You Inspired Me

Older brother Art III, Dad, me & Steve, the strong Mann! Photo from 2007.

There are several people in my life I need to hear this.  Sorry if I missed telling you before you left the planet.  Hope to see you in the next life so I can make sure you know how much I appreciated all you accomplished.

I want to highlight a few of you here in this post.

My husband David overcame dyslexia and being told he was stupid to have a successful career as a chef.  He is such a talented artist and craftsman, he designed and built a 21-foot fishing boat that was featured in a magazine.  But the most amazing thing was the time we were told our son could not attend school due to illness.  My husband became his homeschool teacher. Now at over 70 David is learning a new language. Hungarian is not easy to learn, but we are having fun trying. 

My friend Becky, blinded at birth, a college graduate, single mom of a sighted child, travels fearlessly with her guide dog and teaches disable folks how to use their equipment.  She once said if I ever lose all my sight, she would help me learn the latest technology.

Teachers, parents, friends, and church leaders have all contributed to things that inspired me. This would be a very long post if I tried to remember everyone.  So, I will just say collectively, when you achieved something against the odds, I was inspired to keep learning, keep trying and keep adapting.  You inspired me!

But my first and biggest inspiration was my younger brother diagnosed at age 11 with arthritis.  Now they call it RA.  Arthritis is a condition that causes stiffness and pain.  The sufferer may not want to move at all.  Our parents were told he might be in a wheelchair by age 18.  I don’t think I have ever seen him in any type of mobility chair.  I have seen him in a cast and in traction after painful knee surgery.  The inspiration he gave me was that he always kept moving. He went swimming and then wrestling team in high school against medical advice.  As a senior citizen he started working out at a gym to stay in shape.  Someone suggested weightlifting.  Guess what!  Not good for the knees.  Maybe my little brother didn’t mention he was once advised to avoid this type of physical activity. But he excelled in competition, becoming a senior world champion in his age and class. He can lift over 400 pounds! Stevie, you still inspire me!