Simon sayz

I dare you to call me cute!

Well it’s time to draw 2006 to a close and bring in the new year! It’s actually 2007 now…happy new year!! This year has been a tough one for me…it’s the toughest year I’ve ever had. I’ve been in and out of hospital a few times and have been receiving chest physio at home for 3-4 weeks during the last month. Gosh they’ve beaten the crap out of my chest!

My respiratory function has become weaker so it’s difficult to cough up phlegm. There have been days when I just wanted to give up. I’ve had thoughts of whether I was going to die. A person with muscular dystrophy probably would ponder that question…especially when you hear of someone who has passed away and you think ‘would I be next to go?’

However that’s not what’s in my mind. God has plans and purposes for me. I believe I still have a job to do while I’m on planet earth. A person doesn’t die that easily…it’s not for us to determine that. It’s all in God’s hands. During the time of my distress, God has always been faithful to me. God has shown his awesome love and grace to me. Thank you Lord! I thank you with all my heart.

I hope that I can share the love that God has for me to many people. I believe that’s the reason why I’m still alive today…to spread the good news. A-men!

Well I hope 2007 will be a better year than 2006. I hope that my health will be the best as possible. Importantly I hope to have a deeper walk with God. He is the answer to everything. I can do absolutely nothing without God!

Psalm 23:4 is a bible passage that gives me strength. ‘Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.‘ What an incredible bible passage that is! Thank you Lord!

I attended a seminar on Building Employment Futures about 2 weeks ago at The International College of Management Sydney, Manly (that’s where Nicole Kidman got married by the way). I was there as a guest speaker, talking about my employment success…how I got a job, the support I received, the work I’ve done and importantly what it means to be able to work. I especially pointed out that SEDS had been a major factor in my employment success. I also presented a couple of slides of me in action and some of the work I’ve done.
I was a bit nervous cos it was the first time I did a presentation like this in front of 30 people or so. But I think I did OK.

Also, I had the privilege of meeting The Hon. Dr Sharman Stone, MP Minister for Workforce Participation, who was one of the key speakers. Dr Sharman Stone didn’t see me speak cos she had to leave early but I did have the chance to say hello and pose for a photo.

The main focus of the seminar was to basically send out a message that people with a disability can work and make a contribution to the Australian economy. With the support of the government and disability employment services such as SEDS, I don’t see why people with disabilities can’t work.
By working together I believe we can make a equal and fair society out there. People with a disability deserve a fair go!

Click here for more pics

Lesson to be learned from typing the wrong email address:

A Minneapolis couple decided to go to Florida to thaw out during a particularly icy winter. They planned to stay at the same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years earlier. Because of hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel plans. So, the husband left Minnesota and flew to Florida on Thursday, with his wife flying down the following day. The husband checked into the hotel. There was a computer in his room, so he decided to send an email to his wife. However, he accidentally left out one letter in her email address, and without realizing his error, sent the email.

Meanwhile, somewhere in Houston, a widow had just returned home from her husband’s funeral. He was a minister who was called home to glory following a heart attack. The widow decided to check her email expecting messages from relatives and friends. After reading the first message, she screamed and fainted. The widow’s son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read:

To: My loving wife

Subject: I’ve arrived Date: April 6, 2006

I know you’re surprised to hear from me. They have computers here now and you are allowed to send emails to your loved ones. I’ve just arrived and have been checked in. I see that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you then. Hope your journey is as uneventful as mine was.

P.S. sure is freaking hot down here!!!!!

The urinals of the German Football Federation Media Center of the World Cup International Broadcasting Centre in Berlin have a football theme, ahead of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. (AFP/DDP/Marcus Brandt)