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'Tis the Season!

12/8/2015

6 Comments

 
My Christmas Card to You!
I hope all of your holiday shopping is done!  Travis & I have been busy getting ready for Christmas.  We went to the Cedar Hill Christmas Tree Farm to cut down our own tree, we do it every year and is our way of embracing December and getting into the spirit.  Travis offered to let me stay and drink hot chocolate inside while he went to get the tree, but being aware of how precious my time is and knowing that everything could be "my last", I wanted to go out with him.  The ground was frozen mud and too uneven and difficult to use the wheelchair and/or walker.  So hand in hand with Travis I set out into the trees, where my leg got stuck on the uneven ground and buckled beneath me.  Travis was carrying two saws in his other hand and in what felt like slow-motion, I hit the ground and ended up with a giant purple and yellow goose egg bump & bruise on my thigh.  The price I pay for my stubbornness.  He did let me choose the tree after that though and it is perfect!  And I did get my hot chocolate, and was comforted by the cutest bunny that Travis wouldn't let me take home!

It is really difficult between finding the balance of living life and being safe.  I am still at a point, where I choose a bruise over not participating!  That being said, I have given in to using my walker inside.  Now that we are on our own again in the apartment, I need to choose safety so Travis can go to work without worrying about me.  I've also begun receiving home care with a personal support worker through the "VHA" program.  This is very difficult for me as I like to be independent, but what I'm telling myself is that this will allow me to keep my independence.  Travis doesn't believe me but I find it hard asking (telling) people what to do.  So this is going to take some getting used to!

I had my 3 month ALS Clinic visit and my breathing, swallowing and talking is still within the normal ranges.  The doctors said that I am doing really well.  They had many patients this year who were diagnosed and died within 2015.  My heart goes out to them and their families and I will do my best to appreciate life while enduring this difficult disease.

​Still feeling the love and never-ending support from awesome people I'm connected to.  I have to share with you an email I received from my Sorority Sisters of Kappa Kappa Gamma at McGill University in Montreal;

My name is Alex and I am the current philanthropy chair at Delta Delta.  I wanted to reach out and let you know that the women here at Delta Delta are still thinking about you! 
We want you to know that you are always in our hearts and we are here to support you in any way that we can. Being a Kappa, to us, means always being there for your sisters, no matter what.
In that light, I am writing to you to let you know that our Fall Philanthropy event this year was again organized in support of the ALS Society of Quebec. We held a dance-a-thon where we had teams performing routines, a dance lesson, and dance battles throughout the afternoon. It was a lot of fun and a very successful event in both fundraising for the society and for raising awareness of the terrible disease that effects too many people. 
In the end we raised just over $1200 for the society and we wanted to let you know this as you inspire our chapter every day and this event was created with you very much in  mind. We wish you all the best and if you have anything you'd like me to read out to the chapter, we always love hearing from our wonderful alumni!
L & L 
Alex 


How Awesome is that?  Check out their photos below.  I will never feel that I deserve this outpouring of support from so many people in my life, but I am sure going to savour every moment of it!

I know there is a lot of sadness in the world lately, but I will never stray from my belief that people are generally kind, loving and good.  Many may be misguided, suffering and lost, but generosity, compassion and love, are what will win over hatred and violence in this world.

Peace Out,
C
Picture
Tractor Ride at the Christmas Tree Farm
Picture
Buddy would love a new playmate!
A Little Shuffle for ALS
Kappa Kappa Gamma
Dance-a-Thon
6 Comments
Annemarie
12/12/2015 04:10:17 am

I am with you on the bunny! I would have smuggled it home... XO

Reply
Heather
12/14/2015 07:50:16 am

Hard to find balance indeed (double meaning intended -- I hear you)...sending love and strength and swags and garlands of Christmas love to you all.

P.S. Travis was smart to say no to the bunny -- it couldn't have handled NOT being the cutest thing chez you: that prize is Carol's forever!

P.P.S. Looking forward to part two of our Friday FaceTime - will text times ASAP xxoo

Reply
Heather
12/20/2015 07:50:44 am

Finally could see the video - love!!! Mog's facial expressions are priceless! And clearly, Mog is Buddy's long lost English cousin... #kittiestotherescue

xxoo and Merry Merry to all

Reply
momS
12/16/2015 12:29:40 am

'two tree saws, one goose egg bruise, and a Carol-chosen Christmas tree' to be sung to the tune 'On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me!'
A heart-warming story set in Cedar Hill Farm :) thnx for sharing so descriptively

Reply
Brittany
12/17/2015 11:15:44 am

Some might say stubborn, others might say tenacious, determined and strong! (at least that's what I tell myself when people say I'm stubborn, hahaha)

It's a really good thing they didn't have bunnies at that craft show we went to, because you know I would have totally enabled you.

Your Kappa girls rock- what an amazing sisterhood!

Reply
mom Louise
12/19/2015 03:16:54 pm

I love your Christmas card, I laughed so hard, I cried. Then at the end, I just cried

Reply



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    Carol Jean Skinner (née Sharman)
    born October 19
    lives in Ottawa, Canada

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carol skinner  - rolyskinner@gmail.com
travis skinner - skinnertravis@gmail.com