Let’s do a Q and A on the podcast on October 21st for the 4th anniversary of Encouragement Notes. Leave your questions in the comments
Category: advocacy
How do you relax?
This used to be really hard for me. I was that person who did not want to rest because I thought that I would be missing out on something so even though there were days where I was sick and miserable I would be sick in miserable around people instead of being miserable and comfortable in my room and doing what I needed to do taking a nap and taking care of myself. These days the way I relax is watching TV or listening to music and honestly I find writing relaxing especially since I speak most of my content instead of typing it. It makes this easier for me because it doesn’t take so long
For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance. For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live. Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me. Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it. Philippians 1:19-30 NLT
Complete the following sentence
For me to live is…
My answer
For me to live is an everyday blessing
Paul shares the benefits of living a Christ-centered life
I can have confidence that…
1.No matter what happens God is in control
2. I have a place in God’s plan
3. I can’t have an impact on the world
Memory Verse
For me to live is Christ and to die is gain
Philippians 1:21
Are you holding a grudge? About?
I don’t know if I’m holding a grudge or just sad but there’s something going on that doesn’t feel right to my soul and I’m really worried about people that I love. I know what God would say and I know what my loved ones are doing and it doesn’t match up.
Hi everyone my name is Marie Nicole I am 41 years old.
I was born 11 weeks premature. As a result of my very early birthday, I developed a brain hemorrhage and spent the first 3 months of my life in the N.I.C.U. at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles; during which time I had my first operation to repair the hemorrhage with the placement of a shunt because I was diagnosed with hydrocephalus.
When I was one year old I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. As a result of my diagnosis, I was put into physical therapy and had what I refer to as my. “Miracle operation when I was 7.
The operation allowed me to begin walking with a walker a few weeks after the operation Therapy was a weekly part of my life until I was 13. At this point in my life I told my mom that I had had enough of therapy and I wasn’t going anymore because it “sucked
As a result of my attitude and rebellion walking eventually became difficult and as a result, I had to have another operation and learn how to walk again at the age of 15. High School had its ups and downs educationally and socially. I was teased in school, but I was also a go-getter who at the time was the only wheelchair user to be a member of our school choir all six years throughout junior high and high school. Being at Eagle Rock Jr. Sr. High School was my doorway to self-advocacy.
As a result of being told that I would not be allowed to participate on stage with my fellow students and friends. I was asked to tell my story at USC. As a result of my efforts and the efforts of many others a ramp was built following the death of a 100-year-old tree,
Fast forward to 2003, as a student at Pasadena City College, I met my best friend Noel Williams. During our friendship, we would talk about our view of disability and together we came up with the idea that the words disabled or disability should only be used in regards to things such as a broken down car because these things are incapable of moving, thinking, or feeling. It was awesome to hang out with someone who was confident and proud of the way God had made her. My best friend passed away on December 5th 2003.
in December of 2009. I was 26 and about to end my college career. I was 185 pounds I used a power chair to Get around campus and I was only able to walk short distances at this time. It was also during this time that I was being bombarded by so many unwanted questions and opinions
I was left feeling that something needed to change. so I committed to getting fit and healthy and began my health journey on January 5th 2010
One year later I was blessed with two amazing opportunities! One was a 6 week stint in physical therapy during which time I learned how to walk long distances and the other opportunity was being selected to be on a TV show called Live Big with Ali Vincent. While I was being motivated and encouraged by the new friends that I had made I trained for and completed my first 5k.In 2014 when the show ended I felt the desire to encourage others the way I had been encouraged to live a healthy life.
In November of 2014 my cousin introduced me to a friend of hers who was health and fitness coach in February 2015 I became a health and fitness coach with Beachbody.
As of October 2020, I realized that God was telling me to move on and simply encourage my community with writing and speaking.
On October 21st, I created a podcast called Encouragement Notes which is a mix of everything I have learned in this life God has given me; I share the things I learn in church, I share my view on disability and I share my experiences around performance and viewing live concerts and theatre.
Fast forward to July 2021, After the discovery of a YouTube channel called Wheels2walking, I gained the courage to virtually attend Rollettes Experience for the first time. It was the first time that I had the confidence to introduce myself to powerful women who looked like me and had amazing goals! Right after RE I applied for and was accepted into Boundless Babe Society This is the Rolettes mentorship program that teaches women with disabilities to live their lives with confidence and how to deal with different situations in life. It is an amazing opportunity for any woman or teen girl with a disability and I am so happy that I joined in the first place and that they have decided to start a graduate program, which means that women who have already graduated from the program can still be involved in the program. I look forward to continuing the sharing of my journey with you God bless you and talk to you soon.
I hope you love it here and we can connect often.
Share a story about the furthest you’ve ever traveled from home.
Back in 2010 my family and I went to Hawaii we went to the area where the fires were this year and it was gorgeous. We were able to see the big Banyan Tree and that was the last family trip that my grandmother took with us
What does your ideal home look like?
When I think about what my ideal home looks like, and picture a beautiful Ranch style home with a no barrier entry and plenty of room to walk or roll around. I also picture a huge backyard with grass and a concrete area that has a fire pit and a place to sit with friends and family. My bedroom would have a low queen or king size bed that I would be able to transfer into and out of myself. I would also need a no barrier ensuite bathroom that I could walk into easily without fear of slipping and have plenty of room for a shower chair. In closing the Ultimate Dream though is to be able to leave my home whenever I want it without much assistance and not have to schedule my Independence around other people.
The people that I would want to fill this home with my parents my brother my friends that will come over for Bible study and other celebrations and I would also add some point in my life want to add a husband and children and maybe a dog or too into the mix.
What brings a tear of joy to your eye?
The things that bring happy tears to my eyes are
My relationship with Jesus and my self-acceptance and circle of sisters in boundless babe society
Why do you blog?
I blog because it is a part of the way that I share the good news of the gospel as well as my self-acceptance and advocacy journey that I have been on.
I’m ashamed to say I’m a bit like a five-year-old because I hate cleaning my space but what has motivated me to actually put some effort and energy into doing it this weekend is that I want my dance space back. It bugs the heck out of me that even though I’m doing a good thing it’s not good enough for family but at least I know it’s getting done.
Encouragement Notes Podcast 