Why Recover4Shore?

Coming up with a blog title which was unique prompted me to examine why I felt the urge to put myself out into the vast public view.  What was my aim?  My primary reason is to warn people of the real threat of contracting the West Nile Virus.  Next, the trials associated with recovering from Guillain Barre’ Syndrome.   Then, the normal trials and tribulations life throws at us which can get all of us down at times and how to rise beyond what we think we are capable of.   And maybe, hold a mirror to ourselves, to see we all have a great deal to offer each other.

We are constantly recovering from something if we think about it, our failings, transitions, unfulfilled pursuits, losses and illnesses.  At this time in my life, I am dealing with a physical disability which is visually prominent.  And, people ask me, “what are the doctors telling you?’  “Will you recover?”  This is how “recover” was chosen.

My whole life has been spent by the beach.  When asked my occupation, I supply the information about what I do five days a week and earn a salary.  But, in reality, I am a beach bum, born and raised.  If I could get paid for loving the beach, I’d be very rich.  This is how “4shore” was chosen.  This is a bit out of character for me because, where I live only the “bennies” and “shoebees” (words to describe tourists) use the word “shore” for the beach.

Whatever the doctors say, it doesn’t matter because I am working very hard to recover for sure.

PMF

Who Am I? 

The first thing you will notice about me is that, I am in a wheelchair.  It is a red, motorized one which can get up to a rather good speed (I love going fast, I’ve owned a thoroughbred & an Austin Healey Mark III – need I say more?).  I can only go as far as the battery allows me, though.  I’ve relied on this mode of transportation for the past two years.  Before September 7, 2010, I was a runner, a swimmer, a body surfer, a skier (water & snow), a bicyclist, a kayaker, a SCUBA diver.  I was active in my community and was completing a degree in Art & Graphic Design.  Today, I am a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a patient and working full-time.  I used to think of myself as an artist but this persona was put on the back burner after that mosquito bite; it is time to shake it out and give it a trial run.

“Tell me a fact and I’ll learn. Tell me a truth and I’ll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever. “   This Native American proverb is the basis of all the arts.  I will attempt to have my stories live up to this ideal.  To that end, I must include this disclaimer, “The stories contained in this blog are based on actual events. In certain cases incidents, characters and timelines have been changed for dramatic purposes. Certain characters may be composites, or entirely fictitious.“  With that bit of business out of way, let me begin to paint my story.