"My Supports"

Daily Support Factors- My husband is the biggest support system in my life. He helps me with day to day tasks with our children, our home, our finances, and our entire life. My life would be drastically different without him. Raising three young children without their father would be very difficult to do by myself. As my husband is the major bread wintner in our household, we would probably have to downsize our home and I would need to take a second job. Without him, my children and myself would be deeply saddened and miss him greatly. Truly, I don't know if I could handle raising three young children, working full-time and handling all that our life brings us without him. It would be the end of the wonderful life that we now know.

Friends- I am fortunate enough to have some incredible friends in my life. Most of my close friends have been a part of my life for many years. I have remained close to two of my friends from high school I also have three very close friends from the school where I taught. A couple of my friends, I have known for less than five years, but they are a true inspiration to me and I enjoy their company greatly. Without my friends, my life would seem somewhat lacking. There are times when I need to vent or just get away from the day to day tasks. One of the things I enjoy most, other than my family is spending time with my close friends. Sometimes, I go out with my girlfriends for a night of just "letting go". These are relaxing and enjoyable times for me. If I need to confide in someone or ask for advice, several of my friends are trustworthy enough to share private information. My life would seem lonely without my friends.

Iphone- I have an extremely busy life and without my iphone, I would be completely lost. My iphone is used for making calls, texting, using the internet, making mulitple lists, setting my calender for appointments, tasks, meetings etc. I use my phone as a camera, map directory, Facebook, watch my weight, as a watch, check my emails and many many more things. I really cannot imagine my life without it. There have been a few times where I have traveled to parts of the world where my phone would not work. Without a phone, I was able to manage, but it was only for a short amount of time. My iphone holds so many "hats", it has replaced many various tasks I used to do before I had it. Sometimes when I get too overwhelmed, I turn my phone off. Without a phone for a short time is a postitive, but without a phone permanetly would mean added work and stress for me.

Computer- My computer is another item I would have a difficult time living without. I use it for school, work, my business, my children use it for homework, to play games and my husband uses it for emails and for his business. I grew up without a computer, and managed just fine. However, now that I have become used to using it, life would be difficult without it. There are just too many things I depend on my computer for.

My Housekeeper- Theresa is someone that I value very much in my busy life. She is the one who comes in on a weekly basis to clean my bathrooms, mop my floors and change sheets, and just do the tasks that I honestly do not have time to do in my life right now. I work full-time, raising 3 young children, attending Graduate School, have a very active online business, my children are in football, chess club, dance, guitar lessons, and swimteam right now. My husband and I also teach a children's class at our church on Sundays. Personally, I can manage most of the housework, but without Theresa it would be much harder. If Theresa did not come on a weekly basis, my house would not get cleaned as often. The bathrooms, floors and sheets would not be cleaned until I had time to do it. This could be unsanitary and unhealthy to my family. I greatly appreciate her and make personal financial sacrifices to afford her.

Imagining myself with a physical disability in which I had to use a wheelchair to get around, my life would be incredibly different. I'm positive my husband and friends would still be a very strong and important part of my life. However, trying to manage a household with three young children would be very challenging. Our house features the bedrooms on the second floor with no adaptations for someone in a wheelchair. We would either have to sell our house and move, or make some major changes to our current home. Our house is surrounded by a courtyard with steps at all of our entrances. We also live on the side of a mountain with a rugged 3 mile drive up to our house. Most likely, our current house would not be practical for me to live in. Our vehicles would have to be changed as well. We have several large animals such as our 175 lb. African Sulcata Tortoise. At this point, I would not be able to access his habitat, as there is a gate with stairs going down to get to where he lives. Again, the place where we live would not be practical for someone in a wheelchair. I'm sure I could learn to drive and manage getting my children from one sport to another. However, it would take much more time and effort. There is very little extra time in our lives right now, so it would mean a complete life change for our entire family.
Physically- I'm sure I would need to receive some type of therapy, and doctors more often. This would impact my job, my lifestyle and my family. Our family spends our downtime riding dirt bikes and hiking. Again, our lifestyle would have to be adjusted.
Emotionally- If I had to be in a wheelchair now after spending most of my life in a very active and physical lifestyle, it would be very emotionally upsetting for me. I tend to be more on the "high-stung" and super active type of personality. It would take many adjustments for me to learn how to slow-down and live a more seditary lifestyle.