Thank you for sharing from your heart this difficult part of your life. It’s been a long road of healing journey for you. It’s so encouraging to hear after all these years of illnesses, challenges, disappointments etc, you can say you are happy with who you are and where you are at! You have grown so much through it all and I’m so thankful God has created you very strong, determined and stubborn! Like me and all of us fam, haha. What you have been through is not for the faint-hearted. You are a beautiful soul and I’m so blessed to have you as my daughter, Erichan❤️ Keep going!
おかあさん, ありがとう! This was so sweet. 🥲 Funny, I first wrote “it’s a family trait” near that stubborn sentence—haha! Hey, it’s certainly helped me in many areas.
"I learn the path to acceptance often starts with grief." - If that's not the truth. I'm heartened to read that while you're experiencing so much pain and exhaustion and hardships that you're resolute to keep moving forward. It's difficult, no doubt, but necessary. I wish you to keep feeling stronger and living fully and realizing your dreams.
You are incredible. Not because you know how to write the most beautiful, heart-wrenching, raw stories but because you somehow, someway stay soft and open despite (and maybe even because) of the pain. You defy the norms. You are a hero to me, a constant source of inspiration, a safe place, and a source of joy upon joy upon joy. Thank you for sharing this and for sharing your life.
I appreciate your vulnerability in sharing. I’ve had my disability my whole life so I can’t imagine the stress and heartbreak of losing abilities you once had
You’re welcome! Joni Erackson Tada has been a quadriplegic for over 50 years after a diving accident at age 17. She runs an organization for people with disabilities called Joni and Friends. She has been happily married for 40 years.
Nick Vujuic is an author, husband, and father who was born without arms or legs.
We Carry Kevan is an organization that makes backpacks for people with muscular atrophy disease like the founder Kevan Chandler. His friends carried him in a backpack across Europe
Ahhh yes. ❤️ Joni Eareckson Tada is one of my heroes. I attended the Christian Institute of Disability through her organization! Her book "When God Weeps" changed my life.
You'll see on this post's comments that I mentioned to Kelly (another reader) about Hope Heals. Have you heard of them? I started volunteering with their camp in 2018 and it feels like heaven on earth. 🥹
I also live with chronic illness and disability, and appreciate that you didn't tie this up with a bow. The reality of ongoing illness is that there isn't a guarantee of a diagnosis or a cure, and yet we can still live beautiful lives in the midst of the struggles that come with that. I've been reading a memoir called "Some of Us Just Fall" by Polly Atkin (who lives with EDS among other chronic illnesses) and I've been feeling really seen by it.
Kelly, thank you for reading! And for a book recommendation! Those are always my favorite. 🤩 I put this one on my list.
I saw from your about page that you have long COVID. That’s so hard. I haven’t received a diagnosis, but it certainly seems that’s why my health has been awful since getting COVID a second time. You’re absolutely right that we can still live beautiful lives in the midst of it, though.
Are you familiar with the organization Hope Heals? Katherine Wolf’s story is amazing. She and her sister-in-law, Alex, just published a book called “Treasures in the Dark” this week. The reflections are already meeting me where I’m at. So healing.
Thank you for sharing from your heart this difficult part of your life. It’s been a long road of healing journey for you. It’s so encouraging to hear after all these years of illnesses, challenges, disappointments etc, you can say you are happy with who you are and where you are at! You have grown so much through it all and I’m so thankful God has created you very strong, determined and stubborn! Like me and all of us fam, haha. What you have been through is not for the faint-hearted. You are a beautiful soul and I’m so blessed to have you as my daughter, Erichan❤️ Keep going!
Love you tons!
おかあさん, ありがとう! This was so sweet. 🥲 Funny, I first wrote “it’s a family trait” near that stubborn sentence—haha! Hey, it’s certainly helped me in many areas.
Love you too. 💗
"I learn the path to acceptance often starts with grief." - If that's not the truth. I'm heartened to read that while you're experiencing so much pain and exhaustion and hardships that you're resolute to keep moving forward. It's difficult, no doubt, but necessary. I wish you to keep feeling stronger and living fully and realizing your dreams.
Your words have bolstered me today. Thank you.
I am so glad.🙂
I am so proud to be married to you
🥰
Thank you so much for sharing your story, Erika. 😘
And I appreciate you reading! You are always so supportive, Rebecca!
You are incredible. Not because you know how to write the most beautiful, heart-wrenching, raw stories but because you somehow, someway stay soft and open despite (and maybe even because) of the pain. You defy the norms. You are a hero to me, a constant source of inspiration, a safe place, and a source of joy upon joy upon joy. Thank you for sharing this and for sharing your life.
Will I ever find words to tell you how much this comment means to me?? How much YOU mean to me?? 😭😭
I appreciate your vulnerability in sharing. I’ve had my disability my whole life so I can’t imagine the stress and heartbreak of losing abilities you once had
Thanks for reading and for your empathy! Are there any disabled writers, artists, or thought-leaders whose work you enjoy? I’d love to know.
You’re welcome! Joni Erackson Tada has been a quadriplegic for over 50 years after a diving accident at age 17. She runs an organization for people with disabilities called Joni and Friends. She has been happily married for 40 years.
Nick Vujuic is an author, husband, and father who was born without arms or legs.
We Carry Kevan is an organization that makes backpacks for people with muscular atrophy disease like the founder Kevan Chandler. His friends carried him in a backpack across Europe
Ahhh yes. ❤️ Joni Eareckson Tada is one of my heroes. I attended the Christian Institute of Disability through her organization! Her book "When God Weeps" changed my life.
You'll see on this post's comments that I mentioned to Kelly (another reader) about Hope Heals. Have you heard of them? I started volunteering with their camp in 2018 and it feels like heaven on earth. 🥹
I also live with chronic illness and disability, and appreciate that you didn't tie this up with a bow. The reality of ongoing illness is that there isn't a guarantee of a diagnosis or a cure, and yet we can still live beautiful lives in the midst of the struggles that come with that. I've been reading a memoir called "Some of Us Just Fall" by Polly Atkin (who lives with EDS among other chronic illnesses) and I've been feeling really seen by it.
Kelly, thank you for reading! And for a book recommendation! Those are always my favorite. 🤩 I put this one on my list.
I saw from your about page that you have long COVID. That’s so hard. I haven’t received a diagnosis, but it certainly seems that’s why my health has been awful since getting COVID a second time. You’re absolutely right that we can still live beautiful lives in the midst of it, though.
Are you familiar with the organization Hope Heals? Katherine Wolf’s story is amazing. She and her sister-in-law, Alex, just published a book called “Treasures in the Dark” this week. The reflections are already meeting me where I’m at. So healing.
I’m sorry Long COVID may be part of what you’re experiencing too! I haven’t heard of Hope Heals, but will check it out!
Thank you so much! Let me know if you have any questions about Hope Heals. Their camps are one of the best places to be.