On Sunday mornings we don't let our kids watch television. We tell them that as they get older they can use any free time to pray or read their Bible or think about the Lord before heading off to church.
As you know, Nathan does not like jokes. Chris was joking with him this morning and Nathan was getting annoyed. I think he takes life so seriously that jokes make no sense and hold no merit to him.
So Nathan very seriously said to his dad, "Dad! You should be thinking about the Lord!"
Gotta love the little guy!
Rebekah
Family
"I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to give you a hope and a future."
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Little Boy Lost
It's hard to ever look at Nathan and think he is missing something. I mean the little guy scored a few points below a genius level! He taught himself to read, he writes, he does math, he asks complicated questions, is super observant, and probably smarter than I am! So how can I ever look at him and think something is missing. He looks "normal". He is a handsome and he smiles and he talks with EVERYONE! He is super friendly.
But with Aspergers I think you get what people would view as "small" losses.
Sometimes I feel like my husband has lost more than I have...if that makes sense. Both Chris and I believe firmly that Nathan was born with Aspergers and did not develope this from vaccines. Why? Because he has always been like this. As a baby he hardly ever slept. While others moms talked about these 2-3 hours naps their babies took I looked at them like they had two heads! Nathan would sleep for 15 minutes even as a small baby and if I got a thirty minute nap out of him I thought that was awesome! He was always so alert and I remember to this day how after he was born the nurses commented constantly over my two days in the hospital how alert he was.
Anyways, that being said...
There are certain things we feel like are lost to us or to Nathan. Nathan doesn't seem to notice or care so maybe it is no loss to him! Chris used to talk when Nathan was small about doing those "dad" things with Nathan. He talked about playing ball with Nathan, teaching him to ride a bike, and working on cars with Nathan the way he used to do with his grandfather. Except with Nathan he has narrow interest and he is not interested in cars and he is not physically coordinated enough to even kick a ball. Nathan tends to stiffen when Chris hugs him. If you say I love you, Nathan he often answers, "Yeah I know." Occasionally he will reply with "I love you" and we love it when he does that.
Nathan does not get jokes. Trying to get a laugh out of him by tricking him or joking with him will only get him really mad! Chris wants to joke with his son and it's hard to understand that he can't do that with Nathan.
Nathan can't do things that other kids his age can. He still can't button his pants and do zippers very well. He can't kick a ball if you roll it to him. During his PT (Physical Therapy) eval the Physical Therapist labeled him as "floppy" His muscle tone is too weak and his motor skills are lacking and his hamstrings are too tight and his arches pronate....also why riding a bike is really hard and he doesn't want to do that with Chris either.
If you talk or play with Nathan for even two seconds he assumes you are his best friend...for life. The other day at the YMCA Super Stars Program a little girl named Katy played with Nathan on the trampoline for a few minutes. He assumed they were best friends of course and tried to follow her around and play other things with her and was oblivious that Katy didn't want to play with him anymore and was getting annoyed by him. Katy even said "I want to do it by myself" but that goes over Nathan's head. "But we are friends so we do it together" he says. This even carries over to the fact he has such a good memory he won't forget her and will try and "be her friend" when he sees her there next time. Nathan even asked the next day if Katy was coming to a play date with us!
We are not complaining though! We have a brilliant little boy who CAN do all sorts of things, who thinks an Atlas, the planets, and the Presidents are the coolest topics ever. He ask hard and constant questions that makes us think. He is healthy and we know other kids who suffer physically and I can't imagine how hard that is for the parents and the child! He is super friendly and will talk with anyone.
I feel bad for him because part of having Aspergers means he is super emotional and some days are hard on all of us to see him get so upset or cry his little eyes out over such "small" things.
I can't help but believe that despite Nathan's "special needs" God has big plans for our little boy. Some might see him as a little boy lost.....we see him as a little boy God made and shaped and formed just for us in my womb. He is the little boy I got on my knees and begged God for. And of course there is that beautiful verse.... "His strength is made perfect in our weakness"...so whatever "weakness" Nathan might have...whatever "weakness" we might show in dealing with some of his quirks...God strength will carry us through and through God's strength Nathan's weakness will be strengthened. And on the days when we feel a little too tired to "deal" with this we remember we can rest because God will carry us through.
Rebekah
But with Aspergers I think you get what people would view as "small" losses.
Sometimes I feel like my husband has lost more than I have...if that makes sense. Both Chris and I believe firmly that Nathan was born with Aspergers and did not develope this from vaccines. Why? Because he has always been like this. As a baby he hardly ever slept. While others moms talked about these 2-3 hours naps their babies took I looked at them like they had two heads! Nathan would sleep for 15 minutes even as a small baby and if I got a thirty minute nap out of him I thought that was awesome! He was always so alert and I remember to this day how after he was born the nurses commented constantly over my two days in the hospital how alert he was.
Anyways, that being said...
There are certain things we feel like are lost to us or to Nathan. Nathan doesn't seem to notice or care so maybe it is no loss to him! Chris used to talk when Nathan was small about doing those "dad" things with Nathan. He talked about playing ball with Nathan, teaching him to ride a bike, and working on cars with Nathan the way he used to do with his grandfather. Except with Nathan he has narrow interest and he is not interested in cars and he is not physically coordinated enough to even kick a ball. Nathan tends to stiffen when Chris hugs him. If you say I love you, Nathan he often answers, "Yeah I know." Occasionally he will reply with "I love you" and we love it when he does that.
Nathan does not get jokes. Trying to get a laugh out of him by tricking him or joking with him will only get him really mad! Chris wants to joke with his son and it's hard to understand that he can't do that with Nathan.
Nathan can't do things that other kids his age can. He still can't button his pants and do zippers very well. He can't kick a ball if you roll it to him. During his PT (Physical Therapy) eval the Physical Therapist labeled him as "floppy" His muscle tone is too weak and his motor skills are lacking and his hamstrings are too tight and his arches pronate....also why riding a bike is really hard and he doesn't want to do that with Chris either.
If you talk or play with Nathan for even two seconds he assumes you are his best friend...for life. The other day at the YMCA Super Stars Program a little girl named Katy played with Nathan on the trampoline for a few minutes. He assumed they were best friends of course and tried to follow her around and play other things with her and was oblivious that Katy didn't want to play with him anymore and was getting annoyed by him. Katy even said "I want to do it by myself" but that goes over Nathan's head. "But we are friends so we do it together" he says. This even carries over to the fact he has such a good memory he won't forget her and will try and "be her friend" when he sees her there next time. Nathan even asked the next day if Katy was coming to a play date with us!
We are not complaining though! We have a brilliant little boy who CAN do all sorts of things, who thinks an Atlas, the planets, and the Presidents are the coolest topics ever. He ask hard and constant questions that makes us think. He is healthy and we know other kids who suffer physically and I can't imagine how hard that is for the parents and the child! He is super friendly and will talk with anyone.
I feel bad for him because part of having Aspergers means he is super emotional and some days are hard on all of us to see him get so upset or cry his little eyes out over such "small" things.
I can't help but believe that despite Nathan's "special needs" God has big plans for our little boy. Some might see him as a little boy lost.....we see him as a little boy God made and shaped and formed just for us in my womb. He is the little boy I got on my knees and begged God for. And of course there is that beautiful verse.... "His strength is made perfect in our weakness"...so whatever "weakness" Nathan might have...whatever "weakness" we might show in dealing with some of his quirks...God strength will carry us through and through God's strength Nathan's weakness will be strengthened. And on the days when we feel a little too tired to "deal" with this we remember we can rest because God will carry us through.
Rebekah
Info on Aspergers
http://www.yourlittleprofessor.com/diagnosing.html
The above is a great web site and I copied and pasted the following from the above web site. This article sums it up really well.
Asperger's Syndrome has probably always been around, however, the medical establishment has only recently begun to diagnose it.
Dr. Hans Asperger, a Viennese pediatrician, wrote the first paper on the condition in 1944. He had been working with four children, ages 6 to 11, who had similar peculiarities. They were each passionately interested in one narrow subject, and would talk on and on about it.
Dr. Asperger believed these "little professors" had problems understanding other people. For example, they were clueless when their audience was becoming bored as they lectured about obscure subjects like growing peas, deep fat fryers or Richard III. They did not notice that people were yawning, looking at clocks, or trying to switch the topic. In addition, although the children could memorize facts about their subjects, they often had little understanding of it. For example, a certain child knew every obscure fact about the lives of U.S. Presidents and had no grasp of American history. They tended to be overly logical and rigid, sometimes moralistic in their viewpoints. They had trouble understanding metaphors. If a mother said, "I'm going to hop down to the store," her son with Asperger Syndrome expected her to leap like a rabbit.
As Dr. Asperger and others after him continued to study the syndrome, they were able to pinpoint other traits "Aspies" have in common. Some are clumsy and uncoordinated. They have trouble with self-care and tasks like tying their shoes or buttoning. Others have problems controlling their voices. They speak too loudly or in whispers; they have unusual inflections or monotones.
Many Aspies have trouble with sensory integration. They may overreact to loud noises or bright lights. They may be overwhelmed by the inside of a Wal-Mart with all the people, displays, lights and stimulation. They may cope with the stress by repeating certain behaviors to soothe themselves. Self-soothing may include elaborate rituals or "rules," such as wearing a certain item of clothing all the time or always eating from the same menu.
However, the trait that causes Aspies the most difficulty in life is their inability to pick up other people's social cues and to respond appropriately. Unlike autistic people, Aspies often are interested in other people and want to make and keep friends. However, they have to learn social interactions on an intellectual level instead of just picking them up naturally the way others do. For example, when a friend is wearing an ugly new shirt but seems very happy about it, most people will lie and say how nice the shirt looks. An Aspie may believe that the friend wants an honest answer to: "How do you like my shirt?" One six-year-old Aspie got in trouble when she told her grandmother that she was too fat to ride a bicycle.
For this reason, Aspies may constantly want feedback from the people in their lives. They may ask, "Did I say something rude?" because they really do not know if they did or not. There is a very endearing character on the television series, "Boston Legal", who is a brilliant lawyer with Asperger Syndrome. He carries around a little notebook with reminders like "Shake hands with your client after the trial," or "Thank the jury if our side wins." He always keeps his hands clasped in front of his body so he does not flap them around.
In 1994 Asperger Syndrome became part of the official "Bible" of American medicine, The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This is the big reference book doctors keep on their desks when they diagnose mental disease.
In order to be diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, a person must show two of these problems:
"Marked impairment" regarding nonverbal social cues (doesn't make eye contact, doesn't understand others' body language, etc);
Failure to make friends;
Lack of appropriate social and emotional responses to others; or
Inability to spontaneously share enjoyment, interests and achievements with other people.
In addition, the person must show one of these behaviors:
An abnormal and intense interest in one subject;
Adherence to a strict set of rules, routines and rituals;
Repetition of certain mannerisms like hand flapping, hair twisting or even whole body movements
An obsession in the parts or mechanics of objects.
Asperger Syndrome is considered one of five "Pervasive Developmental Disorders" within the spectrum of autism. It is a lifelong condition and occurs in boys four times as often as girls. Because Aspie children are not mentally retarded, doctors usually do not diagnose them until they are in the early elementary school grades.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The above is a great web site and I copied and pasted the following from the above web site. This article sums it up really well.
Asperger's Syndrome has probably always been around, however, the medical establishment has only recently begun to diagnose it.
Dr. Hans Asperger, a Viennese pediatrician, wrote the first paper on the condition in 1944. He had been working with four children, ages 6 to 11, who had similar peculiarities. They were each passionately interested in one narrow subject, and would talk on and on about it.
Dr. Asperger believed these "little professors" had problems understanding other people. For example, they were clueless when their audience was becoming bored as they lectured about obscure subjects like growing peas, deep fat fryers or Richard III. They did not notice that people were yawning, looking at clocks, or trying to switch the topic. In addition, although the children could memorize facts about their subjects, they often had little understanding of it. For example, a certain child knew every obscure fact about the lives of U.S. Presidents and had no grasp of American history. They tended to be overly logical and rigid, sometimes moralistic in their viewpoints. They had trouble understanding metaphors. If a mother said, "I'm going to hop down to the store," her son with Asperger Syndrome expected her to leap like a rabbit.
As Dr. Asperger and others after him continued to study the syndrome, they were able to pinpoint other traits "Aspies" have in common. Some are clumsy and uncoordinated. They have trouble with self-care and tasks like tying their shoes or buttoning. Others have problems controlling their voices. They speak too loudly or in whispers; they have unusual inflections or monotones.
Many Aspies have trouble with sensory integration. They may overreact to loud noises or bright lights. They may be overwhelmed by the inside of a Wal-Mart with all the people, displays, lights and stimulation. They may cope with the stress by repeating certain behaviors to soothe themselves. Self-soothing may include elaborate rituals or "rules," such as wearing a certain item of clothing all the time or always eating from the same menu.
However, the trait that causes Aspies the most difficulty in life is their inability to pick up other people's social cues and to respond appropriately. Unlike autistic people, Aspies often are interested in other people and want to make and keep friends. However, they have to learn social interactions on an intellectual level instead of just picking them up naturally the way others do. For example, when a friend is wearing an ugly new shirt but seems very happy about it, most people will lie and say how nice the shirt looks. An Aspie may believe that the friend wants an honest answer to: "How do you like my shirt?" One six-year-old Aspie got in trouble when she told her grandmother that she was too fat to ride a bicycle.
For this reason, Aspies may constantly want feedback from the people in their lives. They may ask, "Did I say something rude?" because they really do not know if they did or not. There is a very endearing character on the television series, "Boston Legal", who is a brilliant lawyer with Asperger Syndrome. He carries around a little notebook with reminders like "Shake hands with your client after the trial," or "Thank the jury if our side wins." He always keeps his hands clasped in front of his body so he does not flap them around.
In 1994 Asperger Syndrome became part of the official "Bible" of American medicine, The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This is the big reference book doctors keep on their desks when they diagnose mental disease.
In order to be diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, a person must show two of these problems:
"Marked impairment" regarding nonverbal social cues (doesn't make eye contact, doesn't understand others' body language, etc);
Failure to make friends;
Lack of appropriate social and emotional responses to others; or
Inability to spontaneously share enjoyment, interests and achievements with other people.
In addition, the person must show one of these behaviors:
An abnormal and intense interest in one subject;
Adherence to a strict set of rules, routines and rituals;
Repetition of certain mannerisms like hand flapping, hair twisting or even whole body movements
An obsession in the parts or mechanics of objects.
Asperger Syndrome is considered one of five "Pervasive Developmental Disorders" within the spectrum of autism. It is a lifelong condition and occurs in boys four times as often as girls. Because Aspie children are not mentally retarded, doctors usually do not diagnose them until they are in the early elementary school grades.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Food
I know I've said this before but eating is a basic human need. We all need to eat. I would say most everyone likes to eat. If we want to stay alive then we have to eat.
I enjoy having people in my home, feeding people, meeting that basic human need to eat. I like to prep food, cook food, bake, and present food. I really enjoy it and I like to plan and put a lot of thought into my food.
Chris and I eat breakfast and shortly after I am thinking...what am I going to make for dinner tonight? Sometimes I even make a weekly menu, which Chris likes because then he knows what's coming.
My downfall is perfection. I want my food to be perfect. I want it to taste perfect and to look perfect. I actually remember the few times I messed up a meal because I found it so devastating that I failed in my cooking. One time when making a roasted chicken it just was not cooking!! I cooked it and cooked it and the thing was still raw around the bones! I was so frustrated and it was unbelievable and meanwhile Chris and I were starved. We gave up with the chicken that wouldn't cook and went out to eat. Another time I made terriyaki chicken and it burnt. It was awful! It smelled awful and was inedible. That is the only thing, besides toast, I ever burnt.
When we have people over for dinner I plan ahead. I plan what we will eat, when we will eat, the food I need to shop for, and the cleaning that needs to be done prior to them coming. I strive to make sure my table is set perfect, things have been febreezed so they smell nice, toys are picked up, and my food is tasty and timely.
So recently when a speaker and his wife showed up at church I had to make a decision. My flood had not been vacuumed. A meal had not been planned. The table wasn't set. And I didn't feel very good. I couldn't have a speaker when I was completely unprepared and my home was not spotless! No way. But the Lord said, yes way. We'll take them out to eat. But the Lord seemed to say, "Have them in your home." I didn't want to. I wasn't prepared. But even in thinking that it was like the Lord was saying, "I've taken care of it."
The day before I had taken out 4 pieces of fish. Not 2. Four. I don't know why. I just did. We didn't end up eating them so I had 4 pieces of fish. No more. No less. Exactly what was needed to serve us and our guest. I had one can of biscuits, rice, and some vegetables. I had bought a tote bag of apples and so I had plenty to make an apple crisp for dessert.
They didn't care that I had to set the table once they arrived. She was more than willing to help me peel and chop the apples for dessert. They loved the fish. In the end it was like the Lord was telling me, "I'm in control. I've set this in motion."
I remarked that I had enough fish for us and our guest. That I had bought just enough extra apples for a dessert. The Lord enabled me to be hospitable with no notice and I have to admit it was one of the most relaxed dinners I have ever done. There was no time to spend hours scouring my house, no time to plan and decide a menu, no time to worry how the meal might go wrong or if they would like it.
The Lord is still teaching me and molding me. I believe my gift is hospitality. And the Lord is showing me that even if I feel I am not ready He will make sure I am able to use my gift. He'll guide me even as I shop even if I am unaware of it.
Extra apples. Extra fish. Bread. Rice. Vegetables. God provides and meets our needs and enables us to serve others with what He's given us.
I enjoy having people in my home, feeding people, meeting that basic human need to eat. I like to prep food, cook food, bake, and present food. I really enjoy it and I like to plan and put a lot of thought into my food.
Chris and I eat breakfast and shortly after I am thinking...what am I going to make for dinner tonight? Sometimes I even make a weekly menu, which Chris likes because then he knows what's coming.
My downfall is perfection. I want my food to be perfect. I want it to taste perfect and to look perfect. I actually remember the few times I messed up a meal because I found it so devastating that I failed in my cooking. One time when making a roasted chicken it just was not cooking!! I cooked it and cooked it and the thing was still raw around the bones! I was so frustrated and it was unbelievable and meanwhile Chris and I were starved. We gave up with the chicken that wouldn't cook and went out to eat. Another time I made terriyaki chicken and it burnt. It was awful! It smelled awful and was inedible. That is the only thing, besides toast, I ever burnt.
When we have people over for dinner I plan ahead. I plan what we will eat, when we will eat, the food I need to shop for, and the cleaning that needs to be done prior to them coming. I strive to make sure my table is set perfect, things have been febreezed so they smell nice, toys are picked up, and my food is tasty and timely.
So recently when a speaker and his wife showed up at church I had to make a decision. My flood had not been vacuumed. A meal had not been planned. The table wasn't set. And I didn't feel very good. I couldn't have a speaker when I was completely unprepared and my home was not spotless! No way. But the Lord said, yes way. We'll take them out to eat. But the Lord seemed to say, "Have them in your home." I didn't want to. I wasn't prepared. But even in thinking that it was like the Lord was saying, "I've taken care of it."
The day before I had taken out 4 pieces of fish. Not 2. Four. I don't know why. I just did. We didn't end up eating them so I had 4 pieces of fish. No more. No less. Exactly what was needed to serve us and our guest. I had one can of biscuits, rice, and some vegetables. I had bought a tote bag of apples and so I had plenty to make an apple crisp for dessert.
They didn't care that I had to set the table once they arrived. She was more than willing to help me peel and chop the apples for dessert. They loved the fish. In the end it was like the Lord was telling me, "I'm in control. I've set this in motion."
I remarked that I had enough fish for us and our guest. That I had bought just enough extra apples for a dessert. The Lord enabled me to be hospitable with no notice and I have to admit it was one of the most relaxed dinners I have ever done. There was no time to spend hours scouring my house, no time to plan and decide a menu, no time to worry how the meal might go wrong or if they would like it.
The Lord is still teaching me and molding me. I believe my gift is hospitality. And the Lord is showing me that even if I feel I am not ready He will make sure I am able to use my gift. He'll guide me even as I shop even if I am unaware of it.
Extra apples. Extra fish. Bread. Rice. Vegetables. God provides and meets our needs and enables us to serve others with what He's given us.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Can't Believe I wrote that
I have finished the edit of Book One- which is named Remembering Our Love. I have now started editing book 2. This is called Hope Has Crosses. Or Hope's Crosses...iffy on which one I want to use.
Anyways, I wrote Hope Has Crosses in 2007. I wanted to write this book but I was sort of afraid. I kept saying,"What would people think?" "Is it over the top?" Then I decided I would write this book without holding back. I would not ask myself what people might think. I was going to go for it.
Now re-reading the book again I caught myself taking a big breath after the first chapter and going, "Whoa. This is intense." I wrote it. I know. But it's been a while since I wrote it and read it and part of me wondered again.....is it too much for Christian fiction?
It's not a pretty picture painted of the main character Julia. She is down and out. She does everything in the book that any Christian would gasp at. Yet, I wrote this book with a heart that said, "Life is not a fairy tale. Yes, I grew up in a Christian home with a loving family and had a nice life. But so many others have not." Your heart will break for Julia as she reaches the edge. My own heart broke so many times writing the story. I believe this book and book three were the hardest stories I have ever written.
To some it may seem silly but if my heart is not in my books and invested in my characters how can I ask anyone else to invest their hearts into my books? I want to write life changing fiction. I want people to read my stories and say, "Whoa."
I make sure the gospel message is clear in every book so if someone who is unsaved ever picks one up then they have a clear presentation of the gospel.
And for believers I would hope my book would offer encouragement, stronger faith, and an adoration for a God who would save the most unlovable of us all.
Anyways, I wrote Hope Has Crosses in 2007. I wanted to write this book but I was sort of afraid. I kept saying,"What would people think?" "Is it over the top?" Then I decided I would write this book without holding back. I would not ask myself what people might think. I was going to go for it.
Now re-reading the book again I caught myself taking a big breath after the first chapter and going, "Whoa. This is intense." I wrote it. I know. But it's been a while since I wrote it and read it and part of me wondered again.....is it too much for Christian fiction?
It's not a pretty picture painted of the main character Julia. She is down and out. She does everything in the book that any Christian would gasp at. Yet, I wrote this book with a heart that said, "Life is not a fairy tale. Yes, I grew up in a Christian home with a loving family and had a nice life. But so many others have not." Your heart will break for Julia as she reaches the edge. My own heart broke so many times writing the story. I believe this book and book three were the hardest stories I have ever written.
To some it may seem silly but if my heart is not in my books and invested in my characters how can I ask anyone else to invest their hearts into my books? I want to write life changing fiction. I want people to read my stories and say, "Whoa."
I make sure the gospel message is clear in every book so if someone who is unsaved ever picks one up then they have a clear presentation of the gospel.
And for believers I would hope my book would offer encouragement, stronger faith, and an adoration for a God who would save the most unlovable of us all.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Inhaler Nerd
Not too much in life annoys me. People smacking gum annoys me. The car beeping because your keys are in it and the door is open annoys me. But they are small things. I know. I don't tend to be one of these people who will get all up in arms over something. I am generally a very happy person and I like to make people laugh and I like to have a good time.
I also like movies. I like action movies mostly. Don't ask me why. I just do. But even more than a poorly delivered line or a crocodinosaur or a man eating slug or something insane like that; the thing in movies that annoys me is the fact that if there is an asthmatic in a movie then they are a nerd or a wimp or weak or a loser.
I know. What does it matter? Well, in this world of Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, and blogging there comes a freedom to express ourselves or tell our friends what we just ate or to make big announcements all for the public to see. So why can't I express my annoyance over this matter?
I challenge people to name ONE movie in which there was someone with asthma and they were strong or the main character or not a pitiful weakling sucking on an inhaler at the first sight of a bully.
First of all, I have asthma. I've had it pretty much since I was born. It's gotten better as I have gotten older. I used to be embarrassed about my asthma, thanks to a very unkind principle. I was the kid always puffing on an inhaler or taking breathing treatments just so I could get a breath of air. I spent time in the back of ambulances and in hospitals being given steroids when I couldn't breath. But in no way do I consider myself a wimp or a nerd.
I was able to participate in sports like softball, soccer, cheer leading, and golf. I rode my bike, I ran.
Will I get up in arms over the fact that people with asthma are often portrayed in movies as weaklings or nerds? No. It doesn't really bother me....just annoys me. :o)
Just once I would like to see a macho man with asthma or a tough guy or a tough girl for that matter. I know football players who have asthma...o.k. so not personally but I know there are some...at least I am pretty sure.....
Anyways, if you can find ONE movie, ONE character, who has had asthma in a movie and NOT been the weakling, the wimp, the nerd...then let me know. I am very interested to see if there are any. I've never seen one.
I also like movies. I like action movies mostly. Don't ask me why. I just do. But even more than a poorly delivered line or a crocodinosaur or a man eating slug or something insane like that; the thing in movies that annoys me is the fact that if there is an asthmatic in a movie then they are a nerd or a wimp or weak or a loser.
I know. What does it matter? Well, in this world of Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, and blogging there comes a freedom to express ourselves or tell our friends what we just ate or to make big announcements all for the public to see. So why can't I express my annoyance over this matter?
I challenge people to name ONE movie in which there was someone with asthma and they were strong or the main character or not a pitiful weakling sucking on an inhaler at the first sight of a bully.
First of all, I have asthma. I've had it pretty much since I was born. It's gotten better as I have gotten older. I used to be embarrassed about my asthma, thanks to a very unkind principle. I was the kid always puffing on an inhaler or taking breathing treatments just so I could get a breath of air. I spent time in the back of ambulances and in hospitals being given steroids when I couldn't breath. But in no way do I consider myself a wimp or a nerd.
I was able to participate in sports like softball, soccer, cheer leading, and golf. I rode my bike, I ran.
Will I get up in arms over the fact that people with asthma are often portrayed in movies as weaklings or nerds? No. It doesn't really bother me....just annoys me. :o)
Just once I would like to see a macho man with asthma or a tough guy or a tough girl for that matter. I know football players who have asthma...o.k. so not personally but I know there are some...at least I am pretty sure.....
Anyways, if you can find ONE movie, ONE character, who has had asthma in a movie and NOT been the weakling, the wimp, the nerd...then let me know. I am very interested to see if there are any. I've never seen one.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
I forgot
This week I started back at the gym. For the longest time going to the gym was a given. I went even when I did not feel like it. But for months now it has been an off and on kind of thing. I would still go for a walk or do a video at home but I was not really getting that intense workout like I would at the gym.
So Monday came and I told my husband I was going to go to the gym. That night after I put the kids in bed I did not want to go. I was tired. It had been a long day and sitting on the couch and watching t.v. or just talking with Chris sounded great to me. As a matter fact it had become a habit as of late to do these things.
I went anyways.
I loved it! I forgot how good it feels to get your heart pumping, to listen to my music and tune out the world and tune into my body.
I forgot how fun it is to get on the treadmill and run!
I was not planning on running Monday. Any runner knows that unless you keep running then it's like starting over. When I was running all the time last year I could run a 8 minute mile. That was fantastic for me! But when I got the on the treadmill a song came on my MP3 that I used to always run to. And before I knew it was I running.
I hit a mental block after like 3 minutes- no joke. My head said, "You can't run. It's been too long. This is hard. My shins hurt. You don't need to run. Just stop." Then I found that zone. You know? The zone where everything in your head that says, "You can't" gets turned off and your stride is perfect and your step is perfect and your breathing is perfect. Needless to say I only ran a mile on Monday but it was a good mile, if that makes sense.
I enjoyed it. I loved it! Even though my poor sneakers have way too many miles on them and the tread is actually coming away from the bottom of my shoe.....hmmm I need new sneakers.
I also remembered why I loved running in the first place. It just feels good! It's fun. And I missed it. Besides, in some ways it's like being a kid again. You get to go fast! ha ha
Anyways, I was able to go to the gym on Tuesday, I did not run though. I did a lot of weights and then cardio on the elliptical. I plan on going tonight and you know what? I am looking forward to going tonight. :o)
So Monday came and I told my husband I was going to go to the gym. That night after I put the kids in bed I did not want to go. I was tired. It had been a long day and sitting on the couch and watching t.v. or just talking with Chris sounded great to me. As a matter fact it had become a habit as of late to do these things.
I went anyways.
I loved it! I forgot how good it feels to get your heart pumping, to listen to my music and tune out the world and tune into my body.
I forgot how fun it is to get on the treadmill and run!
I was not planning on running Monday. Any runner knows that unless you keep running then it's like starting over. When I was running all the time last year I could run a 8 minute mile. That was fantastic for me! But when I got the on the treadmill a song came on my MP3 that I used to always run to. And before I knew it was I running.
I hit a mental block after like 3 minutes- no joke. My head said, "You can't run. It's been too long. This is hard. My shins hurt. You don't need to run. Just stop." Then I found that zone. You know? The zone where everything in your head that says, "You can't" gets turned off and your stride is perfect and your step is perfect and your breathing is perfect. Needless to say I only ran a mile on Monday but it was a good mile, if that makes sense.
I enjoyed it. I loved it! Even though my poor sneakers have way too many miles on them and the tread is actually coming away from the bottom of my shoe.....hmmm I need new sneakers.
I also remembered why I loved running in the first place. It just feels good! It's fun. And I missed it. Besides, in some ways it's like being a kid again. You get to go fast! ha ha
Anyways, I was able to go to the gym on Tuesday, I did not run though. I did a lot of weights and then cardio on the elliptical. I plan on going tonight and you know what? I am looking forward to going tonight. :o)
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