The observations: of my rolling life.

Have you ever caught yourself staring at someone because you were curious about them and/or their situation? What did you do after they caught your attention? Did you introduce yourself and start a conversation? Or, did you just continue to stare?

One might say that I tend to stand out in the crowd, because of my visible tattoos and the fact that I drive a rather large pink power wheelchair. I have gotten use to people taking second glances as I roll past them. It’s a natural human reaction to stare at something or someone who peaks your curiosity. I’ll admit, that there are times when I catch myself staring at someone that catches my attention. Once I realize it, I might briefly smile, and keep on going or I will take the time to stop and introduce myself and talk with them.

From my perspective, staring only leads to wondering. The person staring wonders about the circumstances of the person that caught their attention. While the person being stared at, is probably wondering why that person keeps looking at them.

“Are they staring at my wheelchair?”

“Do they like what they see?”

“Maybe, they recognize me from somewhere.”

“They must like my tattoos.”

“Hell, they’re staring so hard, they must be jealous.“

Children’s curiosity is always intriguing to me. It always makes me smile to see a cute little face looking my way. I usually go out of my way to say hi and show them all the cool things my chair can do. Showing kids my wheelchair, usually gets the kids interested and they start asking questions. I then get to educate future generations on how a person with a disability is just like they are. We just might do certain things a little differently.

Will you be my Valentine?: https://www.generosity.com/medical-fundraising/shane-s-lonely-valentine-s-day/x/9161855

Shane here! Let’s all be honest: being in love is GREAT. There’s nothing else on Earth like that warm fuzzy feeling of affection you get when cuddling up next to someone you love. That’s why Valentine’s Day is so amazing, it’s a day to show our significant other how over-the-moon crazy we are about them. That is… if you have a significant other.

This year, I’m thoroughly single (single tear drips down my face), and although I contemplated asking my cats to be my Valentines, I have a feeling their eternal fear of my wheelchair is going to create some problems in our relationship.

Instead, I’d like to spread some love this Valentine’s day!

The nonprofit organization that I run, Laughing At My Nightmare, is dedicated to helping people with my disease live more awesome lives. We give a variety of equipment grants for everything from medical equipment to ramps and technology devices. In 2015, we gave away 15 grants to 15 people. This year, we’re aiming even higher!

You can help by giving a Valentines donation this year! For just $5.00, you’ll receive a super-secret, super-sexy Valentine from Yours Truly. It took me hours to make, so please frame it or sleep with it or eat it so that it becomes a part of your body forever. (Don’t eat it.)

With your help donating and sharing this with your friends, I’ll be able to fall asleep full of love on February 14th, knowing that hundreds of you loved me enough to support my efforts to help others with muscular dystrophy!