Valentine’s Day has always been focused around love and relationships. February 14th, seems to be set aside for the expression of feelings and showing that special someone how much you care for them. Traditionally, a gift is given to that certain someone. Usually the gift is used as a way to show deep sentiments of love and devotion. That is okay, because Valentine’s Day is the one day a year where people can share their intimate thoughts with another, liberally, and without reservation. Most people in love will tell you that the perfect way for someone to say that they care is by send

ing flowers, cards, candy, balloons and the occasional cuddly teddy bear. For those who are involved in relationships they not only enjoy the giving and receiving of these gifts, but also the feelings that follow.

I once read the quote from an unknown author that Valentine’s Day can be defined as either “A Beautiful time, or a commercial creation.” This is a cynical way of saying that Valentine’s Day boils down to just another holiday for stores to make money. In a sense I can agree that it is a “commercial creation” because if you think about it, you almost feel obligated to buy that special someone a gift that they are expecting.

This makes me wonder, how did this day once all about love come to this point? When did such a romantic and joyous day get reduced to yet another crass attempt at commercialism? It was once such a pure and sweet day, focused around the expression of thoughts and feelings, not only material possessions.

But no more. Today, most women usually expect their mate to go all out,buying them an assortment of candy, flowers, and other trinkets of affection. The reason? More likely than not, it is so they will have something to brag about to their friends and families. To these people, the gifts are proof of how much they are loved by their significant others. So much so that, that in extreme cases, it can almost turn into a competition to see who gets the bigger and better gift. The feeling that is almost always lost is how grateful they should feel to have someone in your life to spend the day and in return you will get the love back that you deserve.

There are those who are single out there, who have not yet found that special someone. For them, Valentine’s Day is no different than any other, since they do not have someone to share their feelings with, therefore, this day which is all about having someone to love, it is irrelevant.

I am one of those people. I have not found that special someone. But I know that someone special may be right around the corner. I know that special someone will find me and we will be able to share Valentine’s Day the same way other couples do—together. So if you are single too, don’t despair on this “couple’s holiday”, take heart and know that you’re not alone. I am right here with you. One day soon, both you and I, will be in that group of people who look forward to this day that comes only once a year. Then, it will take on a whole new meaning for you and you may wonder why on earth you feel as
alone as you do right now.

Until that day comes, celebrate this day and choose to use it as an opportunity to express your feelings to the ones you love. Everyone deserves to feel loved and appreciated once a year no matter their circumstances, whether they are the love of your life or just a friend you love.

Use this Valentine’s Day as that opportunity.
Happy Valentine’s Day!!

Judging by the rise in public service announcements, there has also been a rise in cases of diabetes, particularly in children. Several factors increase the risk of developing the disease: age, weight, heredity and ethnic background. However, new technology is making living with the disease much less difficult than it has been in the past.

Diabetes is classified into two different groups, type 1 and type 2, each case being caused by different factors. For example, obesity greatly increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is caused by the lack of insulin, the hormone that helps regulate blood sugar, which is produced by the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas either doesn’t produce enough insulin or the cells that control sugar can’t manage this process naturally. When these circumstances occur, a person may experience unusual thirst, frequent urination, slow healing of infections, irregular vision, weight loss and tingling in the hands and feet.

Treatment of diabetes is different for all patients. Usually, the treatment of type 1 diabetes is controlled with daily shots of insulin. Patients also have the option to have a pump inserted into their body which automatically injects the recommended dose.

The treatment of type 2 diabetes is controlled by managing diet, physical activity and doctors may prescribe a medication to take daily to manage insulin levels.

Diabetes is a preventable disease, if you follow the proper measures. Talk to your doctor if you fear you may be at risk or visit www.diabetes.com for more information.

Most of the readers of Audacity Magazine know of my love of horses if they have read my previous articles. This past weekend, I was asked by my previous physical therapist to accompany her to her annual Kids Can Do, Inc. event. Kids Can Do is located in Mokena and Manteno, Ilinois. This facility offers physical, speech and occupational therapy to children who are disabled. Once a year, they hold an event to gather all of their disabled patients to participate in a social event. This year, they decided to hold the event at Carousel Stables, a recreational horseback riding facility that specializes in show ring riding, handicapped individuals and the terminality ill.

Connie Jackson, who is the Owner/Manager/Trainer at Carousel Stables, opened the facility in 1998, and it has been open ever since. The event gathered over fifty disabled children, whose disabilities ranged from mild to severe. It was very exciting to see all the children light up while riding the horses around in a circle. There is also a staff that volunteers their time to lead the horses and sidewalk, several things that challenged the children’s abilities while having something fun to do.

The event offered many activities that included, brushing ponies, taking a holiday picture with a horse, running around outside, sitting near the camp fire, munching on some snacks, and riding the gentle horses a couple of times around the arena. I would call this event a success. All of the children accomplished something that made them smile. Many of the children had never participated in riding a horse and were timid at first, but, once on, we could barely get them off. Parents were amazed at how much control a child could have on such a giant animal. Many of the children showed they wanted their independence.

Parents were surprised to see the willpower of these children while they tried to push away the assistance of their parents. They actually wanted to ride by themselves and be independent. That was wonderful to see. Knowing myself how much a disabled child relies on their parents, it was good to see they wanted that independence. That is one quality I think every disabled child needs to experience, to know they can achieve things alone and don’t always need the help of others. It was a great experience for me to see how much children do love the feeling of horseback riding.

Connie Jackson not only has the standard horses usually used in horseback riding, but also has a variety of other horses, including Arabians, Clydesdales, thoroughbreds and Shetland ponies. The children had the choice of which horse they wanted to ride; oddly enough, most of them wanted to ride the giant Clydesdales. I usually ride a painted pony that only stands about ten hands high, but was privileged to ride the Clydesdales. They have a smooth stride that amazed me, because by looking at them you would think it is very bouncy. It also proves a bigger stretch because you have to grasp their giant bodies with your legs.

I just w anted to write about this event because it was

an awesome experience for me, and I would gladly do it again. I think, whenever possible, you should take the time out of your daily busy life and volunteer your time to someone who needs you. It is a great feeling to know you are giving back to your community. If you would like to acquire more information on Carousel Stable, visit www.midweststabledirectory.com . You can also locate a stable near your area.

I believe before a baby is born, they map out what kind of life they want to live, sort of like a blue print of every minor detail, they will have to overcome in their lifetime. This blue print includes a soul mate that they will have to meet up with at some point in their life. I always hear of stories where someone says it was love at first sight, and they never felt anything like it before. I truly believe there is someone out there for everyone, and it is just a matter of finding him or her. When a person is born, they choose their parents and the lifestyle they wish to experience.

When it comes to the issue of your soul mate, I think that person completes you, and makes you a better person to be around. That one person can see your inner beauty, and loves you for everything that you are as a person.

That special someone can see things about you that no one else ever noticed, or thought was of no importance, and passed you right up. Your soul mate just loves to be in your presence, and can sense your every desire.

Have you ever wanted to do something so badly, but had a reason you couldn’t, yet later realized that desire could have cost you something important? I have always heard and believed that you are put on earth to accomplish things that you were lacking in another lifetime. I am still waiting to find my soul mate, and when I do finally find that special someone, I know I will not take them for granted. I really yearn for that missing piece in my life, and I think many physically challenged people also feel the same way.

I have always found it discouraging not to have relationships that most people experience. Now, I am not blaming my disability by any means, but sometimes I wonder if it would be different if I were not physically challenged. I also find it funny that many people think that if you are physically challenged, you should marry someone who is also physically challenged. It is aggravating to me that people can be so narrow-minded. That’s like saying you have to stay in your same race, which I also disagree with. There should be no limitations placed on love … you don’t choose who you fall in love with.

You should pursue whatever makes you happy as a person so you have no regrets in the end, because you only have the opportunity to live once. Don’t let other people decide your destiny, because you are the one who has to live with the choices you make–no one else does. Be your own person; be a leader not, a follower; and pick your own pathways in life. Just remember, when you feel as though you are alone and can’t find that special someone, he or she is out there thinking the same thing, and you will eventually meet one another. When you least expect it, love will creep up to your doorstep and knock you flat on your face. You are unique–no one person is exactly like you. Therefore, no one can live your life but you.
Please send your questions and comments about this article to nathasha@audacitymagazine.com

I have heard many concepts throughout my life. So far, some are more influential than others. One saying that sticks in my mind, that people seem to forget, is that everyone is created equal. But, it seems as we grow older and get stuck in our ways, we soon forget that saying. Just as we grow older, we lose our innocence that we once held as a young child. If you take a first-class look at our society, you will obviously see that some people believe they are superior to others.

In reality, we all can achieve the same goals if given the chance and time. Some people may take longer to accomplish a goal that another person can breeze past, but, in time, the other person will pass the goal. Take, for instance, raising a child. It does take a certain amount of skills, but the experts say all women carry that maternal instinct to rear a child. So, who really has the authority to decide who is capable of adopting a child, in need of a home filled with love and support? If you ask my opinion, I think a disabled person should not be discriminated against. Everyone deserves a fair chance at being parents.

I stand by the adoption process, and, don’t get me wrong, every person wanting to adopt should be put through vigorous stages to determine if they are fit to raise a child. After all, the system is there to protect all of the children and to make sure they are given the best possible homes. I would not want any child to just be handed over to someone off the street, not knowing what they are capable of, or what their life has been like. People place their children up for adoption hoping to give them a better life than they can provide. It would be my hope that the parents have given their all, and are positive that they cannot provide for their child.

I mean, if you look at it this way, these people are giving others who cannot have children the chance to be parents. If you really think about the concept, it is an amazing gift to give to a woman who really wants that relationship with a child. God really does work in powerful ways. I know, for one, I cannot wait to become a mother, and experience the many joys of having children. I can’t even imagine not being given that chance to give a part of myself to another person, and have it be passed down the line someday.

Every person has their downfalls, and their own way of dealing with them. I think as long as you have a decent income, shelter, a stable relationship and, most importantly, love, then you should be given every chance an able-bodied person would get. It is one thing not to be fit to take care of a child, but you should be allowed to adopt if you are qualified, no matter your physical disadvantages. My hope is that, one day in the future, there will be no more discrimination against people, and we will all believe we are equal to one another.

Have you ever really taken the time to notice the stares as you get out of your car? Lately, I have noticed after parking in a handicap parking place, people scrutinize to make sure you have a disability. I find it to be kind of funny because being disabled, I find myself doing the same thing. Unfortunately, we all know people who are not handicapped weasel themselves into the marked sections.

Recently, I went to an INDY car race at my local track and was quite shocked at the events that happened. A group of friends and I had ridge passes which means that we were allowed on the first turn of the track with a camper and a lot. We were free to walk around and watch the race instead of being stuck in the stands. This was much easier on me because I did not have to climb any stairs or deal with a crowd. I decided to go over and walk around to the vendors to check out the free promotions being offered. Since we had my handicap parking sticker we drove over to the designated parking spots.

Once we reached the gates, a police officer approached us and asked to see the sticker, he asked who it belonged to, and requested identification. It just so happened that I did not bring my driver’s license with me that day because I did not drive to the event. The police officer held down my sticker and asked me my birth date, which I told him without hesitation. The officer was skeptical due to the fact that there was a little box at the top of the sticker that was supposed to be clipped out for a female. My sticker had arrived to me via mail and that box had not been clipped out when I received it. I felt uncomfortable because I had never been asked for ID to use my sticker; therefore, I was not quite sure what to do.

I realize they were checking for people who were falsely using another person’s handicap sticker. But it is really an uncomfortable position to be placed in when you are truly disabled. I was thinking I really had no way of proving my disability without physically putting myself in an awkward position by walking for the officer or revealing my scars from previous operations. I also wear AFO braces on both legs but did not happen to be wearing them that day because the weather was hot and sticky. The officer let us park there but told me that he could have imposed a fine and taken away my sticker. Had that happened, I would have had to go in front of a board of review and state my case. This made me angry because if non-disabled people would not park were they don’t belong, then honest disabled people would not have to deal with this nonsense.

I want disabled people to be aware of the fact that you need to carry identification with you at all times. Hopefully, no one else will be faced with the awkward position that I was faced with.

Perfect vision–could it really happen in just a few short minutes with only a minor amount of discomfort? I’ve had glasses for as long as I can remember, and can never remember having perfect vision without the use of glasses. I have small eyes and could never get contact lenses into my eyes without losing them on the floor first. So, I always relied on my glasses for my vision, until recently. I decided to check into the Lasik procedure preformed at our local Spectrum Eye Institute. Laisk is considered an elective procedure,

because there are no medical reasons you must have the procedure performed. Lasik is used to correct near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and most astigmatism.

You are put through a number of tests that check your vision to see if you are a candidate for this elective procedure. If there is any doubt in the doctor’s mind, they can cancel the procedure at any time. There are certain risks involved that are minor compared to the benefits of the procedure, in my opinion. Upon arrival on the day of the Lasik procedure, you are given a mild sedative, a nurse takes your blood pressure, and places a cap on your head to hold back your hair. Then, you are walked back to the room where the procedure will be performed and placed in a chair that reclines.

Your head is placed on a pillow that has the air sucked out in order to hold your head still. Your eyes are numbed with an eye drop anesthesia; eyelid holders are placed on both eyes to prevent you from blinking. Then, one of your eyes is covered with a patch, and the microkeratome instrument makes a flap in the cornea that is reshaped under a protective flap. You may feel a little pressure and will be asked to look at a red flashing light.

In the treatment of near-sightedness, the cornea must be made flatter, whereas in the case of far-sightedness, the curvature of the cornea must be increased. When dealing with astigmatism, the cornea re-shaped by changing the mode of the beam. After the correction has been made, the protective flap is then placed where it bonds back. Before the procedure, the doctor asked me to look at a digital clock with out my glasses. Afterward, I was able to see the clock much more clearly. It is amazing.

You are then asked to go home and sleep for three hours. That is easy to do, because your eyes are very tired. Then, you wear protective shields until your follow up visit the next day, and then at bedtime for a week after. You also put in two eyedrops three times a day until they are gone. My vision is still adjusting, but each day it is getting better, which is normal. I am totally amazed with this new technology and can’t believe the wonderful results. The procedure is very costly, but there are payment plans available. I am totally satisfied and would recommend this procedure to anyone who wants to be free of all glasses and contact lenses.

The staff was very professional and made me feel safe throughout the whole procedure. That means a lot. They answered all of my questions and provided me with everything I needed to know before making the decision to have this elective procedure. The staff made me feel that it was my choice and I never once felt pressured to make a decision.