my problems or concerns, and when I don't I can tell a difference.  When I allow myself to rely upon these emotional support persons my load becomes much lighter and I keep my sanity!
• Physical Support
• My husband is my biggest physical support.  As I work full-time, take classes, am in charge of three different programs, and have a 15-month-old son, my life can be crazy.  My husband is there to help with our son, cleaning the house, doing dishes, or just to make me take a break when he sees that I need to regroup.  Without his support I would not be able to be involved in all that I am nor would I have much time for myself.
• Practical Support
• My biggest practical support is a stack of Post-It notes!  I take them with me everywhere, make notes, and stick them where I need reminders.  They decorate my lesson plans, calendar, car, mirrors, doors... and the list goes on.  Without Post-It notes I would find other papers to write my notes and reminders on but they would definitely not be as flexible as the Post-Its!

Chosen Challenge - Blindness

• Emotional Support
• I imagined myself losing my sight suddenly after having had it for almost 29 years.  There are many, many tasks that I would be unable to do or would have to relearn in a different way.  In order to make it through this major life change I would need a strong support emotionally.  I would need my family and friends to be willing to help me through the ups and downs of this major life change.
• Physical Support
• Some physical supports I may need with a change such as this would be a walking stick, seeing eye dog, or someone to lead me around.  I would need to relearn how to get around the places I am familiar with.  I would have to learn to use my other four senses in a new and improved way to make up for my blindness.
• Practical Support
• The most practical support I would need if I became blind would be to learn braille.  Learning this language would allow me to keep doing things I love such as reading, typing, and teaching.  Not only would I need to learn to read it, I would also need to learn how to use a braille typewriter so that I could correspond with people.