Amanda and I have been married for seven years. We are also coming up on the seventh year of living in the house we bought shortly after getting married. It is a house that has always been cozy and has always felt like home. I am unable to do much of the maintenance around theContinue reading “Dimming of the Day”
Category Archives: Spina Bifida
Rings of Fire
I’d like to start this post by stating unequivocally that I am not an arsonist. These stories can simply be placed into the “Ryan Likes to do Dumb Things File.” Ever since I was younger I loved fire. I used to set things on fire in the metal trashcan that was in my room whenContinue reading “Rings of Fire”
Boot Heel Fever
If there is one thing that frustrates me the most about having spina bifida, it is the fact that I have to wear leg braces. It is often hard to find shoes that I like that will fit over my braces. It is especially difficult when the orthotist (the person who makes said braces) getsContinue reading “Boot Heel Fever”
Low Riser
It was a late Sunday afternoon. Amanda and I had just attended the graduation ceremonies at the high school where I was working at the time. It was Memorial Day weekend and neither one of us had to work the next day, so we thought we’d go get some dinner and then see a movie.Continue reading “Low Riser”
Ticket to Ride
“My advice to other disabled people would be, concentrate on things your disability doesn’t prevent you doing well, and don’t regret the things it interferes with. Don’t be disabled in spirit as well as physically.” -Stephen Hawking When I was younger I never really thought of myself as disabled. I was able to do most ofContinue reading “Ticket to Ride”
“A Chasing After the Wind” Kind of Day…
There are many changes in life that we all face. Many of these are often beyond our control. For instance, many of us have changed jobs. All of us have experienced loss in one form or another. These losses bring about change. Some of us have experienced the loss of a loved one. There areContinue reading ““A Chasing After the Wind” Kind of Day…”
2 + 2 = 4…or is it 5?
According to spinabifida.org “more than 10 million people worldwide have spina bifida.” Of those 10 million individuals, “approximately 90%” also have a disorder known as hydrocephalus. This disorder results in a disruption “in the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through the pathways of the ventricles of the brain.” This abnormal flow of CSF “causes pressureContinue reading “2 + 2 = 4…or is it 5?”
The House Call
Growing up I received some of the best medical care that was available for people who were born with spina bifida. I was fortunate to live just a couple of hours west of Chicago, which was home to Children’s Memorial Hospital. If you have read some of my earlier posts, you might recall my fondnessContinue reading “The House Call”
Put the Crippled Kid up Front…
Thanks for joining me! “Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine.” — Lord Byron Writing a blog is an idea that I have had for quite some time. However, I have always hesitated because I was not sure anyone would be interested in anything that I have to say. Then, it occurred toContinue reading “Put the Crippled Kid up Front…”
