A Differently Abled Woman's Fire to Inspire

This past weekend, I took part in the most exhausting, yet one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I was given the honor to be the keynote speaker at the Northport High School commencement ceremonies. See, there was not one graduation, but 10 amazing graduation ceremonies. Yes, phew!! I have never been so excited yet nervous for an event (besides having my children.) You can watch the graduations, along with my keynote speech on the link below. The graduation took place over two days, so there were five ceremonies on each day. By day two, my confidence was up, and I knew that I would truly miss the tribe of friends I had acquired, along with standing up on that stage, and doing my best to empower everyone listening to me. On the second graduation morning, I happily adorned myself in my pale yellow dress. (You will appreciate the reference more if you watch a ceremony or two.) I packed my meals for the day, and looked forward to a full day ahead of me. Each speech went off witho

I did it!! You're probably thinking I achieved another personal record on my handcycle, (which I have) by "booking it" fast, but I have been "booking it" in another instance. I finally finished writing my children's book! *Shriek!!!* I have been working on it for entire year, and finally have brought years of notions to fruition. It feels exhilarating to have it completed, and I am currently working on submitting it to publishers that I think would be a great match. Fingers and toes crossed! I would be lying if I said it has been easy. When the pandemic came about, I started really putting together ideas from my jotted on napkins and scrap paper. This was simultaneously being done while homeschooling three children. After hours of virtual schooling, then assisting them individually for hours on their written work, I would dive into my work like an eager child into a pool on a hot summer day. I would look forward to writing my story more than anything. My kid

As the Autumnal Equinox is now upon us, so is the commencement of my training schedule. The weather is breezier, and so is the boardwalk. I have been following “week 1” of what is considered the beginning of 5k training, and I think that I am on point. I have been practicing all summer on and off, but with the heat, a damper was put on my consistency. Now that is is slightly cooler and the kids are in school, I can dedicate a few days a week to really putting in the miles on my handcycle. And when I mean miles, I mean like 2... 2.5, if I am having a superb day like yesterday. Like I had stated, with the change of the season, the winds have cranked it up a notch as well. The boardwalk has been so windy, that with each breeze, I have felt like I had been pedaling backward for hours. Thankfully, yesterday’s  weather conditions were perfect for me. It was slightly warm, no breeze (phew) and the sun was more bronzing than burning. I was optimistic that I was going to have a good workout,

My handcycle training these past couple of months, have been better than I could ever have hoped for. After a few setbacks with getting the hitch and bike-rack installed, I was finally able to bring my handcycle out and about. Training on the roads around me became tedious and discouraging. The small, yet cumbersome inclines were depleting me physically and mentally. I was desperate to train on a flat surface, where I could boost my stamina and confidence. I felt that once I became adjusted to cycling on a flat surface, I could then return to my hilly abode with my improved strength.  The first place that I desired to train most at was Sunken Meadow. It was my old cross country stomping grounds, where I had trained and raced at for the entire duration of my running years. It was nostalgic and bittersweet, as I crossed the bridge and smelled the salty marshlands. I headed straight for the boardwalk, that used to be our place for warming up before cross country races. I thought back to

My handcycle training these past two months have been a positive slow progression. While I have been training a bit more on the roads, I have also stepped up my game on my indoor stationary one as well. Spring has sprung, but there are many of those lingering, cool, soggy days, where I find myself "getting too old" to withstand the elements just for fun. There was a time where I would prance and run around in a singlet and bun huggers, and set a PR (personal record,) amidst a downpour and gale force winds.  While those days are long gone, I find solace in my indoor handcycle. I have increased an entire level on it, giving myself more of a resistance, that is equivalent to my hot pink outdoor handcycle. With that, the intensity has created tears in my hands. They are not pleasant, but I like to think of them as my "pink badges of courage." I'm looking into work-out gloves to prevent tears, and down the road tears (as in the sobbing kind.) Each time I get out

It has been almost 19 years now since I had run my last run. I have watching races on television, and attended them in person, and each time that I am a spectator of my passion, I yearn to get out there and pound the pavement beneath me with each stride. On occasion, a twinge of anger and a wave of melancholy washes over me, until today. I found a passion where I can race, and eventually compete in, like decades ago.  A few months ago, I had discovered that my most favorite place on Earth (Disney World), held numerous races throughout the year. I own a stationary handcycle in my basement, where I cycle about three miles a day, approximately three days per week. At the time, I did not own a handcycle for the roads, but I knew somehow deep down that I could train for a Disney race. I spotted the Disney Princess Marathon Weekend, and knew in my heart, that I had to complete the Disney Princess 5k. I envisioned wearing a cute, sporty Disney-related outfit (probably Sleeping Beauty