Team Cody on Oprah

This is my newest inspiration and source of "coolness". If your not busy October 28th or need a reason to use your TiVo, tune in to Oprah and watch how quickly this little guy can make all your fears go away.

I hope to meet him and have him speak for my foundation. His website, Team Cody, details his schedule and he seems to be busier than our Presidential candidates!

His smile, spirit and tenacity to "not be scared", as he says, is truly amazing. And, he is only six years old! I look at this amazing gift he has, to not only feel good about who he is, but to make others feel so comfortable and I think, "how does a child with his differences look at life with a smile and other kids struggle?"

Yes, I can relate to him, and I can identify with his support system, but I had a long time to build an understanding of people and relationships. He has only had six tiny years with hardly any practice in life to deal with obstacles (let alone his amputations).

I'm thinking there is something very valuable within this little guy. He is teaching adults, but isn't it traditionally supposed to be the other way around? No matter what the specifics involving a certain individual (age, race, degree of disability, etc.) are, if it gives people inspiration, then that is all that honesty matters.

Don't just read, but learn. Don't just say things, act upon them. Don't just think about what the rewards are for helping people, get involved and try! Don't just watch Cody, listen and apply his struggles to your own anxieties and trials!

Love,
Jen

The Ol' Football Injury

It was the most unique comment I have received to date. I was walking into a restaurant when the "man of the house" looked at me, smiled and said "old football injuries, huh?"

You are reading this and thinking how insensitive, rude or how clever that was. If you do find it funny or clever, you are probably wondering what my perception was. You want to know what I thought? I found it hilarious and comforting at the same time.

Clearly, I could have been in the NFL, but my dancing abilities kept me from running in a straight line. I did play for the Washington Redskins as a wide-receiver, but of course, I was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in '99. So, I thought he either recognized me from an ESPN news conference or he knew the perfect way to make me laugh and feel at ease. He even was charming enough to throw in a wink.

That could have gone either way. I could have been offended but it actually provided a refreshing reminder that a majority of people are committed to improving the human condition and comforting people. Humor and compassion speaks volumes!

Last night Nick & I went to the House of Blues to see Gavin DeGraw. His performance was fantastic! Music literally brings me (and everyone else) in and out of moods and emotions and is a great therapy mechanism. We both have a bit of a cold and fever but were so glad we went. The music just made us feel together. Too bad the only one who can tolerate my singing is 0ur dog!

Love, 

Jen

Target Practice

Tonight I realized that my whipped cream container skill was a bit lacking. I was trying to squeeze whip cream onto chocolate mousse when it sprayed all over the wall and missed their target! Luckily, Nick understood the concept of "it's the thought that counts". We laughed while cleaning up the mess but realized that the best part of the desert was being wiped off the wall.  

I've learned a bit these past few weeks about staying on target and keeping your motivation going. I tend to get questions about staying focused, keeping my head up, and what's next in my life. I've discovered a lot of these answers through writing and observing. I've learned that listening vs. talking gets you farther than you think. 

Working with Sky (our new service dog, for those who didn't know) has been fun but it has also challenged emotions that I didn't even know were there. You get a lot of people wanting to touch and ask questions which I'm getting used to. It's not that I mind the dog, it's the mindset of others. I was in a store when I was told that I wasn't allowed to have a dog in this particular place. Rather than jumping on it and explaining myself, I decided to let her learn the situation. I took a step back from her and let her tell me again that I couldn't have a dog. I was a bit conflicted because it was somewhat obvious, but she came up to me again and said "I just realized this was a service dog" and she let it go.  We chatted and I understood her lack of education and understanding of the situation. 

This is to be expected but, it brought up some uncomfortable emotions. I think I just wanted her to "get it" without drawing attention.  However, that is a bit much (and selfish) of me to ask. I realized just how powerful knowledge really is and 90% of misunderstandings and confusion is stemmed from lack of knowledge. So, educate, educate, educate and talk, talk, talk. Be true to your emotions and yourself and you can work through it.

I have also observed my 84-year-old grandmother go through a double by-pass surgery this past week and come out on top. She told me that it was all going to be fine and she's right. She is an amazing woman that took a train from Missouri to Kansas with only a $1 in her pocket to find work and start a family. Talk about inspiring!

I stay on target and keep motivated by my experiences, the love in my life, and the constant opportunities I see to educate and help others. We don't always hit the target but you can't stop practicing and expect to hit the bullseye.  

Challenge yourself to educate when you would rather get upset or just want someone else to "get it". It can change the outcome. By the way, I've taught myself to play basketball in our driveway. I had two baskets last week! Look out Kobe.

Love, Jen

National Disability Awareness Month

In 1945 Congress enacted a law to educate the public about the issues related to disabilities. Now, it's a month recognized by the likes of Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles (in spirit), Helen Keller and many more.  

Do you know how many famous people, people we look up to, and people that you would be surprised by have disabilities? Dyslexia, blindness, autism, etc. Just goes to show how a "difference" doesn't define you. So many have become instruments of inspiration on so many levels.

A video project I highly suggest you take a look at: Right to Risk. It follows 8 individuals with disabilities on a 15 day whitewater rafting trip on the Colorado River. To learn about more significant months like October, I suggest you surf the Library of Congress' homepage.

On another note,  I have been spending 2 to 3 hours a day with Sky and I'm excited to say he will be moving in on Saturday the 18th of October. We went shopping and he grabbed the plastic bag and carried it out to the car! The lady who was checking us out, looked at me in amazement and said "do it again, do it again". It was pretty funny.

Nick and I and Dean (a good friend of Nick's), went to a lecture this week about "the new American Dream" which was presented by John Zogby. If your not familiar with him he has been a pollster since 1984. It was fabulous. What I enjoyed so much was the intellectual thoughts of the younger audience. 

It was at SMU and the students (really everyone) were so engaged. It had me thinking how we treat everyone around us and where the ideas and thoughts of the polls come from. It's truly fascinating to see results and how life affects outcomes!  Check out the book The Way We'll Be: The Transformation of the American Dream. His thesis focused on the transition of American materialism and isolationism to the future of our political, cultural and spiritual awakening. I let you know how I liked the book sometime soon!

As a little suggestion for the week: don't take yourself so seriously. I have found that laughing is so great for the soul. I came home the other day and tripped on something and landed right on the floor. It was pretty ugly but I laughed so hard because I thought about how lucky I was that I was home and not in a movie theater!

Love,

Jen