Broken Lives Matter

It's been so long; I missed writing! Alas, I haven't gotten around to getting my computer issues resolved yet:( It involves me taking one bus to the transit center then another bus from there, computer in tow and I'm not looking forward to it! Especially not since I rode the City bus for the first time in a long time today, and while the experience was hardly any worse than it usually is, it wasn't..pleasant. And just an aside--NOBODY likes it. Some people might think those who ride it do so because they prefer it--NOPE! It's just a means to an end. I avoid it if there's any way I possibly can. Not having a computer at my convenience has kind of depressed me, I guess. I've spent much of the last two weeks on the couch watching Netflix. And I'm writing this entry in the public library's bank of computers which is also an experience I try not to have too often. I love having the option (one librarian responded to my saying this out loud with 'we ...

Hello! Just to let you know, my computer had been giving me many problems, and I thought I was clever enough to solve them on my own. Turns out I most certainly am NOT tech savvy in that way, so the blog is going to have to be on the back burner for the foreseeable future. When I DO get things sorted out again, I'm thinking about a "sea change" in terms of brokenlivesmatter. Although I've gotten lots of positive feedback and comments from supportive friends about every single little blurb I put up, I'm going to try a little experiment and only update on Thursdays from then on. Of course when my computer is repaired or replaced, I will remind everybody of the program change. But consider this a pre-change notice:) This blog will soon be just on Thursdays, and until then, the blog will be down while I get the computer looked at. Thanks everybody for your understanding and continued support! Amelia

The issue of being stared at is on my mind. Twice today, in a relatively short period of time, I encountered young people who didn't seem to know how to speak to me. I wasn't speaking any differently than I would to anybody else. But they had a look that clearly (I felt) communicated that they were uncomfortable being addressed BY me-- kind of like a deer in the headlights. Both of these people were younger than I, probably by a decent margin. But I really don't see how that excuses them from "social grace class", so to speak. I mean, once upon a time it was stressed CONTINUOUSLY by guiding adults that it is rude to stare. And mumbling something in response to a question is not the way any young person should be taught to carry himself. I use the masculine pronoun here, but I was taught (apparently the '80s are the Dark Ages now, by comparison to this generation) that "he" is acceptable as a reference to either gender. I don't think it's ...

Maybe for my birthday DAY, I'll treat myself to this: https://twitter.com/DisVisibility/status/1048184297490763776

I just want to thank the friends and family who have donated to my birthday fundraiser! For those not on Facebook or who just haven't seen it, for my birthday this year I've started a fundraiser for the Hydrocephalus Association, and the results have been wonderful:) We've far exceeded my (intentionally low-balled) original goal, and there are still two weeks! I'm very proud of it, and it has taught me a lot about human nature, specifically among those in my town. People WANT to be generous and giving if they can, in whatever way they can. The problem is that of course, especially for things like Hydrocephalus, a condition few have heard of and few fully understand, THEY DON'T KNOW HOW! But given the opportunity and a little publicity, plus the advantage of knowing me in real life...look at the response! It's such a shame to me that just because people don't see enough ads for some specific disease or disorder, their dollars don't go there. I can...

Hello Lovelies! Had my first physical therapy session yesterday, and I'm very excited about the way it went. The only thing was that the appointment was both emotionally tiring as WELL as physically taxing (I hope I'm not the only one who's felt this way), so rather than dutifully update my readers on how things are in my world yesterday--I took an epic nap. Back on track today though! The exercises the therapist gave me are just tiring enough, though not too much so. And after I do them, my ankles feel more "stretched out" and flexible, which was one of the goals I set during my initial visit! Oh those Mary Free Bed (different-sounding name, excellent facility) doctors:) I'm quite encouraged by yesterday's visit that I'll actually achieve lasting results out of this truncated version of the original several week prescription. And THAT, my friends, is thrilling:) And at first, let me tell you that I surely did not feel like I even deserved to be...