Joy In The Midst of Struggles

 Here is something that frustrates me about the state of California. Basically since I was diagnosed with CP I went to CCS (California Children Services). They provide free occupational and physical therapy until your 21. This is so awesome and I would go twice a week until high school where I would do more check ins because I was becoming more independent and doing so well I did not need it as much. Now I know what your thinking...um Nicole why are you frustrated with this? Well did you noticed I bolded until your 21? This is the issue. Once you turn 21 they are like bye bye good luck with the rest of your life. It has been difficult because you get dropped off and on your own without any recommendations of where to go next in life.  Most of you know that hot yoga has been a life saver for me and has basically become my physical therapy and it has been great until...covid. Due to the shutdown it also caused a shut down of my body because my physical therapy (aka yoga) was taken away (

 Do you ever have moments where you are reminded why God called you into your profession? Last week I had one of those moments. This conversation brought tears to my eyes because it helped me realize that I have given my students the ability to have open and honest conversations about topics that may be a bit awkward. I was teaching a small group with two of my students. One of them has been in my class for two years now and the other just this year. I do not know how we got on this topic but we were discussing how I used to be a kindergarten teacher here is the conversation Student: I remember seeing you when I was in third grade and thought she walks differently. Me: Why did you think I walk like that? Student: I don't know maybe that you got stung by a bee? Me: haha okay what do you think now? Student: Well you were born that way. I'm used to it now and its just normal. But I still have never seen anyone like you. Me: I agree. I don't really see anyone like me either. St

 Hi there! I know...its been a while..but when you were an online teacher for a year you take every opportunity to be away from the screen..BUT here I am. I am back giving you all the details of life with CP.   So as we all know living through this pandemic has not exactly been the best and a few weeks ago I got an unexpected side effect of this pandemic. A few weeks ago I went back to teaching in person full time and my yoga studio opened back up (HALLELUJAH!) . We all know that working out at home just does not cut it. So the next week after returning to school and yoga I started feeling some pain in my right leg. Let's be real I feel pain a lot so I just figured my leg muscle was tight or I may have pulled something (my right leg is my bad leg, it turns in more and is usually always tighter than my left). No big deal right? Well...a week later the pain is not getting better it is getting worse. & I know it is not a pulled muscle because the pain is not there all the time. I