Kate Adamson
www.KateAdamson.com
1-800-641-KATE
(310) 546-8142 Fax
kate@kateadamson.com
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Nov. 1, 2005
Having a great journey! Wish you were here. Of course, you are on your own journey. How is it going so far?
When people suggest my journey through the dark tunnel of total paralysis must have been a really tough challenge – they are right, it was. I also wonder where they might be paralyzed and don’t know it. You have heard me say this many times. If you want to do something but just can’t seem to do it, you are, in a very real sense paralyzed. It is as frustrating for you as it was for me when I lay in a hospital bed, unable to move a finger – and you need understanding and help, not criticism.
I had plenty of help as I overcame my physical paralysis. I had the focus and attention of a professional medical staff, dear friends, and a fiercely supportive husband to defend my right to live and help me get “un-paralyzed.” They didn’t criticize me, they helped me. Now I am here to help you, not criticize you; to understand and help defend your right to live – really live – and deal with the personal, financial or business paralysis that keeps you from moving to your next level of personal and professional accomplishment.
Greetings from Los Angeles again.
I arrived safely home and was warmly welcomed as I was mobbed by husband, kids and animals. Two suitcases packed with warm coats as well as adding to my collection of warm, furry jackets, a sporty jacket picked up in New Jersey. I may not be able to wear heels, but I have a closet full of jackets!
You can’t beat the California weather, but oh how I love the four seasons! Somehow Santa on a surfboard doesn't quite fit at the holiday season. This time of year the East Coast in the fall explodes with vibrant oranges, reds and yellows. Those of you who have read my book will notice the cover was taken in Pennsylvania, near Lake Erie.
A highlight of my trip was meeting Billy and Lynn face-to-face while in New Jersey. When my story was featured in Redbook magazine in 1998, I received many e-mails. One was from Lynn who had been engaged to Billy for 6 weeks when he suffered a brainstem stroke. She is still by his side. Billy, and Lynn, it was wonderful to finally meet you both. Pictured with us is Tom, another survivor I have met over the years. It is through these trying times we not only find our own strength but also the strength of our relationships.
During my trip...
Among the presentations given was the Annual Diocesan Youth Rally at Bishop O’Connell High School. What a great enthusiastic group of 1,000 young people! Youth Director Kevin Bohli remarked, "It was excellent and kept the teens very interested. I have not seen a standing ovation at Rally in quite a while. Your ideas for audience involvement were great."This month, I want to take a moment for a special thank you to those of you who frequently send responses to these postcards. It’s a wonderful reminder to me that when we go through something really difficult, there is purpose to it – or we can make a purpose of it! If my purpose is to encourage you as you deal with your personal paralysis, then my reward is the wonderful stories and letters of "thank you" that you send to me.
My dear friend Linda said, "I know when I have a stressful day or feel like my own company is going to put me six feet under, I have to find Kate. I read her words and think how it must have felt to be in her journey. When I finish, I say to myself, 'I can go on!' It is never as tough as what Kate went through. Thank you again for lifting me up!"
And my close friend, Michelle, wrote: "You continue to inspire me. As I struggled to make sense of a huge project, I made myself a sign that said, 'From paralysis to intention.'" (Oh, how we can relate to that!)
And Amy from Arkansas writes, "…there is life post-stroke. Kate's Journey really lifts my spirits every newsletter!"
I love your responses. Keep them coming because they keep me going. And I love those of you who cross my path, what a blessing.
Welcome to those of you who are receiving Kate’s Journey postcards for the first time. Those days when I’m trudging along, wondering where I will get the energy for one more step, and suddenly I receive one of those e-mails or a call. It inspires and energizes me and makes my entire journey – even the worst of it – worthwhile.
So, take the time to drop someone else a note or phone call to brighten their day, like you do for me. You’ll be blessed as well.
Corporate America, health care professionals...Are you looking for a dynamic, inspirational speaker?
What is the theme of your conference? What do you want your people to take home with them? Would you like me to inspire your corporation to a higher level of productivity and profit by overcoming the paralysis that keeps it where it is? Believe me, I will prove that anyone can move to the next level of productivity and profit by focusing on what they want (not on what they don’t) and what they can do (not on what they can't). Your Human Resources performance management system will never be the same – and neither will you.
What about the legal necessity of providing reasonable accommodation? Is your organization providing it because they have to or because they want to? Even more effective than accommodation is appreciation. “Appreciation before Accommodation” is a powerful tool that helps protect your company against employment actions arising from discrimination and failure to accommodate issues. Invite Kate to raise your company’s awareness of the financial and practical value of employing and reasonably accommodating the disabled worker.
Let's talk about it! Call me: 1-800-641-KATE (5283)
