My first two books are ready to be purchased!

I'm soooooooooo happy!!!!   If you go to AuthorHouse.com you can order them now!  If you go to the Jewels' books tab on my website it will show you all the titles, but only the first two are ready to be purchased now (The Princess and the Dolphin & The Princess and the Puppy).  If you buy both books and select the Media Mail option, you can get both books for under $20 that arrive straight to your mailbox!

On the mall today

Mom took me (and my caregiver) to the mall today.  She bought me a pointed pink princess hat, a pink blouse and a pink sweater to go over it.  I hate pink.  MY favorite color is BLUE.  I agreed to having the top part of my body in pink for when I go to book signings, libraries or elementary schools to share the books I have written. I might even get my picture in the paper.  I guess a quad who writes children's books is newsworthy.  Whatever. Since my first 4 books were all about princesses, I figured I would play the part of a princess.  Princesses wear pink...except in MY books.  In MY books, Princess Ava always wears a BLUE dress!  At least my pants will be blue....

My eye surgery

I had a sty that would not go away no matter what I did (after 2 appointments with eye doctors and 2 different eye creams) so I had to have it surgically removed.  Two shots in my eye...ouch!  It left my eye somewhat black and blue so it looks like someone hit me in the eye.  :) 

Letter from Daniel Davis (Florida House of Rep. District 13) to ME!

 Dear Jewels,

Congratulations on the publication of your children's books.

The dedication and hard work you exemplified in writing children's books, despite your disability, speaks to true perserverance.  Your achievements are a great demonstration of what can be accomplished when one does not allow adverse circumstances to break their spirit.  I am confident that your books will be an inspiration to those who have the priviledge of reading them.

I wish you the best in all your future endeavors.

Sincerely,
Daniel Davis
Representative

My Life Today (poem written by my mom for me)

It bothers me not that on earth I may never walk...
It bothers me not that I'm not undertood when I talk...
It bothers me not that I spend 20 hours a day in bed...
I can create storylines for children's books in my head!

Some people may not know why on earth they're here
But God's destiny for MY life has become crystal clear:
I'm here to reach others as an author, by using my brain;
I'm here to share my love for God for as long as I remain.

Orthopedic Evaluation

Today I was evaluated by Dr. Solis (an orthopedic surgeon that one of my facebook friends recommended).  He told us that just having surgery on my left foot would not, in itself, enable me to stand up on it. I don't think his words were what my mom had hoped to hear, but I appreciated his honesty. He IS going to recommend that I be evaluated by a rehab doctor at Brooks Rehab, who specializes in this area, to see if I am a candidate for leg braces, or not.  In the meantime, next month, I will start my lessons on learning to concentrate better so I can drive a motorized wheelchair (without bumping into everything in my path).  Whatever.  I'm a happy quad. God's will be done. I love it when you leave comments.  My mom always reads your comments to me!

How Am I Doing?

When people ask "How am I doing?" Here is my answer:  Even though I have to lay flat on my back 20 hours a day and have to wear splints on both arms when I am up in my wheelchair (so that they they don't curl up on me) plus special boots (to keep my feet straight), and now a special "hip abduction pillow" between my legs (so that my hips don't hurt any more when I sit up straight), I am always happy! I have excellent caregivers who take care of me 8 hours a day, 7 days a week and a mom who takes care of me for the remaining 16 hours a day.  I am never left alone.  My mom always prepares delicious meals that are fed to me (although I can eat "finger food" on my own since my right arm can move well enough to do that).  I have a TV on the wall at the foot of my bed, so I can watch it (or DVD's) every evening. I am excited about becoming an author (my first 2 books should be available to purchase next month...in March of 2011) and I have already finished dictating the next 4 books to my mom. My mom takes me (with a caregiver) to the movies twice a month and now I am going to start learning how to drive a motorized wheelchair!  I know I am facing a foot surgery soon, but that's OK.  I want to get some full leg braces so I can stand up with them on.  So, see?  I'm doing GREAT!  I always love it when you leave a comment (hint! hint!)