tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34235317528046867072024-03-10T00:19:41.036-08:00Anne-Wafula Strike's BlogAnne-Wafula Strikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352349499161232484noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423531752804686707.post-89143091075867258732020-04-27T08:29:00.000-07:002020-04-27T13:30:30.210-07:00New Week, New Motivation <div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1">Here’s a new week and let us be grateful for another opportunity because our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall. Last week I did struggle to keep my motivation going, l literary felt like I was running out of gas and tricks to self-talk into staying enthused. I knew I either run the week or the week runs me. I had to try harder to find good in each day. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Did you know that a negative mind will never give you a </span><span class="s2" style="font-weight: bold;">positive</span><span class="s1"> life? So if you struggled last week, like I did, here’s a new week! Let us practice positivity and I believe we will do better than last week and something wonderful is about to happen. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Here’s my six tips that I am going to apply to motivate myself this week; </span></div>
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<li class="li1" style="font-size: 19px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">start simple - I will take small steps into achieving my goals by keeping near me things that motivate me. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<li class="li1" style="font-size: 19px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Remind myself of the dangers of procrastination. So I will promise myself something like “If I get this done now, I can exercise early and get time to cook a fresh meal today” or “If I can get this out of the way, I can have time to watch a movie, FaceTime or WhatsApp with my family and friends.” </span></li>
<li class="li1" style="font-size: 19px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"></span><span class="s2" style="font-weight: bold;">Give myself <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>occasional breaks to avoid burnout. I’ll take short breaks to go into the garden before I return indoors to continue with my work. </span></li>
<li class="li1" style="font-size: 19px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-weight: bold;">Yes I will avoid </span><span class="s1">multitasking and behaving like a ‘superwoman’. </span></li>
<li class="li1" style="font-size: 19px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">I shall avoid getting distracted by unnecessary negative thoughts so my productivity does not suffer.</span></li>
<li class="li1" style="font-size: 19px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">I shall observe a good sleeping pattern. </span></li>
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Anne-Wafula Strikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352349499161232484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423531752804686707.post-2217690030955851452020-04-08T15:38:00.001-07:002020-04-08T15:44:27.965-07:00We Shall Beat the Virus .. <div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1">When the year started, most of us had New Years resolutions and plans. Only two months into 2020 and life takes an almost 360degree turn when a virus literally forces all of us to rethink life. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">On 1st January 2020, along the many wonderful Rotarians,</span> I marched the streets of London in the London's New Year's Day Parade - The World's Greatest Street Spectacular! cheered and watched by by over 500,000 and viewed by millions around world. My reasons for taking part was to raise awareness on polio eradication and the amazing work undertaken by Rotary. Well, I don’t know what your resolution was, or what your plans were.</div>
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<span class="s1"> Now that we all sit and self distance, I hope we don’t lose that which unites us, I trust we will be there for one another as fellow members of humanity, in the finest sense of the word. </span></h2>
Anne-Wafula Strikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352349499161232484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423531752804686707.post-53520662616530633232020-03-24T11:46:00.000-07:002020-03-24T11:46:36.265-07:00QUARANTINE GLOW <div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 25px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3px;">
<span class="s1" style="font-weight: bold;">The Corona virus has shut down just about everything except the Devine power of the creator. We are all having to alter how we live and how we interact for the time being until it’s brought under control. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-weight: bold;">Here’s my advice for a Quarantine glow up at this time of self-distancing; drink plenty of clean warm water, if you don’t like it plain you can add a hint of fresh squeezed lemon or an orange. Oil your hair with trimming of the ends every fortnight as you are not able to see your hair dresser for a couple of weeks. I also recommend a good skincare routine; for the ladies do not forget your morning and evening routine because consistency is key. For the men, take regular showers and general good grooming is necessary. Observe a healthy diet by practicing self distancing from the kitchen and your fridge. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-weight: bold;">Avoid unnecessary snacking and instead opt for a fruit or a glass of warm water. To keep your mind active, read widely and enjoy Netflix. If you are a family, <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>play board and card games. You can also invent your own activities at home that will keep the children involved and active. If you have a member of the family who is disabled, make sure their needs are not forgotten and they are involved so I recommend having inclusiveness activities. Take time and learn the art of meditation and listen to soul edifying music. Interact with your friends and other family members and friends via social media. Use Skype, WhatsApp, FaceTime to keep in touch. Wash your hands regularly. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-weight: bold;">STAY POSITIVE. </span></div>
Anne-Wafula Strikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352349499161232484noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423531752804686707.post-72764241211675670582017-12-12T05:22:00.000-08:002017-12-12T07:22:11.461-08:00FORGIVE or REVENGE ...<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #F4F4F4; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: 1.5pt; vertical-align: middle;">
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<sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">The question is should we hold onto anger or forgive and let go..</span></sub><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></sub></div>
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<sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;"> When someone you care about
hurts you, you can hold on to </span></sub><b><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-semibold" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">anger</span></sub></b><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">, resentment and thoughts of revenge, or you can embrace </span></sub><b><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-semibold" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">forgiveness</span></sub></b><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;"> and move forward. I do not know how you
interpret 'forgiveness' but to me it's the </span></sub><b><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-semibold" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">letting go</span></sub></b><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;"> of grudges and bitterness and not attempting the
act of revenge in any way and form. By embracing </span></sub><b><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-semibold" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">forgiveness</span></sub></b><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">, you can also embrace peace, hope, gratitude and
joy.</span></sub><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></sub></div>
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<sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">For many of us, the emotions holding
the tightest grip on our hearts are disappointment, resentment, blame and
anger, infidelity, lies, career sabotage, betrayal even certain life styles that may have caused us
trauma, to family or loved ones. They place a stranglehold on our happiness,
and the only person who can release them is you.</span></sub><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></sub><br />
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<sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">Life will throw many obstacles onto
our life path that will make us sad or disappointed at times. People will hurt
you, let you down, collude and plot your downfall, and cause misery. Dealing positively
with these obstacles is what makes the difference between them turning into
worse states or being overcome. And the art to overcoming is FORGIVENESS. </span></sub><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></sub><br />
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<sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">How many times have you gone to bed
plotting a revenge or woken up in the morning and while dressing, felt the pain
that someone caused you and you tell the reflection in the mirror how you are
going to teach them a lesson. How no one ever crosses you and gets away
unpunished, or how this and how that ... they will know you are not to messed
with! Allow me to invent a new name and call this kind of attitude 'big-small
ego' syndrome. </span></sub><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></sub></div>
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<sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">Forgiveness is a choice that sets us
free. It might not be a one-time choice and we may need to do it repeatedly but
it's worth it! </span></sub><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></sub></div>
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<sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">Life takes us through different
twists and turns and personally I am constantly persuaded to practice the act
of forgiveness.</span></sub></div>
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<b><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-semibold" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">Forgiveness
</span></sub></b><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">is very important for the development
and growth of mankind. Letting go of grudges and bitterness can make way
for happiness, health and peace bringing with it plenty of health </span></sub><b><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-semibold" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">benefits</span></sub></b><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">, including improved relationships, decreased
anxiety and stress, lower blood pressure, a lowered risk of depression, and
stronger immune and heart health. It can also pave way for healthier
relationships, spiritual growth and psychological well-being. </span></sub><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></sub></div>
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<sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">Letting go of negative emotions can
often have a remarkable </span></sub><b><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-semibold" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">impact</span></sub></b><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;"> on the body.</span></sub><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></sub></div>
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<sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">When I was struck down by polio I was
despised by the community in my village who thought my condition was a result
of witchcraft. My family was forced to flee our ancestral home after calls for
my death for fear that I was a curse, a bad omen and a girl that brought shame to the tribal clan. The more I was told about the inhumane intentions and acts of the villagers, the more I resented everyone from there and
this transformed into a bitter anger that began to eat me up silently as I was growing up.</span></sub></div>
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<sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">So many times I wished the whole
village would be wiped out or be punished somehow for the terrible way they had
treated my family and me just because they saw I was different.</span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "sf ui display" , serif; font-size: 21.3333px;"> </span></sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , serif; font-size: 21pt; vertical-align: sub;">Bitterness and anger limited my
possibilities, had an effect on me and I felt tied to the oppressors. </span></div>
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<sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">It is natural to want revenge but now
I insist forgiveness is the best way forward. By refusing to engage in the
channel of conflict that your oppressor is trying to create, you frustrate
their efforts and prevent them from achieving their objectives. You may feel
disadvantaged but you unchain yourself from bad vibes and free yourself to
accomplish to the full measure of your potential. </span></sub><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></sub><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4lsBC7UQedSM75DQZnW-9Bna-hSAf4WRG39TMy1DuTnGJkyum8-HnLRV8dduEGQc3nBh3q6xmc538eH39jQd_54lnwkqo8Xd0-UkB4Yyk8g0gpNczope-mcF4xKyEEgjYVojyE4OAL80/s1600/Image-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4lsBC7UQedSM75DQZnW-9Bna-hSAf4WRG39TMy1DuTnGJkyum8-HnLRV8dduEGQc3nBh3q6xmc538eH39jQd_54lnwkqo8Xd0-UkB4Yyk8g0gpNczope-mcF4xKyEEgjYVojyE4OAL80/s1600/Image-1.png" /></a></div>
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<sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">Let me tell you a story, you have
probably heard a different version before;</span></sub><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></sub></div>
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<sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">A snake penetrated into a carpentry
workshop. As it slipped, it passed over a saw and got slightly wounded.
Suddenly, it turned and bit the saw, and biting the saw, the snake seriously
got wounded in it's mouth! Then not understanding what was happening and
thinking that the saw was attacking "him," it decided to roll around
the saw to suffocate it with all its body by squeezing it with all its' strength, but it ended up being killed by the saw!!! </span></sub><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></sub></div>
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<sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: 21pt;">To me this is a clear demonstration
of how holding on to anger can affect us and lead to destruction. I have used an example of the reaction of a snake because when I lost use of my limbs due to </span><span style="font-size: 28px;">effects</span><span style="font-size: 21pt;"> of polio, the villager</span><span style="font-size: 21pt;"> called me a snake.</span></span></sub></div>
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<sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">-Sometimes we react in anger to hurt
those who have harmed us, but we realise after all that we are hurting
ourselves. </span></sub><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></sub></div>
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<sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">-In life it is better sometimes to
ignore situations, ignore people, ignore their behaviors, their words.</span></sub><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></sub></div>
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<sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">-Sometimes it is better not to react
so as not to suffer consequences that can sometimes be deadly or harmful.</span></sub><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></sub></div>
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<sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">-Do not let hate take over your life
because love is stronger than anything.</span></sub><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></sub></div>
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<sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">Before I pen off, let us pause and ask
ourselves whether we have spend days and nights pondering on revenge or
FORGIVENESS and WHY ??? </span></sub><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></sub></div>
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<sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">Choose forgiveness not because you
are weak, but don't let anger, resentment and bitterness take root in your life
and rob you of your blessings. </span></sub><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></sub></div>
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<sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">Anger makes you small but forgiveness
causes you to grow beyond what you are. </span></sub><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></sub></div>
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<sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">Forgiveness is the highest and most
beautiful form of love. Forgive those that are causing you hurt and
distress, and in return you will receive untold peace and happiness.
Forgiveness is a very tough act but let's just do it !! When you forgive, you
break the chains that bind you from those that are hurting you and you can
freely move on and re- write your stories of success and blessings. Let us forgive those that have hurt us, not for them but for ourselves and then we
get blessed with a life of beautiful adventures. </span></sub><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></sub></div>
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<sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">Finally, remember forgiveness
is a currency that we can mint for ourselves, and spend without fear of
bankruptcy.</span></sub><sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></sub></div>
<sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Be wise and live healthy. God bless you all</span></sub><br />
<sub><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> (big smile from me)</span></sub><br />
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Anne-Wafula Strikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352349499161232484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423531752804686707.post-8865496379403176422017-09-26T15:45:00.000-07:002017-12-12T05:24:07.973-08:00A 'Golden' LIFE <div>
When I got a message from my agent about doing a commercial for Toyota in Japan, it got me excited. This is one country I have not visited and so I was anxious to know more about the people and culture of this amazing nation. </div>
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I know In the ancient times in Japan, when a bowl is broken, it's put together with cracks being filled with gold creating a beautiful lining. This is to emphasise that it was once broken. They believe when something has suffered damage and has a history it makes it more beautiful and this got me thinking about the ups and downs we experience in life. I often say I am entirely made of flaws, stitched together with good intentions by the Grace of God and I let my life represent my strengths not my weaknesses. This analogy of the broken bowl goes for human beings and it caused me to pause, think and reflect ... how possible is it to put 'pieces' of ourselves together so as anyone 'touching' us understands what happiness is. When do we get tired of spinning round and round and stop chasing pretty rainbows and just allow it to be... wrap up all shattered and scattered dreams of our lives, put them all down and start putting them together, piece by piece filling the cracks with gold.<br />
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Everything that you have been through, everything that you are going through doesn't make and shouldn't make your life 'uglier' although it may seem that when we are going through it. It is up to us to choose to paint those struggles with gold and make it beautiful. You are not broken beyond repair, you can pick yourself up and learn from what has happened and become a better person from it because of the struggles that you have been through. You can wear your scars proudly as a badge of honour as if to say .. 'Hey, look what I have been through, it's made me who I am today and I can get through anything life throws at me now'. Sometimes I call it experience. </div>
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Nobody has had a perfect life, and nobody ever will. It's only up to us, if we choose to paint broken pieces gold and make it beautiful. </div>
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Don't be ashamed of what has happened to you. For everything that has happened to you is for a reason. The more we deny and the </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvknp-ItaGgzUCv_U8A2XE9q2OeiY_5OTgDBhjxShpVW7WJcrhI_ClvtTMZSFVOYPzxucilH3aBxCln9233a7SsxXAnF4sMIbpON1A5WWnmB8cSyIniv_UyTFuxJt4PhIO0AftoxeIBEc/s1600/IMG_1925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="572" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvknp-ItaGgzUCv_U8A2XE9q2OeiY_5OTgDBhjxShpVW7WJcrhI_ClvtTMZSFVOYPzxucilH3aBxCln9233a7SsxXAnF4sMIbpON1A5WWnmB8cSyIniv_UyTFuxJt4PhIO0AftoxeIBEc/s320/IMG_1925.JPG" width="203" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDcVPMDucAHyiioLyhTVjsruBwGpYSncTsHe68d-5KRCK8xjRQXh1cXkHaXDsqVO9WHEqjtc9LfqnR_ZIa6utTUzu1HYh6jS87W6yoLUvmCzG6hxHz6ziaIZm0e7HPlC4vReXdTMtHzuG/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1018" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDcVPMDucAHyiioLyhTVjsruBwGpYSncTsHe68d-5KRCK8xjRQXh1cXkHaXDsqVO9WHEqjtc9LfqnR_ZIa6utTUzu1HYh6jS87W6yoLUvmCzG6hxHz6ziaIZm0e7HPlC4vReXdTMtHzuG/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="203" /></a></div>
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more we complain and don't accept what we have been through, then it doesn't become a lesson, and therefore it's not useful. I sometimes call it useless pain. The moment we accept and find what is useful in the struggles, then that's just like us painting the cracks in our broken pieces GOLD, turning something that could be ugly into something beautiful and inspiring. Yes, turning a negative into a positive. </div>
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When you learn from what you have been through, then your 'golden cracks' are inspirational for others, and the struggle was all worth it, useful pain. So don't get stuck on how life challenged or is challenging you. I once heard a quote that said,<br />
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"Every next level of your life will demand a new you." </div>
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This empowers me greatly and sometimes it takes being broken in order to become that new version of yourself. Each new day is a blank page in the diary of your life and the hidden secret of success is in turning that diary into the best story you possibly can and thanking God all the way...So if you are going through hard times, I hope you can pause, take time to reflect and I hope these words can help you or someone you know and care for....<br />
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With every blessing xxxxxxxxxxxxx</div>
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Anne-Wafula Strikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352349499161232484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423531752804686707.post-85004599467889020472017-08-23T11:48:00.001-07:002017-08-23T11:48:34.884-07:00LEARNING ABOUT MYSELF ...<div class="xp1" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span class="xs1"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">LEARNING ABOUT MYSELF </span></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="xs1"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">Understanding is deeper than knowledge. Did you know that there
are many people who know you, but there are very few who understand you? Of
course there are, but why would you expect others to understand you if you
don't know and understand your own self?</span></span><span class="xapple-converted-space"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="xs1"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">For the past several months, life has taken me on a journey, a
journey I thought I'd already travelled.</span></span><span class="xapple-converted-space"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="xs1"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">Some people may call
it "</span></span><span class="xs2"><b><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-semibold" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">self</span></b></span><span class="xs1"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">-development" which in my case has been a time of 're-birth' in many ways.</span></span><span class="xapple-converted-space"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="xs1"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">I call it a journey because it's a process. Knowing yourself is
a journey. To be honest, I did not embark on it</span></span><span class="xapple-converted-space"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="xs1"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">willingly, circumstances
pushed me</span></span><span class="xapple-converted-space"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;"> to</span></span><span class="xs1"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;"> it and believe you me - It takes courage and a willingness to
peel back the layers bit by bit. It is a learning process about discovering who
you are as a human being – yes the real you.</span></span><span class="xapple-converted-space"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="xs1"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">When I found myself on this journey, I started searching on the
outside. Fortunately, after a while, I stopped searching on the outside and
realised that the search was an inside job, it had to start from within before
it could manifest on the outside, and I had to ask for God's guidance to do the
work, no one else could do it for me.</span></span><span class="xapple-converted-space"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="xs1"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">The journey is unpredictable and
engages you deeply as it brings you face-to-face with your deepest fears,
self-doubts, vulnerabilities and insecurities. On the journey you question how
you are living your life and whether or not it is in alignment with your highest
purpose. And if you don’t yet know your highest purpose, start searching.</span></span><span class="xapple-converted-space"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="xs1"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">Through part of my journey, I have learnt and continue to</span></span><span class="xapple-converted-space"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="xs1"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">have
a clear perception of my personality, including strengths, weaknesses,
thoughts, beliefs, motivation, and emotions. This journey is allowing me to
understand other people, how they perceive me, my attitude and responses to
them in the moment. For example great relationships are about two things;
appreciating the similarities and accepting and respecting the differences in
people. I am learning each day, simple lessons like understanding</span></span><span class="xapple-converted-space"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="xs1"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">the difference between
someone who speaks to you in their free time and someone who frees their time
to speak to you. Well, sounds easy, doesn't it? But it isn't!</span></span><span class="xapple-converted-space"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="xs1"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">The journey around knowing yourself can be challenging and
scary, however it also changes over time. For me remembering </span></span><span class="xs4"><i><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuitext-italic" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">“Refined gold must go through fire’ and ‘joy comes but in the
morning’</span></i></span><span class="xs1"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;"> was a gift and the
assurance that a higher power, God, is watching over me and it’s comforting.</span></span><span class="xapple-converted-space"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="xs1"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">Indeed, a soul that <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="xs1"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">realizes </span></span><span class="xs2"><b><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-semibold" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">God,</span></b></span><span class="xs1"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;"> experiences </span></span><span class="xs2"><b><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-semibold" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">God's</span></b></span><span class="xs1"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;"> infinite power, knowledge, and bliss continuously. I
realise this when I utterly surrender to the infinite power, God. This was
after days of covering up more and more of my face, my mind and my soul. After
wrestling, I posed and listened and the still voice within told me it was ok,
ok not to be perfect, ok to be me and now I don't cover up anymore. There's
only one of me so why try to be like someone else? I am myself and I don't ever
want to be society's idea of 'perfect' - but what is perfect anyway? My soul is
more content every time I listen to the still voice within, I am tempted to
call it the voice of reason ...</span></span><span class="xapple-converted-space"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="xs1"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">This level of surrender means you're inviting in the feeling
that anything is possible by a higher power, God,</span></span><span class="xapple-converted-space"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="xs1"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">which means you must
let go of just about everything you've learned from the world and believed to
be true. It's not easy to let go of external stuff that influences our beliefs
and affects perceptions, yet it is the only way we will ever find the
experience of being truly free.</span></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="xs1"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular" , "serif"; font-size: 21.0pt;">There's a vision for each one of us that is greater than our
imagination can hold - but how many of us have ever asked our Divine creator to
use us in this life, and to fulfil our purpose. I have found hope and peace to
be the original 'me' because I am not a carbon copy </span></span><span class="xs5"><span style="color: #454545; font-size: 21.0pt;">🤓</span></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sf ui display" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anne-Wafula Strikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352349499161232484noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423531752804686707.post-81548380227332319962016-06-01T12:07:00.000-07:002016-06-01T16:03:22.176-07:00Two Nights of Shock and Horror at Coptic Hospital in Nairobi<div class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5;">
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">I had been</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> at</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">tending</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> a</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> UKA</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> Board meeting</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">,</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> and on my way back home, on the train</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">, </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">on everyone's lips was the sad news of Prince's passing. I was sad</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> and shocked because</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> some of his music</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> had</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> inspired me</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">, particularly</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> 'Purple Rain'.</span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">As soon as I got home I switched the TV</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> on to follow up on the story. </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">A</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">s I plugged my phone in to charge,</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> m</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">y </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">‘</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">W</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">hatsapp</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">’</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> crashed with incoming messages an</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">d calls. My heart was </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">startled.</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Within </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">a few minutes, my brother, '</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Lopo</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">' called on the land line and asked if I had heard</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> the</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> news that my other brother</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">,</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> '</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Bishar</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">'</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">,</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> was in hospital unconscious? </span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">This shocked me because </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Bishar</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> had just posted on his </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Facebook page </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">that morning and was actively exchanging normal gags with friend</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">s </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">throughout the day on social media. His last social media posting was at 14:</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">53 on April 21st - actually just</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> a few hours </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">before he took i</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">ll</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">,</span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">"I decided since the sun was taking longer to com</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">e out and shine, let me come out,</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> shine and make a </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">change in someone's life. Thanks for the opportunity". </span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">My first instinct was to get info from those on the ground back in Kenya. I rang my broth</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">er Evans, who was</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> at the hospital along with my sister Vicky, brother-in-law </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Lawrence</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">, and my sister Irene.</span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Bishar</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> was at one of his meetin</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">gs that evening and he felt hot and sweaty so</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> he asked to step outside in the fresh air. His friends report</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> that </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">while outside in the fresh air, he threw up and lost balance (staggered). They decided to rush him to the nearest hospital, Coptic</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">, which was closest</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">.</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"></span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">One of his closest friend, James </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Mureithi</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> actually used </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Bishars</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">’ car to drive him there and they </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">were </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">joined by another great friend, Carol </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Kiriethe</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">. Th</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">ey called my brother, Evans to alert him that </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Bishar</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> was at the hospital</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">.</span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">I was getting very anxious and a bit agitated back in my home in Essex as I felt desperate and increasingly got frustrated as the hospital staff dragged their feet. His blood pressure was over 250 and they wanted payment before they could admit and attend to him </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">accordingly.</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> At least we have the NHS here in the UK but in Kenya </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">you have to pay for everything. </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Evans</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> arrived accompanied by </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Wanjiru</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">,</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> '</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Shiro</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">'</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">,</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> who used he</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">r card to pay for some of the </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">deposit. The</span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">deposit</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> required was </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Ksh</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">. 50,000</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> (roughly £400)</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">but </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Shiro</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> paid Ksh.30,000.</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> On </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">arrival</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">,they</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> ,spoke with </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Bishar</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> coherent and they reassured him he was in safe hands, ‘doctors’.</span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">I was asking every question and making suggestions </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">over the phone </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">- head scan, etc. They then told me that a head scan showed very slight swelling on the brain. My immediate concern was a ne</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">uro</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">surgeon</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> to</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> look at the scan and recommend treatment as an emergency. Time was of the essence here and if </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Bishar</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> was to </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">have a chance to pull through,</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> there could be</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> no margin for error or time wasting. </span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">I was advised by those on the ground in Kenya with </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Bishar</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> that he has been admitted in the HDU</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"></span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">( high</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> dependency unit )</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> and they had decided to sedate him so they could stabilise his blood pressure, but then later they moved</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> him</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> to ICU. </span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">I could not sleep </span><span class="s6" style="color: #e4af0a; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">on Thursday night</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">. I sent</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> a message around for friends to pray for his speedy recover</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">y</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> ... 'Prayin</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">g for my kid bro. He's unwell and is i</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">n hospital. Let's cover him with love, light and divine healing'</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">. T</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">his was on the 22nd April. </span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">I kept on ringing relatives who were at the hospital wishing </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Bishar</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> a quick recovery. The last they were told was that </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">they were sedating him but now they were</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> f</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">earful he's</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> in a co</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">ma and on a life-support machine, </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">but the doctors were</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> hopeful</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> that his blood pressure would be stabilised</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">??.</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> I bega</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">n to wonder</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> - what is it that the doctors were not</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> telling us? It's more than 12hrs</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">.</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> since hi</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">s head scan and everyone seems to be very confused at the conflicting reports. </span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">I decided I would</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> fly to be at my </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">bro</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">ther’s</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> bedside as he battles whatever is happening</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> to him</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">. I know him as a fighter and so many times when I face challenges in life, he's always reminded me that </span><span class="s6" style="color: #e4af0a; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">tomorrow</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">is</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> a new day and he urges me to put up a fight. </span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">At Coptic Hospital, Nairobi, my family are being tossed up and down with information. A neurosurgeon needs to asses my </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">brother’s </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">condition - I urge them to insist. The hospital staff lie that the surgeon is within the building and he's on his way to </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">see him. It's getting </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">late and chances of my brother</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> surviving are decreasing by the second. My sister Melvin decided to ask her friend if they knew a neurosurgeon and they mentio</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">n </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Dr.</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> N</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> who is the resident doctor</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> but</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> he was</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> unavailable. We decide to bring in a different neurosurgeon so I get on Google to search and get on the phones, and I </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">manage to speak to one who advis</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">es me to move swiftly</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">. The</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> hospital </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">staff at Coptic discouraged</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> us</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> by saying</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> that only </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">the resident neurosurgeon c</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">ould see my brot</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">her. But where is your resident</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> neurosurgeon for </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">god’s </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">sake!!! He's just about somewhere within the building</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">,</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> we are told</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">. My family</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">, with the help</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> of my sister Vicky and Evans</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">,</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> manage to somehow 'bulldoze' a neurosurgeon in who on permission sees my bro and the news is not good. He tells us </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">his</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> condition was 50/50</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">,</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> but more on the negative</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> side and he </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">said he</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> would let the resident neurosurgeon, Dr</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> N</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">,</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> attend to him and notify us (family). I think he just didn't want to</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> be the bearer of such sad news.</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> Afterwa</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">rds, I manage to trace </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Dr.</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> N</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">s' number and I try all means to reach him but in vain. </span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">The truth of the matter is that he's not anywhere near or within that hospital. </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">So often it is life’s frustrations that destabilise us.</span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Within an hour of this, Evans sends me a notification from the hospital staff demanding for </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">the</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> outstanding </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">deposit and payment for that day.</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> Those people are heartless.</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">My sister </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Jane</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> asks the doctors and staff if my bro was respondin</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">g to medication. One staff member lets</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> her tongue</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> loosen and says</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> they do</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">n’t</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> switch off the machine </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">suddenly;</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> they do</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> it gradually and </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">adds</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> that the family</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> should come in the following day, Saturday</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">,</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> at 12 noon for a report. Jane is shocked by her words but she is quickly reassured that</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> everything will be ok. Where are the</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> medical ethics here? What happene</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">d when they sedated my brother?</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> where has the talk of switching life support machine on come from!</span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Everyone is exhausted at this point. One thing we ar</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">e holding onto is </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Bishars</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">’</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> life. We had hope and faith that he would</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> pull through. We so want</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">ed </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">him to open his eyes.</span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">One Bible verse that </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">I quickly turn to is from Psalms 62</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3423531752804686707" name="_GoBack"></a></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him”.</span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">These are meant to be comforting words but at that point in time, the restless anxious chatter in my head was unbearable.</span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">I </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">manage to speak with my cousin</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">,</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Philemon</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">, and I be</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">g him to tell me every detail.</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> I start by asking him if </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Bishar</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> is</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> on oxygen, what medication </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">are </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">they</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> giving </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">him.</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> Has he had another head scan? etc. By now, I have my air ticket</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> to fly to Nairobi. We </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">decided</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> as a </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">family</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> we would move him to </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">either Nairobi</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> Hospital, </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Marter</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> or </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">a private w</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">ing in </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"></span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Kenyatta Hospital. I was already liaising with a neurosurgeon and also looking into getting a private</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> one to fly to Kenya.</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">When</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> I was told </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Bishar </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">had suffered</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> a s</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">troke, </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">in my mind </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">I started to h</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">ave a plan of care for him</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">.</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> He'd be in hospital for a while and when he wakes from the coma he'll struggle with speech and coordination but as a wheelchair user </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">myself</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> I believed we could have a satisfactory support plan in place for him as he recovered. I knew he would need a wheelchair</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">, </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">then</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> a walking stick, </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">etc.</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> until he</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> had</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> made a maximum recovery. I got speaking to people who had s</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">urvived the kind of s</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">troke we were being told</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Bishar</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> had</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> suffered and the more stories of success I heard the more optimistic I became. I wasn't going to write my kid brother off on</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> a re</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">port that that my kid brother had slipped into a coma</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">.</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">We wer</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">e going to fight this together. </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">We </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">are a strong family that are always</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> there </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">for one another and I knew we would rally around </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Bishar </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">and boost him. </span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Saturday 23rd April was a hazy day that brought darkness to us. </span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">My uncle Peps and cousin </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Philemon</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> were among the first to arrive to visit </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Bishar</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> at the ICU. Uncle Peps saw him and gave a positive </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">feedback</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> to my dad. </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Bishars</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">blood </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">pressure had been sta</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">bilised and his body was warm to</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> touch. My cousin told me he felt there was some circulation in</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> his organs as he saw the urine</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> bag was filling as it hadn't on Friday. Good News! I made several phone calls to </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Kenya</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> and</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> the family were strea</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">ming in to visit</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">,</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> as you do when you have a loved one admitted to hospital.</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> On</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> Saturday </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">morning</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> I am lucky to get </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Dr.</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> N</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> on</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">the phone and I pour</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> out</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> my every frustration to him and I express my disappoint</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">ment</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> at the</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> shocking </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">quality of care given to my brother. </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Dr.</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">N</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> did not sound sympathetic or even bothered and</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> he asked</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> me to call him after an hour. Where were the</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> medical ethics here? I asked myself</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">.</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> I </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">quickly </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">remind myself that I am to react and speak from a position of compassion, and </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">strength, with</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> God my rock; otherwise I will blurt out unhelpfully when the pressure is on. I know my behaviour sometimes </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">is unrepresentative of my heart, and as much as</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> I like to operate from within </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">the fortress who is God, a place of safety and assurance –</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> I found it difficult in that instance.</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"></span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">My sister Irene tells me she got in to visit with </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Bishar</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> and held his h</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">and to talk to him and just massa</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">ge his arm.</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> She was shocked when she felt no</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> pulse and she quickly alerted Uncle Peps who was in the room with her. I called Irene and when my brother-in-law</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">, Arthur</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> answered the call</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">,</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> m</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">y heart sank. All he said was 'W</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">here are you? Come quickly</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">!</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Bishar</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> has left us.</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> Come quickly, he's gone!' I</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> remember him choking over the phone holding back tears. I quickly hang up because that's not the report I wanted to hear. After a few minutes, I rang </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Philemon</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> and I demanded one answer from him -I asked </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">is it good </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">news </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">or bad? He replied '</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">B</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">ad</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">’</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">. I felt overcome with grief but still unable to accept what I was hearing.</span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">I rang my sister Jane</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> on the phone</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> and</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> she was wailing and asking God many questions. I cut her off and</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> then</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> received a text from my dad, ‘</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">C</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">ancel </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">your</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> journey</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">. He</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> is dead'</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">. My heart sank, I felt dizzy and sick. I didn't know where to look. I felt like all my insides would all come out. </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Bishar</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> had succumbed on this Saturday 23rd April at noon -</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">the</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> exact time that Jane w</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">as advised they would be given the family </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">a full report.</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> I spoke to Evans, who was devastated too an</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">d totally</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> broken. Evans was the last person to speak with </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Bishar</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> as they reassured him he would get well. He was alert a</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">nd communicating before the seda</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">tion. Evans told us that when </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Bishar</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> was sedated, he started to sin</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">g a</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> Hymn as he slipped away,</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Kaa</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">nami</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">ni</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">usiku</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">sana</span><span class="s7" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuitext-italic"; font-size: 21px; font-style: italic; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> (Abide with me; fast falls the </span><span class="s7" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuitext-italic"; font-size: 21px; font-style: italic; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">eventide;</span><span class="s7" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuitext-italic"; font-size: 21px; font-style: italic; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">)</span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Usiniache</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">gizani</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> bwana </span><span class="s7" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuitext-italic"; font-size: 21px; font-style: italic; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">(The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.)</span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Msaada</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">wako</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">haukomi</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> </span><span class="s7" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuitext-italic"; font-size: 21px; font-style: italic; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">(When other helpers fail and comforts flee,)</span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">Nili</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">pekee</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">yangu</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">, </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">kaa</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">nami</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> </span><span class="s7" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuitext-italic"; font-size: 21px; font-style: italic; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">(Help of the helpless, O abide with me.)</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 16px;">
<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">His favourite Hymn and his ringtone.</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> These were the last words he ever uttered on </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">this earth.</span></div>
<div class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 16px;">
<span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">JOIN ME IN PART TWO OF THIS </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">BLOG !!</span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuidisplay-regular"; font-size: 21px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">TO FOLLOW SOON.</span></div>
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Anne-Wafula Strikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352349499161232484noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423531752804686707.post-44451111845910905272015-03-07T07:06:00.002-08:002015-03-07T07:06:09.395-08:00International Women's Day - Double Discrimination.
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>In, ‘ The Myth of Women's Inferiority' Daniel Gaido states,
"One of the conspicuous features of capitalism, and of class society in
general, is the inequality of the sexes. Men are the masters in economic,
cultural, political and intellectual life, while women play a subordinate and
even submissive role. Only in recent years have women come out of the kitchens
and nurseries to challenge men’s monopoly. But the essential inequality still
remains". <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Today as women celebrated international women's day, most
differently abled (disabled) women are battling a serious double dose of
discrimination, 'female with a disability' this continues to 'justify' a low
education level that<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>results in rates of
employment and low wages, increase in sexual and physical violence, limited access
to fighting for justice and to health services and facilities. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Every single woman has a role to play in society, and I am
tempted to say that some women's roles are greater with a higher calling - As a
differently abled (disabled) woman, this comes with complications, criticism,
belittling and so often being thought to deserve 'not the best' in life. The
majority of us are still battling double discrimination - two minority
identities 'female with a disability'<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Yes, I may be a 'female with a disability' but I make it
happen in life. I have dreams, aspirations, etcetera. I know first hand what it
means to live at the corner of disability and womanhood. I know what it feels
like to suffer discrimination and encounter barriers in life. Yet so many women
like myself are rising up with resilience, strength, and enormous potential to
make it happen in life. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong> </strong></span></o:p></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>We often speak of having dreams, they say to be successful
one must have a dream ... I believe in making the dream a reality - turn that
dream to reality, make it happen. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>As a woman who is differently abled (physically challenged)
I have learned to set realistic goals. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
STEPS;</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>1. Identify - once you identify your dream, let your mind
crave it, believe in your dream, start to visualise the end goal and have
belief that you can achieve it. It was difficult for me to identify but once I
knew my life's purpose - I am now able to set goals related to my dreams. It is
important to set goals. I am able to discover what I specifically want to
create in my life that serves to bring me joy while serving others in some
capacity. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>2. Find ways to make it happen - you may need a time frame
for certain dreams, dreaming alone is not enough, how do you go about achieving
it? ..I am never afraid to ask for assistance . E.g BPF .. Create awareness of
polio and PPS.... <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>3. Put methods/ into practice - it may get tricky but
persistence is key... It's like setting out on a journey .. to get to your
destination, you have to take a step to start moving. Stay stagnant it gets you
nowhere.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>When 'Ms. Doubt' sets in, I call on my 'miss affirmation'
that helps me get rid of self-doubt that mostly would set me back or cause me
to give up on the dream. Positive Affirmations help me not to lose focus on the
vision 'we become what we think' so think positive. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>4. As you focus and start to achieve and as it 'starts to
happen', don’t be carried away .. Pride comes before a fall. Avoid
methods/means that will compromise your character. Be honest. Be trustworthy.
Don't exchange success with your integrity. A good name is better than riches
and you can still achieve your dream, you can make it happen without engaging
means that would hurt others at the expense of your dreams. Do things for all
the right reasons and not the wrong ones. Keep a humble spirit and always to be
grateful.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong> </strong></span></o:p></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To make it happen in
life, you need to be true to yourself, be ready to take responsibility to
change your life for the better. Commit, sacrifice, and discipline yourself to
making a positive change in your life. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>I have realised that for me to be a useful friend, mother,
sister, athlete, manager, ambassador, etc, I need to Invest in myself through
personal and formal education and I do not take this lightly because it's my
life!</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Myself and other women with disabilities world wide, including my friend Hannah Wanja from Kenya are asking themselves these questions;</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Are women homogenous? Are women with disabilities victims of circumstances or are they agents of social, economic and political change? Do we have women with disabilities on the tables of decision making or are they on the menu?</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Are challenges facing women with disabilities cross cutting across the globe but are there solutions to some of these pertinent challenges facing women with disabilities?</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
Anne-Wafula Strikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352349499161232484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423531752804686707.post-20171368976663074962014-06-22T06:59:00.000-07:002014-06-22T06:59:00.055-07:00From Mud Hut to MBE!!!<b>It's not everyday that your name appears in the London Gazette. It only happens when you have the great privilege of being named in the Queen's Birthday Honours List when you receive an award. I got an M.B.E last Saturday, 14th June, 2014, and to say I feel deeply honoured would be an understatement. I still can't believe it! I found out over a month ago when I received a letter from the Cabinet Office asking me if I would accept the award. I had to ask if he thought it was really me they meant to address the letter to. It was real. Honestly trying to keep such a secret was really, really hard. I didn't even tell my son Tim in case he told his friends and it leaked out. Anyway, I am so proud and can't wait for the official ceremony to have it presented to me. That will be a day to remembe r for ever! It just goes to show that even someone from a humble background like my own can achieve. I am blessed!!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Last week the British Polio Fellowship held their road show in London and I did a session on fitness for wheelchair users and others. It went down well and it was nice to see the enthusiasm of the audience. I really appreciate my role as an ambassador for the BPF and to spread the message about polio and the people who have survived it, 120,000 in the UK alone. A lot of that number still suffer from Post Polio Syndrome and the late effects of polio, and there is a lot needs to be done to give them the help and support they need. Imagine how many people in the world are suffering in countries where ignorance is rife? My main message is a very simple one - END POLIO NOW!</b><br />
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<b>I also spent an evening in the Houses of Parliament as guest speaker for one of the charities I support, RESULTS UK, a great project that lobbies our MPs to try and end world poverty. Other speakers included; Aaron Oxley, executive director of RESULTS UK, Annette Brooke MP, and Mark Dybul, director, Global Fund to fight AIDS,TB, and Malaria. I spoke about the challenges facing children with disabilities and other marginalised groups in developing countries, e.g the fact that children with disabilities are more likely to be out of school than any other group of children, the barriers created by discrimination and the lack of properly trained teachers and accessible schools.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><i> "It's a huge honour and blessing to be named in Her Majesty's Birthday Honours to be a Member Of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (Mbe) for services to disability sport and charity work This recognition is not just for me but for all of us especially those that have given me opportunities to give back to society."</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>Anne-Wafula Strikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352349499161232484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423531752804686707.post-34592371996337378142014-06-08T12:22:00.001-07:002014-06-08T12:22:48.501-07:00Around the World in ..... 6 Days!!!<b>Jules Verne once wrote a book called,'Around the World in 80 Days'. Well, I've just done it in 6! Let me tell you how it happened.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>On Friday 31st may, I was invited to attend a breakfast meeting with Sir Emeka Offor by Rotary International and amongst the organizers were Judith Diment and Nayan Patel who was particularly so keen for me to participate at the meeting. Sir Emeka is Rotary's Polio Ambassador in Nigeria and is totally committed to eradicating polio in Nigeria. I am not normally an early morning person but on this occasion I went along because I too want to see polio totally eradicated from the whole world and I was interested to hear what is being done. Also, as an Ambassador myself for the British Polio Fellowship I am always keen to hear the experiences of others. I spoke briefly about my own experience then we had a frank exchange of views and ideas. It was a very interesting meeting and I was glad I had made the effort to attend. I must admit my enthusiasm for another breakfast meeting the next day was full of curiosity when the invitation was given, but after discussing with Norman about looking after our son Tim when I returned home he said I should go because he understands my passion on and interest in any matters relating to polio. Well, he was right but not even in my wildest dreams could I ever have imagined what did happen. Sir Emeka invited me along with Manoj Soma and Gautam Lewis, who in my opinion is a encyclopaedia on crutches - as his special guests to attend the 105th Rotary International convention in Australia. I said I would love to. When is it? I was expecting him to say in a few weeks time but instead he said we would fly out with British Airways at 9.30 that night! Wow! I phoned Norman to ask him if I could go and he gave me his full support so I headed back to Harlow to pack.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>After rushing to pack a few things I left again at 2.30pm saying a tearful farewell to my sweetheart son Tim, but he seemed more interested in playing with his mates so off I went. I've been to Australia once before so I knew I was in for a long flight. The crew on the plane were fantastic and did everything they could to make my journey a comfortable one. We had a brief stopover in Singapore and finally arrived in Sydney on Monday morning and were driven to our hotel, Holiday Inn in Old Harbour. I was totally exhausted but very excited had time to refresh and off we went to Sydney Olympic park to the rotary house of Friendship to view different stalls and meet Rotarians from all over the World. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>On Tuesday we went to the conference in the Olympic Park and I spoke at a breakfast meeting which was so humbling to be in the company of main donors of polio eradication. A bit overwhelming. It was nice to meet up again with Ade Adepitan, who shared his experience as a polio survivo then Sir Emeka was given the opportunity to stand on the podium and make a special announcement - Yes, ladies and gentlemen he donated $ One million towards the eradication of Polio. Now this was overwhelming! . I also met a lot of Rotarians I've met down the years in my role as a public speaker spreading awareness of polio and related issues such as the late effects of polio and PPS (post polio sydrome) that most polio survivors are struggling with. Again, that evening I fell into bed exhausted but very happy. I have to admit I wasn't too happy when Norman and Tim rang to see how I was but he's very understanding and didn't take offence at my snappy response- he's used to it.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>On Wednesday we paid a visit to the Rotary house of Friendship and wandered around the numerous displays and stands. I was particularly intrigued by one that had an actual iron lung, something we never had in Kenya. I was also excited to see the End Polio Now Torch that is due to go around the whole world. I can't wait to carry it when it arrives here in the UK. I had the immense privilege of carrying the Paralympic Torch in 2012 as a Paralympian but I will be even more proud to carry the Polio Torch because it is symbolic of the total eradication of polio from our world. Can't wait.</b><b><br /></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Most evenings on this amazing visit to Sydney, Sir Emeka did not wait for us to be friendly - he showed us how by inviting us as a group to share dinner with himself and his outstanding staff. Sir Emeka is rich in love and generosity and he lives by example and his deeds clearly show that there is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up and creating opportunities to enrich lives! I definitely would like to learn more from this man by the grace of God, how he does it - I suppose there isn't a fomula! </b><br />
<b> Thursday we began the long flight home and I finally got back home on Friday morning. The journey of a lifetime. I will use this blog to say a HUGE thank you to Sir Emeka Offor and his staff both at Chrome Group and Sir Emeka Offor Foundation for providing me with the opportunity and I am really looking forward to working with them again in the near future.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>So, jet lagged and back to reality. A busy week lies ahead. Speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday, then doing a talk on fitness for the British polio Fellowship on Thursday.I am not rich in monetary terms but God is good to me and I thank him for all he lets me do and the great people He brings my way ...</b><br />
<b>And to sum up this blog let us remind our selves of the need to eradicate polio and the support the polio survivors who struggle with the late effects of the disease need!</b><br />
<b>Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.</b><br />
<b>Wherever there is a human being,there is an opportunity for a kindness.</b><br />
<b>Instead of waiting for people to be friendly, show them how.</b>Anne-Wafula Strikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352349499161232484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423531752804686707.post-83977777945876495922014-05-14T09:44:00.003-07:002014-05-14T09:44:45.549-07:00WoMentoring Programme <b>I believe inspiration comes from looking at everything in a positive way. You only have to open your eyes to be inspired. You also need to make peace with yourself and my secret is to value my imperfections as well as my perfections. Once you do this life becomes worth living..</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>I haven't trained much due to external commitments but I have made a promise to myself to create the time to get back to the gym and back on the road. I haven't lost my love for wheelchair racing but I have been guilty of putting it into the background as I concentrate on other things. I have been very encouraged by comments from fellow racers saying they miss my presence at competitions so watch this space!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Last week I had the great privilege of spending time in beautiful Vienna, Austria with a lot of truly inspirational and amazing women. I have been asked to be one of the mentors by the European Paralympic Committee, in conjunction with the International Paralympic Committee and the Agitos Foundation. The 'Womentoring Programme' is a pilot initiative that aims to have women mentoring women in sport, hopefully helping them to improve and achieve in various ways. We stayed in the Marriott Hotel in Vienna and I was amazed at the luxurious room I was given. It was lovely, but it didn't stop me missing my son.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>As a Mentor I will be on hand to offer my support and encouragement to my Mentee in the hope she can make progress in her chosen field. I also hope to challenge her to move beyond her comfort zone. I am very excited by this opportunity because it empowers women and helps them to improve their leadership skills. I firmly believe we need more women in leadership roles in all areas of society and I'm really looking forward to learning more about how to be a good leader. I firmly believe in never giving up. You must use failure as a spur to greater things, and as the old saying goes;'If at first you don't succeed, try try again'. When you make the effort you can achieve your goals. A successful woman is one who wakes up each day and determines to make progress no matter what rejections and negativity they may experience. Tomorrow is another day!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>It was a genuine pleasure for me to meet so many great women, Maria Rauch - Kallat who has been a minister in the Austrian government and so full of wisdom of empowerment, Amanda Bennett, Tine Rindum - Teilman, and great athletes such as Sylvana Mastre and Gaizem Girismen, to name just a few. We all learned and shared our knowledge and experience of issues such as gender equality, women in sport, thinking tactically to enable change and the presentation of good practice. I came away full of new knowledge and a determination to put it into practice in my new role.</b>Anne-Wafula Strikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352349499161232484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423531752804686707.post-75558497810586476082014-04-18T08:11:00.000-07:002014-04-18T08:11:04.384-07:00Blinded by Science!<b>It's that time of year when most people wear smiles on their faces in this part of the world - a bit of sunshine and warm weather really seems to cheer people up. It's lovely to be able to wheel around town and not freeze almost to death! Mind you, I say 'wheel' but I really struggle in this loan wheelchair and can't wait to get my own chair in the next few weeks. That really will put a smile on my face.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Last week I paid a visit to 'Your World Healthcare' in London. They have been wonderfully supportive to my charity and myself so I popped in to say a big thank you. Whilst I was there I learned a group of them are going to tackle 'Tough Mudder' on April 26th to raise money for community groups. Having completed the same course last year I gave them three bits of advice; 1). It is NOT a race. 2). Teamwork is vital. 3). Please get across the finish line because the feeling of having really achieved something is a wonderful experience. I could not have done it without the incredible support of my team from AbleChildAfrica and it was an experience I shall always be proud of.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>This week I was invited by the Church of Scotland to participate in the Edinburgh International Science Festival. I was there to debate some very serious issues, such as,'Do sport and science really mix'? and,'Can the use of technology make sport a truly level playing field'? This is the year of the Commonwealth Games to be held in Glasgow and the audience based debate saw me on a panel with Rugby star Scott Hastings, Dr.Grant Jarvie, and the moderator was the great sports journalist Graham Speirs. We explored the benefits, problems and ethical questions that arise from the use of technological advances in competitive sport. I was really impressed when Scott Hastings said that in his day he played sport for the love of it and not for fame or money! That is exactly why I took part in competitive wheelchair racing but it seems that for many people these days money rules everything and people will go to any lengths to win, even damaging their bodies by using drugs. Anyway, I enjoyed the debate and would really like the opportunity to air my own views more often. Thanks for inviting me!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Today is Good Friday, the day Jesus gave his life to help save humanity. I watched a programme on BBC1, 'The Great North Passion', which came live from Norman's home town, South Shields. I remember him once saying to me that a while ago people valued and embraced Christianity and religion as whole more than they do these days, and today, as I watched this programme, I thought to myself .... 'there would have been a lot more people present because people were a lot more religious'. I think it's really sad that people in general seem to have lost their faith. I feel certain the world would be a lot happier place if they found it again! </b><br />
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<b><br /></b>Anne-Wafula Strikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352349499161232484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423531752804686707.post-86305123960422982712014-04-05T10:39:00.000-07:002014-04-05T16:02:31.284-07:00The People's Poll.<b> Harlow is such a beautiful place, it has a beautiful history dating all the way back about 10,000 years and was famous for its three horses, forty three cattle, seven beehives, a designated sculpture town, and also famously known for having a first residential tower block in the country. </b><br />
<b>Today I was invited to participate in an event called;'The Harlow Conversation' which was organised by the department of Sociology from University of Cambridge. There were about 150 people present in Harlow Study Centre, a good mixture of ages, and from all academic back grounds, to debate issues that affect them at a local and national level.</b><br />
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<b>The meeting was chaired by Dr.Jeff Miley,who is a judge at crown court with two experts arguing for localism then two arguing against it. Localism means devolving power from central government to local government, and communities. I'm for localism myself because I believe the people who live in Harlow are better placed to make important decisions about the town rather than a bunch of folks in Parliament sitting on endless committees.</b><br />
<b>We discussed issues such as Education, Pay Day loan companies, Housing and Hospitals. I was shocked to learn that 26% of people in Harlow have no qualifications so who is to blame for this? Should school curriculum's be set by schools themselves instead of by Central Government, and if so, to what extent? To me, Education is VERY important. In Kenya, parents have to pay money out of their own pockets to send their children to school and buy books and equipment so they really appreciate education. In this country parents also pay for education through their taxes but it seems to me that education isn't as valued as it should be, and teachers don't seem to get the respect they deserve. I believe the government should spend more on giving teachers the opportunities to teach rather than weighing them down with paperwork and constant interference by OFSTED and observations in schools. I also feel more needs to be done about the lack of discipline in schools, and I speak from personal experience as the parent of a 13 year old boy who has really suffered through this.</b><br />
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<b>The so - called pay day loan companies are, in my opinion, leeches that are sucking dry the most vulnerable people in our community. Harlow Council, I was very surprised to learn, doesn't even know how many of these companies there are in Harlow, and the current government doesn't seem interested in regulating such companies, which is something that makes me angry. After all, the mess this country is in was caused by greedy banks and we, the taxpayers, had to bail them out. They should be forced to give people decent loans and then there would be no business for the leeches. Credit Unions are also a good idea.</b><br />
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<b>We also had a healthy debate on housing and whether green belt land should be used for 'affordable housing'. I want to know what they mean by affordable because a one bedroom flat in one of the new developments in Harlow costs £170,000, and I certainly don't think that is affordable! I think we need to build a lot more council houses so those people on low incomes can have a decent place to live. This would also create more jobs. Having lived in the town since 2000 I have noticed that hundreds of private houses have been built but no thought seems to have been given to all the extra traffic this has created. This is a problem that will only get worse unless something is done about it now. I also didn't know, until this meeting, that the M11 was actually built on the wrong side of our town.</b><br />
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<b>Our local hospital, Princess Alexandra only has 489 beds for a town population of 80,000. Again, this is a potentially serious situation because of all the extra housing that has been built. This government seems to be intent on closing hospitals rather than extending them to provide the service our growing population needs.</b><br />
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<b>I really enjoyed the day and felt empowered by having the opportunity to debate such serious topics. For me, this was a real example of what localism means and I would relish the opportunity to make my voice heard on a more regular basis.</b><br />
<b>Towards the end of the meeting, I couldn't help the destruction from the whistling wind outside that reminded me of the film 'whistle down the wind'.</b><br />
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<b>As we drew to a conclusion, I had so many questions that I needed answering and I would like you to help me ponder on the following:</b><br />
<b>1.How does a government know how they are doing?</b><br />
<b>2.What happens when a community feels they are being ignored the government?</b><br />
<b>3.What is good governance? Is it a bunch of people at the top who think they know more than the people at a local level?</b><br />
<b>4.Do you think the person at a local level has enough knowledge and information to make decisions?</b>Anne-Wafula Strikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352349499161232484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423531752804686707.post-31893335454494993692014-04-03T09:52:00.001-07:002014-04-03T10:27:51.246-07:00Love The One You're With.... I don't love polio <b>It's been quite a while since I last blogged but here I am. I really dislike winter because any bug or cold that is doing the rounds inevitably gets me. Thank God Spring has finally sprung, though we are now suffering from the 'Saharan Dust that makes breathing difficult. Hopefully it will be gone by the weekend. It's not pleasant that I am unable to train outdoors due to the 'bad air'.</b><br />
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<b>Polio has almost been forgotten in the West but there are many survivors who are now struggling to live with the late effects of this awful condition. Still, life continues though with a little more difficulty, especially amongst the elder survivors.</b><br />
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<b>A few weeks ago I was a guest at the British Polio Fellowship Indoor Championships held in Leicester. It was a great pleasure to be there and I was so glad I arrived early so I could have a try at the different sports. I really enjoyed wheelchair curling and bowls but I fell in love with wheelchair darts. I managed to score 120 with two darts so Phil Taylor watch out! I might take it up seriously when my racing career finally ends. It was fantastic to interact with the competitors, most of them in their 50's and 60's, and it was great to see the enthusiasm and competitive attitude they showed. This is a group of people who love themselves - they've accepted and made peace with who they are and not how they are defined. As a younger polio survivor I drew a lot of inspiration from them and I learned that actually we can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves. We have to value our imperfections as much as our perfections! Anyway, it was lovely to present medals and see the pleasure on faces as they received their awards.</b><br />
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<b>Statistically speaking there are around 120,000 polio survivors struggling with the late effects of polio in the UK. The British Polio Fellowship is working with the World Health Organisation to try and eradicate polio from the world. This year they are celebrating 75 years of the BPF with different events and road shows, and you can find out more about the work they do or if you would like any kind of support related to polio - visit; http://www.britishpolio.org.uk and a little bit about myself... http://www.annestrike.org </b><br />
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<b>I DON'T LOVE POLIO !!</b>Anne-Wafula Strikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352349499161232484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423531752804686707.post-57039583119883160032014-01-01T08:03:00.000-08:002014-01-01T08:03:03.541-08:00Happy New Year 2014 - MY WISH FOR YOU .....I hope the days come easy<br />
And the moments pass slow,<br />
And each road leads you where you want it to go ...<br />
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And if you are faced with a choice<br />
And you have to choose,<br />
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you -<br />
<br />
And if one door opens<br />
to another door closed ...<br />
I hope you keep on walking till you find the window,<br />
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If it's cold outside<br />
show the world the warmth<br />
of your SMILE .......<br />
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BUT more than anything,<br />
My wish for you is that life becomes all that you want it to ...<br />
Your dreams stay big,<br />
Your worries stay small.<br />
You never need to carry<br />
More than you can hold.<br />
And while you are out there getting where you're getting to,<br />
I hope you know SOMEBODY LOVES YOU,<br />
And wants the same things too,....<br />
Yeah, this is my wish !!!<br />
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I hope you never look back but you never forget<br />
All the ones who loved you in the place you left .....<br />
I hope you always FORGIVE ,and never regret,<br />
And you help somebody every chance you get -<br />
And you find God's GRACE in every mistake,<br />
And always give more than you take ...<br />
BUT more than anything .....<br />
My wish for you is that this life becomes all that you want it to !!!!!<br />
HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!Anne-Wafula Strikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352349499161232484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423531752804686707.post-39095990238239533522013-12-03T05:12:00.000-08:002013-12-03T05:12:01.070-08:00International Day of Persons with Disabilities.<b>This day of observance was begun by the United Nations in 1992. It aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well being for persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. Very fine aims but what are the realities for the millions of people worldwide? Dismal if you are trying to live with a disability in a developing country where very often you are firmly placed at the very bottom of the society you aim to survive in. And what about here in the UK? Oh yes, we have accessible transport in most big towns and cities, and ramps into the majority of public buildings but we also have the disabled bearing the brunt of vicious cuts imposed by the current government, suffering the unfairness of Bedroom Tax, and others. Think on those things on this International Day of Persons with Disabilities. If you have to judge people living with disabilities, judge them based on what they can do, not on what they cannot. Judge them based on who they are, not who they aren't. Support their strengths and do not use their weakness to crush and destroy them to the bottom. Otherwise, you are judging them based on your own shortcomings. </b><br />
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<b> Africa has had enough of 'disability does not mean inability'. True inclusion of people labelled 'disabled' should involve more than just accessible toilets and ramps. People's attitudes need to change and start to recognise this group of people as full human beings. I totally agree with Emma Thompson that 'being labelled 'disabled' should not mean being disqualified from having access to EVERY aspect of life'. People who are differently abled such as myself have abilities too and this day should be about that, making sure that the society we live in is conducive to allow these abilities to blossom. </b><br />
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<b>No disability or dictionary out there is capable of clearly defining who we are as a person. It is only when we step out of that labelled box that our abilities begin to be fully recognised, giving us a much better definition of who we truly are as individuals. Today, I call upon every human race - Support us to break barriers, and to open doors, for an inclusive society for all. Let us take the dis out of disabled then we are able,take the cap away from handy and we are useful, take the label away and we are who we choose to become and dreams are turned into reality.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>Anne-Wafula Strikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352349499161232484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423531752804686707.post-3844567569250464782013-09-26T09:51:00.000-07:002013-09-26T09:58:39.546-07:00Tough Mudder Challenge.<b>In my last blog I told you I was planning to take on the 'Tough Mudder Challenge'. I am so proud of myself because I completed the course with my brilliant team mates from AbleChildAfrica, and I have the aching muscles, bruises, t- shirt and headband to prove it! It was, without a doubt, the toughest challenge I have ever faced but ......I DID IT!!!! All the hard training in the Harlow Leisurezone gym with my personal trainer Mark Macciochi paid off and his encouragement and positivity really helped me. In fact, everyone in the gym was very supportive and I was raring to go.</b><br />
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<b>A few days before I met with some members of the AbleChildAfrica team to plan our strategy and to work out how we would tackle the many different obstacles during the challenge. It was just like a military operation. If I was daunted before the meeting I was even more daunted after it, and I was worried about my ability to get through it all in a wheelchair.</b><br />
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<b>We travelled to Wales in a mini bus provided by another charity, The Barbara Bus Fund, and though long, our journey was made easier by the witty jokes of Anthony and the good company of my fellow travellers. We arrived at the camp site the team were staying at in tents. Unfortunately my disability and tents don't mix so I was picked up by a fantastic taxi driver, Trevor,from CTE Crickhowell taxis, run by Ann and Gareth. He refused to take my fare because he said 'I challenged him by doing 'the mud thing',as he called it.. What a lovely man! We arrived at the Soar Chapel Guest House in Beaufort, Ebbw Vale. What a luxurious place, family run by lovely people who made me feel so welcome. I highly recommend it if you're ever in Wales.</b><br />
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<b>In the morning Trevor picked me up again and drove me to the site. He wished me good luck and I told him I would need it! I found everyone signing waiver documents and I finally realised there was no turning back. This was it and I was feeling very anxious because of fear of the unknown. What is Tough Mudder? It's not a marathon, it's not a race but it's a challenge, an unbelievably tough challenge. Deep down I knew I had the strength but I was off to tackle obstacles that were not even accessible to 'able bodied' people let alone a woman with almost zero trunk function or use of her legs in a wheelchair.</b><br />
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<b>We did a team warm up and headed to the start line, but before we even got there we had to climb over a small wall. The first obstacle was 'Kiss of Mud' where we had to crawl through mud with barbed wire just above our heads. I kissed a LOT of mud!</b><br />
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<b>The next obstacle,'Glory Blades' involved climbing two walls that are inclined towards you. This is where the teamwork really began for me. Teamwork is the ability to work as a group towards a common vision, even if that vision becomes extremely blurry. My vision got blurrier after each obstacle, but the teamwork shone through everything.</b><br />
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<b>'Arctic Enema' - whoever invented this one is a true sadist! You immerse your whole body in a trough of ice floating on top of freezing muddy water. As we approached this obstacle I was told I couldn't do it because there was no ramp. I reasoned with him and finally won through and completed it successfully with the help of my team. He obviously didn't realise we had the great Olympic Gold medal winning swimmer, Mark Foster, in our team!</b><br />
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<b>'Trench Warfare' was next and it makes you feel you are on a battlefield, and in a way, you are, except you can't see anything because it's completely dark. Chris, who was in front of me in the tunnel talked to me and gave words of encouragement, as well as encouraging himself , which again is part of teamwork. I took a lot of strain on my elbows as I slowly dragged my way forward. It made me realise my lack of trunk function can be a real hindrance in events like this one.</b><br />
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<b>'Mud Mile', was it really just a mile because it seemed to go on forever! We went up and down muddy hills, me in my wheelchair that was thick with mud as my team helped to pull me along with ropes and I tried to steer so I didn't lose control of the chair. I remember going up a particularly steep hill with part of the team pulling whilst the other part pushed and struggled to keep the wheelchair upright. It was TOUGH! But we did it! As we struggled, Mike Wickens caught his ankle on the front of the wheelchair. We bound his ankle with duct tape until we reached the next medical help and the poor man had to have a few stitches when he returned home. Sorry Mike. Another member of our team, Jonathan Charles, pulled a leg muscle half way through but the two of them bravely soldiered on and finished the challenge. Somewhere along the way we also lost a piece of my front wheel, but it didn't hurt. Lewis French, an engineer at British Airways, patched up a repair using people's gloves. Amazing! What kept us all going was the water stations and the half a banana we were given.Heaven! As if we hadn't gone through enough with the mud and ice and water, the designers of the course devised 'Hero Carry'. This is where you have to carry a team mate a set distance. Our team really worked well here, with members pulling me with ropes as they also carried someone, whilst others pushed me from the back whilst also carrying someone, and I had someone on my lap as I also tried to push and steer my wheelchair. The power of team work really shone through here and I am so proud of myself and my team mates.</b><br />
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<b>All along the way every person who was taking part were extremely supportive of each other, helping each other to overcome the obstacles. I remember going down a really steep and muddy hill and people from other teams joined our team to get me down, and back up the other side. It was truly inspiring to see so many people working together.</b><br />
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<b>'Everest' - 15ft tall, 35ft wide, and almost vertical, and sometimes lubricated with water and vegetable oil to make getting up it even harder. Speed is vital to give you the impetus to ascend the obstacle. So how did I do it when I have no use of my legs so can't run?? After me everyone; TEAMWORK!</b><br />
<b>'Teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success'. My team formed a human ladder then I had to work myself upwards using their bodies for support, and my own upper body strength to climb higher and higher. Halfway up I almost gave up but the realisation that we were so close to the finish line spurred me on, as well as thinking about why we were doing the challenge. The crowd around us, the other 'Mudders' were roaring us on and yelling words of encouragement, and ladies and gentlemen, they got me up Everest. We went through the 'Electroshock Therapy' and we were finally crossing the Finish line. I want to give my personal thanks to all my Team mates by naming them - The best team ever;</b><br />
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<b>Chris James.</b><br />
<b>Jane Anthony.</b><br />
<b>Mike Wickens.</b><br />
<b>Lewis French.</b><br />
<b>Ed Barney.</b><br />
<b>Nick McKenzie.</b><br />
<b>Becky Lawson.</b><br />
<b>Steve Booker.</b><br />
<b>Mike Anthony.</b><br />
<b>Aoife Twomey.</b><br />
<b>Jonathan Charles.</b><br />
<b>Mark Foster.</b><br />
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<b>And a HUGE thank you to all the 'Mudders' who helped along the way.</b><br />
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<b>People ask me why did I choose to do such a crazy thing? Growing up with a disability in Africa wasn't easy, and it still isn't easy for the people who live with a disability in the developing countries of the world. We are raising funds, and awareness, for AbleChildAfrica to continue their projects that supports disabled children to access their rights and give them the best possible chance of fulfilling their potential. You can make a donation to AbleChildAfrica by texting "MUDD13" £5 to 70070, and you can find out more at; www.ablechildafrica.org </b><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.itv.com/news/london/topic/tough-mudder/">http://www.itv.com/news/london/topic/tough-mudder/</a></b><br />
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<b>You can also donate online by going to;<a href="https://mydonate.bt.com/events/acatoughmudder">https://mydonate.bt.com/events/acatoughmudder</a></b><br />
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<b>I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become. Don't listen to 'you can't', show them 'you can'!!!!</b>Anne-Wafula Strikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352349499161232484noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423531752804686707.post-88843946196564952942013-09-08T12:07:00.000-07:002013-09-08T12:32:11.753-07:00Rising to the Challenge!<b>It ain't what they call me, it's what I choose to answer to!</b><br />
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<b>It's already September, My son is back at school, and the summer is going out with a whimper. Where has the time gone? I haven't had much of a racing season because of injury but now I'm back, feeling mentally strong. I have a lot of work to do to get back into shape and I feel very unfit at this moment in time. Watch this space though because I am determined to bounce back in style next season, stronger, fitter, and raring to chase fresh challenges.</b><br />
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<b>Life is a roller coaster, and some people choose to ride it and some would choose not to. All I can tell you is whatever the ride you can close your eyes to things you don't want to see, but you can't close your heart to the things you don't want to feel. Let's say I wouldn't be doing some 'challenges' if I didn't understand what people with disabilities in Africa have to endure on a daily basis! I have been there, I have lived it and experienced the stigma and prejudices one has to face when you are a minority, when you are 'different', and when the society you live in labels you disabled and therefore useless. These people know they are being treated unfairly but they just have to carry on living and in most cases being denied the most basic human rights. As a woman who is differently able, I know it's not what these people have been through in their lives that defines who they are, it is purely how they get through it that will make them the people they are today and tomorrow. And yes, beautiful, strong and compassionate people do not just happen - they have to suffer first.</b><br />
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<b>AbleChildAfrica is a relatively small charity yet it does so much in changing lives. Their sole purpose is to provide help, support, and encouragement to the differently abled young people of Africa and their families, and to promote the realisation of equal rights for them all. </b><br />
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<b>I discovered that when you know your value you stop selling yourself short, you stand tall and are never ashamed of who you are... and when those around you want to focus on disabilities, you remove the 'dis' and use all your abilities to rise above limitations and break boundaries... Ladies and gentlemen, I am going to attempt to complete the 'Tough Mudder' challenge </b><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.itv.com/news/london/story/2013-08-28/fresh-challenge-for-paralympian/">www.itv.com/news/london/story/2013-08-28/fresh-challenge-for-paralympian/</a></b><br />
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<b> an extreme assault course that includes ice, fire and underground tunnels, to name but a few. Not to 'boast', but I will be tackling the challenge in my wheelchair, and I fully intend to finish it, no matter how long it takes.. Yes! I know it's tough but not as tough compared to the challenges differently able people in Africa have to face everyday of their lives. PLEASE support me in this challenge to raise much needed funds for AbleChildAfrica and help support giving a new lease of life to people who deserve it. Just click on the link below.</b><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.ablechildafrica.org/what-you-can-do/tough-mudder/">www.ablechildafrica.org/what-you-can-do/tough-mudder/</a></b><br />
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<b>or text 'MUDD13' followed by the amount you wish to donate (£1,2,3,,5,10) to 70070</b><br />
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<b>To end on a different note. Last summer I donated a racing wheelchair to the DR Congo so Dedeline could compete in the Paralympics. That very same chair is now helping a young man to hopefully compete in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next year. That is how a small donation can help to change lives. I will be watching next year and cheering him on.</b><br />
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<b><br /></b>Anne-Wafula Strikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352349499161232484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423531752804686707.post-10457987146888133222013-08-04T08:08:00.000-07:002013-08-04T08:08:07.164-07:00Burning Candle for mama.I am lighting this candle in honour of my MUM.<br />
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Those we love go away only physically but the beautiful memories walk besides us and inside us every day.<br />
Unheard, unseen, but very near.<br />
Still loved, still missed and very dear.<br />
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I miss the touch of her dear hands, so gentle and kind.<br />
I miss her smile, her laughter, her wise, kind and soothing words.<br />
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When I was rejected, mama held me securely in her arms - close to her bosom and sometimes strapped me securely on to her back.<br />
I know she wanted me to be happy than be filled with tears of sadness and sorrow -<br />
Mama taught me love, kindness, honesty ....<br />
Mama taught me gratitude and said it was bad manners to grumble.<br />
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So I try my best to honour her memory -<br />
Unheard, unseen but very near.<br />
Still loved, still missed and very dear.<br />
(From me Anne Olympia Naliaka Wafula-Strike. In memory of my beloved, mother,Ruth Rosoline Nekesa Wafula)Anne-Wafula Strikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352349499161232484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423531752804686707.post-30890115107249070152013-07-21T13:11:00.000-07:002013-07-22T03:31:18.130-07:00Hot. Hot. Hot!!<b>Finally summer has arrived - with a vengeance! The British really make me laugh because they are constantly complaining about the weather, it's too hot, it's too cold, it's too wet! We Africans hardly ever mention the weather because we can find lots more interesting things to chat about. Anyway,I am very happy the sun is shining hotly everyday so long may it continue.</b><br />
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<b>It's been a very busy few weeks for me since I last wrote and I just haven't been able to fit in the time to write, which has been somewhat frustrating. I have come to realise that writing helps me a lot. 'I write to give myself strength'. I write to share my joys and sorrows and because I like to share life and kindness with my readers. When you are kind to yourself in thoughts, words and actions it is as important as being kind to others.</b><br />
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<b>This is Polio Month, a time we use to remember the devastation polio has caused to millions of lives, and also to address the issues that surround polio today that are less talked about. I am very proud to be an Ambassador for the British Polio Fellowship, and in that role one issue that not only interests me but is also something I suffer from myself, and that is Post Polio Syndrome (PPS), a little known neurological disorder that causes fatigue and pain. There are 120,000 potential sufferers in the UK alone and we believe it is an issue that really needs to be addressed in the UK, though the sceptic in me thinks that this government will do nothing as it continues its onslaught against disabled people and their carers.</b><br />
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<b>On a similar theme I travelled down to Croydon a few weeks ago to lend my support to the lovely Julia Roberts (QVC Presenter) who was swimming 101 lengths of a swimming pool to raise funds and awareness for The British Polio Foundation and Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. Celebrities present were; John Salako, Crystal Palace FC legend, James Crisp, Paralympic swimmer, and Bob Ballard, swimming commentator for BBC radio. A lot of money was raised and it was a real pleasure to be a small part of the event.</b><br />
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<b>Columbus School and College in Chelmsford is a place I have close to my heart, and it was a huge honour to be invited to spend the day with the young people as they took part in Olympic Day. It was a fantastic experience to be amongst the learners, parents and staff as we cheered on the young people taking part in sport and enjoying themselves. Their determination and enthusiasm echoes ability, not disability. Mandeville, the Paralympic mascot was a special guest, along with myself.</b><br />
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<b>I also attended an olympic and paralympic day at Nelson Primary School in West Ham.The young people had a lot of fun and I was chuffed to be presented with a special Gold Medal from the School.</b><br />
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<b>The IPC Athletics World Championships are currently being held in Lyon, France, and are being covered by More4 on the TV, which is great, although the constant ads are driving me mad! Team GB are doing well, and it's really nice to see the younger athletes being given their chance to shine, and boy are they doing well. Sad to see my friend Shelley Woods suffering from the heat and a bug, but good to see Jade Jones and Georgina Oliver doing well. Georgina is only 21 and is already eyeing my British records in the 100m and 200m. Good luck to her.</b><br />
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Anne-Wafula Strikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352349499161232484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423531752804686707.post-39677307765858003882013-07-03T11:00:00.000-07:002013-07-03T11:17:05.948-07:00It's a Long Road.<b>I haven't been able to blog for a while due to personal reasons and because my wrist has been injured. I am on a very long roller-coaster but I can see some light at the end of the tunnel. As I constantly say to myself - no quitting because the cave I may fear to enter holds the treasure that I seek.. I do not want great things from life, but rather small things that will definitely make my life even greater. Nelson Mandela once said;'The greatest glory in living is not in failing, but rising every time we fall and coming back stronger and wiser'. The world seems to be waiting for him to pass but when he does the world will be a poorer place. May God bless him!</b><br />
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<b>My training has really suffered due to my wrist injury meaning I will not be taking part in the IPC World Championships in France later this month but I have had to stay positive and give every moment of life permission to delight me and wake up feeling positive every morning. Anyway, I am healing and very soon I will be able to train. I can't wait.</b><br />
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<b>One consolation has been being able to give my support to others in the community. I really enjoyed my day with the youngsters taking part in the Panathlon Challenge Finals held in Basildon, Essex. The smiles on the faces of the young people as they participate in sport are a joy to behold. Every time I visit them I am strongly reminded that a meaningful life is about being real, being humble and being able to share ourselves and touch the lives of others. These young people should be an inspiration to us all.</b><br />
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<b>Your World Healthcare Recruitment have been my greatest supporters so it was a pleasure to visit them and show my Paralympic Torch to the staff. My visit was crowned with a generous donation to my charity, The Olympia-Wafula Foundation, and the money will be well spent in helping children in Kenya to access education, which is just one of the projects we run.</b><br />
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<b>Life is a one time offer, so let's use it well. XXXX</b><br />
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Anne-Wafula Strikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352349499161232484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423531752804686707.post-18107021547354153052013-05-28T06:08:00.000-07:002013-05-28T06:15:18.377-07:00BLUE TUESDAY ......There was a lawyer who was just waking up from anaesthesia after surgery, and his lovely wife was sitting by his bed side. His eyes fluttered open and he said, "You are beautiful" and then he fell asleep again. His wife had not heard him say that in a long time so she stayed by his side. A couple of minutes later his eyes fluttered open again and he said "You are cute!" Well, the wife was disappointed because instead of "beautiful" it was "cute." She said "What happened to 'beautiful"? His reply was "The drugs are wearing off!".<br />
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Life is full of surprises - I feel like I am on a long non-ending journey.At one point I thought I had 'arrived' but I'm still going. I do not want to be afraid of going slowly, but I think am afraid of standing still. I have always followed my heart and taken my brain with me, and prayed and trusted that it's gonna be ok.</div>
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I am having some down moment. My emotions are all over today. I am reminded of when I was growing up in Africa and as a young teenager I struggled with self image. My friends went on to wear short skirts and high heels while I was stuck in polio boots and long skirts to cover my legs. I was a keen reader and I discovered some trashy English romantic novels. I enjoyed reading about how the hero and heroine fell in love with each other. I liked the way they always lived happily ever after, but I often wondered if I would ever find that kind of perfect love because of my far from perfect body.</div>
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In fact when I read about the beautiful characters, I couldn't help wondering how someone would write about me. How could the flowery language be adapted to describe my callipers and crutches then in Africa and now as a wheelchair user living in the UK - I think it would take a literary genius to make my body sound appealing in a romantic book. I thought I had overgrown my past but some things come and shake us so hard that we feel like we are going backwards instead of moving forward. </div>
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I am here in beautiful Switzerland training and competing in the most amazing atmosphere but I am struggling emotionally. I am only human and it's perfectly ok to feel this weak. I always look for something positive in each day but to be honest today I am having to look a bit harder.</div>
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I love the simple story of Cinderella, she meets her prince, gets married, has babies, and who knows - may be she went back to cleaning and cooking all day and may be the prince never took her to another ball,or may be she had servants and went to every ball. Life is a mystery, and I know our best stories will come from our struggles so I am not giving up at all!!!!!</div>
Anne-Wafula Strikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352349499161232484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423531752804686707.post-27497265896738931662013-05-27T09:10:00.000-07:002013-05-27T10:18:12.216-07:00SWISS ROLLER COASTER <b>It is so nice to be back in Switzerland once again. It's a country I really love to visit, and meeting all of my friends from International wheelchair racing makes it so much better. Mind you, the weather has been atrocious, rain and strong winds, which made a bit of a washout of our first race meeting over the weekend. But that is elite sport - you plan and train but you can never plan for the weather! Everything about Switzerland will be one of the things I will really miss when I retire, though I do want to take up a coaching role so perhaps I can continue coming with my athletes.</b><br />
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<b>The news from home (UK) has been truly shocking and disturbing and my heart goes out to the family, friends and colleagues of the murdered soldier, Lee Rigby. My prayers are with them all. What possesses a man to take another man's life in such a cruel manner ??? And in the name of RELIGION ??? If we have no PEACE it's because we have forgotten that WE belong together. LOVE should be our most unifying and empowering common spiritual denominator as demonstrated by the women who sat besides Lee Rigby so he would not die on his own. I believe humanity is like an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty,the ocean does not become dirty- Let us be courageous and we must not lose faith in humanity.</b><br />
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<b>I miss my son so much and I long for evenings when I can speak to him on Skype. He is my pride and joy and being a mum to such a lovely ,gorgeous, strong, clever, sensitive and caring boy has taught me so much about life.I am in gratitude every second of my life and so many times in the middle of my little mess, I am constantly reminded of how big I'm blessed !</b><br />
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<b>I think I needed this time away to reflect on several things about myself. I am surely learning to listen and to be patient. I miss my friend who is in the UK and I wish I could speak with him</b><br />
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<b> all the time but all I can do at the moment is have them in my heart and pray for them. Life is too short, therefore if you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.</b><br />
<br />Anne-Wafula Strikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352349499161232484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423531752804686707.post-78545436902772529212013-05-08T12:50:00.000-07:002013-05-08T12:50:55.712-07:00Life is a Circus.<b>Had a good weekend of racing over at Stoke Mandeville competing in the British Wheelchair Racing Association Grand Prix, an international meeting. Gloriously sunny weather for a Bank Holiday weekend, you'd think it was summer. My time in the 100m put me in the world's top four this year, and my 200m in the top eight - not bad for an old me -though it's early season and I'm sure the young girls will do super fast times as the season progresses. Still, it was great to meet up with all my racing friends once again, and I'm looking forward to the Swiss Championships later this month.</b><br />
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<b>On Monday, the 'We Care Group' which is one of the projects of Olympia Wafula Foundation had a trip to the circus which was visiting Harlow. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and not an animal in sight! I was told that in the 'old days' there were mainly animals made to perform in a circus, elephants, lions, tigers, horses etc, but I'm happy those days are gone because animals should be seen in their natural environment.</b><br />
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<b>It's been a week of ups and downs emotionally and I have longed for things to change. It has felt like I have no control over things but then I still know when I need to walk away. Keep walking and don't look back! Though we may get lost for a while, it's better to be lost than stranded. I am determined to grow as a person and overcome any obstacle that gets in my way!</b><br />
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<b>Today it's my birthday and Tim, my son,made my day by bringing me breakfast in bed, toast, milk and fruit. I really did feel a tear in my eye and felt really proud. He'll make the girl he meets when he's grown up one lucky girl. As I ate, I remembered the baby girl who was born in a mud hut in Western Kenya, helped into the world by several traditional midwives, the fourth born child in my family, third girl. My mum's friend Annah was a wonderful singer who sang to me in the womb and I was named after her but was later changed to Anne. My African name is Naliaka, which means; 'born during the weeding season'. My dad also named me 'Olympia' which later in my life became very prophetic. I give thanks to God and my parents for the blessed life I have had so far, and long may it continue!!</b><br />
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<b>I have received so many birthday wishes from friends and family -thank you all so much. It's a huge blessing - The more we celebrate our lives, the more there is in life to celebrate. Today, my son said ".....it doesn't matter how old you are mum I love you". I jokingly said to him that the first hundred years are the hardest, to which he replied, "....I pray to God I will be here to help you blow out the candles". </b><br />
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<b>I am one blessed hot mama !! </b>Anne-Wafula Strikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352349499161232484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423531752804686707.post-52938575880876695492013-04-28T10:34:00.001-07:002013-04-28T10:34:56.881-07:00Back on Track.<b>Thanks to the gorgeous weather we had last week I managed to put in some quality training though not as much as I would've liked, but it was certainly a big improvement on recent weeks and months. I even managed a couple of long runs on the road and it was lovely to be out in the fresh air and sunshine.</b><br />
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<b>A young boy I've been mentoring here in Harlow, Adam, took part in his second mini marathon and managed to do a PB. I was delighted for him. I can remember his mum, Karen, bringing him down to the track when he was only 9 years old and we sat him in my racing chair and his arms barely reached the push rims! It is a real blessing to watch youngsters such as Adam mature into great athletes.</b><br />
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<b>I watched the London Marathon on TV and thanked God there was no repeat of the awful events in Boston the week before. My heart really goes out to all those people whose lives were wrecked by the cowardly actions of two very evil individuals. I was upset to see one of the world's top racers, Josh Cassidy, colliding with one of the elite female athletes. I think the organizers caused both of them the race due to poor planning. If the wheelchairs had been started first then that incident could have been easily prevented. I'm sure Josh will be back next year.</b><br />
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<b>On Friday I was invited to spend time and motivate the young people and volunteers taking part in the Panathlon Challenge in Chelmsford, Essex, one of the 50 multi- sport competitions being held in 17 counties this year. I also presented the medals to these wonderful 'differently able' youngsters who really enjoyed taking part in New age curling,table cricket, boccia, and relay races that involved runners and electric and manual wheelchairs. I believe every child has the right to play and it doesn't matter about their limitations, physical or mental, there was something there they could participate in. There was so much love, passion and determination oozing from the youngsters faces that it was a joy to behold. It made me reflect and be reminded that the most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love and take it in.</b><br />
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<b> I ended my blessed Friday with a lovely meal with my very good friend. I'm sure we all have friends who bring the best out of us without even trying, and we love being in their company whether we are doing something exciting or watching the paint dry! It was a fantastic way to start the weekend so I thank them for their great company. Life is great and we shouldn't let circumstances and society fool us into believing it's not. Sometimes being silly with a friend is the best thing and you don't always have to climb Mt.Kenya !!!</b><br />
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<b>I woke up early on Saturday to prepare for the first track meeting of this season but it got off to a bad start when my taxi failed to show and another had to be organised quickly. It's not easy to find a car big enough to take my racing and day chairs but we managed. We arrived in Stoke Mandeville on time for me to take part in the BWAA Meeting, but the weather was DIRE. Rain, wind, more rain! Such a shame because it is one of the best tracks in the UK for wheelchair racing but the wind was illegal so none of the times were any good for qualifying. I did manage 3rd in 3 races, bus as the weather worsened I decided to cut my losses and head home before my final race. Things can only get better.</b><br />
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<b>This morning I played the part of very proud mum when my son, Tim, played striker for his team, Parsloe Athletic U - 12, and scored a fantastic goal from thirty yards out that he hit so hard the pegs holding the net down jumped from their holes!!! They won 3 - 1, so very well done Tim from your very proud mum.</b>Anne-Wafula Strikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14352349499161232484noreply@blogger.com0