tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060372686205861977.post4627182784847256593..comments2024-03-26T05:32:30.698-05:00Comments on Tonia Says: Let's Talk About Faith Part 7: MissionTonia Sayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11406280143637741965noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060372686205861977.post-35431741064957128422016-07-23T12:16:25.672-05:002016-07-23T12:16:25.672-05:00Adelaide,
Thank you!Adelaide,<br /><br />Thank you!Tonia Sayshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11406280143637741965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060372686205861977.post-30923681978872339952016-07-23T02:25:04.447-05:002016-07-23T02:25:04.447-05:00Loved reading about you and Mike and Nico.
So hap...Loved reading about you and Mike and Nico.<br /><br />So happy to know Nico was finally adopted at 18.<br /><br />K: if your stir-craziness is relieved by travel - real or virtual.<br /><br />And you found your kid-niche, Tonia!<br /><br />There is a really great group called End the Cycle which works on disability and poverty in Asia and Australia.Adelaide Duponthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01490123934889071074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060372686205861977.post-25356529370294396472016-07-18T11:57:12.130-05:002016-07-18T11:57:12.130-05:00K, Your ability to transport me to wherever you ar...K, Your ability to transport me to wherever you are remains one of my FAVORITE things about your writing so it's a huge compliment to hear something like that from you. It's not easy for me to always convey everything in a way where it transports the reader. When it happens, it's a surprise to me. Like, what did I do that time? How can I do that again? Haha. I'm glad you enjoyed the impromptu trip. I hope the gigantic bugs did not scare you too badly... ;) It was great having Mike there. It was such a relief to not even have to think about those things for once.<br /><br />Yes, Sally always had a beautifully evolved attitude around disability - I'm sure - due to growing up around it.<br /><br />That is true. It wasn't an obstacle. And while I don't want children to view my wheelchair as a "toy" per say, I do want them to feel comfortable coming close to it, touching it, etc. I never want it to feel scary for a kid, but I do respect their hesitance. (Not that there was ANY hesitance from ANY of these kids - so great!)<br /><br />Well, the comment from that little boy...it's been years and I still remember how it FELT. How I looked to Sally and I could see it was not just me but she felt it too. She was suspicious and serious, and I was glad she asked questions and clarified what was being said. Just an innocent observation, not a rude comment at all.<br /><br />I still think about Nico often and I remember his sweet smile and great personality. I hope he's happy and safe and loved, as he always should have been. I have not heard anything about him since 2014 when he got adopted, but I still do get updates from Costa Rica, so it is possible that I may see his name mentioned at some point again <3 <br /><br />And OMG you are the sweetest. You say these things and they make me feel feelings. I'm happy to be able to be for you what Mike was to me. It makes such a difference to feel like we belong.<br /><br />Tonia Sayshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11406280143637741965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4060372686205861977.post-91080376880005319412016-07-18T10:34:57.369-05:002016-07-18T10:34:57.369-05:00Ohhh Tonia...I have read (and loved!) so many of y...Ohhh Tonia...I have read (and loved!) so many of your blog posts, but this one is definitely one of my favorites. FIRST - I lovelovelove the way you write! From beginning to end I was completely enraptured, sitting in my living room but at the same time right there with you in Costa Rica - so thank you for the impromptu trip...I've been feeling a little bit stir-crazy lately! ;) And ohhhh I love that Mike was there - what an amazing thing, to have somebody who KNOWS what it's like and doesn't doubt your abilities. Also? I literally FELT relief for you when I read the part about accessibility, knowing that if Mike could do it, so could you. Unless you've got a disability, it's hard to know what that feels like, to be able to go somewhere without that pit in your stomach of, "What if it wasn't built for people like me?" <br /><br />And my favorite part of the whole post was when you started talking about the children. Sally's explanation was PERFECT ("It just is. But it's not a problem for her.")...beautifully simple, and I wish more people approached disability with that attitude. <br /><br />I ALSO love that your wheelchair wasn't an obstacle or a hindrance, but a way for you to connect with the children...amazing!<br /><br />And THAT LITTLE BOY'S COMMENT (She crawls like Nico) - it was partly HOW you wrote that part of the post, but also the beauty of what he said - that it wasn't a slur at all - I got chills.<br /><br />I also loved reading about your relationship/connection with Nico....AND THAT HE GOT ADOPTED!!! For an eighteen-year-old with a disability, that is almost unheard of - how amazing!! Are you/will you be able to receive more updates on him in his adoptive family? <br /><br />And your conclusion - just like the rest of this post - was perfect. I especially love the part where you mention the importance of having a role model. I can relate. I have you. xoKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16465476805924801942noreply@blogger.com