At my request, Joyce closed her eyes, stretched out her arm, pointed with her index finger, brought it in towards her face, and touched the tip of her nose. Just like that, in one fluid motion, with no hesitation. Then she did it with her other hand. I asked her if she could speed it … Read more
As soon as I reached my room, I jotted down on a piece of paper: In the showerbest ideasChanges—chantFinger to Nose—with JoycedemoNote from neurologistThen I relaxed and finished getting ready for the day. I had enough notes to capture my ideas so that I could act on them later, when I had time. Some of … Read more
This was my first poem: ~~~ Memories. Of the past. Swimming. Salt.The smell of pine trees.At night. Walking.Racing dragon boats. On the river. The laughter emerges.The sadness remains. Always. I am changed. ~~~ I wrote it within the first couple of weeks after I was discharged from hospital. Until then, I’d had no use for … Read more
My name is Deborah Brandon and I have a disability. There! I’ve said it, after four years. Yes, I have alluded to it in the past, but I’ve had difficulties actually using the word to describe myself. I have said it before, maybe a couple of times, but I didn’t really mean it. I didn’t … Read more
The ending to a traditional tale is “And they lived happily ever after.” But did they really? Was Cinderella happy after she married the prince? Or did living in the limelight trigger depression? Did Goldilocks become a juvenile delinquent and end up in jail? Did Jack fall on his way down the beanstalk and suffer … Read more
After stopping briefly at the stop sign, I shift my weight onto the pedals and pump hard. Once I’ve crossed the intersection, I settle onto my seat and relax, pedaling in a leisurely fashion. I coast, the wind brushing across my cheeks. I turn my head to watch the view glide by: the river below, … Read more
After my first session dragon boating, I clambered out of the boat with a goofy grin that lasted through the remainder of the day. And after my first race, my grin resurfaced over the next few days, whenever I recalled the event. I’ve always been passionate about the sport, but after I suffered hemorrhaging in … Read more
“They’re walking on us!” I pulled my paddle blade through the water with more power. “It is your decision. Do you want this? You have to decide now!” I’d never heard Coach Lynne sound so intense. I didn’t think I had anymore to give. But I did: more power, more focus. As I slammed my … Read more
I don’t drool, nor do I run into trees. I’m lucky that way.I could have easily been there—drooling and running into trees. There are approximately a dozen clusters of malformed blood vessels, cavernous angiomas, scattered in my brain. A couple of them hemorrhaged, mucking my life up royally. Side-effects from the bleeds included seizures, crippling … Read more
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