Reflecting, Reminiscing, and Remembering 2012!

It hard to believe another year is about to end.  It seems like yesterday I was posting about starting 2012 off with a bang.  In fact, I ended the post with this exact paragraph:

"So, after I thought about how many things and places I have not done or been, with less fortunate kids who need a mentor, the new year only brings hope I can do and share those events with the ones who look up to me for help and hope. This is the year I graduate from college, start a new career, and hopefully reach out to so many new people at home a abroad. Everyone can reach a goal, whether it's to tie your shoe for the first time or get all A's in school. You don't need to have one arm and 2 fingers to reach it. Big or small, decide what YOU want this year and decide how you will accomplish it.

If you can dream it, you can do it! Now get out there!"

With that, I sit here, in the same spot as last year, typing the same message, with a different perspective.  Just a little rundown of how the past year has played out:

I started the year off with a "bang" by killing my first white elk. 

Then girls cruise for spring break....

Followed by graduating with my Finance degree....FINALLY!! 

 

Then, I moved to North Carolina full-time, took the summer off by hem-hawin' around the mountains, vacationing, and started a new job in Asheville. 

Pretty boring stuff, I know...BUT THEN I went to Texas to celebrate my main man's 80th birthday.  That was probably the highlight of my year, getting to see my Sam and Pa and seeing my family.

  Lastly, I spent the holidays with the people who mean the most and have made all of the above possible...my parents. 

So, as I look back on the last paragraph of what I wanted to accomplish this year, I have to say it has been beyond what I imagined.  Yes, there are things I wish I could have done differently.  Yes, there are people who I wish were still around.  Yes, there are places and people I did not see who I have wanted or should have.  But, No, I would not change it for the world.  I have been touched by hundreds of new Lucky Fin friends, connected with many new organizations, and learned so, so much from everyone who is determined to inspire so many by living their everyday life. 

Here are just a few of what I have managed to collect this year from some amazing people:

Regardless of what others think of you, or what they think you should do....do what makes YOU happy and remember, you probably already have everything you need.

So, as we countdown the next 24 hours, I hope you have had a year you will always remember. And as always,

If you can dream it, you can do it! Now get out there!

Love to All,

Bri

Push 'em ups!

Recently, I started living at my home in North Carolina and have left behind a few of my daily essentials.  One, is my treadmill, or semi-flat land to run on.  So, I take hikes up the mountain, work around the property, or use an eliptical (...boring!).  Secondly, I miss my bike.  But, trying to trek up and down these mountain roads are out of the question....without a bike arm.  So, I had my dad bring my old gymnastic arm up so I can try to find an attachment to fit the arm and bike. 

In the meantime, I thought I would pick up where I left off a dozen years ago and do push-ups with my arm.  F-U-N-N-Y!!!  I was okay until I went down and never came back up!  I looked at it that arm like...seriously, you can't even do 1 push-up, Bri!?  For someone who can lift anything, that arm was not extending.....at all.  In fact, I was ready to put it back in the drawer for another dozen years and hope it got stronger!  But, it was just that!  I hadn't put it on in so many years, I was out of practice (and totally out of shape!), and of course I was going to try to do something super challenging (for me) instead of something simple (whatever that is).  As I look at all of these children that I am teaching, helping, and showing that anything is possible; I realize THEY are teaching and 'pushing' me to do more!  This weeks goal is doing 10 push-ups.  It will happen.  I may die, but it will happen!  :)

"The only disability in life is a bad attitude!" - Scott Hamilton

Whether you have all of your limbs, or none, you are 'stumped'...somehow.  ;)

So, what is your challenge?  Whatever it is....PUSH ON!!!   


Love to All,

Brianna



Hunting Humor!

The past couple of months, I have become connected to so many new people in the "limb difference" community, either via Facebook or this blog. After looking at my pictures, many have wondered "how I hunt?" The question always comes up as to "how" I pull a trigger? Well, I never really stopped to think about "how" I do it...I just do it! But, my first thought was, "with a gun?" But then I realize that's not what they are really asking. So, my next thought was, "just like you?" But then, still, I got the "you've-got-to-be-kidding-me" look! It's true! I know, it sounds like I would be a path of destruction, but actually, I am not THAT bad...and I still have one good shooting hand to prove it! So, to anyone who is born with, or has a limb difference, of any kind, don't let anyone tell you you can't do something! Like I always say in all my posts..you can! It may not be exactly like a typical person, but it will lead to the same ending result! It is all about logistics...and determination!

As many of you know, I was born and raised in Texas, which means you grow up hunting! This past January, I was visiting my family on their ranch, for an elk hunt. When we arrived, we got the game plan and headed out to scout for some animals. There were 7 of us in a Ranger: me and 6 guys! I Co-piloted, hoping to scope out the animals and point my Uncle in the right direction. And, that is where the fun began...

When you have two fingers, there are only so many ways you can point, or signal. In fact, I have the SAME signal for EVERYTHING! (Left, Right, Hi, Stop, Bye, Hold on, 1, 2, No, Yes, you get the point...) So, of course, I would point at a herd of elk and he would go the opposite direction. I would then point "harder" in the direction I wanted him to go in, and he would continue to go the wrong way. Clearly, I am pointing left...and right...How would you not understand which direction you need to go!? After a few sharp turns and a very patient Uncle, he nicely said, "If Bri is going to sit in the front, we need to give her a stick to point!" Brilliant! Never occurred to me I was not pointing in the "right" direction...now I know! Nevertheless, everyone had a good laugh!

After that, I grew fingers! Just kidding! :) We solved that minor issue, and there were no longer mis-leading directions, and was back on track! A couple hours into our hunt, we came upon an elk and was given the okay to hop out and "choot'em!" So, we all bailed and my cousin found a spot for me to rest my gun so I could keep it steady. At this point, I was shaking in my boots...literally! This was my first elk hunt...with 6 guys watching...using a gun I had never shot before! So, no pressure, right? After what seemed like an eternity (about 10 seconds), my cousin takes a deep breath (for me, I think), and I shoot! ONE shot! I was scared to look when I hear my dad yell, "You got her...you got her, Bri!!" Everyone was just as excited as me, if not more! I'm not sure if it is because they survived my gunfire, or because they just witnessed a "one-armed girl" shoot and score, but either way, it was probably the most amazing adrenaline rush I had ever felt. I achieved my goal, and for anyone who knows how that feels, it is AMAZING!

Not everyone likes hunting, so I will spare some detail, but I do...and that hunt is something that I am very proud of!

Love to all,

Brianna

New year, new goals!

Happy New Year to All! I hope it's filled with health and happiness!!

A few days ago I was privileged to watch Soul Surfer for the first time. If you aren't familiar with Bethany Hamilton, she was a shark attack victim that left her with only one arm. It wasn't until I saw her maneuver EXACTLY how I do with certain tasks as cutting food, buttoning pants, and making every adaption needed without giving up, that I realized I was inspired by her. Typically, everyone says that about me, but I rarely get to be inspired by others with the same differences. I get to actually learn new things, which is amazing! Now, by no means will I go jump on a surf board without some sort of knowledge, but it isn't out of the question.

Going back a few more days, I encountered a young man with the same hands as myself at church, also around the same age (...and quite cute). You may be wondering why I get so excited about this type thing, but typically the only people I meet with physical differences are really young or much older...which is awesome, but in order for me to teach others, I need to learn from others in the same type boat! It isn't often I get to interact with someone who understands the way our world works, in the same generation.

So, after I thought about how many things and places I have not done or been, with less fortunate kids who need a mentor, the new year only brings hope I can do and share those events with the ones who look up to me for help and hope. This is the year I graduate from college, start a new career, and hopefully reach out to so many new people at home a abroad. Everyone can reach a goal, whether it's to tie your shoe for the first time or get all A's in school. You don't need to have one arm and 2 fingers to reach it. Big or small, decide what YOU want this year and decide how you will accomplish it.

If you can dream it, you can do it! Now get out there!

Love to All,
Brianna