CHAPTER 1
"-ALLYS"
With the complete snap of my right achilles tendon, I paid a visit tothe "-ALLYS" in the valley of disabilities. Though not permanent, itseemed as if I would be in that place forever.
I understand that when we were formed by the hands of the almightyGod we were made perfect. "So God created man in His own image,in the image of God created he him; male and female." Gen 1:27.
Every body part given is necessary for our activities of daily living.At times we may take them for granted. However, should we lose theactivity of any minute area, then we would realize that even the mostbasic functions, become difficult or impossible to accomplish.
Having served the physically and mentally challenged, for over 19years, losing the activity of my right leg took me on a trip to new"-ALLYS" of life; similar to the experience of the population that Ihave served.
Some of the "-ALLYS" include—
PHYSIC"-ALLY",SPIRITU"-ALLY",EMOTION"-ALLY" andFINANCI"-ALLY"And the list of "-ALLYS" continues.
I have experienced limitations as one would never imagine. Icompared my situation to having a form of Godliness but denyingthe power. That was how limited I felt. In my mind it seemed as ifI was someone believing in God the Father and God the Son, butignoring the third person of the Godhead, God the Holy Spirit. Weknow that that belief is incorrect because the Triune Being workstogether as one. It is as the saying goes—"Love and marriage, loveand marriage, they go together like a horse and carriage, you can'thave one without the other."
CHAPTER 2
IN THE PHYSIC"-ALLY"
My natural eyes were forced open to see how much I had taken forgranted in the past. Losing the independent mobility of my rightleg created a physical disability for me. At the time of the injury, thepain was so excruciating that I was unable to stand. I am thankfulfor those who lifted me with their strong arms.
I became painfully dependent on a pair of crutches to supplementthat injured leg, otherwise I would be unbalanced. You haveprobably experienced being unbalanced. If you have, you know howawkward it feels.
I found one definition of balance which explains it perfectly—tobalance is to arrange so that one set of element is exactly equal tothat of the other in weight. My foundation was not stable beneathme because I did not have the use of both my legs.
This disability created different areas of fear. I was petrified offalling, which could potentially cause added pain or further injury.I became more aware of my surroundings. I assessed areas carefullybefore I placed my aching foot on the ground. Crutches were helpfulbut they had limitations. As I have always said, and continue tosay "Whatever God gives is perfect." "I will praise thee; for I amfearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that mysoul knoweth right well." PSALM 139:14. Without the use of bothlegs I was in need of another's assistance in order to be transportedto various necessary activities.
I gave serious thought before I ventured out to attend the leastimportant event. Image and physical appearance though highlyimportant to me, were not my number one criterion during thistime. Comfort took precedence over everything. Wearing the castwas most uncomfortable for me. So when the cast was removed, Iwas grateful that I was able to weight bear the bigger than normalblack boot. They were a blessing after several stages of itchy moldedcasts where scratching was a nightmare that lasted one second toolong.
As the healing process continued, it was burdensome just to be ableto tolerate the practice of weight bearing. I had to retrain my legto take baby steps where it was once natural to take normal steps.The physic "-ALLY", bore stages of arm wrenching pain from crutchesthat created nightly agonizing pain under the armpits. Sleep wouldhave been a welcoming friend if I were able to entertain it. Thosenew muscles that were being used began to speak languages ofresistance. I reluctantly resorted to a wheelchair, thanks to sistersM.G. and J.W. I had not only one, but two wheelchairs. We servea God who will bless us with more than enough at times. "But myGod shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by ChristJesus." Philippians 4:19. That was a WOW! The mobility of thewheelchair enabled me to move around in the comfort of my home.With that assistance, I could maintain some ability to continue withmost of my motherly chores. Although the use of the wheelchair wasof tremendous help, I still needed assistance. My dear sons becamethe strong arms I needed. Since I was enrolled in college at the time,they would push me in the wheelchair to and from classes. A friend,whom I will refer to as Reverend P, was strategically placed in mylife. Her help and support during this difficult period was invaluable.Reverend P. had injured her right hand and it had to be bandaged.Remember, I had a cast on my right leg, so we were both lame on theright. Although she had an injury, she pushed me in the wheelchairto my classroom so that I was able to take my final mathematicsexamination for the semester. She used her terrific sense of humorto cheer us along. We conversed about our thoughts—hypotheticalscenarios; what unbelievers might have perceived, seeing both of us,children of the Most High God, all bandaged up. They might havedared to ask "What's up with their God". We give God the praisethat we would have been able to respond emphatically that in themidst of our limitations, we still have his joy unspeakable. Job wascareful to declare that he would trust God regardless of the trials hefaced. "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintainmine own ways before him." JOB 13:15.
It gives me pleasure that I can triumphantly report that I achievedmore in school throughout that year of physical challenge thanduring the year that I had the function of...