Friday, September 21, 2012
Truly Happy for the First Time in a Long Time!
For the first time in almost two years, I feel like I can say that I am truly, 100% happy with my life. I feel like the fact that I was given the opportunity for a fresh start is a big part of why I am so happy. I'm not reminded everyday that my life is not the same as it used to be, and that I'm not the same person anymore. Instead, I am in a new place where everybody only knows me as who I am at this point in my life. I don't see the poisonous people who I once called my friends. Instead, I see a group of absolutely wonderful friends each and everyday. They aren't friends with me because they knew me before I was sick so they would feel guilty if they stopped being my friend (like a lot of people at home were). They're friends with me regardless of my handicap. In fact, I think the best part about Philadelphia University is the friends I have made. And I have so many different groups of friends. Some I see more than others, but they're all so awesome. I feel like they all have been so accepting of me. My life is going in the perfect direction for me right now. I feel like I'm going to be so successful here.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Interesting Experiences...
So the first thing I need to do is give a shout out to my cousin Sara. This summer I followed her blog Adventures of a Cool Mom religiously. She was sort of my inspiration to write this blog. So yeah, everyone should go look at her blog (when you're done reading mine, of course) because she's hilarious slash awesome slash pregnant.
Now back to the reason the actual reason why I'm writing this post. It's been a month since I moved into college and I have definitely had my share of interesting experiences (hence the name interesting experiences).
I guess I'll start with my first day of classes.
It's 10:45 and I start to make way up to a building (which I was told was accessible) by my dorm for my 11 o'clock American transitions (BORING!) class. When I get to said building, I realize the only way to get in is to go up 3 or 4 steps. When I look at my schedule to double check, I realize my class is on the second floor. I then see a group of adults who look like professors. I ask them how I am supposed to get to class. They then pointed out that there is a ramp on the side of the building (which was locked) but my class is on the second floor and the elevator was BROKEN. I couldn't believe that it was my first class of my college career and I was physically unable to go to class. The professors then apologized and went their way. I started to panic. When I start to panic, I get these little prickly itchies (yes, I made up that word) all over my head, neck, and chest, and sometimes the rest of my body. I'm not going to lie, I started to tear up a little bit. Was my professor going to be mad at me? Was I going to have to drop the class? The uncertainty of what was about to happen was undeniably terrifying. By now it was about 11 and class had already started. I saw a girl running as if she were late for class. I asked her what class she had and she told me she has American transitions. I was so relieved when she told me that! So I asked her if she could tell the professor that I couldn't get into the building and that I was sitting outside. A few minutes later the professor came out with the syllabus and explained to me that another prof. wanted to trade rooms and that my class would then be in a more accessible building. What a relief! He told me not to worry and I went on my way back to my dorm to hang out until my next class. Nothing like keeping me on my toes, right?
My next class was in an accessible building and I loved my prof! But my third class of the day seemed to be a repeat of my first class. Thankfully this time I was with another girl from my class who went in to tell the prof that I had no way to get in the building. So once again, they moved the class and I didn't have to attend the first class, which I really didn't mind. Thankfully, the rest of my classes all worked out and I have no problem getting to them.
The last interesting experience I'm going to write about is going into the city using public transportation. I got the opportunity to do this last weekend with a friend of mine who grew up 5 minutes from campus. I figured she was the best one to travel with seeing that she knows her way around Philly pretty well. Anyways, after waiting with my friend Amber, the bus finally arrived and I began to get nervous. When it pulled up to the curb, the bus driver lowered the bus and the pressed a button for a ramp to fold out. I rolled onto the bus and looked around at a bunch of people who looked like they probably have killed a few people or do meth. Basically, I was pretty scared. The bus diver moved the seat for me and I moved my wheelchair into position. He buckled my chair in and off we went. It probably wasn't the best idea for me to be on Facebook while on the bus because by the time we arrived in the city, I was beyond nauseous. But when I got off the bus I was so excited that I had survived my first bus trip! We played in the city for a while, mainly window shopping, and about 3 or 4 hours later, we decided to head home. This time the bus wasn't filled with a bunch of meth addicts, but a lot of fellow college kids. I'm so happy I learned to use public transportation because now I feel like I can go anywhere! I'm not stuck on campus.
I guess I should probably go to accounting now... (look at all that enthusiasm jumping off the page) There will be plenty more interesting experiences coming your way... trust me!
Now back to the reason the actual reason why I'm writing this post. It's been a month since I moved into college and I have definitely had my share of interesting experiences (hence the name interesting experiences).
I guess I'll start with my first day of classes.
It's 10:45 and I start to make way up to a building (which I was told was accessible) by my dorm for my 11 o'clock American transitions (BORING!) class. When I get to said building, I realize the only way to get in is to go up 3 or 4 steps. When I look at my schedule to double check, I realize my class is on the second floor. I then see a group of adults who look like professors. I ask them how I am supposed to get to class. They then pointed out that there is a ramp on the side of the building (which was locked) but my class is on the second floor and the elevator was BROKEN. I couldn't believe that it was my first class of my college career and I was physically unable to go to class. The professors then apologized and went their way. I started to panic. When I start to panic, I get these little prickly itchies (yes, I made up that word) all over my head, neck, and chest, and sometimes the rest of my body. I'm not going to lie, I started to tear up a little bit. Was my professor going to be mad at me? Was I going to have to drop the class? The uncertainty of what was about to happen was undeniably terrifying. By now it was about 11 and class had already started. I saw a girl running as if she were late for class. I asked her what class she had and she told me she has American transitions. I was so relieved when she told me that! So I asked her if she could tell the professor that I couldn't get into the building and that I was sitting outside. A few minutes later the professor came out with the syllabus and explained to me that another prof. wanted to trade rooms and that my class would then be in a more accessible building. What a relief! He told me not to worry and I went on my way back to my dorm to hang out until my next class. Nothing like keeping me on my toes, right?
My next class was in an accessible building and I loved my prof! But my third class of the day seemed to be a repeat of my first class. Thankfully this time I was with another girl from my class who went in to tell the prof that I had no way to get in the building. So once again, they moved the class and I didn't have to attend the first class, which I really didn't mind. Thankfully, the rest of my classes all worked out and I have no problem getting to them.
The last interesting experience I'm going to write about is going into the city using public transportation. I got the opportunity to do this last weekend with a friend of mine who grew up 5 minutes from campus. I figured she was the best one to travel with seeing that she knows her way around Philly pretty well. Anyways, after waiting with my friend Amber, the bus finally arrived and I began to get nervous. When it pulled up to the curb, the bus driver lowered the bus and the pressed a button for a ramp to fold out. I rolled onto the bus and looked around at a bunch of people who looked like they probably have killed a few people or do meth. Basically, I was pretty scared. The bus diver moved the seat for me and I moved my wheelchair into position. He buckled my chair in and off we went. It probably wasn't the best idea for me to be on Facebook while on the bus because by the time we arrived in the city, I was beyond nauseous. But when I got off the bus I was so excited that I had survived my first bus trip! We played in the city for a while, mainly window shopping, and about 3 or 4 hours later, we decided to head home. This time the bus wasn't filled with a bunch of meth addicts, but a lot of fellow college kids. I'm so happy I learned to use public transportation because now I feel like I can go anywhere! I'm not stuck on campus.
I guess I should probably go to accounting now... (look at all that enthusiasm jumping off the page) There will be plenty more interesting experiences coming your way... trust me!
Monday, September 17, 2012
My Past and Where I am Today.
My name is Caroline Hinckley.
I have a rare auto immune disease called Neuromyelitis Optica which paralyzed me from the neck down when I was only 16. Since then, almost two years have passed and I regained my ability to walk. I am still very weak and have to use a wheelchair to get around, but I am trying my hardest to regain my strength. Adjusting to life in a wheelchair has not been the easiest thing I've done in my life. I used to be a very independent girl and never wanted anyone to do anything for me. While I was paralyzed, I had to have people do EVERYTHING for me. My independence was ripped from my 16-year-old hands. People had to feed me, bathe me, even scratch my nose for me. I hated it. I do things in a very particular way and trying to explain to my mom just exactly where and how I wanted my nose scratched was a nightmare.
But over the last two years I have been able to gain enough independence to move off to college (8.5 hours away, mind you) and live on my own with nobody to help me but myself. The thought of this scared me for the longest time, but I have been here at college (in Philadelphia) for a month already, and I am loving it! I feel like my life is going right for the first time in 2 years. So I hope to use this blog to show people the other side of the girl in the (hot pink) wheelchair and to let others follow my journey through college.
Some pictures of myself
My nephew (Camden) and I
Prom!
I'm actually the coolest auntie ever!
My family and I at graduation
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