The Other Sister

I want to take a couple minutes and thanks my parents and family of how they raised me with a person with a disability.  I have met a new friend on Facebook.  Even though we have never met face to face, we have a lot in common!  The 2 main things we have in common is that we both have CP.  The second thing we have in common is that she now lives in the Black Hills, and as most of you know I grew up in the Black Hills.  We met on a cerebral palsy Facebook page.  I saw that she lived in Spearfish SD, and we had a instant connection!

Yesterday we were chatting on Facebook about our past.  We have similar stories.  Growing up feeling different, getting bullied, going to the Shriners and lots of therapies.  But the coolest story we have is the support of our family.

Yesterday, as we were chatting, I was thinking of this blog.  I been wanting to write a blog for my family, and especially, my best friend, my mom!  Both of our families raised us, just as the rest of our siblings.  I so thankful for how I was raised.  My mom never treated me differently then my sisters or brother.  I laugh now, because, there were times I was a pain in the rear, wanting to do whatever my sisters did.  Brooke was on the swim team, so of course I wanted to be on the swim team.  I laugh, because mom would say "Brianne, you are TERRIFIED of water!!"  "But if you want to be on the swim team go for it!"  So of course I did!!!  We all had chores.  Of course I  could do the physically harder jobs, but I had other chores that I could do independently!   There were times I hated doing them, but it made me the person I am today.


In high school, we all had jobs.  We didn't have a lot of money, so if we wanted something we worked for it.  All of my sisters were waitresses, because of my CP I could not waitresses.  I found my jobs in mostly babysitting and daycare centers.  Yes, I couldn't and still can not do physically jobs or work long hours, but that did not stop me from making my own money.  It also made into a hard worker and appreciate work.

I remember in high school I had a hard time.   The hardest thing in high school was not being able to drive and getting teased!   I didn't always feel wanted by my peers and thought there was something wrong with me.  But my family always was there for me.  As I looked back, I wish I listen to them more, and not care what other thought of me.  The only people who mattered, were those who loved me!  My family!!  I gave my family a lot of grief back them.  I had a lot of anger and rage with my CP and feeling different.  But they loved me through it all.  I am so grateful for them.  I am the person I am today, because of them!!

Not being able to drive in high school so hard for me.  I wanted to drive so bad like my peers, but partially because of my CP and partially b/c of fear I didn't drive in high school.  My mom always had a manual car.  I would beg her to drive.  Of course, with like many things I had to figure out myself that I can't drive a stick shirt!  I kept begging and begging, finally one day my stepdad was like "Fine, you want to drive let's go!"  Of course, I was like "YES, FINALLY!!"  I quickly learned they were right, I can't drive a stick shift!!

My senior year I took Driver Ed with Mr. Calabro.   I was the oldest in the class, which kind of bugged me, but at least I was driving!!   I remember him telling me that he thought I could drive a "normal' car!  So when I was 21 I started driving. 

I am so grateful my family never held me back, of course in less it was in my best interest!!  They helped shape me into the person I am today.  People tell me "You are so amazing and inspiring!"  I thank them, but give a lot of the credit to my family!!  They have loved me through many hard days and pushed me when I needed it!

"But I focus on one thing and looking forward to what lies ahead.  I press on to the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize from which God through Christ Jesus, is calling us." 
Philippians 3:13-14

There was a time in my life I wanted to be "normal".  Drive at sixteen.  Be a great sport player.  Go hang out with my own friends.  Not get held back in 2nd grade, but those things wouldn't made me the person I am today.  I am the person I am today because of how God made me, and because of the love of my family.

One time I told my mom "thank you for not babying me."  she said "Brianne, I had six kids I didn't have time to baby you!"   I am so grateful for that!

"For you are a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God.  Of all the people on the earth, the Lord chosen you to be his own special treasure."  Deuteronomy 7:6


I am truly thankful for thankful for each one of you in my life.  Mom and dad thank you for always pushing me when I need to be and loving me through many hard days!