Tag: stories of faith

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Hello wonderful friends. I hope everyone had a fantastic start to the new year. I know some people probably did not. To those folks, I hope these words provide you with a few minutes of comfort  I know in February It’s not popular to wish someone a happy new year anymore but, I’m writing this in January so it still counts. Everyone wants new beginnings for the new year however, a calendar change does not equal a change in life circumstances.  I began 2022 in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. One of my family members surprised all of us with a cruise for the holidays. I know that was last year but I still plan to write a blog about the accessibility features on the cruise ship. I ended the year in the corner of my living room writing and producing content for a podcast.

  People and politicians can say what they want but the Covid-19 Emergency did not “end” until about 6 months before the end of 2022. I can attest to this because we all came back from our cruise with the virus. On my first significant vacation in two years, I ended up in the doctor’s office.  Before I begin with the official topic of this post. I want to remind those in power that there are still folks being isolated because they are susceptible to this public health crisis.

I don’t believe in new year’s resolutions. We give ourselves false expectations and then we feel bad when they’re not accomplished. Setting goals for the new year is theoretically a good idea. Yet setting additional pressure on yourself before the world has already decided what pressures to put on you.  In my opinion, this is unwise. So how can I or anyone make the upcoming year of 2023 a productive year? Instead of creating a list of expectations or goals, I decided to plant seeds of faith. 

   “Still other seeds fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

Mark 4:8‭-‬9 NIV

If you think I’m nuts, let me give you a fun example. Cinderella had to find the pumpkin and the mice before she could go to the ball. Any miracle needs work. I’m not good at this kind of thing so I’m going to list what I’ve done so far. Please I pray whoever reads this does not misunderstand it as bragging. They’re small steps I’m taking to let God take the lead.

1. I’ve tried to produce a podcast two different times now. I would go bonkers because the quality was never to my liking. I finally saved up enough money to buy myself podcasting equipment. After weeks of research. My grandma decided to get it for me for Christmas. I was not happy because I wanted to do it for myself but God used her to give me a head start.
2. Despite popular opinion I cannot stand writing about myself. I always wanted to use this website to let people share their stories. My colleague Jesse Schwartzman and I are excited to announce a second podcast under this website brand called the Normal Life a podcast where we simply interview other folks with disabilities to let them tell their stories. This is why I am renaming my podcast The Purposely Broken World. All you have to do is click on the link in blue.
3. When you have a disability like mine it’s hard to get together with friends So my best buddy David and I are getting together to release Lost in the Political Woods. A podcast where we laugh our way through the headlines in today’s world.
4. Most people don’t know about national authors’ writing month. The idea is simple, to try to write 50,000 words in November. After I publish my first book I immediately wanted to write another book clarifying some mistakes I made. I’m not going to lie and say I wrote 50,000 words in 30 days. I wrote just shy of 30 pages. When you use voice dictation software it’s a much slower process. Not to mention a Puerto Rican family is always getting together around the holidays.
5. After I published my book I learned the hardest part was trying to market it. I struggled with this because I wanted to message of disability inequality to reach as many people as possible. By the time you’re reading this, I would have been featured on the Rising Rebels social media platform. The focus is to showcase individuals beyond their limitations. It is the brainchild of the Walk & Roll podcast. I can’t guarantee people read the message of my book but at least it will be exposed to more people.

The new year symbolizes a new beginning but if we don’t plant the seeds nothing can grow. Remember it will take time and a bit of life’s hard rain. You might not see the finished product right away.  Faith is the key.  What are you planting this year?

Disability Limbo Newsletter

I started Letters from the Limbo as a way to connect with you on a deeper level. Twice a month, I send out an email filled with personal anecdotes, professional updates (like my recent reelection as Vice Chair of the NJCDD), and the policy insights I don’t share anywhere else. This isn’t just another email—it’s an unfiltered look at the life of a disability advocate. Join my community and get an exclusive, honest look at the work that matters

Greetings wonderful friends, I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. If you’ve been paying attention  You noticed that last Wednesday was the first week I did not post any content Since I relaunched the website in March 2021. I know this is not a big deal for some people, but  I like the idea of making one person smile every week with one of my posts. I speak for my writing team and myself when I say we are thankful for every person Who took a little time out of their day just to spend it with us.

For this post, I want to share a very special anecdote that happened to me Just a few days ago. I usually post stuff that I write a few weeks in advance. This time I had to make an exception. When you have a condition like mine (Cerebral Palsy.) The only way to stop your body from deteriorating Is to undergo physical and occupational therapy. insurance will only pay for so much during one year in the United States.

 So I spread the sessions out as much as possible over a year. As with any kind of exercise, it is difficult to see results when we are dealing with The daily hustle and bustle of life. Measuring body fat and muscle mass is not how I determine results. this year I was focusing on three things. Sitting balance, standing tolerance, and using my left arm for more functional activities.  Here are some of my final statistics for 2022.  I can now hold a water bottle with my left arm unscrew the top with my right hand and take a drink. I can now sit up unassisted for 5 minutes and 28 seconds without falling over. I can stand with someone stabilizing me for 4 minutes and 38 seconds without falling over. I’m not bragging those puny numbers are not the best part of the story.

Jesus gave me a Christmas present early this year! If you read any of my past publish works You will know that one of my dreams is always been to dance with a pretty girl standing up. on the last session of the year, I was getting ready to do my standing tolerance When the hit song Despacito came on the Alexa. I know the Holy Spirit was behind it! First of all, They usually don’t play any music at all. If they do it’s Something soft. It’s never anything to dance to. I sarcastically mentioned the song Despacito in my book. True, there was nothing romantic going on between my physical therapist and me. The moment was still fantastic! When I started dancing she thought I was crazy. This is the first time I ever danced! 

After the song was done I went back to my chair. Went back to the waiting room like nothing ever happened. As I turn the corner to sit in the waiting room I overheard the receptionist saying “ You’re exactly where God wants you to be. You are right in his hand.”

 She was helping someone else who was having a moment of doubt. It couldn’t be scripted better in a movie. That moment was perfect. That night When I reflected on what I had done. I cried as I thanked God over and over again. 

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV

When people think of miracles they want the seas to part or see money fall from the sky. That’s not how God sees things. We don’t see the world from his point of view we only see it from our limited vantage point. Most miracles take time. Has anything worth doing ever come easy? I discovered faith in Jesus Christ only 2 years ago. I might not be running a marathon anytime soon, but I will never forget my first dance. God does exist. Miracles do happen. most importantly, faith does work. Look inside your heart and talk to God he’s not that far away. See you guys soon have a good day.

Special Announcement:

Every TV show always takes a little break at the end of the season this post Is my version of a season finale. I will be back with new blogs in February 2023. I will still be producing content on all my social media Please follow me on Twitter, Facebook, etc for any major updates. I would like to officially announce I’m taking this small break to finish the first draft of my next book. Please subscribe to this blog as other members of my writing team may still want to publish blogs before the end of the year. On behalf of David, Jesse, Nick, and myself. We would like to wish you the very happiest of holidays and a prosperous New Year!

Salutations my beautiful readers I hope these words can make your heart smile for a few minutes. This message goes out to anyone that has a disability. This world will not understand you, this world will betray you. However, God will not because he does not make mistakes. By the time you read this, I would have just celebrated my 35th birthday. I’ve officially reached the age where you don’t want to count anymore! This year more than ever, I found myself contemplating the meaning of life as an adult with Cerebral Palsy. My heart and mind battled for several weeks leading up to the big day. This world and the society we built have placed a set of expectations on a person by this state in their life. How do you think I measure up?

I have no traditional source of income. I’m still looking for a life partner. I have no children or anyone to pass down my legacy. I depend on others to live my life. Some would say I have no value in our society. This physical world has no expectations of me. Even if people never said it out loud, The look on their faces says “He can’t do anything for himself.” If I’m being honest with myself these assumptions are correct. So why don’t I give up? Every once in the blue moon I might get an Amazon gift card from my advocacy activities. Every time someone buys my book I wonder, I hope they read it and understand the message. What if it’s just sitting on the counter? Every woman I know is so busy they can’t return a text. At this age any woman I consider having a relationship with it’s probably going to have a child of her own, I’m not the usual stepdad girls look for. If I have nothing and will most likely never have anything of value, what is left to fight for?

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6 NIV

I found my answer in Jesus and his grace! I fight for his love and his grace that I don’t deserve and cannot earn. Yes, I will admit a few weeks ago I was angry, frustrated, and hurt with the outcome of my life. I’m a sinner, a hypocrite and many people are much more deserving than I am. Especially amongst my disability community. So many people have no voice and died in the last few years with this global situation. I don’t like this world but it is so seductive.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." James 1:2‭-‬3 NIV   

I don’t always understand why I was put on this planet that doesn’t understand me and will not accept me. All I know is that I have faith in God’s perfect plan. He uses weakness for his own good and his own Glory. In the long run, I will reap the benefits with my savior Jesus Christ. A general does not use his best warriors for easy battles. They’re saved for the important ones. Wherever you go though it is only temporary God’s kingdom is forever Thank you for these few minutes together friends see you next time.