Tag Archives: Life

ALS support group, Giving back, speech on the benefits of pet therapy

My speech to an ALS support group

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2013-09-30 13.43.03

This past Tuesday I did a speech on Pet Therapy to a local ALS group. I had been practicing for weeks as I gathered information to convey to the pals and cals which are patients of ALS and caregiver of ALS. I did draw from experiences as a patient, as a caregiver and having animals in the home who have helped me so much since I first became sick so many years ago.

The group was small and very laid back. It helped that the coordinator of the group is a good friend of mine so she was there to help prompt the members to ask questions as she did herself. But than something interesting happen. She told me that they are very quiet and might not interact. Boy was she wrong. They asked questions, they talked about their experiences and helped move the meeting along. The group consisted of patients, caretakers and a health professional. This is the feedback I received.

Peggy: “Joanna, did you bring Sharon here to just talk to me? She gets what I am going through.”

Ken-health pro-“You did a wonderful job. Very informative.”

Margie-“Could you come back and speak to us again?”

Plus multiple hugs from the ladies.

Before I knew it I was being told I just had five minutes left to wrap it up. I was floored how fast it went. Every bit counts, as far as I am concern, regardless of the size of the group, size of the presentation and the overall reactions I receive. But more importantly it was nice to give back to the community , in a small way, and that for me personally made it worth the work and time it took to do this.

Chatting with Jasper, Jasper Amazon Parrot

A chat with Jasper, Amazon Parrot: Main character of my children’s book series

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This is my Jasper. Most of you know that my family rescued him at the tender age of five in 1999. I have way too many pictures and videos of this bird but he is a ham. If you listen closely you can hear him say, “ I know,” when I say, “You’re pretty.” He also says, “Don’t know,” when I asked him how he was doing. He speaks very well as far as his vocabulary is concerned. But there are two things one needs to know. He will either speak in a tone you an understand or rather low as in this video. Also we can’t command him to speak, he does that on his own terms. A bird who knows what he wants and when he wants to do it. LOL I present Jasper.

Saying no, Slowing down, Time for fun

Slowing down

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I need to slow down. This year has gone by so fast with so many things popping up for me to do or try to do. But also I have been helping others whether it is reading their books to review, critiquing their edits and attending writer’s meetings to mingle. It takes a drain on you and your own writings and other levels. You have to put what needs to be done in perspective whether that includes your writings, your family, your life and your health.

My body reminded me or has been reminding me the last five to six weeks that I am chronically ill for health wise I have been in a lot of pain. I’m in pain daily, it just varies from day-to-day. These last few weeks it has been intensified with no signs of relief.

I need to pay attention to it and give it the same love that it has given me over the years. So I will be slowing down. While I love helping people, I need to start saying no. After all, people have no problems telling me know when I ask for help, maybe I need to take a page out of their page. But not only that but when I see a new project or venture I need to evaluate it and if so be it tell myself no as well.

I need to pace and time myself daily and stop feeling bad if I don’t do certain things. This is hard when you are raised Catholic, the guilt is automatic. I will finish the projects that are in my folder at the moment, sadly there are a lot, and hopefully not add anymore to it so I can get centered again for I have lost that.

It’s time to have fun again.