Do It Myself Blog – Glenda Watson Hyatt

Dear Santa,

2012 was amazing! New friends, new career direction and, of course, climbing the Rocky steps was the highlight.

As I write this late on Christmas Eve, I am not in want for anything. I have a wonderfully supportive husband, a cuddly kitty, friends and family around the world, a beautiful home and adequately stocked cupboards. What more do I need?

However, there is one thing I would like for next year that perhaps you could help me, please. I would really like to have more, meaningful communication with those who are near and dear to me. Through the combination of modern technology, making time for old fashioned “let’s do coffee” and a little Santa magic, I am sure this is possible.

I’d also like to ask that my friends and family are blessed in the one way they need most.

Thank you and Merry Christmas.

With love from,
Glenda

2012 has been an amazing year! I am planning on writing a “2012 in Review” post a little later, probably in the lull between Boxing Day and New Year’s. For today, I would like to share a short video that was released earlier today. This video is my favourite day of 2012! For the back story, check out Going the Distance to Conquer the Rocky Steps.

Here’s the (uncaptioned) video…

Dear readers, friends and family,

Thank you for your generous support. Because of you, 65 people in dire need will enjoy a Christmas dinner at the Union Gospel Mission.

Your generosity warms my heart and brings a tear to my eye.

Regardless of what is happening in the world, the giving Christmas spirit is still alive and well. Thank you.

I would also like to thank each one of you for your support and friendship throughout the year, and I’d like to wish you the very best for 2013!

Glenda

In a society where a cell phone is obsolete in six months (if you are lucky), anything that survives into the fifth year is definitely worthy of being declared a tradition!

Thanks to you – my family, friends and loyal readers- this blog now officially has a tradition of giving to individuals in desperate need. Since 2008, when that little voice inside of my head distinctly said, “Feed 100 people!” we have fed 330 people a warm Christmas dinner through the Union Gospel Mission (UGM). Your generosity is overwhelming and heart-warming. Thank you.

Why the UGM? On Darrell’s and mine wedding day, Mom and my brother Kevin packaged up the leftover food and delivered it to the Union Gospel Mission. Since then, the UGM has held a special place in my heart.

Can we do it again this year?

The UGM is once again offering a hot meal for $3.29 during their Christmas campaign. Together, let’s feed Christmas dinner to 100 individuals in need of hope and show them they are still valued members of our community.

Would you join me, please? Click the orange ChipIn button below to give whatever feels right for you at this time. This ChipIn widget expires on Sunday, December 9th. I will forward the total amount to the UGM the following day.

Thank you and best wishes to you!

For the last while – even for the last couple of years – I have had this restless feeling of wanting to do more than disability and accessibility-related work stuff. I mean, disability and accessibility will likely always be part of what I do because it comes as part of the package of life with cerebral palsy. But I want to do something more than that. Something bigger.

I knew I wanted to take what I have learned from my life with a disability to help other people experience their lives more fully. But I didn’t yet know exactly how to explain what that really meant or what that might look like.

That wasn’t until a few weeks ago…

Friends were over to celebrate Darrell’s birthday. They mentioned spending a month in Whistler while their house was being renovated.

I asked if they had done the zipline – the one I’m dying to do, once I figure out the logistics.

They replied they had walked up as far as the ticket booth, but they were scared to go any further. 

I pulled out my iPad and played the video of me ziplining across downtown Vancouver: 

They were amazed. Impressed. Bob asked a few questions.

Then Bob turned to Pat and said, "Hmm, maybe we could do that.”

"THAT is what I want to do!" I heard those words so clearly. Darrell says he didn’t hear me say it aloud.  I am not sure whether I did say those words out loud or if it was my inner voice that keeps getting me in trouble.  Either way, I heard it.

The point isn’t whether Bob and Pat go ziplining, but rather that the next time they are standing on the edge of an opportunity and wavering, they go for it.

THAT is what i want to do in this next chapter of my life.

I’m not sure what shape THAT is going to take; my inner voice has yet to apprise me of the specifics. I do sense giving more (paying) presentations, with a motivational message, will play a role. My speaker site is in the works.

I welcome any thoughts you might have on figuring the specifics and next steps. Please share in the comments below.

To be continued…stay tuned.

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