|
God Knew I Loved Pizza is one of many books to follow. It is my intent to help others dealing with a life challenge of any kind in all my books. This first book is an introduction to who I was before the accident and who I am now. It really gives the reader a picture of my personality and determination and was written to give some insight into how to deal with the everyday challenges that we all face. However, the books that follow will be a little more specific to certain areas of life that affect those with disabilities and those that live with and care for them. The books that follow will deal with issues such as having intimate relationships, exercise and staying in shape, traveling, and most importantly, being the best you that you can be.
What people are saying...
|
I could not put it down, it was wonderful. I can't tell you how many times since I finished it that I have thought about it. Just knowing that no matter what happens in life, my God is always with me. That is a true blessing! Just wanted you to know that it has became a true inspiration to me and to my life. May God always be with you and continue to use you everyday. |
|
WHAT A GREAT JOB. I have just finished reading the book, and I really had no idea of all the situations you experienced and trials you have over come. Julie, you are a remarkable person. What a great thing you have done to put down your knowledge for those that will come after you (with handicaps) and for those of us that do not have handicaps to understand better what you do face. Get busy on the next one. |
|
I got my book today and 4 other ones too. I got one for each one of the boys and an extra in case I needed another gift. It is great and hard to put down. I can remember a lot you say as if it was yesterday. I am going to spread the word of this great book to everyone I meet. |
| Julie, I wanted to tell you, I read your book in like two days..I couldn't put it down...Betsy and I both really loved it. It was so touching and real. You did such a GREAT job. You have come such a long way because you pushed yourself and YOU made it all happen!!! Take care. |
|
Julie….I just wanted to let you know that I saw you one day this past year and wondered who you were and what your story was. I love to talk with people about their journeys but didn’t want to offend you by asking. I do remember clearly what a beautiful woman you are. It was then right around the holidays when I saw your book. I purchased it immediately and read through it within a week. Thank you for sharing yourself and your story with us ‘able bodied’ people. You have given me a new reference point of thinking and understanding when I see someone that is disabled. I just wanted to take this moment to let you know how much I enjoyed your book and meeting you through it. It is in your sharing that I have grown a bit more! |
|
I read your book on the plane last week and I loved it! I would like to order copies for all our staff. Please let me know how much the book is and how I can purchase this. Thank you! |
|
OMG - got the book! started last night, hard to put down. |
|
I just wanted to let you know I just read your book and I have to say it is one of the best, most inspiring books I have read. It is so well written each page really catches your emotions. I had a hard time putting it down.Julie, thanks for God Knew I Loved Pizza! I wish I had read it when I began my own disabled journey 6 years ago, it made me laugh and cry when I thought back on being in many of the same situations. Thanks again! |
I was broken, but with a new outlook on life….
In July of 1984 I was the “normal” 22 year old female. I had a great job, nice car, nice place to live and 2 great kids who were 1 and 5 years old. One day later I was different and broken. My then husband and I enjoyed the Pepsi 400 in Daytona, FL on the 4th of July. We traveled down each year from Alabama to vacation and see the races. My parents and grandparents always kept the kids during this time away. That year changed my life and that of those who knew me.
On the return to Alabama on July 5th the car ventured off the right side of the road during a heavy rain. I was thrown from the car and rolled down an embankment. The car landed on top of me. My husband crawled to me and placed a broken umbrella over my open mouth to stop me from drowning. I lay on my back with the rest of my body under the car. We still had milkmen in Alabama, at that time and a driver found us. Emergency personnel were soon on the scene and my life changed forever.
The first hospital stop consisted of several measures to try to keep me alive and then to stabilize me for transport by helicopter to University Alabama Hospital located in Birmingham, AL. My injuries included all broken ribs, punctured lungs, ruptured spleen, burned left heel (that required numerous surgeries and skin grafts), gashes, cuts, barb wire wrapped in my hair and the worst - a complete spinal cord injury. My family was told that it would be days before the doctors knew if I would live, but one thing they did know was that I would never walk again. I was now a paraplegic.
My dad always said I was hardheaded and he now admits that it came in very handy in keeping me alive. I survived the chest tubes, ventilators, pneumonia, and numerous types of surgery and living on a feeding tube. My parents, family and friends continuously prayed that I would be given even the chance to fight. My brother bought me a head set radio and said, “listen to this, not what they are saying about your condition or what they’re doing to you”.
Months later after many tears and rehab I was again home to learn to live this “new” life. When I cried my mother would say, “All right, there is 5 minutes for crying and then we have to get to work”. I knew she and my dad cried in private, but they only showed me true strength. My grandparents were “rocks” that God had always used to guide us. During this time they were huge boulders in my life always challenging me and cheering me on. My entire immediate and extended family took care of the kids for several years and then they came home to live again. I truly believe the kids thought I was the “normal” mom and wondered why other parents didn’t have a wheelchair. I learned to cook, do the laundry, drive with hand controls (oh, boy!), take total care of my kids, swim, exercise, garden and complete all the daily task of a mom. After years of rehab we all learned that I could still pitch baseball and have my daughter’s friends for sleepovers. It was not easy, nor perfect, as they quickly learned also.
I decided to return to school where I completed college degrees in Social Work. I moved to FL over 15 years ago and later opened my own counseling practice in 1995. I knew that I was handicapped, but no one ever knows about the cost of all the special equipment that you require. I worked full time and in three other places at once until a sneaky blood clot found its way into my life schedule. Today I work part time and continue to look for ways to better my life. Richard Simmons taught me to dance in my wheel chair some years ago and during that time he said to me “ any day you wake up and your name is not in the obituaries is a great day indeed”. There are many days I have cried, but I know he was right. I see my children as adults now and have had the privilege of seeing my grandson being born and start to grow up. I enjoy loving and receiving love from my family and friends.
Life has gotten a little off course, but it’s just a curve, so I found a new dream to accommodate the changes. I have something very valuable, knowledge and incredible learning experiences. I have recently completed the first of hopefully many manuscripts about my life in the wheelchair. From the date of the accident forward, I would like to address the acceptance/rejection of being handicapped, all the true details of daily life, coping, staying fit both mentally and physically, the tricks of the trade to make life easier. Remembering that everyone has something to deal with, mine is just visible.
I love life and people. I want to make a difference. I want to help others understand what it takes and the way that a family and friends can help turn those baby steps into leaps towards a “normal” life and positive future. By the way, with Richard's help, I am also now a decent wheelchair dancer! Life really does go on… its learning how and making a commitment to accepting changes.
