Tuesday, January 20, 2009


I have started going in and helping my Aunt Darlene with my cousins, Brenda and Lane. I just want everyone to know what amazing people they are. They have been in wheelchairs for about 33 years with a degenerative condition known as Spinal Cerebellar Atrophy. I am so inspired and want to be a better person because of how they live. They are literally trapped in their body and I have NEVER heard them complain or get upset. I get mad at some of the dumbest things. I am learning as I get older how precious life is and how short it is. They are such a wonderful example to me and my daughter and I feel very lucky to have such a great friendship with them. We were heading to Ogden the other day to go shopping and I was going to take a ton of pictures and this is the only one I got (sorry Brenda) but Lane was ready to go and he kept us hoppin all day. On that note I have to vent...we were trying to find a parking space in the mall on Friday and there was not ONE handicapped parking space available. We drove around and around waiting for someone to come out, no one did so we found a handicapped space for the building next door and started to get out ( a long way from where we needed to be) A big yellow truck pulled in next to us in another handicapped space-all 3 of the people in the truck got out and walked into the mall..it makes me crazy. My 73 year old aunt who has to get 2 people out of the van and into wheel chairs couldn't find a parking space and people who don't really need them are parking there. I didn't get to upset, but was a little disgusted. We got back to the car a while later and were just getting Brenda and Lane in the van to eat lunch. The yellow truck was gone but another car pulled right into the handi space...a little girl, a mother and another lady got out, looked at us feeding Brenda and Lane and said "Oh, we parked in a handicapped spot" and kept on a walkin. I WAS SO DISGUSTED. They should be ahsamed of themselves. I learned a lot from that and decided we all need to be a little more considerate of others!

5 comments:

Janet said...

It's surprising how many people in the world think the rules just don't apply to them.

snakeriverwalton said...

You should start leaving them notes. Sometimes that is very affective. They can be nice and just say "we didn't have anywhere to park b/c you took our spot." Glad to see ya back blogging!

Anelisa said...

Lane and Brenda are my heros! I have always looked up to them for their Christlike attitudes :) I'm sure your Aunt Darlene appreciates your help so much.

Leslie Garbanati said...

Maydilou...you are the sweetest person I know. I have always admired your ability to work with people and care so deeply. Lane and Brenda...as well as Aunt Darlene are so lucky to have you. The rest of us are too. Now, for the people that park in the handicap stallls...kick their butts, girl! I know you are tougher than nails....grrrr

Crystalyn said...

I feel privileged to know Darlene and once a year at the Christmas parties we get to be with Brenda too. I am most impressed at the perspective they have on life.