Put some boom into the doom and gloom

Yes, who knew that my poetry skills were so well developed? I call it my 'oom-ph poetry'. I could go on and on but I don't have all day to wax lyrical and besides, I ran out of words ending in 'oom'.


Today I went to see my friend Gail about a wheelchair (fine, if you must know I needed more accessories to go with the wig).

It wasn't the only reason. I needed an intervention.

I'm turning into a cynical bitch. Okay, more of one than I already was.

It's been creeping up on me of late. I knew Gail would set me straight. If she starts a new world order, I'm first in line to follow join (can't use that particular 'f' word in bloggersville at the moment it's a little sensitive).

Gail was born with a disability. She spent her first few years in hospital. When she came home she wore calipers. She is grateful her parents allowed her the freedom to fail. She would fall over, pick herself up, dust herself off and start over again. When she was 31 she was in a car accident. She suffered spinal and head injuries and was in hospital for another lengthy period. She would never walk again and, because of her brain injury, she had to relearn everything she once knew. Her rehabilitation was such a success that she ultimately went on to get her Masters and a Doctorate. Just like that.

She used to be a Nun. I find it very hard picturing this part of her life. She uses the f word (no, not f for follower the other one) when she speaks passionately about trying to right the wrongs in the world. She is a tireless worker for the rights of people with disabilities, and encourages everyone to focus on the person not their disabilities. I've learnt a lot. When I'm with her I feel it's as close to God as I will get (no, I didn't have mushrooms for dinner). It's truly how I feel. She oozes pure goodness.

Gail is a people magnet. A Pied Piper. Where she goes people follow stalk her. I went shopping with her. I imagine its like shopping with one of the royal family. Everyone knows her. People gather. I have never seen shop assistants come out of their hiding places so quickly to help anyone. She seems to know them by name and converses with them about some detail in their lives.

I asked her what kind of pills she takes because I need a handful.

She said, "You don't need a bunch of pills. I can get dispirited at times but I know that whenever there are negatives in my life, there are always a stack of positives too. You just have to look for them. One of the nice things in life and something we all should aim to do, is to make people feel important, no matter who they are. Everyday, I make an conscious decision to look and see whose day I can make brighter. I like the line Al Pacino said in a Scent of a Woman, there is no prosthetic for an amputated spirit. So, I like to help mend broken spirits."

Gail's philosophy is that it's up to us to make each other feel special. If you can add a little dignity to someone's life, then you've made a hell of a contribution to the world.

And let me tell you, if you have a dented spirit, go add some dignity to someone else's life. Every day of your life. It's the best dent removal therapy on the market today.

Other News - Now speaking about dignity, having an aim in life and giving a contribution to mankind, I couldn't resist sharing this example of simplicity at its best.

PROBLEM: There was too much spillage in the men’s room urinals at Schiphol Airport (Amsterdam).
SOLUTION: Etch an image of a common housefly near the drain holes of the porcelain urinals

OUTCOME: Spillage has been reduced by 80%. Apparently, the fly improves aim. If a man sees a fly, he aims at it.

Must read posts in the blogosphere:

VillaCap Threadbare on the Gappa blog. Gugich is a brilliant writer who lives in Mumbai. This post will give you an insight about life in the slums devoid of the Hollywood makeover.

We will all be Rooned on the Middle Age Ramblings blog. Peggy is an inspirational writer based in Sydney. This post focuses on how we can deal with the news of economic doom and gloom we are constantly surrounded by. I always love Peggy's music too. I hang out listening to it so often she must think I am stalking her. I'm really just following Peggy.