Sad Update

It has taken me a long time to gather the courage to write this post because I didn't want this to be real.

But it is.

Last week, a six pound ball hit my foot. (See my pain blog for more about my feet.) By the next day, I was in worse pain than I'd felt in months, and it's only gotten worse since then. The pain cycles up and down throughout the day, but each day's "highs" are worse than the last's.

I am fighting hard this time. I refuse to be disabled again. I am walking; I am running; I am dancing. And I'm proud of myself for fighting so hard.

But it hurts. I don't know how long I can keep fighting. I keep telling myself that I only need to hang on for one more day, and that it might be better tomorrow.

Nevertheless, I am scared sh*tless.

Glad

I am GLAD I donated to Reece's Rainbow yesterday. It feels RIGHT. I will definitely donate a majority of my birthday money next year. I feel WONDERFUL...and I'm eighteen!

My Birthday

Overall, I had a very nice day. My advisor (homeroom teacher) baked me a cake, so I had some. Everybody knew it was my birthday because of the mass emails that get sent out on birthdays at my school. I made a donation to Reece's Rainbow--the highlight of my day!--and I will have another cake with my dormmates tonight.

But--just being honest here--something was missing. I know Reece's Rainbow is important. I know those donations are critical to saving lives. But honestly, I wanted something I could open. Next year I will get myself a small gift and donate the rest of my birthday money.

And so now I am eighteen. I can vote. I can sign my own medical forms. I am legally my own.

What a privilege. What a responsibility. Wow.

Hope for Masha!

I have great news! The judge approved Tori's adoption! That means that even though she is in an institution, the door will stay open for Masha.

Isn't that wonderful?

Last Hope

Remember the little girl about whom I last spoke? Well, I have sad news. She WILL be transferred to an institution. There is, however, one last hope. A family is going to that institution to attempt to adopt another little girl (Tori). They must, however, persuade the director to approve. If she does, the door is still open for our little girl (Masha). If the judge says no, that door is shut forvever.

Just Days to Go...

...until a precious little girl named Masha is transferred to a mental institution and loses her chance at a family. Go here: http://www.psalmsixtyeight.blogspot.com/ to learn more. Please spread the word!