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Friday, October 20, 2006

A Quadriplegic's Prayer

Lord, help me get out of bed
Mindful of how my mood affects others.
Help those who help me do my daily tasks
Be patient and loving.
Bless my caregivers, who so unselfishly give
Of their time, energy and lives.
Remind me that they, too, are human
And can only do their best.
Let me not be ungrateful
About what I do not have.
Instead, help me recognize the rich abundance
Of all that You have given to me.
Help me to accept the limitations of my disability,
But guide me toward doing all I can to optimize my independence.
Be with me as I face my fears and
Rejoice with me as I celebrate my joys.
Hold me so that I may feel less alone
In this body that no longer feels sensation
But can feel Your Presence.
Sustain me with spiritual Food when I am hungry.
Give me the physical strength to do what is right.
Surround me with friends so that I may always remember,
No matter what my circumstances may be,
That I am here to give as well as to take.
Amen.

18 comments:

Rosemary said...

What a beautiful poem. Did you write it?

Ruth said...

thx, I did write that.

Rosemary said...

I figured as much, but I wanted to be sure. I'd going to print it out and share it with my Sunday School class.

Rosemary said...

I shared your prayer with my Sunday School class yesterday. This is the part that really seemed to touch them the most, although they were really impressed with all of it.

Let me not be ungrateful
About what I do not have.
Instead, help me recognize the rich abundance
Of all that You have given to me.


I intend to keep my copy and refer to it often.

Ruth said...

Thank you for letting me know about that. I use this prayer sometimes when I speak for those who are struggling with caregiver issues, elderly parents, PWD, and terminal illnesses. I wrote it after a great deal of prayer one day. I'm glad it's being shared around.

Great-Face.com said...

I printed this out, it was that good.

http://able-mart.com

Anonymous said...

Hello Ruth

What an beautiful prayer. may i use it today in our Diocesan Disability meeting in Wollongong NSW Australia please?

Thanks Tricia OKeeffe Faith and Light Southern Highlands

Ruth said...

Tricia,
Thanks. Please feel free to use it at your meeting.

Baby Girl said...

Hi Ruth, I came Across your Prayer when Searching For A Prayer on Google For my First Love Who is also a Quadriplegic. He has been In The Hospital For A Few Days Now and Is Not Doing Very Well, has many Internal Organ Problems. My Husband took me to go see him after nearly 25 years.
This is a Wonderful Prayer, you are very Gifted. God Bless You! XOXO <3
Luisa

Ruth said...

Thanks so much Luisa, sending prayers your way

Ruth

Baby Girl said...

You're so Welcome and Thank You So Much, Your Prayers Are Greatly Appreciated! Lots Of Love, Luisa

Baby Girl said...

Good Morning Ruth,
hope all is well. Thank you for your Prayers. My First Love, Raymond Has been out of the Hospital for two weeks today. He is just barely getting back to his normal routine. I have a question for you. just two days after he got out of the Hospital, his Sip and Puff Mouse Stopped working. So he has been getting Very Frustrated and his anxiety/Depression level is going up. Do you know of any resources that would be available to help him repair his mouse or purchase a new one. He is living on social security, so can't afford it on his own. I have tried to find one for him online, but the prices are outrageous! Thank You for your time and consideration. God Bless, Luisa XOXOXO

Ruth said...

Hi,

You could try and see if your state has an assistive technology lender program to start with. If so, they might be able to get one for him to use. If not, I'd suggest calling a nearby independent living center for local suggestions, as resources vary state to state. I've often found, however, with the prices of these items, that it's necessary to try to raise the money yourself. Maybe a web site with a paypal link? It's difficult to impossible to afford replacing many of these items when they break - I know that from personal experience myself.

Take care,
Ruth

Baby Girl said...

Hi Ruth, hope all is well with you. Thank you for your suggestions. I was able to find a lending program through UCP Foundation. They were very nice and helpful. They also helped me secure a grant to partially purchase a new quadjoy for Raymond. The loan program allows him to borrow one for free while waiting on the funds. Thank Again, lUISA, XOXO <3

Ruth said...

So glad they helped you! Good information to share too. My best to both of you.

Baby Girl said...

Hello Ruth, How have you been. Its been a while since I wrote you. Since our last conversation , I have gone up to care for Raymond twice, once to learn how to care for him for about 3 1/2 days and once for 5 days while his current caregivers went on a short Vacation. I am very excited about our future plans. My husband and I will be taking over Raymond's care in July this year. Many family and friends are very supportive, but some are questioning why. I would like to get your opinion of the circumstances if I could? God Bless and hope all is well. XOXO Luisa

Ruth said...

Hi Luisa,

I think it's up to you and your husband to decide this, along with Raymond! If you're all comfortable and happy with the arrangement and some folks don't understand, if it was me, I'd just smile when they say things and not discuss it. I'm sure many of them mean well, but just don't get that caregiving can be mutually beneficial. Some of my dearest friends have been caregivers at some point - and my life - and I hope theirs- is richer for it as long as boundaries are kept!
God bless you too,
Ruth

Baby Girl said...

Thank You Ruth, I needed to hear that! I have been browsing through your website and found a poem you wrote. It was perfect. I posted it on my Facebook, I hope you don't mind.
I hope the link below works for you.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1418992778