Right now, we”re searching for a boat that will be suitable for the journey.  I found an interesting prospect on Boattrader.com.  It’s a  36′ Uniflight cabin cruiser with few steps (an important attraction for me) and easy to get around in.  Price is right, and it’s only 63 miles from home.  We’re planning a trip to Sunrise Beach to check it out over the weekend of January 16 since I have 3 days off that week.  I’ll let you know what I find out.

Someone asked why I want to make this trip. 

There’s a couple of reasons. Sure, Kathy and I are excited about the adventure before us.  For years I’ve wanted to take a cruise down the Mississippi River to New Orleans.  But then I read an awesome article written by a very young woman, about hers and her sister’s journey on America’s Great Loop.  I’d never heard of it! 

The Great Loop is the continuous waterway that encompasses the eastern portion of North America including the Atlantic and Gulf Intracoastal Waterways, the Great Lakes, the Canadian Heritage Canals, and the inland rivers of America’s heartland.  These sisters made the trip in a mere 90days!  (They’re young and healthy.) 

And then I ran across John and Judy Gill.  I read his blogs about their  trip on the Great Loop and I was hooked!  This trip is just what I’ve longed for!

Eleven months ago, I was confined to a wheelchair.  My van was equipped with an electronic lift and hand controls.  I even had to depend on my chair to get me around at home.  Then my neurologist suggested Kathy and I consider the option of a monthly i.v. therapy, Tysabri.  Kathy says she noticed improvement in my ability to express myself verbally within the first week.  Gradually I pushed myself to walk through the house, holding onto furniture and walls, and only fell a handfull of times. (I didn’t break anything!)  Eventually, Kathy and I started to walk the puppies down the block and back, and now the wheelchair sits in the garage gathering dust. 

I had been so confined.  I was  fatigued and in constant pain  for years.  I had to fight my way through the smallest of chores everyday.  With this new drug, I still have those challenges, and still have to push through it  at times, but not nearly as often or as intensley. 

Which brings me to the other reason I want to make this trip.

 I want to encourage those of you who suffer with disabilities.  I know first-hand how tempting it is to give up on life when everything you do is painful and difficult.  I never gave up, but there were times I sure felt like it.  I also want to give you hope.  Your life doesn’t have to end because you’re disabled. And it’s my desire to inspire you to “go for it.”  You’re stronger than you think you are.  Living with your disability has given you that.  When you look around you, I’ll bet you’ll find that many disabled folks are more focused and determined, than many who are not.

 My father always said, “Make a plan, then work the plan.” That’s become my motto over my lifetime, and I’ve overcome a great deal with Dad’s words ringing in my head.  Have you quit dreaming?  I hope not.  My advice is to begin to dream again, make your plan, take tiny steps toward it’s fulfillment, and eventually, with persistance, you’ll see results. Look, I’m old, fat, bald, wear dentures, don’t see without my glasses, and walk funny.  If I can accomplish this without killing myself, bet you can do a few things you never thought you could!

Join me on this journey. 

Happy sailing!

Tim