Author Archives: carl

>a reflection on the year

>a moment of reflection.Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of my first heart event. I have had three this year. It is not an experience I recommend to anyone. I also had three mini-strokes a week after the Davidh blizzard. The year has been a series of ebbs and flows. I haven’t worked for a whole year, we closed my computer business that day. I spend my time taking care of myself, and my kids as much as my health allows. I have had to let go of a lot of things; siding the house, new roof on lower roof and garage, garden, yard work, and a few other things to name a few. You never know how much you do in a day, week or month until you can’t do any of them anymore. I have been blessed with an incredible family who have stepped up to handle those things that I can not. In the process I have learned how hard it is to swallow pride. I have learned how easy it is to ask for help when I need it. Through it all, I have been given a couple of new diagnoses, including Fibromyalgia, and Hypothyroidism. I have a script for a walker, that I haven’t had to use for a month now thanks to the magic of prednisone. I have two canes that I use as needed, though it seems more often lately.I have developed a fantastic group of online friends who offer me support when I need it. My friends in Fibromyalgia Chat and Reality Autism offer the support I couldn’t find locally. I have a special place in my heart for the people who make up Carls group. They have listened to my rants, and shared their own. Heard about our struggles with the school district, and offered advice. In being part of that group, I have learned most of all that you can always move forward, and that sometimes taking two steps back is a step forward. In the coming weeks, I am launching a new site: http://www.whynotfathers.com to offer support for those fathers who suddenly find themselves staying home with their families. You can follow us on Twitter @whynotfathersI am starting to realize one thing that I value. Life is what you make it. Each day can be a good day, no matter how bad the day is. Making the decision to embrace the negative in a positive way will have an impact in your life. Thank you friends, and most of all thank you family, for giving me the past year, and putting up with my need to make sure the couch isn’t lonely. 🙂

>Merry Christmas Wishes and a Message.

>For each that reads this, our wish is that you have a Merry Christmas. Remember those who have less good fortune than you. Remember our veterans in this time of war, and pray that they make it through the next 24 hours without death. For those families who have a loved one on deployment, please grant them peace of mind this day.Remember the homeless, that they may know warmth and not hunger. Welcome hope, and not despair. For those who are ill, a day of relief, an hour of calm, whatever they need.For the loved ones of the ill, may you find peace knowing that your loved one is cared for this day.In life, we choose how to live. May each of us live to our potential, embrace the challenge, and enjoy each breath. Hug your loved ones everyday, like it is the last time you will see them. Speak of your love for them, that they might remember your voice and your words. We live by action and deed. We lead by example, and word. For those who know only hatred in their heart, please let them feel love and friendship.A father of many.

>A Christmas Message – Family Voices of North Dakota.

>

Greetings everyone as we enter thisChristmas season. Isn’t life glorious?

I decided to dosomething a little different this season for my Christmas post. Inactuality, I don’t recall doing anything last year, so let’s call ita new tradition for A Father of Many.

You see, about 2 and ahalf years ago, I had the opportunity to participate in this seminarcalled “Parent Leadership Institute”. This seminar brought 23participants to the small but wonderful town of Edgeley, NorthDakota. The organization is called Family Voices of North Dakota. Inwhat has become an annual event, leaders from across the countrypresent leadership topics and training sessions on a wide variety oftopics. Topics such as giving testimony to leaders and policymakers, sharing your story, learning what you know, and how to findwhat you don’t know, as well as many other topics. The staff fromFamily Voices help mold the next generation of parent leaders throughexample and by showing a selfless sense of service to others. Ifthey aren’t a model, or Servant Leadership, then maybe the modelneeds to be redesigned.

Why is this significant?
Through the Parent LeadershipInstitute, the organization works to train parent leaders as stewardsto help other parents in similar situations with their children. Situations can be a bad word depending on your perspective, but inthis instance, it is a good word. Many families across the state ofNorth Dakota are experiencing what can only be called extraordinaryhealth issues, especially in regards to children.
The organization helps families byproviding guidance on where to go for help. Who to call for help. Through a largely volunteer organization, staffed by regional parttime hard working parents, and one executive director who issomething of a spark plug, this organization provides support on anas needed basis. While working with diverse populations, includingthose who live on the Native American Reservations in our state, theywork with federal, state and local agencies to get the families thesupport they need. And they do it on a shoe string budget.
Couple all of this energy with avolunteer board of directors, and you have an organization that putsthe heart in the Family Voices of North Dakota logo. In our statenearly every city is located on a crossroad. It is fitting that theorganization would take as their motto, “Navigating Crossroads toHope”. In part because of the hard work of the staff, volunteersand their director, they provide hope to families from all walks oflife.

Please join me in saying Thank You to Donene and thestaff at Family Voices of North Dakota. One day, your family mayneed the hope that they can help you find. Sometimes all it takes tomake a difference are comforting voices of friendly people.

If you are of a mind, and would likemore information about the good work that this organization does,please do not hesitate to contact me. I would be happy to answeryour questions. To be honest, it would be me giving back to thecommunity for all that the Family Voices of North Dakota staff havedone for me and my family.

On the same hand, if you have achild with Autism or a TBI that has been recently diagnosed, let meknow, I have some experience being a parent of a child with Autismand another child with a TBI. I can offer some advice and guidanceon where to get started on your quest for information.

Remember,your child’s special health care needs don’t have to be just physicalor mental, they can be any combination of the two, or one of the two. All that is required of you is a phone call, and a few minutes ofyour time. Please, take a few minutes and make that call today. They can help you. Even if it is only because someone listened to youand your concerns for your child. Donene and a client did get theopportunity recently to participate in some events at the nationallevel in Washington D.C. You can find more information about thesegentle people on their website. http://www.fvnd.org

Now, I also have a motive to writing this entry. Ourfriends at Swanson Vitamins are giving a thousand dollars to theorganization of my choice if I am lucky enough to win. You can findinformation about this contest on their site. Just click on thebadge.

Swanson Health Products Contests