Therapy

     If you have some kind of therapy, you need to work hard in it. I have Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Aquatic Therapy (PT in the water) and Speech Therapy. As you can imagine, this keeps me busy! All of them help my life be easier. So, I try my hardest during each therapy session. They help me move better, talk better and eat better. If you don't work hard in therapy, you might as well stay home. The therapists can only help you if you try. There have been many times where I've been able to do something that I couldn't before. That is an awesome feeling! Always work hard. Otherwise, there is no point. Try making it fun. Challenge yourself. I always ask my therapists to time me. I like to compete with myself. So, here's a shout out to Sharon, Wendy and Amy, my current therapists. Thanks for all you do for me. Thanks to all the therapists I've had in the past…Nancy, Patti, Mandy,  Rema, Elizabeth, Maeve, Hailey, Tina…and all the rest that I've had in and out of school.

     “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” 
― Maya Angelou

     I encounter many defeats but they only make me stronger and make me work harder. I never give up. I choose to focus on what I CAN do, not what I can't do. There are 
NO LIMITS  in my house! 
Later dudes and dudettes,
Jack

Independence

     Since we just got done celebrating Independence Day, I want to talk about independence. Independence is just a privilege, not a requirement. Because of my physical disability, I rely on my family to take care of me. I wish I could be more independent. It is very hard to accept that I have less independence than my friends. When I am upset about it, I try to be humorous. One time, I saw a person waterskiing and I said I'd like to try it. My mom said, "you were born into the wrong family." I said, "and with the wrong body!" I try to have a sense of humor about my Cerebral Palsy. Life's too fast to not see the humor. Zach Anner said, "People feel sorry for me because I'm in a wheelchair. Have you ever tried sitting? It's really comfortable!" I love that! Therefore, when you are feeling down about your lack of independence, think about the humorous aspect of the situation. I know you'll feel better. If you don't feel better, you can call me a liar. Or you can look up Zach Anner on YouTube. He will definitely make you laugh!
     I had a great Independence Day, by the way. I went to see some fireworks with some of my cousins and some friends of our family.
     Here is me with my dog, Bailey. She just turned two and she loves to lick my face!
Later,
Jack