Name: Deaf Mom

Location: Chicagoland

Sex: Female

Status: Married

Meet Debbie, A Happy Disaboomer

Posted: 2/12/2008 at 07:12 AM

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Debbie was one of the first persons that I met here on Disaboom when it was first launched. Her sunny personality was easily evident in the comments that she left on blogs all over. She always signs off with "Debbie XOXO." Yes, Debbie is generous with her love and support.

Twenty eight years ago, Debbie was riding on the back of a friend's Harley. It was midnight and they were enjoying the ride. The motorcycle slid on the sand, sending the driver off of the bike. Debbie stayed on the bike and slammed into the ground. Debbie shares the details of the accident on her blog: My Motorcycle Accident.

"Right after the accident I was in shock," said Debbie. "I couldn't move anything. I was a high quad, but I didn't think about that at the time--there were too many injuries."

Debbie, a musician and dancer, was 22 years old at the time and a mom to a young daughter, Jamaica. She spent 35 days in the ICU, coming close to death three times--twice due to cardiac arrest and once with a respiratory infection.

"The swelling went down on my spinal cord after a few months and I got some return back in my hands," Debbie recalled. "I can still feed myself."

"In the hospital, I grieved the loss of my leg, it was like a death and that surprised me. I didn't think someone would feel like that with a loss of a limb, but I was over it within a couple of weeks." Debbie learned to adjust to the new journey and quickly regained her spirit. "Some days at the beginning, I would be sad because I didn't know if a guy would like me with one leg."

Debbie sports several tattoos on her arms. "On my left arm, I have broken wings that point down. The Harley wings go up, if you get hurt on a Harley they call them broken wings-- it's like you earn them," Debbie chuckled. She also has a tattoo of Tweetie bird. "My right arm is almost a full half sleeve, deck of cards[hearts] castle, Harley stuff, and 'Cinderella,' which is what my Dad called me that all my life." Debbie's father passed away from cancer. "When he was diagnosed with cancer, I had it [Cinderella] tattooed on me. My dad was awesome--I saw him die, but it was beautiful."

You may notice that Debbie often writes in lowercase letters. "I type in small case because of a fall three years ago," said Debbie. "I write while on my stomach in the living room. We put a waterbed there to get off my butt. I hurt my pelvis, had two spinal operations-- that's how come I have so many posts on Disaboom. I was bedridden for awhile."

I asked Debbie, what's life like for you today?

Debbie is a grandmother to three boys and she enjoys traveling. She's been a vegetarian for many years, but confesses that she occasionally slips out of the healthy stuff and dives into junk food instead. She enjoys visiting classrooms and talking to students about disability awareness. She made me smile when she said: "Life is great, Karen. I am happy with who I am and I love life. I am still the same girl, it's hard to explain but I was happy before and I stayed the same personality. I never yelled at God, why me."

Debbie and her daughter, Jamaica

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brknbnes wrote on Feb 12, 2008 at 8:26 AM
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You are so right. She is one of my heroes I met here, her optimistic outlook is humbling to all. One of my goals is to meet her personally one day. I wonder if we are gonna have a Disaboom convention?
brbroadw wrote on Feb 12, 2008 at 10:15 AM
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Karen, I'm so glad you profiled Debbie. She does have a fantastic, cheery spirit. Her comments and input keep me motivated. Thanks for the great interview. Bethany :)
Deaf Mom wrote on Feb 12, 2008 at 7:06 PM
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It would be great to have a Disaboom convention someday!
ecrowley wrote on Feb 13, 2008 at 12:03 PM
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Great stuff; thanks Karen!
Debbie wrote on Feb 13, 2008 at 6:01 PM
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hi karen, thank you... :) xoxo

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Meet Debbie, A Happy Disaboomer

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