Cheer up Charlie

Sometimes there are things that make me grin. The part of my face that is still paralyzed can't smile or stop smiling on command. Basically if I am truly, honestly, frowning or smiling my face feels like it is permanently stuck in that position. Who knew that Mom's dire warning that; "Your face will get stuck that way!" held any clout.

As of late root beer floats, and this song are two things that have the magical ability to induce perma-grins. That is a cool trick!

A Graduate

ai nɑʊ hæv ə dɪgri ɪn komjunɪkeʃən dɪsɔrdɚs ænd dɛf ɛdjukeʃən!

(IPA for: I now have a degree in communication disorder and deaf education!)

(Senior class) 

I lived! I made it to graduation!

I've had a remarkable education experience, and I'm sincerely grateful to have to received a university degree.The most exciting part of this final semester was the opportunity to be a student clinician. It was the best way to finish my B.S. 

What's next? I applied to the masters programs in Utah and got in, but before I even decided which one I was leaning towards I hit the annual spring slide. Every spring my body gets to a point of exhaustion that makes all my dysautonomia symptoms worse. This spring was hard in new ways one of which was gastroparesis. Because of that, and with the help of some mild coercion I decided to take a year off before going to grad school.

I'm kind of nervous about it. I don't like putting off the rest of my education I'd rather forge ahead and hope good health catches up with me. However I'm starting to think that maybe that isn't how things work.

My doctors have been very reassuring though as the above prescription demonstrates. :)

My biggest fear is that I'll be either too idle, or I'll get caught up in other activities and not give rest/rehab an opportunity to work. Balance is such a tricky skill to master.

Really it's a relief to know that I can rest for a while, and maybe not being in class will give room in my life for other great things!

Skiing

I got to go skiing this weekend. I went with my roommates, and a volunteer organization called Common Ground. It was amazing. They used something called a bi-ski. 

It was so  fun, and was something I never pictured myself doing. I'm feel so lucky to have gotten to go.

Thanks roommates, and thanks Common Ground.