That’s a Wrap

Hello and welcome back to another blog! I have been doing these weekly blogs for a year now. When I first set this goal for myself, a few people said things like, wow a weekly blog, that’s going to be a lot to keep up with! I didn’t know what to expect when I set that goal. Would anyone even read it, or would it help anyone? I’m glad I didn’t listen to the doubting voices of others, or even my own. This blog has brought me so much happiness, and has connected me with people all over the world! That seriously blows my mind. 

My goal when I started Humbly Courageous, was to share my experiences as a lifelong disabled person. I have shared the good and the bad. The ups and downs of what it’s like to live with Muscular Dystrophy, as someone who is mostly still ambulatory, with the use of some assistive devices. 

I am not naturally a bubbly positive person. I’ve always admired those who are. However, I think this blog journey has helped me to be a more positive person. I am definitely not positive all of the time. Just like anyone, I get mad, sad, frustrated and sometimes deal with some really down moments that are hard to recover from. I never want to portray myself as having it all together, because I don’t! This journey with MD is hard for me. Each day brings new challenges it seems. 

Over this past year I have challenged myself in many different ways. I’ve climbed the “big hill” a few times, kept up 3-4 times weekly workouts, rode my 3 wheeled bike up a different big hill… finally making it up on the second try, did a 5k on my own two feet, trained for and participated in a half marathon and a full marathon in the duo bike, raised lots of money for MDA, filmed videos to advocate and bring awareness to those with disabilities, connected with many new friends who also live with Muscular Dystrophy, volunteered as an MDA summer camp counselor, received a second stem cell treatment, delivered virtual speeches to various partners of  the MDA, Instagram live with Colts player and MDA National Spokesperson Nyheim Hines to highlight his perspective as someone who’s mom lives with MD, as well as connected my two sons as volunteers for MDA. I also was lucky enough to appear on some billboards around Indiana, which was pretty awesome, and hopefully helped raised even more awareness for the MDA. 

Whew! I don’t think I missed anything! This blog has motivated me to do all of these things. It kept me accountable to keep pushing myself out of my comfort zone. Most of all, I think it has helped others. In fact I know it has, because people have told me so. It has helped to educate others on disabilities, and maybe shine a light on disabilities in a way they never saw. I’ve also been told that it’s helped others who are younger than me living with MD, realize that they too can do things that maybe they once thought they couldn’t do. That was my hope in doing this. I always wanted an example when I was younger, of someone to look to that had walked the journey before me. I didn’t really have that, so I hope to continue to be that someone for somebody else. 

This will be my last blog for 2021. Next week I will receive my 3rd SVF stem cell treatment. I’ll give an update on that when I publish my next blog on January 7th. I can’t wait to see what living with humble courage looks like in 2022! 

One thing is for sure. Life isn’t easy for anyone. We have  good and bad days. Balancing the hard and the joy all at once. Sharing our own unique journeys, surely will help others to not feel alone, and most of all may bring hope to the hopeless. 

A huge shoutout to my faithful readers. There are a few of you who read every week. I love you all, and I am beyond grateful for your support. I can’t let this year come to an end without thanking my “editor-in-chief”, my amazing husband. Without his encouragement and support, I wouldn’t be where I am today.  

See you in 2022! 💚