Long time since my last post!

It's been so long since my last post! I've been so busy keeping up with my everyday life, and helping others too. I have done so much that helps to make a difference in others lives,  especially those living with disabilities. I've become a motivational speaker, and I peer mentor for those who are newly injured. I would like to keep up with my blog, but it's been challenging as I'm not the best typer. I refuse to get "Dragon" to help me with this dilemma because I feel that I'm blessed to have use of my upper body and no excuses! I'm going to make every effort to continue to keep my blog updated. I enjoy sharing my lifes happenings with others to spead inspiration. I'm doing so much to help pave the way for future generations of those living with disabilites. My community involvement is showing great progress in many areas! I do hope to get back with this Blog of mine to help encourage and motivate others. Time to rest up for my ninth full marathon this Sunday in my own home town here in Ft Lauderdale. I'm now also the Public Relations Director for Achilles International of South Florida in Broward County. Here's the Press Release for the Event this weekend and more information:

OAKLAND PARK FIREFIGHTERS TO HOST TUNE-UP PARTY FOR DISABLED ATHLETES PARTICIPATING IN THE FT. LAUDERDALE A1A MARATHON 

Oakland Park, FL (February 3, 2012) - On February 18^th, The Oakland Park Fire Fighters will host a “Tune-Up” Party and Pasta dinner for the Achilles members participating in the Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathon. The Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans and Achilles International of South Florida help people with a variety of disabilities participate in mainstream athletics with a focus on marathons. The Oakland Park Fire Fighters and volunteers for Achilles will assist marathon participants with adjustments to their hand-crank cycles. All participants will enjoy camaraderie and a home cooked pasta dinner.

In attendance will be Oakland Park resident Christine Kent who has emerged as a competitive hand cyclist, through Achilles, after she was left paralyzed from a gunshot wound more than four years ago by a stalker at her home.“Achilles has brought excitement back into my life by helping me to participate in marathons, and I’m excited to be hand cycling in my ninth full marathon since joining the Achilles team in November of 2009,” says Kent.  “I am so grateful to the initial Fire Rescue responders who helped to save my life, and now they’re helping me and the Achilles Team gear up for the Ft Lauderdale A1A Marathon!” The firefighter/paramedics, who helped to save Kent in her time of need on August 4, 2007, will be helping her and the Achilles Team gear up for the marathon.  Michael Espada was one of the firefighter/paramedics on the crew that rushed to Kent’s aid that night.  He was one of the volunteers who helped the cyclists gear up for the race last year. It was a pleasure to assist Christine and the other riders as they prepared for the marathon,” says Espada.  “I met several military veterans who participated last year, and being a military veteran myself, I found them all to be an inspiration.” Achilles is a non-profit organization that helps lower barriers for those living with disabilities and promotes personal achievement.  Over a dozen Achilles members also belong to the Spinal Cord Injury Support Group of South Florida in Sunrise. This support group helps to open many new doors for its members and encourages those with all types of disabilities to consider being physically active in sports amongst many other scheduled activities.

Hanging in There

I've been doing my best to block out the pain and I try to participate in activities and enjoy life to the fullest as much as possible. Luckily for me, I have very understanding and patient friends who care about me and who are supportive, and also help me out with different things that I can't reach or get to.

Sometimes I really can't do much and just have to Ice my lower back to bring down the inflammation and nerve pain. I tell myself often that "it could always be worse, at least I have my upper body" and it's so true, so I feel so blessed for all that IS good in my life everyday! Just looking around I can see so much to be grateful for. I hold onto the good memories and let go of the rest.

I'm hopeful that my pain will become more manageable and that I'll be able to participate in ALL the upcoming Marathons and benefit 5k's including Michael's Special Run in Hollywood Beach on October 16th and the Women in Distress SAFE-RUN, WALK Oct 30th at Markham Park in Weston !  For more information on these events go to:
Michael's Run: http://www.specialcompass.com/    
Women in Distress 
http://safewalk2010.kintera.org%20/



In other news, Alex Lutin, with the help of Susan Krinsky, the day Rehabilitation Nurse, founded the support group which I attend at HealthSouth in Sunrise called the Spinal Cord Injury Support Group of South Florida. The group welcomes all types of disabilities. It is really great being involved with this support group. They are always planning special events for us! Thursday is Movie night, and Saturday the Norton Museum!

Alex and I received an "Advocate of Distinction" award at the 20th Anniversary of the American Disability Act Celebration from the Center for Independent Living of Broward. I was very touched to have received this award for my work in helping others too! The Center for Independent Living was a tremendous help to me also and I received a grant for a beautiful cement ramp with railings for the entrance of my home!

I do my best to encourage and inspire others to try and make a positive difference in peoples lives.

I'm hopeful to continue to help others to keep a positive outlook and also to help them find the resources they may need for some assistance as well. We all need each other, and the disabled need more help from others to manage their care and well being. A lot is taken for granted when we all need to realize that each day is a gift and we should appreciate everything that is good in our lives, and help others along the way.

God has blessed my life and given me the strength to carry on. I have a purpose for being here and I want to fulfill my purpose. God is good !

Encouraging & Inspiring Others

I have always loved to help others, and now I'm helping others in a way I would've never imagined. Through my tragedy, others are reaching out to me for advice on how to better cope with their challenges and losses. I receive countless Thank you emails and Facebook Friend Requests from those who have read my stories and they've told me that I've given them inspiration and encouragement. Having completed my third full Marathon with a Handcycle this past Spring, that in itself has shown be so inspiring to others. I'm always looking at the positive side of things and people admire my positve outlook and attiude. I feel that it is the only choice considering that I strongly believe in the power of positve thought. My faith in the Lord and the power of prayer have been undeniable. I truly feel that I have so much to be grateful for. It is so important to be grateful and acknowledge those who have made an impact in my life. I have some incredible new friends today through my tradegy and luckily for me they sought me out and wanted to meet me! I'm really blessed to have them in my life today.

I'm anxious to help others who are disabled to find the resources to tap into for some assistance themselves.
I strongly believe that we should all treat others as we would like to be treated ourselves, help others along our way, and make a difference! I welcome the opportunity to help and assist others however possible.

I hope that by continuing to give Motivational & Inspirational Speeches, I can help make a difference too.

Through all of the assistance that I've received around my home by numerous organizations, I would like to share some of that valuable information with individuals living within the Tri County Area of South Florida. The Rotary Club of Pompano Beach will be helping me with some more home repairs and upgrades soon!

Also the Challenged Athletes Foundation could be contacted by anyone within the US who would like a Grant for Sports Equipment. That's the organization which I just received my new Handcycle from!

I wish to continue bringing some happiness to other peoples lives whenever the opportunity presents itself

The Last Few Months in Review

The last few months have been very exciting for me!

My Spinal Cord Injury Support Group at Healthsouth in Sunrise has introduced me to the sport of Handcycling. Achilles International sponsored me and loaned me a Handcycle to use for Marathon racing. This organization was wonderful at accommodating all of my needs for the Marathons.I just completed my third full Marathon February in Ft Lauderdale with a Handcycle! What an exillerating sport and experience. My stepsister Shelly came down from South Carolina to accompany me in the Marathon with her Bicycle. It was so wonderful to have her join me. We used to go Skiing every winter in Lake Tahoe at Heavenly Mountain. That was my favorite sport and we always looked forward to going every year on a special Ski trip together.

Now Handcycling is my favorite sport. It is alot of fun and a great cardiovascular workout. I enjoy the support group I'm a member of and the team spirit when we race in the Marathons. We also went Bowling last month, it was fun!

Friends, neighbors, companies, and organizations have been such a tremendous support to me!

Early this year a kindhearted man came forward, after seeing my story on the news, and offered to rebuild my Kitchen for me to make it handicap accessible! He made custom cabinets and installed a beautiful new kitchen for me with a lower countertop which I selected. So nice !!

I've had a new Carport built through a grant from the Rotary Club of Pompano Beach. I figured if I build it, it'll come, and someday I'll have a Van to park in it. What a blessing to have received a really nice fully modified 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan for a Birthday present from members at my Gracepoint Church! They are so loving, really caring about my needs, and always lending a helping hand! Several members have helped me with my gardening and other projects as well.

I also just received a new Handcycle through a Grant from the Challenged Athletes Foundation. Now I have my own Handcycle too! It came just in
time for my birthday! What an amazing birthday this year. I had a great party I had to celebrate life, love, and friendship! I prepared a homemade Venison Meatsauce over Penne Pasta with Garlic rolls and Garden Salad. I kept my chronic nerve pain away from the adreniline and positive energy flowing that evening. It was a wonderful group of close friends who came to celebrate my birthday with me!

The Center for Independant living gave me a Grant to build Cement Ramps for my home doorways. They also installed a nice railing to go along with them. I've had a friend help to paint the ramps brown for me.

The Kiwanis Club members came forward to help me paint the exterior of my home. They did a fantastic job and my home looks so great. Then they approached local nurseries for donations for a Planting Party. Shade Trees, Palm Trees, and Flowers for a Butterfly garden were all planted!
Some good friends also joined in on the painting and gardening as well. So much team effort !!! I feel such a sense of warmth surround me.

I was just nominated for a Home Beautification Award from the City here of Oakland Park and it was a really fantastic Award Ceremony!
I'm so very blessed to be constantly surrounded by those individuals who care to make a difference in my life. The Award ceremony was at the Oakland Park City Hall and so many people showed up who have helped to beautify my home and also those who have made a positive impact on my life. The Fire Rescue Responders who came to my aid when I was attacked showed up for this award and to wish me well. It was just incredible to see all these people there for me who cared for me! The local news stations also came to report this Award ceremony and the next chapter of my life. Then a close friend treated me to dinner at my favorite restaurant. I doesn't get much better than this! Unless I was walking again....


Staying active helps to keep my mind off of the pain I still suffer from my injuries. I hope that someday the nerve pain will lesson greatly. It's no fun being shot and run over with an SUV!!!!

However, I count my blessing for all that IS good in my life today and everyday. I know that I have so much to be grateful for, and the more I am grateful the more blessings come my way! I keep a positive outlook and always try to remain cheerful no matter how I am feeling physically. 

Life is Beautiful

Life is beautiful, which is the reason I started this blog. To share my life; to share my story. I wanted a place where I could write updates about the events in my life. Activities I've done, goals and accomplishments I've achieved. Speeches I've given. Words of encouragement. Or even a place for me to vent my frustrations. But generally just to share my story and inspire people along their journey.

Most importantly, I want everyone to know that if I could survive, so can you. Never give up. Never say you can't do something. Find the strength inside yourself to overcome the impossible, because it is possible. I thank God for everyday I'm alive, and I am grateful to be blessed with the gift of life.

I hope I can inspire and motivate more people than I already have. Please pass this blog along to your family, your friends, your coworkers, or people you think might need a little encouragement in their lives...let's face it. We all need inspiration once in a while.