VSA Art in the Magic City Awards Program

Wow, what a great night I had in Birmingham Tuesday. I attended the awards/reception/auction for the VSA Art program in the state of Alabama at the ATT Center. My three paintings were displayed proudly and my "I Wonder Why?" won the VSA Arts of Alabama purchase award and an Image Award, so it was on all the t-shirts, which was cool! This is the first time I had participated in this event and found it to be so meaningful and rewarding. The people were just so nice and meeting the other artists around our state with disabilities was the highlite of the night. I also got to attend it with my mom, Uncle Ralph, and Great Uncle Dewey, so that made it even more special. We stayed with my Aunt Peggy and had a ball! Physically, the trip was hard, because my knee was still quite swollen and being on my feet at times was stressful, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Thanks to all of the VSA staff, ATT/Bellsouth, and Alabama Power who made this event possible.

I started physical therapy last week with my most favorite of all therapist at Grelot Physical Therapy in Mobile. I have had to work with a lot of thearpists in the past 15 years, and by far, Stjani Fridrikkson is the best, most knowledgeable one. It's frustrating to go into a PT's office and be seen along with two to three other patients at the same time. At Grelot, it's one on one care and the best you can get. Thanks Stjani for mastering your craft and being such a great help! Rehabing after this surgery has been way slower than I thought or expected, but I can say that I have NO pain in the knee now, which is bizarre and wonderful all at the same time. I am weak, but there is nothing stopping me from building up my knee to an almost normal state. YEAHHHHH!

I have been watching the events at Virginia Tech this past week and want to wish all those family, friends, students, and community my heartfelt sympathy and prayers. I can't comprehend the loss or imagine what it would be like for those who lost loved ones, but I can stop and acknowledge their lives. I have been a victim myself of gun violence when I was 10. I survived the ordeal but was never the same and to this day still deal with the images left in my mind of that frightful night. I wish all of those who experienced this firsthand a much quicker, peaceful understaning than I have had. God 's Peace be with each of you.
Ardith