My Plan or His

Have you ever heard the saying, “Trust in God’s plan”? Sure you have, hasn’t everybody? We talk of God’s plan for each of us, we accept God’s plan, but until the end of our lifetime, I don’t think we’ll fully understand God’s plan.

We may never know God’s plan and as a society who always wants answers, this saying is often hard to fathom. We crave reason and logic.

I’ve been asked numerous times if I really thought God planned for me to become a quadriplegic and I always say have replied, “I don’t know.” Well, I now have an answer to that question. No, I do not think God planned for me to dive into that river, break my neck, and become a quadriplegic. I think God planned for me to live a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life.

And as of today, I think I’m doing a pretty decent job of fulfilling that plan. I couldn’t be happier for where I am at in my life, my career, everything. Plus, I must say that I have been given so many opportunities that I didn’t necessarily think would happen.

I now live close enough to see my niece, Karlee, and nephews, Jake and Eli, numerous times a week if I want (as well as the rest of my family). I have been backstage at not only one, but two Kid Rock concerts. I have met his drummer and have a pair of her sticks she had used. I was given an opportunity to help coach high school volleyball last year…who by the way made it to State.  I have experienced Houston humidity where the moment you walk out the door, your glasses fog up. Also, who would of thought I’d ever try out for a pageant…and actually win? I truly can’t wait to begin traveling throughout the state sharing my story and platform. Plus, the National competition is in Rhode Island in August. I have never in my life thought I’d be traveling to Rhode Island.

God may not plan out the specifics of our life, but know he always provides us with many opportunities. Those opportunities are the moments we’ll never forget! Keep the faith...trust in His plan!

Small Town Blessed

Bucklin, KS - 

27 miles Southeast of Dodge City

Population: approximately 700

Hometown of Eddie Sutton

Home of the Bucklin Red Aces

It’s no secret, I’m from a small town. I have lived in Bucklin almost my whole entire life and I couldn’t feel more blessed to be from such a community. I was reminded of this fact once again today.

The community of Bucklin has watched me grow up from the time I was in diapers until the time I graduated high school. They supported me throughout my extracurricular activities, such as volleyball and basketball, and have always provided me a helping hand whenever needed.

When I had my accident in 2006, my mailbox became filled with cards and letters, my inbox filled with emails, and my phone never stopped ringing. I had so many people praying for me and supporting me, it was unbelievable. They had numerous fundraisers, including a volleyball tournament, street dance, hamburger feed, and a boot drop, just to name a few. When I would tell people in the hospital these things, they just couldn’t imagine - nobody understood the small town lifestyle.

Volleyball Tournament

Street Dance

I will never forget the first day I got home from Houston a little over a month after my accident. When we turned off of Hwy 54 onto Main, the same street I had spent countless nights cruising up and down for four years during high school, there were “Welcome Home Emily” signs all the way up and down the highway. When we pulled into my driveway there were signs in my yard and a ton of people in my house. It was amazing…from that first day until the December 13^th when I returned back to Houston for therapy, my door was practically revolving. So many visitors with so many friends and so much food!

Almost six years later, my doorbell is not as busy as it used to be, but I still have the constant support for all my dreams and endeavors (including Ms. Wheelchair Kansas).

What many do not understand is that, this town and this community support each other. We are each other’s extended family and we rally together in times in need and are willing to do anything and everything to help. It’s remarkable.

I am a small-town girl. I am extremely proud of where I come from and I truly am blessed. 

Thank you all for your continual love and support. 

Without you, I would not be where I am at!

Picture of Bucklin from Water Tower

Just Another Day in the Capitol

My first official appearance as Ms. Wheelchair Kansas was a success! Mom and I spent this morning at the Capitol Building in Topeka. Before I get to all the details, I must say if you have never been to our Capitol building, you need to. It is amazing and absolutely gorgeous.For the past 10 years or so they have been remodeling the building to look as if it did (same wall colors, decor, etc) as it had when they built it in the 1860s. 

After arriving, we made our way up to Governor Brownback's office where the Secretary of Commerce Pat George met us. I briefly got to meet with the Governor and was able to get my picture taken with him. Unfortunately there was no time to discuss programs for the disabled, funding for education, turkey and pheasant hunting, or wind turbines...all topics people suggested I mention. Maybe next time, guys!

Secretary of Commerce Pat George, Governor Sam Brownback and myself

After my meet-and-greet with Governor Brownback, Secretary George took us for a brief tour up to where the Senate was getting ready to go in session. We hung around for a little bit and got to hear the discussion on a few amendments. They were discussing education funding while we were there and although I did not have much idea of what was being discussed, my mother sure did. She is a Junior High Special Ed Teacher here in Bucklin. The discussion of the state's new core curriculum really interested her.

The coolest part of my day was when Senator Garret Love, who I have known since high school, introduced me during as a guest during their session. It was an amazing feeling having all the Senators stand and applaud for me...I was truly in shock! 

Senator Garrett Love and myself

I must send a big thank you to all three of these gentlemen mentioned above, especially Garrett, for taking time out of their day to meet with me and their kind words of encouragement!

Here are a few more pictures from today!

Senate Chambers 

And again..the decor is so elaborate and ornate! Absolutely gorgeous!!

Tragic Prelude, by John Stuart Curry

Could it be...Is it really...Raining?

We have arrived in Topeka and are getting settled in for the evening. It is a 272 mile trip from Bucklin to Topeka and for approximately 116 miles of the journey, from El Dorado to Topeka,we drove through rain. Not just a little rain, but quite a bit.

Rain is a sacred thing where I come from and trust me when I say we are in desperate need of it. Our livelihoods depend on it - it affects everything from our crops to our cattle. 

For my whole entire life I have enjoyed rainy days...I love the freshness and smell of rain, the gloominess in the sky and the desire to curl up and read a good book during these days. It makes everyone in Bucklin happy, and farmers act as if they are kids in candy stores.

Now that I'm in a chair, rain makes things just a little difficult...I have to constantly watch where I wheel - avoiding all mud and most of the large puddles. I'm not certain if it is possible to hydroplane in a wheelchair, but I really do not want to find out...that would result in a hospital visit, no doubt! Rain also makes my grips super slippery, it will take me 5 minutes to move 20 feet. Last, but not least...it usually takes me a few minutes to get in and out of vehicles and then to make it inside anywhere I go - this is a sure way to soak my seat cushion and/or backrest and definitely ruin any kind of hairstyle that I have going on that day.

While there may be more negatives on paper when it comes to rain, I will never truly complain about it...Like I said, it is a sacred thing around Bucklin and the last place I want to end up is with the devil himself...Difficult or not, I'll take all the rain we can get!!

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Be sure to check in tomorrow evening...got a big day meeting Governor Brownback! Can't wait to fill you all in!

Friends in All Places

In the past six years, I have traveled to both TIRR in Houston, TX and the Center for Spinal Cord Injury Recovery in Detroit, MI several times for physical rehabilitation.  Both are amazing facilities that have essentially kicked my butt, helping me to become stronger and more independent, but what makes them both such great facilities are the people inside…and I’m not just talking staff members, but the other clients as well.

The first time I walked into CSCIR in Detroit I saw a picture of a girl standing with her leg braces on. I instantly looked up to her…I had no clue who she was, but I looked up to her and I wanted to be able to do just what she was doing. A few days into the program, I met that girl in the picture, and it was Miss Stevie Beale.

Over the past few years, I have gotten to know Stevie and let me tell you she is one of the strongest, most caring, hard-working, and smartest girls I know. She has been through so much in such a short time. In 2006, Stevie was a high school senior and athlete with a bright future, until a horrible car accident changed everything. The car Stevie and 4 of her friends were riding in hit a tree at 75 mph. Stevie sustained life-threatening injuring, including her paralysis from the waist down, and her best friend Charlie died in the accident. Since then, Stevie has made remarkable strides. She kills it during therapy every other day, recently graduated from college with a pysch degree, lives on her own, and is competing in the Ms. Wheelchair Ohio pageant this weekend!

Please keep her in your prayers this weekend as she goes through the pageant process. I know she’s going to do great. I hope to see her in August for the National competition in Rhode Island!

Good Luck Stevie!!

Stevie was recently awarded with the Courage Award at the DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan Gala. Here is the video they played before she accepted her award. 

Define Yourself...Don't Let Others Do it for You

The biggest task in preparing for all of this was developing a platform..what was something that I was passionate about and something that I could possibly talk day-in and day-out about? My mind instantly went to my high school volleyball girls - I know volleyball, I know about being a girl, and I know about some of the trials and tribulations that high schoolers and young adults face.

I knew talking about volleyball or being a girl wouldn't get me the title so I went with trials and tribulations. I truly think one of the hardest issues teenagers and young adults face is learning to define themselves. Every move we/they is scrutinized by friends or parents and nobody is 100% confident of who they are. We care about what others say and think about us..we want to all "fit in". So I decided that my platform needed to be about learning to define ourselves and not letting other people or certain situations do so.

When I had my accident, I realized early on that I had a choice to be upset about everything that happened and think "woe is me", or I could look at the positive aspects, put a smile on my face and move on with my life. It was an easy decision for me and I truly think that having this positive attitude has helped me to get where I am today. I was bound and determined to not let my chair or my injury define me as a person.

During my on-stage speech, I mentioned that with every situation we face in life, we have choices and it is those choices that can define who we are as people. Being a teenager and a young adult, these choices are often hard to make because of that constant desire to fit in as well as the influence of our peers. When someone is ridiculed for having blue hair, being overweight, their family dynamic, or skipping out on going to the club every night (just to name some random situations) - we begin to perhaps think that maybe we are exactly what our peers are saying. 

The truth is..we're usually not that person. It is our own responsibility to choose how these people, their actions and words, or the situation, itself, affect us. We are the ones responsible our character and provide the facts of our lives, not Sally Jo down the street.

So now that you know a little bit about my platform, I must say whether you're 13 or 30, remember to always Define Yourself - Don't Let Others Do it for You!

Topeka, Here I Come!

It's official...I have my first appearance next week! 

Tuesday morning I will be meeting Governor Brownback!

Now, what do you think it's going to take for this girl to meet the President??

(Just Kidding)