My First Car
My first car, I shall call her Dalia.It's a right of passage that every teenager dreams of, getting their first car. It signals the beginning of their new found independence and and symbolyzes a new transition to adulthood. Whether it's a beat up 1986 Volvo or a 2012 Range Rover, you can't keep the pride from beaming across their smiling faces.
Just like every other bright-eyed teenager, I to dreamed of the day I would receive my very own car. Unfortunately, the first set of wheels I ever received were attached to a Quickie electric wheelchair, so that dream was put on hold.
Ever since I became sick at 14, I wondered if I would ever get the chance to have my own car. I often thought about the first time I would get behind the wheel, but for now, a joystick would have to do.
It was a little late, but at 28 years of age, I finally was able to purchase my very first car, a cherry red 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan. Along with its firey color, a grey pinstripe runs down the middle of the body and hood scoops sits on the hood. It's definitely a muscle car trapped in a mini-van's body, and it has my name written all over it.
I was so proud of myself when I got the van because owning a car as a person with a disability is no easy task. Since I am in an electric wheelchair, it's not like I could just buy some clunker to get me from A to Z. I needed something that was accessible, and the wheelchair lifts alone cost $13,000-$15,000. So the cheapest used car I would get would be around $22,000. I guess they forgot to let me know that you need to be rich if you're going to be disabled.
If able bodied people are allowed to purchase affordable modes of transportation, the same should be afforded to people with disabilities. I am one of the fortunate people with disabilities to have a job and salary that allows me to have my own car, but many people in my situation can not afford spending $20,000 - $50,000 on a car. If there was one thing I could change, it would be to make handicapped vans more affordable.
My first car is someting I'll always cherish and remember. It is a symbol of my success and independence, and I hope that one day this experience can be more of a reality for people with disabilities.
A New Post Idea: What If...
Since my New Year's Resolution was to write more, I'm trying to come up with some fresh, entertaining content that I think you will all enjoy. One of my ideas is to answer the question, "What if?" I spend a lot of time just daydreaming and thinking about various scenarios in my head, and I think it'd be fun to put my thoughts on paper.
Every post, I will answer a different what if question. I've come up with a bunch of different questions, and I think you'll enjoy them. Feel free to post your own answers in the comments area. It would be fun to see everyone's responses.
Stay tuned for my first "What If" post in the coming weeks.
My New Year's Resolution for 2012
See John, you were worried for nothing.Well, the calendar finally reads 2012 and it looks like the Mayans and John Cusack has us all worried over nothing. Since the world isn't coming to an end, I guess it's time I made my new year's resolutions. Along with the cliche resolutions, losing weight, saving money, and being happy, there is one that I've made a priority for 2012.
Be more consistent with my blogging and do more writing.
I've had my website for years, but I haven't been very good at posting regularly. If I'm going to have the site, I might as well make the best of it.
So this year, I will be more proactive in my blogging and be better at keeping to my writing. I've chosen writing as my career path, so it's time I stayed committed to honing my craft. I will be posting about living life with a disability and all my experiences along the way.
There will also be random posts about my hobbies and passions, so keep an eye out for those as well. Hopefully I will continue to develop my voice while posting entertaining and informative posts. My life has been a crazy ride over the past 14 years, and I have plenty of stories to share.
Well, here goes. Hope everyone has a great 2012 and be sure to check back for more updates!
I Wish My Life Was More Like a Romantic Comedy
Of course, this isn't the first time I've thought about having a girlfriend, but it's definitely at the front of my mind.
William Thacker was a very lucky man. I've been thinking a lot lately about what it would be like to be in a serious relationship. Of course, this isn't the first time I've thought about having a girlfriend, but it's definitely at the front of my mind.
I just recently watched Larry Crowne (a great movie by the way), and I couldn't help but wish that my life was more like a romantic comedy. As I watched Tom Hanks flirt with Julia Roberts on the big screen, I dreamt about what it would be like if I was in his world.
I already have a perfect situation that plays out in my mind.
I'm sitting at the mall, just wasting some time until I have to go to work. Suddenly, I realize that I'm going to be late and rush towards the exit. As I roll towards the door, I look down at my phone on my lap to catch the time. At the same time, a cute girl is standing by the door, intently typing away on her cell phone.
Without looking, I accidentally get a little too close to her and run over her toe. She screams out in pain as she falls into a plastic chair. My face becomes red with embarrassment, as I try to apologize. She is noticeably irritated and is about to tear me to the ground until she realizes that I'm in a wheelchair.
"It's okay," she shrugs. "Just watch where you drive that thing.
"I'm really sorry about that," I reply. "I've been driving for 10 years and I still haven't got the hang of this."
She then slowly limps away, but not before cracking a little smile.
Our paths cross again in the parking lot. I notice her limping around, staring aimlessly into the sea of cars. I slowly roll up behind her.
"Need some help," I ask.
"No, I just seem to have misplaced by Mustang," she replies with a sigh.
"Well, I'll help you look for it," I say. "My arms and legs may be broke, but my sense of direction is as good as ever. And it looks like your hurtin' a bit. Let me give you a lift."
She looks back and furls her brow.
"A lift," she questions. "On what?"
I smile and tell her that she can hop on the back of my chair and I'll take her to her car. Reluctantly, she steps on the back of my chair and we roll around the parking lot in search of her car. After a few minutes, we come across her Mustang and I drop her off.
Once again I apologize for running over her toe and wish her a great rest of her day. She gets off my chair and walks to her car. Just before she leaves, she drives up along side me, stops and gets out of her car. She pulls out a piece of paper and writes down her number.
"If you need a lift next time, give me a call," she says with a smile before she drives off. The rest, they say, is romantic comedy history.
Well, in a perfect world, that's how I envision it playing out. But reality is far from perfect, so for now I'll just keep hoping. That, or maybe I'll just open up an antique travel book shop on Notting Hill.
Help Me Raise Money for Phoenix Children's Hospital
I'm a founding member of this great philanthropy group at Phoenix Children's Hospital. The Patient and family Alumni Leadership (PALs) group is philanthropic team of former patients (or family members of former patients) who give back to the Hospital, with the goal of enriching the environment and experience for patients and families.
One of the ways we are helping PCH is by creating a grant that will help fund deserving programs at the hospital. The grant is fully-funded by funds raised by PALs members. I've pledged to raise $500 for our grant process. Help me reach my goal by making an online donation. Any bit helps and is greatly appreciated!
Back in the Day... Part 2
Here is another clip from the Trujillo family home movie vault. This clip was taken at my grandmother's house. The baby in the clip is my cousin, Taylor. The video was filmed all the way back in 1994, way back in the day.
Back in the Day... Part 1
So my dad found a box of of old video tapes (yes, video tapes) and he's been digging through them ever since. He's found a lot of old baseball games and home movies, including this absolute gem. Here is a clip of my brother, Matt, back in 1994. He was nine years old and already knew how to be a ham in front of the cameraman. Whose behind the camera, you say? Yours truly.
Video: Tamale Time 2010
Making tamales has been a family tradition every holiday season. Here's a clip of the Trujillo family tamale conveyer belt. Good times. I can smell the red chili and ojas from here.
My Life with a Disability
Here is a video interview I created for a contest I entered. I share my perspective on living my life as a person with a disability. Thank you to David Portillo for shooting all of the footage for this project.
The background song is "Your Hand in Mine" by Explosions in the Sky.
Bob Marley was a Very Smart Man
This is a great quote.
“You may not be her first, her last, or her only. She loved before she may love again. But if she loves you now, what else matters? She’s not perfect, you aren’t either, and the two of you may never be perfect together but if she can make you laugh, cause you to think twice, and admit to being human and making mistakes, hold onto her and give her the most you can. She may not be thinking about you every second of the day, but she will give you a part of her that she knows you can break, her heart. So don’t hurt her, don’t change her, don’t analyze and don’t expect more than she can give. Smile when she makes you happy, let her know when she makes you mad, and miss her when she’s not there.” -B. Marley