My First Entry !

 I have wanted to blog for a long time, but was planning to set up a web site. Now that I have found this opportunity, I thought I would start here.  I have been disabled for over 20 years with systemic sclerosis, also known as scleroderma-difffuse variety, and have paralyzed intestines, COPD with oxygen use, spasticity of muscles and a great deal of pain.  I spent 10 years in a hospital bed with home care, graduated to a wheelchair through much effort (PT, massage, meditation, will power, hope), and can now move on my feet a bit.  I had a stint in hospice  when my intestines turned my body so toxic I developed cancer which metasticized - 16 areas of my body but didn't pass away, and am now, 15 years later, cancer free.  I have used almost entirely "alternative" medicine because once I got cancer, I decided traditional medicine was just not going to cure me.  So I went to Mexico, worked with a wonderful herbalist/homeopath, acupuncture, ayurvedic medicine, really almost every "body therapy"  around, and I work on my health and nutrition.  Not an easy road has it been.

 I have been around regarding issues of disability, pain, accessibility, social issues, and advocacy, and want to share my well thoughts with those who are new to disabilities, pain experience, med challenges, social issues, advocacy, and generally anything helpful.  I have also had three "near-death" experiences where my heart just stopped, so I plan to write about death, life beyond death, and the fact that we have spirits within and beyond   our bodies that will endure, no matter what "religion" we have, or use, or place our faith in.  Depak Chopra, Tolle, Gangaji and many others are writing these days about a world wide acknowledgement of the nexus between discoveries in Quantum physics and so called religious thought.  The word healing has the same root as holy.   . 

 I hope to read other folks' blogs, and to share mine with them as we create our own ever larger network of communication amongst those of use who are disABLED. It feels good to start.