A Birthday Blessing

Today is my birthday, and although I know there is all things fun happening on Facebook, there's joyful wishes on LinkedIn, and I have a beautiful Google birthday doodle on my Google page, the thing that's already made my day, in just the first hour, is a telephone call from my sister Denise.

Those of you who are not baby boomers may wonder why a phone call could be so special. Well, because of all the things that happen today, that one thing, brings everything home to me.  You see our mother used to call each of her six children early in the morning on our birthdays. She'd be the first voice we'd hear.  She'd be the first person to listen to what was happening, our hopes, our dreams our challenges.

So hearing a voice, and receiving a call, early in the morning on my birthday is still special to me.  I grew up when phones hung on the wall, when you had a rotary dial, when the operators would be the primary source or assistance and when our voices--the spoken word--were phenomenal ways of keeping in touch.

It's been 23 years since my mom has moved on to be with the Lord.  I am grateful to her and my father for so many things, her special phone calls, their guidance, their love, their support, but primarily for my faith.  For I know that Denise's call this morning, was a gift from our Heavenly Father, who knew that was what I needed today.

May God watch over you and keep you in His care.

We're Walking as Warriors 4 Sight On March 2, 2013

     I found out I was afflicted with a hereditary eye disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) when I was on active duty in the US Navy. It is a degenerative retinal disease that causes tunnel vision and eventually blindness. All my life I have struggled no night vision, having difficulty seeing people, recognizing faces, and a long time ago I stopped seeing the night’s starry skies. After having my first son, I was told I needed to give up driving, start walking with a red and white cane so people knew I was legally blind and I was informed I would need to leave my Navy Reserve Career behind.

     As a mother, wife and primary breadwinner for our family I became concerned `with the question, how am I going to survive this? The realization brought me to my knees and I came face-to-face with the question, who am I? At first I was depressed and angry and I felt like giving up. But here I was the mother of a young son, wife to a disabled Veteran, a federal employee and now a disabled Veteran myself. Although I felt sad and lonely, I knew I couldn’t quit. I decided I needed to be a good example for my family. I needed my family to know that life doesn’t always go your way and you cannot give up or quit.
     I enrolled in the VA’s Low Vision Program and learned how to use a cane, special lights and adjust my computer accordingly. I enrolled in the YMCA play groups and the Public Relations Society of America and found friends and colleagues to help me with rides to and from events and activities. I learned the necessary skills to keep me safe, independent, and improve my quality of life. I sought out community, state, and federal resources to help me “find my way” back to myself.
     One of the resources I tapped into was the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Through their research funding I enrolled in a six year study that proved taking 15,000 IUs of Vitamin A could help slow our disease. So today, at 54, I still have 10 degrees of vision in each eye. I know it’s not the 90 degrees the majority of folks have, but I am thankful for my “Tunnel of Light”.
     Six years ago FFB started VisionWalk and I’ve been giving back to them ever since. This year we have combined the two teams Veterans & Friends for vision and AZ Blind Dragons Martial Arts into one powerful team, Warriors 4 Sight! Our goal this year is to raise $2500.00 or more. Last year AZ Blind Dragon raised $1000.00 and Veterans & Friends for Vision raised over $1000.00. Together we should easily achieve our $2500.00 fundraising goal. The Team Captains are Tom Hicks and myself (we are both blind and legally blinded Veterans).
     We hope you can join us as we continue to “fight on” for research, for cures for hope is saving our vision. We hope you can join our team and become a Warrior 4 Sight!!! Sincerely, Paula L. Pedene APR Legally Blinded Veteran & Warrior 4 Sight Here is the link to the Warriors 4 Sight page:

http://www.fightblindness.org/site/TR/VISIONWALK/VisionWalktr?team_id=68238&pg=team&fr_id=4902  

We appreciate your support and hope to see you on March 2! 

VA Veteran’s Day Parade 2012 | Nadine On The Scene | All Things Lifestyle

VA Veteran’s Day Parade 2012 | Nadine On The Scene | All Things Lifestyle

Crossing the College Threshold

Steven and Robert at Horizon HS Graduation May 24, 2012

       My son Robert crossed the threshold today attending college orientation with his mom.  I could hardly believe I was there because he had said earlier “mom college students don’t bring parents to orientation.”  Then by some miraculous change of heart, he came to me and said “I guess I can bring you with me to my orientation, if you want to go?”  Hate to say it but I jumped for joy much to his chagrin.

       As we set foot on the amazing campus of Paradise Valley Community College, it brought back memories.  I know they’re different than what Robert’s going to see and for that I’m thankful.

       For me, college wasn't a given.  My parents’ house burnt to the ground when I was a junior going into my senior year.  We lost so many items (my favorites were my letter sweater from Volleyball and a desk my dad had made for each of us kids) but the lesson I learned was the items were just things.  Fortunately, my family was safe, and with the phenomenal support of the Prescott community we regained our lives.   For me that life event meant taking a different path to get to college.  I turned to the US Navy, signed on the dotted line, endured the entrance physical,  and raised my hand to take the oath of enlistment to defend my country and in so doing earn the college benefits afforded to me.

    My first day at college was at a conference room at the Naval Facility in Bermuda.  Here about 12 people gathered with books in hand, to study for the 8-week condensed course through the Department of Defense partnership with the Los Angeles Metropolitan College.  I had passed several CLEP exams and was on my way to living the dream by earning my college degree.

       At each duty station, in-between a full-time job, I took my classes.  I went to work, went to school, studied and tried to sneak in some free time with friends for movies, the club, and the ever proverbial gym to stay Navy fit. Our conflicts of that day were quite different than what we have today.  We had a war in the Falklands, the incident in Grenada, the bombing of the Embassy in Beirut and other operations monitoring subs, people, dealing with spies, and the list goes on.  

        When I transferred to Washington DC, to anchor the Navy’s first TV show called Navy News This Week, the proximity of DC to the University of Maryland meant I could set foot on a REAL college campus.   I have to tell you, I still remember that day.  I walked around the campus full of lush green landscape.  I couldn't believe the massive size of the University of Maryland, the number of students, and the awe I felt.  My efforts were rewarded in 1986 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.

      So when I crossed that threshold of a new college campus with my son, it brought back a flood of memories and a bunch of gratitude.
     I’m thankful I had the chance to take advantage of the college benefits the Navy offered.  I’m thankful I had the chance to travel and to meet some truly amazing and inspirational people along the way.  I’m thankful I had the chance to learn and to continue learning to this day.  I’m thankful for the people God placed along my path.  And perhaps most importantly I’m thankful we have such a wonderful country where these freedoms are available to us each day.  I can tell you from my Navy service, we, the USA, don’t often realize how wonderful our life is. 

       So, to all the college entrants who are crossing their thresholds, know that there will be unexpected help along the way, that you will learn if you apply yourself, that you have an opportunity to impact others, and if you persevere you’ll earn a distinction that will remain with you forever, as “college graduate”.  Robert we’re wishing you all the best!   Love, Mom

Some great pointers towards improvement http://ping.fm/O2l7C

Two Lists You Should Look at Every Morning - Peter Bregman - Harvard Business Review http://ping.fm/TBGJx

Great #MothersDay gift story. For me flowers, card photo reign supreme you? http://ping.fm/YwReB

The Federal Government needs PR assistance in creating good relationships. This can be done by contracts. Great PRSA op-ed relates. http://ping.fm/nTBE7

Creative film about new CPR techniques you rock Kim ... http://ping.fm/uDO8b

Thanks VA for engaging our Veterans via social media! http://ping.fm/wqdxc