Disability, Illness and Old Age.

Too all my blog followers I was in hospital for a week. I had an infection in my right leg, both lungs, pneumonia, fever, vomiting and two seizures due to being so weak. Thank goodness for our Canadian medical system. I also had two cat scans one for my chest and the other for my stomach in Red Deer Alberta a bigger city hospital.

The last three days of my hospital was on a unit with senior citizens who had various illnesses such as gout, blindness, dementia, diabetes complications. Their positive or negative attitude had everything too do with their recovery or stay ill in the hospital. Most of these individuals and their spouses lives have permanently changed and will be going to a Seniors home after their hospital stay. Their children’s response to their elderly parents change in life makes all the difference. If the children are supportive and make sure the parents dignity is maintained the transition for the elderly parent is more seamless. However if the child is apathetic the elderly parents suffer. For the most part I saw supportive adult children.

Besides my own recovery from illness I was asking myself how I would handle helping my own parents make the transition to a Senior’s home. I will do right by them and make sure they are comfortable and sure that transition is smooth for them. That is just how we roll in our family.

Disability, illness and old age can be handled with grace. When you are determined, positive and have a work ethic the elderly can make a difference in the lives of others. The younger generation should listen to there wisdom and knowledge.

What is my legacy going to be? What is your legacy going to be? Our lives are short and what do we want to be remembered for in this life. I want to be remembered for being a Godly man, family man, writer, advocate, teacher leader. Most of all to be a giver and encourager. My question is to all who read this blog is how do you want to be remembered whether you are young ,old, sick or well. Life is a precious thing never to be taken for granted.

By Ty Stingel

May 29, 2013

Poem: The Value of Life

The value of a life is a precious thing

Reading or watching the new portrays the destruction of the world today

When natural disasters, crime, war, selfishness and apathy are at play

What is our response and will it be seen as a positive or negative thing.

Too many deaths by suicide, too many babies unborn

How do we get loved ones, friends and strangers to see the value of life

With kind words,a listening ear and positivity and not strife

The love of the Father through a good soul can help them transform.

I do not know all the answers to life

All I know I once was lost and now I am found

That God doesn’t make junk and one day I will go home and sing aloud

Till then I will value life as a adopted child of God and let his love abound.

 

Personally I have seen too many people die in the last years

However they truly lived and made the most of their time left on this earth

We are the most honest when we are about to die or at birth

To those who are passed on I say God bless and cheers.

By Ty Stingel

2013

I hope this poem makes you consider the value you are loved. The God above, your family and friends care about you just as you are no matter your circumstances. Use your sense of hearing to hear something wonderful you have never heard before. May you see the most beautiful landscape. May you hug someone you love. Speak a kind word to someone today. Lastly taste something that is delicious to know that life is not bland.

Your life has meaning just like mine. Keep pursuing what makes you happy. Cherish and have gratitude for the things you have. Filter out those negative thought thoughts and voices that say you can’t and say instead I can and I will. Your life has value and meaning.Seize each day like it was your last. Erase regrets and start a new with life. God our Creator can give you peace. You will be surprised when you lay your burdens down how wonderful life can be.

Blessings, Ty Stingel

 

 

Travelling As A Disabled Person

Yes I have a disability due to traumatic brain injury as a child. Thanks to God and many prayers I only had slight right side weakness due to my brain surgeries. I could have lived my life in a corner feeling sorry for myself. However my parents didn’t raise a quitter. I was given many chances to travel to Toronto, New York state, Arizona, Florida, Seattle and across the western United States with my family.

My dad said holidays for a family should have an educational component. I was blessed to go to NASA at Cape Kennedy in Florida and write a report on the Space Program when I came back from my holiday. I saw awesome Grapefruit League Spring Training baseball. You see disability was not seen as a excuse but a challenge to overcome. So writing about what happens in space with a space shuttle and astronauts was very cool for me.

Going to see the Sons of The Pioneers as a 18 year old in Tucson Arizona was also awesome. It was witnessing a piece of history. A Country and Western  group that Roy Rogers co- founded before he became a movie star. A dinner and a show and a great experience to share with my dad. We also went to Air Force Museums in Tucson and Phoenix along with Spring Training baseball games as well.

Directions have never been my thing but dad always got me to handle the map and learn how to read it to tell him where we were to next. No excuses for this disabled boy. Did I always appreciate the value of what was happening? The answer is probably no at the time. A teenager is still a teenager able bodied or disabled. Though I am grateful for the experiences that my parents afforded me. My mom and dad gave up a lot for my sister and I.

Going to Niagara Fall, Toronto for a Blue Jays baseball game were great after my dad finished a job in Northern Ontario. We also went to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown N.Y. on Hall of Fame weekend to see Johnny Bench and Carl Yastremski get inducted in July of 1989. Our family saw so many cool exhibits there. For a baseball historical junkie like myself it was an awesome experience.

During my college years I travelled to places such as Quebec Canada and Mexico City and Central Mexico for educational experiences for field education and on internship. I learned about the French and Spanish languages. Moreover their local cuisine, history, religion and architecture. How does a disabled person gain confidence to go to these places? There was always a common purpose for education and personal  growth.

I know my disability is not overtly visible but it is there. Do I have a stubborn streak that says yes I can when others have discouraged me. My parents always saw the need to explore new horizons as lifelong learners in and out of the classroom. Gratitude to my mom and dad is a understatement in giving me a great life.

My suggestion to all those with a disability is pursue your interests no matter what it is. If there is a will there is a way. I don’t know your challenges only you do. Have courage and do not let anyone or anything get in the way of your dreams. Stick with positive people who will support your goals and dreams. Be appreciative of every opportunity you are given in life. Redemption and following your dreams is just a choice away. How do I know this I have fallen a few time in life and a loving God, family have been there to help me get back on the right path.

We are all travellers in this journey called life. Seek the best out of yourself and others. Challenge yourself to be the best you can be. You are worth it.

 

Uncle Frank

Uncle Frank was loving

He accepted me as I was

He was a lot of fun

He was a great storyteller

A giver of advice

Loved his wife and sons

Was driven to be the best

Was full of courage in his fight against cancer

This is what he meant to our family.

He shared life with our family with phone calls, visits and a kind word

He really loved my Dad

Winter Breeze

The winter breeze is cool this morning

However there is peace in my heart

This is a brand new day and a blessed start

The sun is shining and no longer storming.

The weather can be a tell

For how a person feels on a given day

Whether at work, rest or play

If we are warm and cozy it is great for a spell.

The winter is a great season

Full of adventure for sure

The sports of hockey, curling, skiing and snowboarding could be the cure

We are souls full of life and passion and is our only needed reason.

The hope of life and to be eternally bound

Can be reflected on days with a winter breeze

And dreams of summer and fishing on the sea

The gift of life and to be eternally sound.

By Ty Stingel

2012

TBI Survivors Are Contrarians and Poem

Contrarians are those people live against the flow of whatever is considered the norm. Traumatic Brain Injury Survivors have to talk and act in a contrary way to be successful in their lives. This is a perfect assessment of my life. Moreover most anyone can be a contrarian who has suffered loss in their lives. So here is my poem to honor those who live their lives in extraordinary ways despite overwhelming odds.

Contrarian

My world is seen through the eyes of opposite lens

To turn the views of the world on its ear

Combating many opponents without fear

Living life this way is a blessing and cleanses.

Seeking winning results against the odds

The world and all its noise won’t get in the way

Sometimes life can be lonely but with God you will cease to be afraid

Trying to live authentically while travelling this sod.

Contrarians receive the misgivings of most

Till those who choose differently do something great

Which is highly calculated, courageous and not fate

To all these special people I give a toast.

Great leaders seize the day

No matter their challenges in life or professions who are innovation

Who are not satisfied in life going from station to station

Keep up the good fight you contrarian always I pray.

By Ty Stingel

2013

Poem: Unpredictable

Life can be unpredictable

Full of sunshine, rain or shadows

Sometimes the experience is cheap or other times lots of dough

Life can be so unpredictable.

Change can be frightening

However their are chances around the corner

Living a life without borders

With faith and God in your sighting.

Many people come into our lives

Some with a different cultural background

Do we listen to each other or talk over each other with in tolerance abound

Sharing why we are right even if the facts don’t jive.

So listen up unpredictable

I will handle you assertively and with grace

Life’s curves will not take the smile off my face

Life is full of lessons and is unpredictable.

By Ty Stingel

2012

 

Being Courageous, His Passing and The Celebration of Life of My Uncle.

My Uncle Frank had brain cancer for well over a year and lost his battle yesterday. He fought very courageously through 2 brain surgeries, chemo therapy and radiation with all of his strength. Cancer was not going to define him and he lived his life to the fullest. His body was wore out and he passed away peacefully.

My mom and dad attended a Irish wake in Uncle Frank’s honor with my aunt his wife my Aunt Sandra and  other family members. There were many stories, laughter a true celebration of his life. A cousin and I talked on the phone for 45 minutes sharing Uncle Frank stories and helping each other through our grief.  Another relative phoned today expressing her sympathy to our family and more stories came out of fond memories of my Uncle. We all loved him dearly.

Family loving on each other in a time of grief is a precious thing. Telling our family members that we love and care about them is crucial as we are not promised tomorrow. I was blessed to know my Uncle for 39 years what a gift. We shared many good times together.

Thanks again for being courageous, sharing your knowledge whenever you could. You were a wonderful man, my uncle, a sportsman and a great storyteller. I celebrate your life Uncle Frank and will keep your memory alive.

By Ty Stingel

May 11, 2013

The History of May 10th.

The history of May 10th for one it is my birthday. I am 39 years old today and proud of it. Some 32 years ago I had my last brain surgery and the possibility of me not making it threw surgery was real. However God had other plans for my life. So today is a special gift of reflection and gratitude to God, family and friends.

My friends Evan and Anna Spencer were married 5 years ago today. They now have two children Micah and Sarah. Evan and Anna are devoted in their relationship with God, truly in love and are great parents. I was honored to be at their wedding.

Today is sad too my Uncle Frank Stingel lost his battle with brain cancer. He fought valiantly and was very courageous. My love and sympathy go to his wife my Aunt Sandra to lose her husband. My parents were there as he passed. My dad held his brother’s hand in his last 15 minutes of life before he passed. I love my parents dedication to family and helping my aunt Sandra in this difficult time. I am proud to be your son. However I will take fond memories from my relationship with my Uncle Frank. He was always good to me. I am honored to be called his nephew. He inspired me to be the best Uncle to my nephews. I love you Uncle Frank and will miss you very much.

By Ty Stingel

May 10, 2013

 

Poem: A Mother’s Journey

A mother’s journey is full of joy and pain

The birth and raising of a child

Health, illness, victories and defeats her life is never mild

Through it all she brings love and there is gain.

She truly is an unconditional soul

Her job as a teacher, nurse and counselor are amazing

She helps the child dream and demonstrating the art of star gazing

Loving her God, husband, children and now grandchildren are her goals.

She is driven to be the best

Overcoming obstacles and giving no excuses ever

Following her dreams we all knew she was clever

She is tireless, when does she get time to rest?

Her time has been spent making the world a better place

She shows love, comfort, courage and heart

The journey was intense, steadfast right from the start

She has the most beautiful smile on her face.

A mother’s journey is not easy

As anything done worthwhile ever is in life

She promotes unity and not strife

Always seeking peace and puts others at ease.

By Ty Stingel  ( My Mother’s Day Gift- May 12, 2013)