Three Years After The Semi-Truck Accident – Physical Therapy and Stroke Victims

I am physically disabled but not dead, I continue to attend Physical Therapy two days a week and massage therapy, one and half hours one day a week. Select GOD Created A Miracle for me for more details.  Spring and summer bring me a bit of relief as I walk better and feel better when it is warm outside the three large screws in my pelvis do not like to get cold or feel the damp. Additionally I am happy to give up my full-time long johns and snow pants I wear from October to April living in the great Pacific Northwest, Washington.

My current Physical Therapist works mostly with stroke victims as he has advanced certification in neurological rehabilitation.  He has over twelve years of experience in treating adults with musculoskeletal and neurological disorders and well he is outstanding in understanding the functions of the human body coordinating together to walk, I call him my gait specialist.

Attending Physical therapy is never easy it is painful, challenging and feels like I am going forward and doing great and then one little thing can set me back for three months or longer.  I will never give up as I dream of riding my horse and Mammoth donkey one day, being able to go fishing, 5th wheeling, traveling, snow shoeing, walking on the ocean looking for treasures fly my kite on a warm sunny day with the ocean behind me, hiking, ride my bike, walk in the mall without pain and get more than the essentials in the clothing department and so much more.  So much has changed in my life and yet I know GOD has a plan and I am in the palm of his hand.

While attending Physical Therapy I see so many stroke victims 

This has prompted me to share what the warning signs of a stroke are.  If you can get a stroke victim to the doctor in three hours the chances are much greater to help the stroke victim recover much quicker and in some cases reverse it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wH7k5CFp4hI

Learn the many warning signs of a stroke. Act FAST and CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY at any sign of a stroke.

Use FAST to remember the warning signs:

	FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
	ARMS:Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
	SPEECH:Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
	TIME:If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.

NOTE THE TIME WHEN ANY SYMPTOMS FIRST APPEAR. If given within three hours of the first symptom, there is an FDA-approved clot-buster medication that may reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke. There are also two other types of stroke treatment available that might help reduce the effects of stroke. Read more about stroke treatment.

Learn as many stroke symptoms as possible so you can recognize stroke as FAST as possible. Click here to download the FAST Wallet Card to keep a reminder of stroke warning signs with you wherever you go!

Stroke symptoms include:

• SUDDEN numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg – especially on one side of the body.
• SUDDEN confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
• SUDDEN trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• SUDDEN trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
• SUDDEN severe headache with no known cause.

Now doctors say a  bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S  *Ask the individual to SMILE.

T  *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE  (Coherently) (I.e. It is sunny out today.)

R  *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

Call 9-1-1 immediately if you have any of these symptoms

• Stroke Resources:

Select:

Stroke Awareness

Stroke Organization

National Stroke Org

GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody

http://wwwyouversion.com/mobile

http://www.donkeywhisperer.com

https://www.facebook.com/Donkeywhisperer

 

Update On My Health, Farm Life, Marriage and Car Insurance Dirty Little Tricks

Friends of the Donkey Whisperer Farm

Thank you for reading my blog, taking a moment to comment and share posts you are a huge part of the change our world needs.  You can be a human angel to a human, animal or our most precious environment this thing we humans call earth.  Our world needs more human angels!

Update on my health:

Spring has officially arrived in the Pacific Northwest we hit 60 degrees yesterday and oh my how this makes me feel better. The surgically inserted (3 long stainless steel screws) in my pelvis do not like cold!  I’m officially back to Physical therapy two days a week working with our third physical therapist.  I am very grateful to my physiatrist as she is the team leader of my rehabilitation.  This new physical therapist has advanced certification in neurological rehabilitation, a gait physical therapist.   “I see lot’s of stroke victims.”  Tears...  The screws in my pelvis along with the eight deformed ribs have left me with a physical disability one I would not wish on my worst enemy.  I continue to pray for GOD to take all this pain away.  Physical Therapy is never easy but I can say if your doctor recommends physical therapy do your home work and find the most educated therapist for the area you need rehabilitation.  Never give up!

2013 is the year my husband and me celebrated our twentieth year living together and our thirteenth year being legally married.  Nothing tests a marriage or any relationship like trauma and I am happy to report our marriage is stronger due to this trauma.  I love my husband so very much he is my best friend! My body turns fifty-three and reacts like I am 90, I still have a way to go on rehabilitation.  We live our life grateful always thanking GOD in Jesus Christ precious name for all of our blessings as things could have been way worse for us.

2013 milestones

My horse Miss Lily turns eight, Rio our Mammoth Donkey turns seven and Rocket Man our mini donkey is a stout nineteen years old.  We continue to pray one day I can trail ride again but for now we are grateful to have been able to keep our little hobby farm. All the animals are a bit to fat again so it’s diet time for all of them including the doggies and one kitty the other kitty has a high metabolism. The photo above is our rescue kitty Jasmine she just has the fat gene going on and her most favorite thing to do is eat and lay around.

Photo of Purcilla (black with her sister Jasmine)

Photo of me riding my horse Miss Lily,  Feb 2010 weeks before the semi truck accident working with Rio our mammoth donkey. Oh how I miss having my health! I have not been able to ride since 2010 nor has anyone rode my horse but that’s ok.

People ask me all the time, Does Your Horse Need To Be Ridden?

No she does not, she is just fine being a horse.  As you know I study Parelli and she is consistently being schooled on the ground with manners and rules for balance and boundaries.

I suffer from numbness in my ankles, feet and horrific rib pain and back pain with spasms, I can tell you the hips are directly connected to the knees and feet lot’s of nerves running down the leg.  The damp/cold causes the stainless steel screws in my pelvis to make my hips ache and back ache and yet I know GOD has me here for a reason. GOD has me in the palm of his hand.

Sadly motor vehicle accidents are extremely difficult to navigate here are some tips on what to do after a car accident.  Surviving a motor vehicle accident involving a semi truck can be deadly, injuries are more intense.  Take a look at Accidents involving semi trucks. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR A CAR ACCIDENT VICTIM:

If you are riding as a passenger in a motor vehicle and you survive serious injuries you will need to find an experienced insurance attorney, who works in the town your accident was in do not pause.  If you have no health insurance it will be very difficult to get the medical attention you need as most car insurance corporations will not pay the bills until the legal matter is settled this can take three to six years. Insurance agencies are in the business to make money, NOT TO DO THE MORALE RIGHT thing for their client or the passenger never forget this.  

If you think going to trial will be easy think again….  Insurance agencies have created laws that will not authorize you the victim to tell the jury how much insurance the driver of the vehicle who hurt you has. This is all the game insurance corporations play to ensure the victim of the car accident does not receive a fair settlement and the insurance corporation will not have to pay full policy limits.  The cost of hiring an attorney is huge, the cost of not hiring an attorney is even more. Insurance corporations have an open check book for legal lawyers from Washington DC to the State and town you were injured in.

Please share your thoughts, questions and spread the news I have shared with your family and friends.  Knowledge is power and knowledge is light move out of the dark into the light and I pray you will ask Jesus Christ to hold your hand as you begin your journey into the light.  GOD in Jesus Christ name is the only way to navigate this thing called life!

GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody

http://wwwyouversion.com/mobile

http://www.donkeywhisperer.com

https://www.facebook.com/Donkeywhisperer

 

Prayer For Courage and Determination

I am strong and of good courage, I do not fear nor am I afraid for the Lord my God he is the one who goes with me.  He will not leave me nor forsake me! Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV)

I am strong vigorous and very courageous.  I am not afraid neither am I dismayed for the Lord my God is with me wherever I go.  Joshua 1:19

I am strong and courageous as the Lord my GOD is with me to help me fight my battles.  2 Chronicles 32:7-8 (NIV)

As I wait on the Lord with courage he shall strengthen my heart.  Pslam 27:14 (NKJV)

He spoke to them saying take courage I AM Stop Being Afraid! Matthew 14:27

Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real

 

Disability/Handicap Parking Space Full – EV parking space available

Welcome to my blog a place I share honestly how GOD in Jesus Christ precious name has helped me survive an almost fatal motor vehicle accident while riding as a passenger in a small vehicle, no air bags etc.  The three long surgically inserted screws were strategically placed in my pelvis in an effort to help me walk again, sadly the screws have left me with a permanent physical disability, a limp and chronic pain every day since April 13, 2010.   Making it most difficult for me to walk on cement and climb stairs.  See GOD created a miracle for me to read more about the accident.

When I go to the grocery store or any store I need to use the disabled parking spot right in front of the store as my back hurts, hips hurt and feet burn with neuropathy pain from walking too long.  Select EV Parking space perk or privelege? to read more.

Recently while attempting to find a disabled parking spot I noticed the Electric Motor Vehicle (EV) parking spot was empty and placed directly in front of the store.  The handicap/disability parking spots were all full.    After surviving a traumatic life threatening motor vehicle accident I have learned to adapt, I depend on getting a handicaped parking space in front of the store I need to go in.

I will never ever ride in a small vehicle again as to this day I still shake when a semi truck or dump truck passes me traveling down the road.

What do you think?

GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody

http://wwwyouversion.com/mobile

http://www.donkeywhisperer.com

https://www.facebook.com/Donkeywhisperer

 

"Portal" Sue Austin

Reblogged from retropnaraic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCWIGN3181U

Austin set out in her work to show that what others might view as her restraint - being confined to a chair - has opened her up to mental and physical states she otherwise would not have found. Her work challenges the perception of disability in both fun ("Freewheeling - traces from a wheelchair") and beautiful ("Portal") ways.

http://www.susanaustin.co.uk/

Friends of the Donkey Whisperer Farm Disability does not mean we can't be the person we were before the disability. I found this video and message to be inspirational and I pray it helps you too! As most of you know I became physically disabled while riding as a passenger when the driver ran a stop sign and a semi-truck full of cow manure smashed into the passenger door where I was sitting. My life is forever changed but I am still me! I do the best I can every day to live my life with purpose, passion and being grateful to Jesus Christ as I know GOD gave me a miracle by letting me live and walk. Never give up keep trusting God for all things as he is the beginning and the end of things. GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged! Melody http://wwwyouversion.com/mobile http://www.donkeywhisperer.com https://www.facebook.com/Donkeywhisperer

 

The Power of Horse and Human Interaction

Reblogged from Straight from the Horse's Heart:

by Kristyn Leon of Colorado's Fox 21 News

"Horses are sensitive, majestic creatures, and seem to truly understand what the person truly needs."

"It's 'Feel Good Sunday' and time to take a break from the bad news (not even going to there) that rains down upon our American equines.  Time to catch our breath, wipe our brow and embrace all those who diligently fight beside us to further the future welfare and safety of our horses, donkeys, burros and mules. 

Read more… 377 more words

 

 

Courage Vs Strength

They say the sun rays coming out of the sky captured in this moment is “the fingers of GOD” I say they are truly one more sweet opportunity to feel GOD all around us.

GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody

http://wwwyouversion.com/mobile

http://www.donkeywhisperer.com

https://www.facebook.com/Donkeywhisperer

 

37,000 Views In 2012 – Happy New Year!

Thank you for reading my blog, thank you for caring about our most precious world and all the donkeys, horses and mules needing your attention. Thank you for sharing your blog, website, facebook, twitter, and youtube pages!  Most of all thank you for your continued support, relationship and friendship as so many of you have touched my heart.  Thank you for your prayers and kind words it is an honor to share the word of GOD, please remember to never give up as GOD will never give up!  

On a personal note:

I have been writing on my blog for three years now in between trying to get my life back one day at a time after surviving a life threatening car accident (semi-truck) while riding as a passenger.

Blogging is a wonderful way to stay connected to our most precious world and share free information to help people and animals.

With just a couple of clicks of your computer you have helped a donkey, horse or mule have a better life, ahh the power of the internet.  

GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody

http://wwwyouversion.com/mobile

http://www.donkeywhisperer.com

https://www.facebook.com/Donkeywhisperer

Here’s an excerpt:

The Donkey Whisperer Farm Blog had 37,000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this blog would power 9 Film Festivals!!!!

Click here to see the complete report.

 

Iron Sharpens Iron

Wow I have heard this statement over and over again; I guess this is what helps people feel better saying such a thing when trauma hits our sweet loved ones.  Another one I hear over and over is “GOD only gives you as much as you can take, you must be really strong.”

GOD loves his children and he authorizes pain and suffering to his children for a short time and then GOD in Jesus Christ name brings justice for his children.  When GOD steps in everything changes and people will have no doubt it was GOD as no man can do what GOD can do.

No human can really understands life as GOD is in control not us. 

Prayer:

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but I remember the name of the Lord my GOD. Pslam 20:7 (NKJV)

I trust in, rely on, and am confident in You, O Lord, I say, You are my GOD.  My times are in your hands.  Psalm 31:14-15

The fear (False Evidence Appearing Real) of man brings a snare, but whoever leans on, trusts in, and puts his confidence in the Lord is safe and set on high.  Proverbs 29:25

The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my GOD, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I trust and take refuge, my Shield and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower.  I call upon the Lord, Who is to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.  Psalm 18:2-3

GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody

http://wwwyouversion.com/mobile

http://www.donkeywhisperer.com

https://www.facebook.com/Donkeywhisperer

 

Snow On The Donkey Whisperer Farm

A few precious photos of our little farm blanketed in snow.

The damp and cold does not play well with the large surgically installed screws in my pelvis. I miss snow shoeing, and playing in the snow.

After weeks and months of gray and rain the snow seems to brighten everything up in the Pacific Northwest.

Old man winter brings more work on the farm as the hose freezes, forcing water to be hand carried.  Horse and donkey poop freezes and sticks deeply into the ground it’s really the only time the poop is not picked up twice a day on our little farm.

Does not matter as when the snow melts the poop seems to be everywhere making more work playing catch up. 

Blankets need to be added and changed and well winter on the farm is a bit more work but each step is a blessing.

Never forget how blessed you are if you get to live on a farm with animals.

Remember horses and donkeys like warm water so get a heated bucket for their barns make sure they can’t bite the cord.

I want to say “Thank you honey” my husband comes home after working hard all day at his job it’s dark outside now.  He put’s his head lamp on so he can find the donkey and horse poop he is the best husband a woman could ask for.  My husband Scott does all the heavy lifting for me and well my husband has made it possible for me to keep my little farm in the midst of trauma and a permanent disability.  My husband is my human angel!

GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody

http://wwwyouversion.com/mobile

http://www.donkeywhisperer.com

https://www.facebook.com/Donkeywhisperer