Gonna give this a shot...Part 2

Where was I....OH Yeah!  I got adopted by one of the nurses.  In order for me to have most of the abilities I do, I've had many operations(about 22 total), to correct various problems caused by the Spina Bifida. Needless to say, I was hospitalized alot, I think once I was in for almost a year.  Once, I was in for Christmas.  At that time, I liked to call the North Poll to call Santa. I remember wanting to do this, and wondering where my dad went.  Later, I learned when I wanted to make the call he hid behind the nurses station so I wouldn't see and he pretended to be Santa.  I'm so thankful for fun, fanciful stuff like that 'cause it's what brought a little joy to me when I couldn't be out with others.

 Growing up I was encouraged that I could do anything despite my disability....although as I got older I learned it was very hard for my parents(especially mom) to let me do things that They didn't think was safe(but this's a topic for another post).  Anyway, I've always said I do anything anyone else does, just differently.  Junior high and High School were full of friends, fun and lots of activities.  I was part of student council, French Club(somehow I managed to speak French with a Spanish accent, now I probably speak Spanish with a French accent...kidding) and Marching Band.  Yes, I said Marching Band.  I had an attendent who wheeled me out onto the field while I played my trumpet.  Our band director would coordinate some of the routines so I could be in them.  When I wasn't in a rountine, I was on the sidelines continuing to play.  My attendant and I would travel with the band to games, band camps and competitions.  Once we went to VA(I think).  Since I wasn't able to get on the bus the others were traveling in, my mom drove me, my attendant and one friend in our van.  All the way down, we laughed, joked and sang Disney songs at the top of our lungs. It was the best time. 

Even though I could be a part of things, sometime I still struggled with feeling seperated since I couldn't do a lot of things exactly as others did.  Most of this was because of lack of accessibility for persons with disabilities. 

 All in all I'm pretty much a like anyone else.  I have ups, downs, doubts and fears, hopes and dreams.  I hope this blog will be an encouragement for all who read it.