Awesome in Action, Co

Last Friday I  picked up my brother from the airport. Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia is where he lives most of the time. When he first gets to the United States,  he wants a hamburger. He eats one immediately upon landing every visit.  He feels sick after  he eats the hamburger, but that never stops him! He’s stubborn like me.  Mom says it'”the Greek” in us; and I agree!

My stubborn streak has got me into all sorts of trouble, but like my brother, I never change. One time, my family went to a movie theater. I didn’t want to watch the film they chose, so I turned my wheelchair to face the wall, and stayed that way through the whole movie! I feel silly now, and laugh when I think about staring at the wall for two hours, but I bet I  would do it again if I was in that situation. That’s the curse of the Greek, I guess.

At least I have the option of moving my chair if I want. Some people do not have a motorized wheelchair, and cannot change their positions without help. I am fortunate to have the independence to be the cantankerous  creation I was meant to be!

I  met J & C at horseback riding a long time ago.  They are  twins, one born with Cerebral Palsy and one not. When they were preteens, J used to grab my wheelchair joystick and move it around when I was next to him. It scared me! J’s mom had to tell him to stop! I think he was curious and a little jealous of my electric chair; I was  a little jealous that he had the muscles and control to stand up and get out of his wheelchair and into his car! I was also happy for J that he could stand on his own! C has big muscles, too! He is very strong and can lift up J; just like my brother can lift me up.

Sunday I watched J & C graduate from high school. I felt proud watching them because they are so much younger than me. I’ve seen them grow up, get girlfriends, and now graduate. It’s a big deal to be done with high school.  I hope I can keep watching and helping them as they continue to learn about the world.