Do It Myself Blog – Glenda Watson Hyatt

(Photo credit: Anna Wolniak)

I excitedly announce the opening of Readers’ Café on Wednesday, July 18th, right here! Readers’ Café is a place to ask questions about my autobiography, share stories and brainstorm ideas.

Readers’ Café will work very much like Liz Strauss’ Open Mic Night. Join the conversation by simply posting comments. You are welcome to stay for the whole evening or to pop in and out amidst making dinner, putting the kids to bed, working at on your laptop on the beach or whatever you doing between 7-10pm Eastern Daylight Time. You never know where the conversation may lead or who may show up.

Please join us –

Date: Wednesday, July 18th, 2007
Time: 7-10pm EDT
Location: Right here!

Readers’ Café will be held the first and third Wednesdays of each month

Mark it on your calendar. Hope to see you here!

Meanwhile, please remember to vote and have a great weekend!

(Photo credit: Jay Simons)

After a two-week hiatus from blogging, I’m back! Darrell and I were busy preparing an introductory training session “Web Accessibility: The What, Why and How” for a local city’s Information Technology (IT) staff. When I’m in the midst of a major project, everything else decreases in importance – this typing thumb can accomplish only so much.

I had a few late nights creating the PowerPoint presentation and adding the text-to-speech sound files with my speaking parts, which was a tedious process that seemed like it would take more time than I had. I thought the burning eyeballs and the floating spots were simply from a lack of sleep.

A trip to the optometrist just to be sure on Monday morning revealed otherwise. After several tests, measurements and hold still moments, it was determined that my perfect vision, the only perfect thing with this body, is no longer perfect. I now need glasses for reading. Apparently this is normal when individuals turn forty – finally reached a normal milestone!

However, I profusely object. If I am so-called developmentally delayed, then the perks of turning forty should be equally delayed! This is not fair; it can’t be both ways! I want a lawyer to fight this unfair ageing practice!

(Photo credit: Stefanie K)

After eight weeks of hoop-jumping, Darrell finally has a new gel cushion and can minimize the risk of a pressure sore from sitting all day. Luckily, the bureaucrat assigned to review Darrell’s application was new and the occupational therapist (OT) was able to convince him to forgo the “one cushion per butt” policy in favour for the commonsensical “one cushion per chair” approach. Thank goodness for small mercies!

The OT had warned Darrell that his application may not be approved because of the policy and brainstormed other options. Darrell explained that he couldn’t possibly get both chairs beside the bed without levitating, at which point the OT threatened to hang up! He then suggested that Darrell park both wheelchairs beside the couch and sit on a stack of throw pillows while he swapped the cushion. A person with no balance is supposed to sit on a wobbly pile of pillows? Ok. And who is going to pick him when he lands on the floor? The tooth fairy?

It’s not that we prefer relying on the government for such necessities, but these things are so outrageously priced because, as one sales person once revealed to us, “someone has to pay it”; our current situation doesn’t permit us to be the someone. One day! Until that day, Darrell is comfy (well, as comfortable as sitting all day can be).

Happy summer (finally)! Time to kick back and relax under a shady tree or on the beach slathered in sunscreen, with a cool drink in one hand and a good book in the other. And I have just the book for you!

Here’s what one reader recently said about I’ll Do It Myself:

I ordered your book and read it all the day it came….then I read it again. I have a three year old son… that has athetoid cp. I would love to be in contact with you because I see so many similarities between your story and the way his life is unfolding. I was so relieved to read your book and realize all of the possibilities ahead [for my son].

I have been mailing copies across Canada and the United States, as well as to the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. For local readers, copies are available at Celebration Christian Store in Surrey

Beginning Wednesday, July 18th, I will be holding bi-monthly “Ask the Author” nights, approximately 7-10pm EST, right here on my blog! Come ask me questions about my autobiography, living with a disability or just to chat. So, get your copy of I’ll Do It Myself and come join us on July 18th. Hope to see you here!

I am also planning a “Summer Sojourn” virtual book tour for mid or late August. Stay tuned for details.

Happy reading and have an awesome summer!

(Photo credit: Sanja Sjenero)

I try to give my loyal readers something positive, inspiring, or hopeful in most posts I write, but there are days when having cerebral palsy simply sucks. And, today was one of those days!

As I shared in an earlier post, my left ankle needs to be braced again; a development I’m not thrilled with. I wore heavy long-legged braces as a child. The summer before Grade Six, I had a horrendous surgery done to stabilize both ankles (details are in my book), after which I graduated to short-legged braces below the knee. Then part way through Grade Eight, I did away with the braces all together, which marked improvement to me; one tiny step towards being less different. Going back to a brace is a step backward; digression.

Nowadays, the braces (or AFOs – ankle-foot orthotics) are no longer heavy metal and sweaty leather, but rather lightweight plastic molded to the foot. Today’s appointment involved casting my foot for the plastic mold. With athetoid cerebral palsy, this was not an easy task.

I must admit that the orthotists were very patient and even answered my questions this time. Not having the rehab specialist there this time helped. Or, perhaps it was the fact that I had included the link to the previous blog post when I emailed for the appointment, after receiving notification that funding for said AFO had been approved. Whatever it was, it was nice being treated as an intelligent individual.

Because of my cp and the muscle tightness, we had to go through the casting process three times in order to get my foot in a semi good position from which the plastic mold will be made. Three times I endured my foot being twisted and turned into a position my foot doesn’t go in. And, to be honest, it hurt!

The AFOs are made of a clear plastic. Children get to choose from an album a graphic or design to customize their plastic AFO (and to make it more bearable to wear). The orthotist gave me the album to see if I wanted anything on mine. Thumbing through the images of action heroes, cute animals, or flaming lightning bolts didn’t inspire me; there was nothing business- or professional-like, no dollar signs or “I’m a hot babe” sayings. I was learning towards a plain, least conspicuous, least wardrobe clashing AFO. Then I saw the butterflies, the symbol of new life, new hope, and thought, “If I have to wear this stupid thing, why not have brightly coloured butterflies all over it?” I never had choice with the metal braces and poop brown shoes I wore all through my childhood. Hopefully the butterflies will lighten up the sucky fact that I am now back to wearing braces.