tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193202042024-03-05T12:16:50.781-08:00WITTICISMSLiving and laughing with a disability - cerebral palsy; ordinary life, extraordinary circumstances.Troy Wittrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06515564883710018897noreply@blogger.comBlogger1280125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19320204.post-92007472382831490822015-09-13T21:05:00.000-07:002015-09-13T21:05:36.202-07:00It's been awhile...Yes, it has been awhile since I've tended to my blog.<br />
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Our son, Eric, graduated high school last year (2014). He has just begun his second year of college. Even though he is only an hour away, and he comes home for school breaks and occasional weekends, we have experienced empty nesters syndrome.<br />
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Life goes along. Things slowly change. You don't see the change until one day you start thinking about today and what is different now from back however long ago.<br />
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When a child leaves the home, it is different.<br />
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When we dropped Eric off at college last year, I cried when we said goodbye. Selfish, I know. My mind was flooded with thoughts. Bringing Eric home from the hospital when he was born, crawling on the floor with him, t-ball, baseball, basketball, school functions, scout activities. Everything we did for eighteen years revolved around him.<br />
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Suddenly, it's time to step away. He doesn't need us anymore. Well, that's how it felt at first. As the days and weeks passed, and the phone calls and texting increased, I realize that he still does need us -- and always will -- just in different ways.<br />
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His second year of college has just begun. He loves being back at school with his friends. I'm happy that he is happy back at school. <br />
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When he does come home to see is, he is happier to see us.<br />
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Life is quieter for us now. Sometimes we miss having a baseball game to go to, but sometimes the quieter life is nice.<br />
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Life changes. It's better to accept it than to fight it. <br />
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Our son is out making his own mark on the world, making us very proud. <br />
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Seeing the sparkle of the beginning of the new chapter has helped me get my mind off the sadness of seeing the last chapter close.<br />
<br />Troy Wittrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06515564883710018897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19320204.post-65149368141380131502014-07-20T21:06:00.001-07:002014-07-20T21:06:12.509-07:00Out and about...I had to run to the store this afternoon. We ran out of an essential item for then throne room.<br />
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I use to be bolder. I was out and about all the time. Going to the store was no big deal.<br />
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As I get older, staying home an going out seems more an more appealing. I just don't like the hassle of my disability, for myself and for others around me. Home is a controlled environment. The outside world is not.<br />
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I drove to Fred Meyers in Wood Village. I parked our Sprinter van far out in the parking lot. I like to have room to run our rear lift, and to be able to pull out without backing up.<br />
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People drive crazy through parking lots. I saw two vehicles driving opposite ways in the row I was parked in, and a third driving perpendicular across the parking spaces. There was nearly a three-way crash right in front of me. I wonder how many parking lot accidents they have there.<br />
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A drawback to parking that far out in the parking lot is having to ride my scooter a good ways through the lot before there is a curb cut to the sidewalk. I know when I hear a car running to stop and wait until they back up, or until I know they see me. It's not always easy to figure that out. The car can be running for awhile, they are not moving, but I can't tell if they seed me.<br />
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I went in the store and grabbed one of the small hand shopping baskets. I put it on the floor of my scooter. I can get a decent amount of stuff. If I get too much, as is always the temptation, stuff starts falling off the scooter...and that is not fun.<br />
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Motoring my way down the aisles. I get that people need time to study what is on the shelf, but please make room for people to get by. <br />
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When I come to the end of aisles, I have learned to creep slowly out. I have had people run into me with their carts, and then look at me like it's my fault. I wish stores had mirrors overhead to help with the end of aisle blind spots.<br />
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Reaching for stuff from the scooter can be hard. I can't reach the higher shelves, so I often settle for the stuff I can reach.<br />
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I was reaching for a box of waffles (my breakfast of champions :)....). A lady saw me reaching in vain. She came over and reached them for me. So, so, nice. Lot's of people are nice that way. I hate depending on the kindness of strangers, but sometimes I need call down the independent bulldog inside of me and accept the kindness.<br />
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I went to check out and put everything up on the conveyor belt. I was having trouble reaching to swipe my debit card, so I handed it to the clerk and she swiped it for me. I was able to punch in my code today, but sometimes I need to ask for help with that as well.<br />
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Boring stuff, perhaps. Getting older...I am 50. Still working full time, so that gets me out of the house, as well as going to my son's baseball games.<br />
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Eric goes away to college in a month. Another chapter.<br />
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It's just that I can foresee a day when I'm not out and about much, and that appeals to me more and more.<br />
<br />Troy Wittrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06515564883710018897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19320204.post-63755391234623240812014-07-19T23:14:00.000-07:002014-07-19T23:14:47.937-07:00Today the sidewalk was blocked...and we were bummed....Jodie and I are baseball parents. We try to make every game that our son, Eric, plays.<br />
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Today we had a double header at Madison. Eric played summer ball for them a couple years ago. The only curb cut is on the corner of 82nd and NE Thompson. We travel the street down to the busy corner, then ride the sidewalk back to the skinny gate and bumpy grass trail that goes to the baseball field.<br />
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Today the sidewalk was blocked...and we were bummed.<br />
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I'm not good with my phone camera, but here are some shots I took today:<br />
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I rode my scooter to the parking lot above. No way in there.<br />
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This is the only ramp near the baseball field.<br />
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The sidewalk was blocked.<br />
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No curb cut near the gate.<br />
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We sat in the street watching the game from the outfield fence. People kept coming by to check on us. They missed having us with them to cheer the boys on. That made us feel good.<br />
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Accessibility gets a lot of lip service, but it is not understood until you deal with it yourself, or with a loved one you are assisting.<br />
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For some of us, accessibility, or finding a way around barriers, is a way of life.<br />
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;)<br />
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<br />Troy Wittrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06515564883710018897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19320204.post-35759056187252511482014-04-14T22:16:00.001-07:002014-04-14T22:27:02.191-07:00It's not the kite...I was not familiar with Pharrell until I saw him on tv a couple times recently. I'm not normally dialed into his style of hip hop. I'm an old fart. Classic rock, old country...70's and 80's.<br /><br />Pharrell's song "Happy" is seriously addictive. As I write this, I am dialed into <a href="http://24hoursofhappy.com/">24hoursofhappy</a>.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pharrell-williams-happy-and-grateful/">words of wisdom that Pharrell shared on </a><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pharrell-williams-happy-and-grateful/">CBS Sunday Morning</a> struck a cord in me that needed striking.<br /><br />Success..."making it"...fulfillment. If you have "made it", so my words might not resonate with you. <br /><br />Me...I always have had a feeling that I need to obtain a level of success that I never quite reach. There is something great I need to do, but I don't know if I will ever do it...or even figure out what it is.<br /><br />Ok, I am a "type A" wannabe trapped in a "type B" body...probably the worst of my disabilities.<br /><br />Reporter Anthony Mason tries to get Pharrell to focus on his success. Now that he has "made it", will he repeat his success? He does not see it that way. Rather, Pharrell focuses on being grateful for every single person who has impacted his life to bring him to this success. He sees that the "stars have aligned" for his current success, and that does not happen for everyone, and it may never happen again for him.<br /><br />Pharrell said in the interview, "It's not all you. It can't be all you. Just like you need air to fly a kite, it's not the kite. It's the air."<br /><br />Thinking about my own life. Seeking success, trying to make the stars align, is like chasing a mirage. I'll never get there because it's not a destination.<br /><br />Realizing the people in my life...Jodie, Eric, my family and friends, my teachers and my mentors...it's all the air.<br /><br />We are all "kites" for ourselves and part of the "air" for those around us. Kites do not soar without air. Our focus should be set on being the best air we can be for those around us. <br />Happiness is a journey, not a destination.<br /><br />It's not the kite.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
Troy Wittrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06515564883710018897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19320204.post-77306367954039416022014-04-07T22:17:00.002-07:002014-04-07T22:17:34.378-07:00Changes...sigh...I took a nasty fall in my bedroom, ramming my chest in the corner of the hope chest. I think I bruised some ribs. My doctor felt all around...nothing appeared broken...but I had a lot of pain for several weeks.<br />
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Jodie told the doctor I have been falling more. Yes, I had to agree. My doctor referred me to a specialist who knows more about figuring out such things. He referred me to physical therapy.<br />
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My walking gait has always been on the wild side. I had braces as a kid, until a doctor in California told my parents that my braces were not correcting anything, that they were really more of a hindrance.<br />
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When I finished college and was still living in Corvallis, I tried braces again - AFO's (ankle foot orthotic). My doctor and therapist were both very concerned with my ankle movement, telling me that if I ever rolled my ankle that my recovery could take a long time, and my ability to walk could be in jeopardy. At the time I was learning how to drive, and the AFO's seemed to be getting in the way.<br />
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I went and saw the therapist last December. She pretty much freaked out as she watched the motions of my feet and legs as I walk. AFO's for sure. Considering that I am getting older, and that I want to stay as mobile as I can for as long as I can, I agreed.<br />
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Life is different for me now with the AFO's. Instead of slipping on my shoes and tying them, I put on the plastic ankle piece, then I slide my foot into a plastic piece that goes from my toes up to the top of my calf. There is a velcro strap that I need to thread through a metal thing. I takes me time. Then I shove my braced foot into my size 11, 4E, New Balance 555's. Fifteen to 20 minutes, depending how my involuntary motions are doing.<br />
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I do walk better now, but it is harder for me to free walk. I use my walker more. It seems like using a walker is portrayed negatively in our society, like giving in to your weakness. I am starting to view my walker more like a pair of glasses, a tool that I need to function.<br />
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Standing up from a sitting position is harder because I am using different muscles. I feel more unstable walking around the van to help Jodie up and down the lift. I am using my walker more to help me.<br />
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Everything takes more time and energy. Some things Jodie is helping me do, like taking recycles out to the garage. She also lets me use her powerchair as a walker, with her driving it real slow. She likes that she can do more for me. I try to see it that way, but I feel bad that some of my abilities are slipping away.<br />
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Sigh...Troy Wittrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06515564883710018897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19320204.post-73276911345989882592014-03-22T21:16:00.000-07:002014-03-22T21:16:18.345-07:00My glasses broke...Can I see your insurance card?Jodie was washing my eyeglasses yesterday morning before work. As she was drying them, they snapped into two pieces. No biggy...it would have happened to me just as easy.<br />
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These were bifocals that broke. I found some old single lens glasses that I dug out so that I can see to drive. <br />
Today I took my broken glasses to my eye doctor's shop. We like that the shop has Saturday hours. I've been going to him for 15 years or so. Jodie has gone to him since she was in high school. Dr. Clay has done a lot for her very unique sight issues.<br />
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Jodie stayed in the van...one less time for me to run out lift. I got my walker out. Jodie handed me the baggy with my broken glasses. <br />
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I walked into the shop. A lady from behind the reception desk helped me with the second door. <br />
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She said, "Is someone coming in with you?"<br />
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It surprised me and irritated me. I thought, "Does someone need to come in with me?"...but I said, "No."<br />
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I gave her the baggy with my broken glasses and I asked "Can you fix these?"<br />
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Her answer was "No." Not a huge surprise. She did have a card for a place that could weld them together.<br />
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I am overdue an eye exam and new set of glasses with my insurance. I asked for an appointment wit Dr. Clay. <br />
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Then, I got the look..."your disabled, so you must be on medicare..."<br />
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She asked, "Can I see your insurance card?"<br />
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She took it to the computer and ran my card. She found out "Wow...he really does have insurance...and he is a customer here!"<br />
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She asked me if was an emergency. Kind of evident I thought, but, easy going guy that I am, I said, "Not really."<br />
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So, a week from Monday I have an eye appointment with Dr. Clay. I wonder if I should take Jodie with me in case I need to fill out paperwork?<br />
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Being disabled sucks sometimes. No, I didn't just say that. <br />
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Honestly, I am well adjusted...;)<br />
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<br />Troy Wittrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06515564883710018897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19320204.post-91100500770567994742014-02-17T22:06:00.001-08:002014-02-17T22:06:59.870-08:00One thing I can do...Twenty five years ago, a group of friends gathered with me at Plush Pippin in Beaverton. A pie shop seemed a fitting place to celebrate my 25th birthday.<br />
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Please don't do the math.<br />
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Life really was not going my way at the time. College was a couple years behind me. I worked six months as an assistant editor with World Christian magazine. Due to a lack of funds, both my own and the magazine's, I had to quit and move home.<br />
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No job, no girlfriend...I had a lot of reasons to be bummed, but I wasn't. I had faith in God and I had my friends. <br />
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That night at the pie shop I asked my friends to give my their definition of "reality". Why? The most honest answer is...I don't know. Maybe I was looking at life, where I had been, where I was, where I was going. I have always lived within the narrative that runs in my head. Maybe I felt the need to be pulled out of that narrative for a moment.<br />
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Troy S. had the best answer...okay, it's the only one I remember. "Reality is when what you think you know equals what you know."<br />
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In the months that followed, I began volunteering for the Department of Human Services in Hillsboro, working on a Lotus 123 spreadsheet to track volunteer hours. Also, I met up with Jodie, a classmate from where I spent my early elementary school days. We attended Holladay Center in Portland, a school for the disabled. We had both been mainstreamed in separate directions. When I saw her leading a support group for the disabled at New Hope Community Church, it was our first reunion in 16 years.<br />
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A year after my "reality" birthday party. I was working as an office specialist with the Children's Services Division, and I was engaged to be married.<br />
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Twenty four years later...again, no math please...I look at where the lines of my life have fallen. I can say that I have been truly blessed.<br />
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Jodie and I have been married 23 years. We are both working for DHS Child Welfare. Eric, our miracle child, was born 18 years ago. That is a book that we have yet to write!<br />
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The "reality" question is still a good one. I still get caught listening to the narrative that runs inside my head. I have not done enough in my life, I haven't gone far enough in my career, I have not written that book yet, am I a good husband...am I a good day...all this stuff goes through my head as I reach that more mature age.<br />
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I'm convinced that some of us never quite grow up, and that I am one of those.<br />
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There has to be a new question for this stage of life. Just what Is that question?<br />
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Hmm...let me think...<br />
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Something simple that will not burden me. Something profound that will allow me to soar.<br />
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What is one thing that I can do today to make life better for someone else?<br />
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Yeah...I like that.<br />
<br />Troy Wittrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06515564883710018897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19320204.post-79837573710953698332014-01-16T21:41:00.001-08:002014-01-16T21:41:33.661-08:00I don't do paperwork very well...Being disabled is a pain in the but sometimes, as I'm sure you can imagine. <br />
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Today I had an appointment to have my feet and lower legs molded for something I will be blogging about in the near future. Cliff hanger! ;)<br />
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I pulled into the parking lot, but the lines for the disabled parking were faded. I could not see where to park. I saw a disabled spot on the street by the door, so I took that spot.<br />
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I got my walker out of the van, and walked to the front door, just a few steps away. I pulled the door open and pushed my walker inside the door.<br />
<br />
A receptionist saw me and said "You must be Troy." She seated me and handed me a clipboard with a bunch of papers to fill out. I told her "I don't do paperwork well." She laughed and said "None of us do!"<br />
<br />
I hate asking for help. I probably should have gone beyond "I don't do paperwork well," but the lady was already back in the other room before I could get another word.<br />
<br />
Paper forms and pen. My kryptonite...totally!<br />
<br />
I can do wonderful things on the computer. I drive a big ol' van. I hold down a full-time job. I use to hand write when I was in school. I have a signature stamp at work and I have Google Docs on my smartphone. I rarely hand write anything anymore.<br />
<br />
Faced with forms to complete and a pen...I tried<br />
<br />
Last name...first name...social security number...phone..group id...emergency contact...on and on.<br />
<br />
I tried to stay within the allotted spaces, but I couldn't. I tried my best...but it was not very good.<br />
<br />
The receptionist came back. Older lady, classic receptionist type. <br />
She saw the form I was working on. <br />
<br />
A look of horror came across her face. I could read he mind "Oh my God, he really can't write!"<br />
<br />
Rather than offering to help me complete the form, she asked for my drivers license so she could make a copy of it, then circled a couple spots for me to sign.<br />
<br />
I felt stupid and embarrassed...all those things.<br />
<br />
When I told Jodie what had happened, she was mad at herself for not coming with me. We have a symbiotic relationship. I drive her to her appointments...she comes with me to my first appointments to do all the paperwork.<br />
<br />
I don't know why, but we weren't expecting paperwork at this appointment. Everything about me is on the computer.<br />
<br />
Sometimes it would be nice to not be disabled.<br />
<br />
Sigh...<br />
<br />
<br />Troy Wittrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06515564883710018897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19320204.post-1053218699680917632014-01-02T22:43:00.000-08:002014-01-02T22:43:11.790-08:00Thank you Abbey CurranYes, Jodie and I watch the show <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1991410/" target="_blank">"Dance Moms"</a> with the tough as nails dance instructor Abby Lee Miller, driving little girls to tears and dance moms to cat fights.<br />
<br />
There is another Abbey - Abbey Curran. Rather than being a dance instructor, she is a beauty queen...<a href="http://www.abbeyncurran.com/" target="_blank">Miss Iowa 2008</a>. She is unique in the world of pageants because she has cerebral palsy. <br />
<br />
Rather than yelling at little girls in an attempt to draw out their best talents, Abbey Curran hosts a special kind of beauty pageant for kids with special needs. It is called the <a href="http://www.missyoucandoit.com/" target="_blank">'Miss you can do it'</a> pageant.<br />
<br />
The purpose of this pageant is less about competition and more about showing young girls with various disabilities and special needs that they are beautiful, that they matter, and that they can dream dreams that can come true just like any other girl. <br />
<br />
A movie was made of the pageant, appropriately titled <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2276000/" target="_blank">"Miss You Can Do It."</a> Watch it yourself to be inspired by kids who are facing tough odds, their families who love and support them, and the love and grace that Abbey and the other pageant officials show toward the kids to give them a positive experience to remember.<br />
<br />
This is a great movie to show your kids, especially if they need to be reminded of how good they have it and the challenges other kids face.<br />
<br />
Yes, Jodie and I had tears as we watched this movie. A different kind of beauty that this world is normally way to blind to see.<br />
<br />
Thank you Abbey Curran.<br />
<br />Troy Wittrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06515564883710018897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19320204.post-3010184793952899472013-12-30T23:17:00.000-08:002013-12-30T23:17:25.830-08:00Bill and II wrote about going to Bill Porter's funeral yesterday. I didn't want to clutter my tribute to Bill yesterday, but what I went through getting from my van into the church made me think "what would Bill do?"<br />
<br />
I found the disabled parking spaces at St. Henry's Catholic church in Gresham. I pulled my walker out of the van. There were some doors near where I parked, but the looked like back doors, private entrances. They did not look like entrances to the church.<br />
<br />
I walked around to the front of the church. It was a good distance for me, but if Bill could walk ten miles a day, I could handle this. There might be a handicapped entrance at the back of the church that just was not obvious to me.<br />
<br />
When I made it to the front of the church, I found three stairs to go up on the sidewalk leading to the church entrance. I realized that I could walk a greater distance to avoid the stairs, but I was getting tired, and the service was about to begin.<br />
<br />
I was just going to fold my walker and drag it up the stairs. A bit crazy, I know, but like Bill and most other disabled people out there...you spend a lot of your life figuring out ways to do things that nobody else thinks you can do.<br />
<br />
Just as I was about to do my crazy deed, a very kind woman at the top of the steps saw what I was about to do and she offered to help. I thought about being bullheaded and telling the woman, "No thanks. I can do this."<br />
<br />
Instead, I figured the woman was there to honor Bill, a guy with disabilities. Helping me, a guy with disabilities, was probably something she would like to do. She carried my walker up the stairs. I used the handrail to get myself up the stairs. I thanked the lady as we made our way into the church. She held the door for me.<br />
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During the service, it was mentioned how Bill did not like to ask for help. Something we had in common. <br />
<br />
Shelly Brady, whose family adopted Bill after his mother passed, thanked the many people for the help they gave Bill...cleaning his house, getting him to appointments, etc...<br />
<br />
It made me smile. No wanting to ask for help, but knowing when to accept it. <br />
<br />
Bill and I had in common.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Troy Wittrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06515564883710018897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19320204.post-7604745324943525532013-12-29T23:31:00.000-08:002013-12-29T23:31:37.839-08:00Bill Porter, American hero, rest in peace<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I went to Bill Porter’s funeral on Friday to pay my respects to a truly great American hero. Bill passed away on December 3. He was the Portland door-to-door salesman with cerebral palsy who never let his disability be used as an excuse. </span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-1a8c0e93-4264-d5c1-0398-9c84e58eb43e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tom Hallman Jr., who first brought Bill's story to us in 1995 wrote a <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2013/12/bill_porter_portlands_famed_do.html" target="_blank">fine obituary on Bill</a>.</span></span></div>
<br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Like Bill, I was born with cerebral palsy. His cp was similar to mine, but I think Bill's speech was more affected than mine, as also were the involuntary motions in the rest of his body worse than mine. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bill's mom told him he could accomplish whatever he set his mind to do. My mom and dad, my whole family, brought me up to believe I could achieve any goal I set my mind to do.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At his service a story was told of how he went to the employment agency every day for months only to be told that he should stay home, that they had no job for him. Bill's father was a salesman. The only advice Bill could remember from his dad was "Get a job!"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After many turn-downs, his tenacious never-give-up spirit spirit got him a job with the JR Watkins Company, with the toughest door-to-door route in Portland hilliest area.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bill walked ten miles a day, going door to door, selling household products. He was a tenacious salesman, never taking “no” for a final answer. A “no” today might be a “yes” the next week, or the week after, or the week after that...you get the idea.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I went to Oregon State. My favorite job to date is the one I had as a student in college, as a copyeditor on OSU’s Daily Barometer, with a weekly humor column titled “Witticisms.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After college I had a brief stint as an assistant editor with World Christian Magazine, but my support ran low and the magazine went under. I moved home and had to start looking for a job.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">No one told me to stay home and collect a check as Bill was told, but that message was getting through to me with the rejection I was getting. I sent lots of resumes with no response. I worked with Vocational Rehabilitation. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Unlike Bill who spent his life getting around on his feet, I rode a three-wheeled bike through college. After college, I was able to get my driver’s license with the help of Voc Rehab.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One day I volunteered to make a spreadsheet to track volunteer hours for the volunteer coordinator in the Hillsboro Department of Human Services office. That led to a desk job with Child Welfare. That was 24 years ago. Many different desks, but still with Child Welfare.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Less than a year after starting my job, I was married to Jodie. She has cerebral palsy too. In 1995 we had a son.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When I compare my life to Bill’s life, my life seems really soft. Usually, though, I am not comparing my life to Bill’s. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have a theory that as part of the human condition, we all, at times, wish we had another person’s life, but if we had that person’s life, we would rather have our own life back.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">From what I have read and heard about Bill’s life, he was not one to sit still long enough to worry about what could have been if his life had been different. For more than 45 years he did door-to-door sales. Six days a week, with Saturday being his day to call back on customers who </span></span><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px; white-space: pre-wrap;">weren't</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"> home when he went through earlier in the week.</span></span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On Sundays, Bill was in church. Rev. Zach told us at Bill’s service how Bill always sat in the same pew, and how he always walked up front for communion, even though it was a struggle for him.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There were three beautiful bouquets in front of the sanctuary to honor Bill. One of the bouquets was from the Watkins Company. Another bouquet was from the Brady family, the family who adopted Bill as their own after his mother did. The Brady family was up front singing beautifully together for the service. Kathy Brady shared wonderful insights into Bill’s life.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A third bouquet was from an American who is living in Shanghai, calling Bill a “great American hero.” Bill really was. I love the idea of naming the new light rail bridge across the Willamette the “Bill Porter Bridge”. Bill deserves to be honored and remembered.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bill Porter was a great American.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rest in peace Bill.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>Troy Wittrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06515564883710018897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19320204.post-67546068749181838582013-12-14T11:37:00.002-08:002013-12-14T11:37:34.609-08:00The key won't turn!Jodie had her office manager's meeting yesterday. My manager attends the same meeting. I'm allowed the flexibility of transporting Jodie from her meetings to her office with our van.<br />
<br />
I picked Jodie up about 12:30. We drove to Wendy's in Gresham. We got up to the drive-up menu to order. I turned off our van. Our diesel van is so loud that the order takers can't hear us over our loud engine.<br />
<br />
After we gave our order, I tried to turn the key to turn the van back on. It would not turn! <br />
<br />
Jodie tried to turn the key. The world is Troyproof you know. What does not work for me does work for just about everyone else. Also, I can break stuff in ways no one else can. You think I kid. Whatever!!<br />
<br />
Well, the key would not turn for Jodie. Panic was setting.<br />
<br />
Disabled couple in their Big A** van blocking Wendy's drive-up menu. <br />
<br />
I kept jiggle the steering wheel, and the key. I was praying. In out last van I broke the key off in the ignition...that was an expensive fix.<br />
<br />
The key did turn. The van started. We went to park to eat. The key would not turn to turn the van off. We decided to go home. We parked in our drive way. Still, the key would not turn. We ate our lunch with the van running. <br />
<br />
We called the shop. They did not know what would cause the key not to turn, but hey, they never figured out why the van's windshield wiper broke off a few months ago either. They scratched their heads and told me to come into the shop.<br />
<br />
With the interlock system on the van, our lift does not work when the van is running. I went in the house and got Jodie's crutches so she could walk into the house.<br />
<br />
I pulled the van into the shop's garage. I was praying it would not cost much. Did not know which card to put this one on. ;)<br />
<br />
I got my walker out, told the guys "It won't turn off," and headed to the waiting room. The 'or I'll eat my hat!' guy was in his office. "Hi, my friend!" he said.<br />
<br />
In short tine, one of the shop guys came and told me the the key was bent, which it why it was not working. The hammered it straight, but told me to start using another key. No charge...such a nice shop.<br />
<br />
I texted Jodie and headed home. When I opened the garage, Eric came running out.<br />
<br />
"Dad, how did you bend a key?!"<br />
<br />
I reminded him I'm the same guy who rebroke his arm, bending the titanium plate that had been holding it together.<br />
<br />
Troyproof...ya know...Troy Wittrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06515564883710018897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19320204.post-21575364346319888252013-09-03T22:05:00.000-07:002013-09-03T22:05:00.579-07:00Handcycling at PIRThe racetrack at the Portland International speedway is two miles. Did you know that? I don't think I'll ever forget that after tonight.<div>
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Handcycling at the PIR is an event that runs every Tuesday through September.</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/PDXHandcycling">https://www.facebook.com/PDXHandcycling</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
John and Dixie from our church family have been encouraging us to come. John is a racer trying for 4 miles. Dixie hands out fruit, water and encouragement. Many wonderful volunteers are there.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
All abilities...all ages...all skill levels. No cost.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Jodie did great. Her cycle was more upright, steering with her hands. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Me? I kept thinking that I was glad Eric was not there to see how many times I drove off the track into the grass.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The bike I was on steered by leaning your legs. My brain was telling my legs what to do, but my wild legs just weren't moving the way I wanted them to. I kept driving off the track into the grass. Each time there was someone around to help me back onto the track. I was trying to hurry, because there was a guy waiting for my handcycle.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My handcycle had many gears. I didn't use them. I was having trouble staying on track in low gear...why would I go to higher gear?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Jodie stayed with me. She could have easily blown by me.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Physical exercise just isn't much part of my life, but this felt good. We were tired...a good kind of tired.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Will we be out there next Tuesday? Hmm...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Troy Wittrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06515564883710018897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19320204.post-13568493908246430992013-09-02T21:20:00.001-07:002013-09-02T21:20:12.852-07:00Teach your children...we are just like youThis is a top ten list worth sharing:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.braunability.com/abilityvoice/index.php/2013/09/10-things-every-parent-should-teach-their-kids-about-disabilities">» 10 Things Every Parent Should Teach Their Kids About Disabilities | Wheelchair van, handicap van, & wheelchair lift information | AbilityVoice Blog</a><br />
<br />
Kids are naturally curious. The greatest harm we do as adults to kids is anything that`stymies their curiosity. It's okay to stare the "ten second" stare. It's okay to ask questions. <br />
<br />
I like it when Jodie is around to answer kid's questions. The teacher in her handles it beautifully. When I am by myself and I try to speak with kids, kids are more curious of how I am speaking than what I am saying.<br />
<br />
Don't be afraid of us as adults, and don't let your kids be afraid of us. <br />
<br />
Disability is not something we chose. We are as human as you are. We overcome the barriers we can, we deny our disability when we are just plain sick of it. We don't all have super human smarts, or some other super power that offsets our disability.<br />
<br />
We are people just like you. Great sometimes, not so great sometimes...we are human just like you. Teach this to your kids.<br />
<br />
I believe that kids who aren't afraid to acknowledge persons with disabilities or other differences will have a level of compassion that will one day open doors of opportunity for them.<br />
<br />
Kindness benefits both giver and receiver, and it makes the world a better place.Troy Wittrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06515564883710018897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19320204.post-62096242736987677072013-09-01T22:00:00.000-07:002013-09-01T22:00:01.325-07:00Getting out...on the Springwater TrailA bright sunny day in the middle of Labor Day weekend. As true Oregonian, Jodie and I know that sunny days are numbered. <br />
<br />
In a desperate attempt to sponge the remaining precious sunshine, Jodie and I took to the Springwater Trail for a ride. There is a ramp to it a few blocks from our house.<br />
<br />
It's not physical exercise for us. Jodie is in her powerchair, and I am in my scooter. <br />
<br />
It is a different kind of exercise for us. We are homebodies. We work all week in offices, go to church Sundays, go to Eric's baseball games. Other than that, we stay home.<br />
<br />
Home is safe. It is where we recoup from the week...and get our weekly chores done.<br />
<br />
Going out on the Springwater Trail is and adventure that takes us out of our homebody routine.<br />
<br />
We have live in our Gresham community for 15 years. Riding down the trail reminds why we like living here. Walkers, runners, bikers...they all smile and most say "Hello" as they go by.<br />
<br />
I went by a teen boy. I was thinking he would not say anything, but he smiled and said "hi." I was surprised!<br />
<br />
Jodie and I made it to the Main City Park. I guess it's been a long time since we have been there. They have built a beautiful new entrance to the park off the trail, with a special tribute to Gussie Roberts, one of out former mayors. There is now a beautiful wide sidewalk that winds through the park.<br />
<br />
We drove through park and crossed Powell into Downtown Gresham. I saw the antique consignment shop where Eric's girlfriend's family has some stuff. I was mesmerized by the old albums. I found a 1970 Kansas album, which I didn't know existed. Evidently, Wikipedia doesn't know either...I just checked. More research to do...<br />
<br />
Jodie found the dolls. She saw a 1964 calendar she wants to get me. <br />
<br />
The scary thing about looking at antiques is seeing items we remember using in our lifetime, like a pay phone. So, that's a antique? Like really?<br />
<br />
After that, we stopped at Jazzy's Bagels, one of Gresham's treasures for sure. Toasted cheddar cheese with cream cheese on top...just wonderful!<br />
<br />
I know, we are homebodies, and we are that boring!<br />
<br />
;)<br />
<br />
<br />Troy Wittrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06515564883710018897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19320204.post-52650671057561165882013-06-11T08:40:00.000-07:002013-06-11T08:40:08.502-07:00Disability squared<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Its been a week. I was putting my
walker in the van. I fell backward out of the van.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Gone are the days when all that I hurt
in a fall was my pride. I chipped my elbow. I am in a splint as the
swelling lessens. I will be getting a cast on Friday.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Yes, I am typing this with my left
middle finger, with new appreciation for my blogger friend, Glenda,
the <a href="http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/" target="_blank">left thumb blogger.</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Disability squared is what it feels
like – already disabled, dealing with a temporary disability on
top. Not that I am complaining...just another challenge to get
through.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Daytime tv. Newest scandal. GMA.
College baseball. Ellen. Maneuvering one handedly with my walker.
Best friend, Clyde, with his eye on me all day long.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Next week I will be torturing Eric by
having Eric drive me to work. Making a kid get up before 10 in the
summer, evil!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
;)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Troy Wittrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06515564883710018897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19320204.post-13902761203815100312013-06-01T20:46:00.000-07:002013-06-01T22:13:29.744-07:00Changing the symbol for disability...why the fuss?What's in an image? Don Draper would say everything. The Madmen of Madison Ave know that we can easily be manipulated into thinking and feeling pretty much whatever they want us to think and feel...as they think and feel their way to our pocket books.<br />
<br />
The international symbol for disability. The stick figure of a guy in a wheelchair. He and the chair is one. Not a perfect symbol for disability, but it is simple..we all know what it is...why would anyone want to change it up?<br />
<br />
Boingnoing has the story of how New York City has adopted a new international symbol for accessibility:<br />
<br />
http://boingboing.net/2013/05/25/new-york-city-adopts-new-inter.html<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ISA1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ISA1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In the new symbol, the guy looks active. He is using the wheelchair, yes, but he is not one with the chair. He does not look passive; he is in motion.<br />
<br />
Disability is not for sissies. What Jodie and I go through to get ready everyday for work. We are getting older, moving a bit slower...basically dealing with age and disability. The other day I had been on my feet too long in the kitchen doing my morning routine. I was hurting. I decided to skip breakfast. Jodie kinda scolded me...she knows how I get when I haven't eaten.<br />
<br />
Jodie is dealing with lots of new aches and pains and other issues. <br />
<br />
The lift on our van is acting up. We need to get it into the shop. We are a bit nervous, because we don't know how much it will cost us.<br />
<br />
I share this stuff not for sympathy. Disability is not a life we chose. We were born into it. We have fought to overcome obstacles since we were kids. We are overcomers, and I would dare say that most other people dealing with disability are likewise overcomers. <br />
<br />
You can stick with the symbol of the motionless guy that is one with the wheelchair is the proper symbol for disability, or accessibility. I prefer the guy in motion, using a wheelchair as a tool to get where he needs to get. Not sitting, but moving and overcoming. <br />
<br />
<br />
Troy Wittrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06515564883710018897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19320204.post-90979665862676579682013-05-29T22:16:00.001-07:002013-05-29T22:16:33.342-07:00Exit 188I just re-upped this domain, "Witticisms.org" for another 2 years. I suppose I should be saying something on it.<br />
<br />
Having a blog is a responsibility and a curse. I'll think of something interesting to write about, then I'll talk myself out of writing about it, telling myself, "Who'd be interested in that?"<br />
<br />
Jodie just got super excited over a $5 coupon card we got in the mail. See! That's the excitement around here.<br />
<br />
We had some sadness nearly two weeks ago. We took one of our two dogs into be seen at Banfield Pet Clinic. She was acting real listless. As Eric and I took Bonnie in, I had no idea how sick she was. Anemia...not much could be done for her. We had to say goodbye to her.<br />
<br />
Clyde has been looking for Bonnie ever since. When we come home now, Clyde goes nuts and runs throughout the whole house, as if Bonnie may have snuck in the door with us.<br />
<br />
The staff at Banfield sent us a sympathy card, with Bonnie's paw print, and signed by all the staff. They have been seeing Bonnie and Clyde since they were pups eight years ago. The card really meant a lot to us.<br />
<br />
The highlight of our life is our boy and his baseball. He pitched a wonderful 1-0 game against Gaston a couple weeks ago to win a trip to state. KUIK 1360 AM was there. Hearing the radio announcer say "Wittren" over and over again was a thrill!<br />
<br />
A week ago, Jodie's mom and sister, Denise, Jodie and I were roadtriping to Stanfield. Clyde came with us. Yes, he is being spoiled these days...;)<br />
<br />
Exit 188. Stanfield. First stop on the way to the state championship.<br />
<br />
Eric pitched a gem. His Portland Christian teammates played well. We were ahead throughout the game The rain showers seemed to hit only when Eric was pitching. The Stanfield boys battled, and, in the end, they snagged the game.<br />
<br />
Yes, a bummer. The dream of a state championship will have to wait another year. For now, summer ball starts this weekend.<br />
<br />
Eric takes his SAT this weekend. Prayers for him and all the kids out there taking the test.<br />
<br />
We are hoping to visit a few colleges this summer...between the ball games...;)<br />
<br />
Not hugely interesting...I know...but that is what is going on with us.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Troy Wittrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06515564883710018897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19320204.post-4202441465843927122013-03-27T22:19:00.001-07:002013-03-27T22:19:18.483-07:00A mess on the outsideWe were out to dinner with family and friends at the Olive Garden. Jodie was at the head of the table in her powerchair. I was sitting by her, trying to tuck my walker between us...as out of the way as I could.<br />
<br />
An older gentleman came over and started talking to us. His hat said "2nd Ranger" on it and he used to parachute out of planes, "The most fun you can have without getting naked."<br />
<br />
He asked Jodie what she had...then what I have. She told him cerebral palsy. He told us that growing up he had a friend who was like me..."A mess on the outside, but beautiful on the inside".<br />
<br />
Hmm. An interesting way to put it! <br />
<br />
Offended? Na! Older guy, very kind words. I think he probably underestimated us, not realizing that Jodie and I work, have a home, a van...and that the seventeen year-old at the table was ours.<br />
<br />
He asked if we knew Jesus. "Yes we do!"<br />
<br />
He gave Jodie and I each a golden medallion. One side reads: "America, the land of the free, only as long as it remains the home of the brave!"<br />
<br />
The other side reads: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.<br />
<br />
When this guy was leaving, he stopped by and told us what a beautiful family we all were. We thanked him.<br />
<br />
When the bill came, the manager came over and thanked us for coming in. She then told us that someone had anonymously paid $100 toward our gratuity.<br />
<br />
Eric says the guy has spoken at his school, but he cannot remember his name. My Googling fingers failed to find him.<br />
<br />
2nd Ranger guy, from the mess of me outside and whatever beauty my Lord affords me on the inside, thank you!<br />
<br />
Troy Wittrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06515564883710018897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19320204.post-10013300386058171812013-03-18T07:21:00.001-07:002013-03-18T07:21:08.489-07:00Good news...dumbfoundedJodie had a doctor appointment the other day with a neurologist. A month ago Jodie went to see this doctor for the first time so he could refer her for an mri.<br />
<br />
Last summer, our eye tor picked up that Jodie was not seeing in the lower portion of her vision. It's tricky to understand. When you look straight ahead, you can see the floor in your peripheral vision; Jodie cannot. Jodie has been wearing bifocals, but now we know that she can't see out of the lower lens.<br />
<br />
This loss of vision probably happened subtly over the course of years, so slowly that Jodie did not notice the change.<br />
<br />
After a couple field of vision tests over a few months, our eye doctor thought that an mri might be in order to make sure there was not any growth producing pressure in Jodie's head, on the optic nerve, causing Jodie's loss of vision.<br />
<br />
Jodie saw the neurologist last month. He did a few simple tests to witness that Jodie was not seeing in the lower part of her peripheral vision. He then ordered that an mri be done.<br />
<br />
Jodie had the mri three weeks ago. A week after, she called the doctor's office to see if there was any news regarding the mri. After few call backs, the office acknowledged they had the mri results, but that Jodie would need to make an appointment with the doctor to find out the results.<br />
<br />
An appointment was made. Two weeks. It bothered us that they would not tell us the mri results over the phone, and would make us wait two weeks to tell us. <br />
<br />
If there was anything bad in the mri, they wouldn't make us wait two weeks to find out, right? But, if the mri was clear, they would tell us over the phone, or send us a note, wouldn't they? We were confused.<br />
<br />
When Jodie first went to see this doctor a month ago, her mom and sister took her. The doctor's office has a parking garage. Our van is too tall for parking garages. This time I drove Jodie to the office and found street parking with room in the rear for the lift.<br />
<br />
Jodie's mom and sister met us at the appointment. Jodie's sister and I went back with Jodie to meet with the doctor.<br />
<br />
To our amazement, the neurologist acted as if he had not seen Jodie before. He did not seem to really know why we were there. We asked for the mri results. Oh yeh...those. The new mri showed no change over the mri Jodie had done in the 90's. He seemed surprised that we did not already know the results.<br />
<br />
We asked about Jodie's limited vision. He proceeded to test Jodie's peripheral vision himself. He asked whether Jodie really did not see down there, or just did not see in color. He did not have any answers as to why her vision was limited, but that he could refer us to a neurological optometrist.<br />
<br />
We left dumbfounded. A clear mri was good news. Reasons for Jodie's limited vision still elusive. <br />
<br />
Should we be concerned? Who knows...<br />
<br />
<br />Troy Wittrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06515564883710018897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19320204.post-55758922305723987222013-02-27T18:28:00.001-08:002013-02-27T18:28:55.839-08:00Yes God...I know...Last night when Jodie and I got home, <a href="http://wittren.com/jet-white/" target="_blank">our van</a> was spewing white smoke out the front. We panicked. We tried to hurry to get out...which is a snails pace at best.<br />
<br />
I got Jodie down on the lift. The front of the van seemed really hot. When Eric said he thought it was just what he and I had witnessed before, only we had seen it happen when it was raining and the roads were really wet.<br />
<br />
Our favorite nephew Vance came over this morning to look at it. After the van ran awhile, the white smoke was back. I called the shop, and then I dug the card out with the phone number of the tow company that can tow Sprinter vans.<br />
<br />
The cab to the tow truck was twice as high as our van. I don't know how I got in and out...but I managed. ;) <br />
<br />
The tow guy was nice. He had me lead him out of our neighborhood. He turned left on Powell. I would have gone down to Sandy and turned left there, but I figured he knew what he was doing. Turns out he could have used my advice. He was a really nice guy. He was lamenting the fact that his next run was 180 miles away in Yakima to pick up a truck,<br />
<br />
I was soon sitting in the waiting room at Breslin & Wallace. The "or I'll eat my hat!" (Timberline Dodge guy who did commercials before all the Chrysler dealerships were closed...including his) guy was there. He was calling workers of the car lot and telling them which cars needed prepping. He looked at me and said "You need a job?" I said "I have a job!" Now I wish I had waited to see what he was offer me. Who would offer a disabled guy like me a job anyways...;0)<br />
<br />
I was really happy when the guy came out and told me that nothing was wrong. Sprinter vans have many peculiaralities, including an auxiliary heater that heats thee van before the main heater kicks in. Sometimes it just lets off some steam.<br />
<br />
But...we needed a new battery. $250. Was I surprised at the price? Not really. Everything for the sprinter cost more.<br />
<br />
When they changed the battery, it messed up our stereo/video system. The screen did not pop out. The station playing was the Catholic station...the song: "God is in control!" I smiled. Our budget is very tight these days and Jodie and I were both squeamish about how much today.<br />
<br />
Yes, God is in control!<br />
<br />
Sometimes it takes some white smoke...a tow truck ride...a job offer...a messed up stereo...and a two hour nap...to remember that.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Troy Wittrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06515564883710018897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19320204.post-51254660720659194882013-01-26T11:33:00.001-08:002013-01-26T11:33:50.291-08:00Our old home...POOF!Jodie and I lived in three different places during our first three years of marriage. Friend Sam still razes me on that.<br />
<br />
In 1992 we moved into a brand new manufactured home. We bought the home in McMinnville and chose all the amenities inside. We had it moved into Baseline Woods in Aloha, no, it was Beaverton, no, it was Hillsboro. The cab company refused to send us a cab...they said we didn't exist.<br />
<br />
Memories...Jodie and I sitting at the kitchen table with our 3-paneled corner window drinking coffee and watching the world go by...<br />
<br />
...Management telling us to clean our lot from the wood scraps left from the home installers. Boards were frozen to the ground. Old man Frank across the street came over to help. Franked talked to management for us.<br />
<br />
...Jeff and Crystal next door with their little girl. Jeff live for the Fourth of July. He was a pyro! The neighbors gathered a potluck under our carport. Jeff lit off his arsenal of fireworks.<br />
<br />
...The retired neighbors on the other side. She was skeptical of having a disabled couple next door. Watching our every move...it wasn't hard with as close as the homes were together.<br />
<br />
...A favorite memory of mine...Jodie and I had come home for lunch from our jobs at Child Welfare in Hillsboro. Brother-in-law Ken came by and surprised us with pizza. Ken was a bigger than life kind of guy. He was in sales...he could smooze with the best of them. He fought a brain tumor with grace until that December day in '94.<br />
<br />
...The day Jodie told me that something felt different. She thought she might be pregnant. My immature faith: "No, God wouldn't do that to us." I bought more pregnancy tests. Friends Brad and Lori came over. Lori gleefully came out and said "Troy, your going to be a papa!"<br />
<br />
In July of 1995 we move to the eastside of Portland. Jodie's mom ran a daycare and we knew we'd be needing that. We moved into another manufactured home...this one on it's own lot...however micro it was.<br />
<br />
Progress moves us on, but memories never abandon us.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/beaverton/index.ssf/2013/01/polygon_northwest_plans_housin.html">Polygon Northwest plans housing complex for former Aloha mobile home park | OregonLive.com</a>Troy Wittrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06515564883710018897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19320204.post-46911409073857477192013-01-13T22:50:00.001-08:002013-01-13T22:51:16.840-08:00One in the can!I just finished a website for a friend of a friend at work. He has a fishing guide service. <br />
<br />
Brad was paying pretty big bucks for an old-style FrontPage website. I moved it to the WordPress platform...modern, easy to use, very professional. Check it out:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://sidewaysfishing.com/">sidewaysfishing.com</a><br />
<br />
I discovered how wonderful Nextgen Gallery handles photos. From my previous work, handling photos and photo galleries has been somewhat tricky. Nextgen was easy to use and the photo galleries look great.<br />
<br />
A couple tricky things I did in this project. One, I used a fishing template I found at a online fishing magazine. To get the slideshow in the top part area of the template took me hours...ok...days to figure out. By trial and error I finally got it!<br />
<br />
Another feat was that I designed the website on a subdomain for the client to see, then I helped the client move the domain "sidewaysfishing.com" from their old host over to GoDaddy, where I was able to forward the nameserver to my webhost, then I moved the WordPress site I had made on the test subdomain over to the domain.<br />
<br />
And it all worked!<br />
<br />
Technical stuff, I know. I felt a huge sense of accomplishment. I now know that I can successfully walk other clients through this tricky process.<br />
<br />
Anyway, my prices are low and I work hard to make the website exactly how the client wants it. I also maintain the website for you. Check out my portfolio:<br />
<br />
http://givemeastory.com/portfolio/<br />
<br />
If you need a website, please send me an email <a href="mailto:twittren@outlook.com" target="_blank">twittren@outlook.com</a> with details of what you need. I will let you know what I can do for you and give you a bid.<br />
<br />
Help me expand my portfolio.<br />
<br />
;)<br />
<br />
<br />Troy Wittrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06515564883710018897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19320204.post-73725768246131107912013-01-10T22:40:00.001-08:002013-01-10T22:40:08.919-08:00Radical love hits Child Welfare offices<a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/steve_duin/index.ssf/2013/01/steve_duin_a_revolution_in_por.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter">Steve Duin: A revolution in Portland's foster care | OregonLive.com</a><br />
<br />
I work for Child Welfare. My day job. When I started with Child Welfare 23 years ago I knew as little about the agency as you probably do. My first job was typing up dictation and handwritten notes from caseworkers. I quickly learned the ugly truth that bad things are happening not just to kids across the country or Wacross town. It can happen to kids anywhere.<br />
<br />
I moved up from typist to Title IV-E eligibility worker. IV-E is a stream of federal funding that covers a large portion of the costs associated with kids in foster care. I spend my days reading case notes, narratives, court orders and financial screens to piece together IV-E determinations.<br />
<br />
Caseworkers have the tough job. They work hard to make sure kids are safe. The hope is always to get enough services in place that kids can go back home. When that cannot happen the best, safe, alternative is found.<br />
<br />
Some days workers return from court sad. Their careful planning overruled by a judge.<br />
<br />
What these churches did to transform our waiting rooms into more of a family room shows that they realize that kids and families going through trauma are not just an agency's responsibility, but the community's as well.<br />
<br />
Even further, the kindness these churches showed our workers by turning our lounges to places of comfort goes beyond reason, down to the washing of feet if you will. For an agency where bad news can be a front page story in a flash, and good news can be few and far between, with very little notice - this kind of love is, well, radical!<br />
<br />
Thank you...<br />
;)<br />
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<br />Troy Wittrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06515564883710018897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19320204.post-37736687921974585322012-12-30T17:19:00.000-08:002012-12-30T17:25:48.068-08:00Our Big Ass van!Yes, I said the "A" word. We sang the word in a hymn this morning, "What Child is This"...so it is a churchy word...<br />
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Pastor Roger gave a fine sermon today. Questioning and listening...talking about the only episode in Scripture that is recorded about Jesus between the time He was an infant to when He began His three year ministry.<br />
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Roger turns 66 today. We sang "Happy Birthday" to him. Roger is a radical follower of Jesus, very much a <a href="http://koinepdx1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">modern day prophet</a>. I am sure, back in the day, he would say to never trust anyone over 30. I wonder, now is it over 70...or 75? ;) I'm sure Roger will let me know.<br />
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The early service at our church is usually the contemporary service. We have two praise teams that switch off and sing the songs you hear on the contemporary Christian radio stations.<br />
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Today we had no praise teams. We had Katie, our wonderful pianist from the second service, and classic hymns on the overhead screen.<br />
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Yours truly ran the slides from the computer today. Sitting in the back, I like to watch the people. It's fun to see who is engaged...and who is not...during the service.<br />
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Today, I found the hymns to be a refreshing change. I am 48...almost...never mind. Some of the people and families younger than me did not seem to be enjoying the hymns, whereas the people older than me thought they were great.<br />
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My two cents - why not mix the music to give the young some of what they want, and the older set some of what they want. We are family...give and take for the good of all...but what do I know?<br />
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On my way out of the church, I overheard a couple ladies talking. They were saying "Now that was a good service...that is how they should all be!"<br />
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"Okay..." I thought.<br />
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Then, the one lady saw <a href="http://wittren.com/jet-white/" target="_blank">our Sprinter van</a> and started to freak out. "What's that van doing parked there!" <br />
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I was kind of amused. We have had the van over five years now...and driving it to church every Sunday. Most people have seen me load and unload Jodie. Evidently this lady has not. I couldn't figure out why this lady was freaking out over it.<br />
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So our van is blessed with a large behind. How does that affect this lady?<br />
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I love our big ass van...;)<br />
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<br />Troy Wittrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06515564883710018897noreply@blogger.com0