Month: October 2014

Gifts

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As October is now upon us, I imagine that, for many for you, your thoughts are beginning to turn to gift buying for Christmas. Which gifts, for who, and from where, and how to spread the cost over the weeks. So will I shortly. However, here, we are talking a different sort of gift. Specifically those our Heavenly Father gives us to use for the benefit of others. These type of gifts are also known as Spiritual gifts.

While working through my morning devotions one day, I came across a nugget of truth from Joni Eareckson Tada. She writes, “Giftedness works best in people whom the world would never choose to accomplish a task.” (Taken from email devotional on 6/9/14. This includes but is not limited to those the world labels slow, difficult, different, disabled, elderly, unskilled, special needs… I am sure I could fill most of this page with such labels! Nowhere is the truth of this statement more clearly seen at my local Christian enterprise, where those who fit such labels are encourage to try different projects until they find the one thing they excel in, or too put it another way, their gift. Many do not know what they are good at, as they have never had the opportunity to find out, or been encouraged to do so, or indeed may have been given so many labels by different people or so used to failure they do not feel good at anything. Equally, most people would not expect a premature baby who has undergone at least 5 major, sometimes catastrophic surgeries, and who has endure intensive care more than once to have gifts either. However, God can use anyone for his glory, be they myself, or someone at the local Christian enterprise, or indeed, the gentleman in the YouTube video. Please, do take the time to watch, and thank God that his gifts show up in those we do not expect to have anything to offer us. Take some time today so consider what your own gifts might be, too, if you have never done so. More of my story to follow on Monday. For now, enjoy the video! (N.B. See this website for more information).

Transport woes part… (I’ve lost count)

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Despite being back on track with my writing now, generally I have found it difficult to write this year, unless something particularly grabs me. This is one of those posts. (N.B. I wrote the remainder of this post roughly six weeks ago, but facing Hospital Transport tomorrow, this post is pertinent!).

Old worries revisited

I have many things in common with fellow disabled people regardless of disability type or severity. Difficulties finding, and keeping affordable transport are almost universal. I’ve barely been out of the house recently, either because of myriad problems with my electric wheelchair, difficulties with care or a health related problem.
This morning, however, I had an unavoidable blood test. I have to use transport to get there so I can have the finger-prick test much like a diabetic person would do to check their blood sugar levels rather than a regular blood test. I am often told children have bigger veins than I do.
This morning was different, because instead of the usual transport vehicle it was a taxi contracted to do the same journey on their behalf. Rude, impatient and uncommunicative and on their hands free phone for the majority of the journey, I was apprehensive about being dropped off at the conclusion of the journey. I should say as far as I can tell my wheelchair was tied down properly.

Unexpected Intervention

Not expecting any further help, I slowly pushed my wheelchair towards the dropped kerb. Unexpectedly, someone in the next car addressed the driver, asking if he was on NHS work all day or just the one job. He said ‘just her.’ The driver then said he should really help me get inside so the taxi driver motioned towards me as I inched toward the pavement. I swear my garden snails would beat me. The other driver swiftly said “it’s just we’ve been warned, you know…” Tada, my driver’s attitude transformed. He propelled the chair at speed towards the building and asked civilly where I would like to be, saying thanks as he did so. I think it was for keeping quiet in front of the person who reprimanded him. Job done, he left.
After my blood test, I plucked up the courage to complain. I wouldn’t usually, but I felt I had to this time because I wanted to make sure the same driver wasn’t taking me home. I was concerned others would be at risk if faced with this same driver too, in terms of their emotional well-being if nothing else, or more, if they didn’t get the necessary help either.
Imagine my relief when an ambulance technician I had seen before rocked up. I knew everything would be fine after that.

A timely reminder…

This morning reminded me of an important lesson though. God doesn’t always answer our prayers in the way we expect. I suspect you are wondering how transport and prayer are related? You see, this morning I was in such pain I was almost in tears. I’d prayed God would lessen the pain as I knew I had potholes and speed bumps to endure on my journey, and asked a couple of others to pray too. Being driven by taxi meant being driven straight there rather than all over my side of Leeds to collect others, ensuring a shorter, smoother journey, despite the unpleasantness. Thankfully, on the journey home I’m first to be dropped off. What a relief,  answered prayer, and an important lesson remembered.