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Paper by Janey

Watercolor greeting cards

Speak Up

August 9, 2019 · In: Spinal Cord Injury

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As you know, if you’ve read my previous post, speaking was very difficult for me in the months following my accident. My only way to communicate in the very beginning was by blinking. One blink meant yes, and two blinks meant no. I couldn’t ask for anything, I couldn’t voice my concerns, I couldn’t even move my mouth yet.

Two days after my accident, my brother, Joey was on his way to the hospital and stopped to buy a dry erase board in a desperate attempt to be able to communicate with me. Rainie’s husband, JT wrote the alphabet on it in rows and columns. When someone asked me a question or I had something to say, they would point to a letter on the board and I would blink. It was great to be able to communicate but it was very time consuming! I also had double vision which made it very hard to focus on letters. It took a lot of energy and made me really tired.

Once I started moving my mouth, they mostly just read my lips. Since sometimes it was hard to figure out what I was saying, we still used the board when it was needed. Funny story — one day, dad told me to wink if I wanted him to get the board. So, later, I was winking at him and he started winking back at me and said, ‟What are we winking for?” He had already forgotten what it was for!!!

Today my voice is audible. Though it still isn’t as loud as I want it, it’s a lot louder than it used to be. I am so grateful to actually be able to speak up for myself and be heard. So my whole point is this — be grateful. Be grateful for what you have now. Focusing on what you don’t have only creates doubt and discouragement. Be grateful for what God has given you, and what you are able to do TODAY.

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By: janey carter · In: Spinal Cord Injury · Tagged: communicate, double vision, speak up

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Comments

  1. Sharon May says

    August 10, 2019 at 7:04 pm

    Thank you for that most needed reminder this week! It is so easy for us to slip into complaining and not have the attitude of gratitude! Keep reminding us Janey?What an inspiration you are.

    Reply
    • Janey Carter says

      August 11, 2019 at 8:32 pm

      Thank you ?

      Reply
  2. Jeannie says

    August 10, 2019 at 7:49 pm

    I love you post Janey!!! But I love you more ❤️ You inspire me every time! Thank you sweet girl!! ✝️??❤️

    Reply
    • Janey Carter says

      August 11, 2019 at 8:30 pm

      ❤️❤️❤️

      Reply
  3. Kristi Bozeman says

    August 11, 2019 at 9:31 pm

    Precious memories and special times no matter how hard!! It’s so wonderful to remember ALL our God brought you through and be thankful for ALL things! You aren’t amazing Janey and so beautiful inside and out!! KEEP on keeping on! God is still in control and we are still trusting Him for ALL things!! Love you so much! ??❤️

    Reply
  4. Beverly Barnes says

    August 22, 2019 at 3:47 pm

    I walked this path with you thru prayer and FB, sweet Janey! I am so happy, you have your voice back. God is going to continue to work with your life and your body, to full health. Love you sweet “Janey Girl”. Miss Beverly

    Reply
  5. Darlene W. says

    August 23, 2019 at 12:30 pm

    So glad to hear you have your voice back!! I have followed your process from the beginning!! You are such an inspiration!!!

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Janey!

Hi, I'm Janey!
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In July 2017 I was on my way to the first volleyball practice of my senior year when I had a car accident that left me paralyzed from the neck down. The neurosurgeon was not sure what to expect after that day, but here I am, working hard and getting better every day! This is where I encourage others to live make the most of their lives, no matter what happens!!! You can’t control what happens to you, but you can control how you react! I share about life with a spinal cord injury and tips that make living with a spinal cord injury a little easier. And I make watercolor greeting cards!

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