P&G released a commercial called "Tough Love", another tribute of their Thank You Mom campaign. First I'd like to start off by saying thank you to P&G for making such a touching and appropriate video. Second I'd like to thank my Momma who made me tougher and stronger.
This commercial starts off by showing a mother pulling out a wheelchair for her young son and the first words are "You could have protected me." At first I was confused and automatically put my guard up. I'm not sure how familiar y'all are with how people with disabilities are usually shown in America, but it is more often then not it is very disrespectful; portraying us as weak or 'Inspirational (I've previously written about this).
But as I watched my heart beat faster, I got goosebumps, and I started to tear up. This is the first commercial that I've ever seen that is dedicated solely to the Paralympic games that was made in the US (Coke's commercial included Paralympics but focused more on the regular Olympics). If you take a look at how the Paralympic athletes were shown in the 2012 Paralympic Games in London you would've noticed that there were banners, signs, and tons of press following those athletes around...just like the Olympic athletes. But then you look at America...whose (at least from what I've seen) never made an effort to show us any support. It sickens me when I have to explain what the Paralympics are. I shouldn't have to. Just as the announcer in the opening ceremony in 2012 said "Paralympics mean parallel to the Olympics."
This commercial shows people with "disabilities" (still hate saying that word...but OK...) in a light that isn't very popular. It showed us as people with strength and confidence. It showed the reason we've grown into the people that we are today; our mothers and fathers..
Thank you P&G. Thank you for giving us a voice. A stronger voice. A voice that is louder then anything. A voice that wants nothing more then to be heard. Thank you.
XOXO
Dana
The video link- http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=trueview-instream&v=7RR-r2n5DLw#aid=P6pV0Bq4-_A
Friday, February 21, 2014
Monday, February 3, 2014
Struggle
Many people struggle through many different situations. One of mine (trust me there are a ton) is my undying, unfading want and need to get stronger and feel healthier. But with CMT that can be hard. It is a neuropathy that weakens my nerves and effects my muscles as well. This adds to the fatigue that one would normally feel when they work out.
I swim competitively. At least I did until November of 2013 when I decided to start homeschooling. I still train to keep in shape and to get rid of stress. The pool and the gym are two places where I can actually think. But as I exercise and I get stronger, I run into a problematic cycle: For about one or two weeks I can feel my body get stronger, but then a drastic change in weather screws with my legs making them so tired that I can't walk or I get a bout of my leg pains for maybe a couple days or weeks. After the pain is gone however I am back at square one or even farther behind then I started.
I often come across as a strong, brave person. Someone who has grown up facing obstacles and so people sometimes forget that I am human. I am weak. I bleed. I cry. I want to give up.
I have days where I wonder "Why the heck am I even trying to walk a mile on this treadmill? What's the point? I'm just going to break again and all this work and sweat, and tears will be for nothing." I am told "take it slow" and "you'll get the hang of it" and "Dana, you are so strong". But those are just words. Just phrases that people can easily say and think of. It's harder for me to believe no matter how much you mean it. It's hard for me to believe it because for 15 years my body has rejected me. It has hated me. I have been beaten down by my own body. My legs that turn on me at the worst times.
But I can't just throw down the towel, lay down on the floor, and cry. That's why despite the struggles and the pains that I get for exercising and forcing my body to get stronger, I'm going to try. I guess I have to. I mean....I've come this far right? I'm not sure how it's going to work out; I could very well die trying (you know falling off the treadmill, legs giving out in all...that was a joke people. Laugh).
Until then
XOXO,
Dana
I swim competitively. At least I did until November of 2013 when I decided to start homeschooling. I still train to keep in shape and to get rid of stress. The pool and the gym are two places where I can actually think. But as I exercise and I get stronger, I run into a problematic cycle: For about one or two weeks I can feel my body get stronger, but then a drastic change in weather screws with my legs making them so tired that I can't walk or I get a bout of my leg pains for maybe a couple days or weeks. After the pain is gone however I am back at square one or even farther behind then I started.
I often come across as a strong, brave person. Someone who has grown up facing obstacles and so people sometimes forget that I am human. I am weak. I bleed. I cry. I want to give up.
I have days where I wonder "Why the heck am I even trying to walk a mile on this treadmill? What's the point? I'm just going to break again and all this work and sweat, and tears will be for nothing." I am told "take it slow" and "you'll get the hang of it" and "Dana, you are so strong". But those are just words. Just phrases that people can easily say and think of. It's harder for me to believe no matter how much you mean it. It's hard for me to believe it because for 15 years my body has rejected me. It has hated me. I have been beaten down by my own body. My legs that turn on me at the worst times.
But I can't just throw down the towel, lay down on the floor, and cry. That's why despite the struggles and the pains that I get for exercising and forcing my body to get stronger, I'm going to try. I guess I have to. I mean....I've come this far right? I'm not sure how it's going to work out; I could very well die trying (you know falling off the treadmill, legs giving out in all...that was a joke people. Laugh).
Until then
XOXO,
Dana
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