I appreciate the little things in life everyday.

The beauty of nature, laughter of a friend, and having my health. For several years I tried to get my book published and had a book contract, which was lost because I had a dishonest agent.

My dream is to be a full- time successful author. I run my own small sales company, which keeps me working about 12 hours a day, so I have little creative time. After my Mom passed away in 2001, I accepted that my spare time would be to take care of my dad, whom became my best friend for four years. After he passed away, my business went downhill. I worked harder and decided to independently publish my book, but a best selling author came out with a book with a similar title. Then my Aunt, who I was closer to than my Mom became ill. My cousin went to take care of her and stole her money and credit cards. My aunt passed away in 2007.

Again my dreams were disolved with death. The stress of over the dishonesty of my cousin lead me to have lumps in my chest. A specialist told me I had to have surgery. Thankfully, a good friend suggested I have an MRI instead, which showed I was healthy. In May 2008 I published Beach Chair Diaries, Summer Tales from Maine to Maui. I achieved my dream and am completely fullfilled when I speak to people at book events. I'm teaching writing workshops and finally business has been on the upturn. Each day I appreciate what I have, accept how hard I have to work and am forever grateful for what I have achieved. I can only dream that I can help others achieve their dreams too.

-Janet Spurr, Author of Beach Chair Diaries, Summer Tales from Maine to Maui.


Small Tattoo, Big Results

In August 2009, I had my 13th operation on my left knee (22nd overall) as a result of being hit by a car thirty five years ago.  The operation was tough to come back from and six months later I found myself still in physical therapy trying to do the most basic of exercises. 


In my youth, like a phoenix, I’d always been able to overcome and rise after my surgeries. They said I wouldn’t be able to ever walk without crutches; I proved them wrong.

They asked me what color wheelchair I wanted and I told them to get lost. They told me that I would never be able to carry the weight of a pregnancy on my legs. I did. And then I turned around and did it 5five more times. 

This most recent surgery, however, was proving to be tougher than I had anticipated. Maybe it was the years, maybe it was that the mountain just looked to be too big this time, or maybe it was just that I didn’t think I had it in me to get back on the horse yet again. I stalled. I kept thinking about what I had lost and it seemed that this time, I had lost too much of myself. I decided to get a small tattoo on my wrist. Three little letters, GFG. It’s a constant reminder to me that in order to Get Going I need Focus. When I look down at my wrist, I see that wallowing in self pity is not going to get me back on my feet, instead, doing those legs lifts, walking that mile on the treadmill, doing sit-to-stands, is what will do it. It’s a constant reminder that if I focus on the task at hand, I can get anything done.  

- Wendy

Pillow Fights

Yes, I recently had a pillow fight with my Warrior Princesses. We were away on a weekend vacation -visiting the Smithsonian. I decided to go into their resort room and let them have it. LOL… Giggles, giggles, and more giggles. We had a ball. Pillow fights are something my husband and I like to have as well. Those little things, significant moments, makes you remember why you fell in love.

-Itiel

Perception of Hearing

After realizing that there was no cure currently available for my daughter's hearing loss and Extreme Measures was not yet produced, I decided that if I could not change what she heard, I could change the perception of her hearing loss and the access she had to enjoy life. So, eight years ago, I started the Hearing Access Program to remove the artificial barriers that prevent people with hearing loss from having equal access to life. Not only did I end up changing the access and define best practices for access, but I taught my daughter how to advocate for herself and to not let other people's perceptions define who she is or who she will become. I also began to chip away at the perception of hearing loss by ensuring the ear symbols for hearing loss were omnipresent--at least in NY and our goal is to ensure this on a global level.

My daughter, who is now 15, is a smart, high -achieving student at a top private girl's school who is interning for a Congresswoman. A far cry from the doctor who diagnosed her and told me there were "special" schools for her. Yes, there was a private girl's school on the Upper East Side. :) She was told she could not speak French, ski, or play the piano. She does all three and was just asked to join AP French. Someone once told me, you can be bitter or you can be better. We chose better.

-Janice
 

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