Food For Thought: The Coronavirus (COVID-19)

There is no doubt about it.... the last couple of days and weeks have been nothing short of uncertain and unnerving. The news is buzzing with numbers, symptoms and ways to protect ourselves. I have never in my life washed my hands so many times, that now, without using lotion after washing, my hands look like totally overheated raisins! If you have wondered, I'm not a person that was made for long periods of "social distancing". I thrive off of hugs, connection and a gentle touch to show others I love and care about them. While it breaks my heart to hear about all the devastation and pain this virus is having on everyone, I can't keep focusing on it, or it will eat me up inside. On the other side of the coin, I understand that this "new normal" is hard for everyone, getting acclimated at such a fast rate, with a time frame that changes almost by the second. One way to get through these times of uncertainty is to fight against is the tendency to only think of ourselves. That's why we've heard authorities and officials say, to not confuse ''social distancing" with "emotional distancing". There are ways to show people that you care. Thanking our "essential workers", giving people a smile, checking on friends and family through social media or a phone call or writing a letter. Make it a point to understand that the way people react and respond during this time is not a reflection of how they would normally act...they just want to be given the benefit of the doubt. When the announcement was made to stay at home, you could tell the gravity and heaviness of this ever-changing situation was sitting squarely on the Governor's shoulders. He said that we are resilient, strong, and we come together... in essence, he was saying that we all have the responsibility and potential to display these good qualities to one another. We can support the steps the authorities are taking to slow the spread of this virus. What kindles anger and fear is thinking that we somehow know better how to protect ourselves, when the less stressful road to travel is just to pay attention and do what we are told. It is super important that we take heed, take care of ourselves, don't lose ourselves to the choas and for the time being, adjust our sails to the winds of change. Change helps us to grow and refine our perspective... let it.  Don't be afraid of it. You will come out a different person...FOR THE GOOD!!!

You ALL are in my thoughts and I send you all my love!!!!

xoxoxo
Michelle :)

A look back and beyond: Kim Dodson celebrates 20 years with The Arc of Indiana!

Have you ever watched a TV commercial, whether it's for an insurance company, a bank or a new snack food and the commercial has happy smiling people and some fancy slogan, yet you think, "Wait, I don't remember that being my experience!" I can say with absolute certainty you will NEVER find that to be the case at The Arc of Indiana! I work with a team that is committed to serve others to the best of their ability and sticking with those they serve until the desired goal is accomplished! The woman in the drivers' seat heading up the daily operations is Kim Dodson. In 2018, Kim celebrated her 20 year work anniversary and to say that she's committed to doing her job well, is an understatement! She was hired and mentored by retired executive director John Dickerson in 1998, with no background in the disability field, but that didn't stop John from teaching, training and cultivating Kim's potential. She grew so much under John's watchful guidance, that 3 years ago when John retired, Kim became executive director. When I interviewed Kim about her years of service, I could tell just how deeply the relationship with John had affected her. She is such a genuine person, everything about Kim sparkles, shines and beams! She wants to leave you better than when you first walked in the door. That's why I came to the Arc of Indiana almost 9 years ago. John hired me, saw and cultivated my potential for growth, and now Kim carries that on, not only for me, but for all of us! We all feel loved, valued and appreciated! Our work atmosphere is "We work better together" and what we each bring to the table is embraced and refined, so we all continue to work as one great team!!  Happy 20 year Anniversary Kim! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Michelle Fischer is host of A View from My Window, a podcast produced by The Arc of Indiana

Read more about what drew Kim to work in the disability field here: http://www.townepost.com/indiana/broad-ripple/kim-dodson-a-hero-for-the-special-needs-community/

I have an Immune System made of steel....sure I do!!!

I will just start off by saying that this blog post is not a ''my situation is a thousand times worse than yours" type of post. It's more about the need to acknowledge our feelings as humans. Several weeks ago I started experiencing what would later be diagnosed as a UTI. This is the first UTI I've ever had. Yes, really! And the antibiotics I'm taking (I'm on my second round, the first round didn't help) are the first antibiotics I've taken in over 25 years!! I've rarely been in a hospital except for a surgery I had to lengthen my muscles when I was 13, to help my body stay upright, loosening the jaws of life as it were... that left my legs in a perpetual "downward" momentum. Then came the diagnosis and endless doctors' visits of celiac disease. This was one of the hardest diagnosis to handle, because I didn't even know how to approach this battle...my body was fighting against itself and depleting me of important vitamins and nutrients, while plotting to kill me slowly, I'm sure! Over the years, I've realized just how important it is to be well informed. I try to be smart about the food I put in my mouth (I've become quite the nutrition label reader,  I must say) and being sure to take the right supplements as well, because celiac disease has wreaked havoc on the inside of my body. My ongoing battle with panic attacks and anxiety has also forced me to take a slower more calculated examination of what my body and emotions need. Everything is connected and in order to take care of your WHOLE self you must invest in things that take care of YOU.  Every person has very different ways of fulfilling the need of self care, and that's how it should be... we are not robots and not all things are "one size fits all" but, the one thing that is always needed is keeping a fresh perspective on SELF CARE! Please never make a mistake by thinking that, "well, I will take my supplements tomorrow, or I'll sit and read tomorrow, or I'll get together with friends soon".  I've said the same things many times before and it does little good to put things off because each time you do, you put taking care of yourself to the back burner. There's no need to do that. Life is about "Blooming where you are Planted" and to do that to the fullest.. you must take care of your WHOLE beautiful wonderful MAGNIFICENT self today! No questions or apologizing about it! Because, guys and gals, we must remember, Life is a Beautiful Ride!

Michelle Fischer is host of  A View from My Window, a podcast produced by The Arc of Indiana

Behind the Mic at the Movies - Mary Poppins Returns

The first Mary Poppins movie was made in 1964 starring Julie Andrews. Her portrayal of Mary Poppins was superb! Stepping into that role for Julie Andrews was so effortless and her performance was so endearing and not easily forgotten! I loved how Julie Andrews played that role and I just couldn't imagine how anyone could play that role like Julie did. Mary Poppins Returns is the modern version of the classic!  Hey!!! Someone else CAN play Mary Poppins people! Emily Blunt's performance is instantly captivating! The movie doesn't by any means lose any of the whimsy that makes our hearts flutter! Mary Poppins is not just any nanny, she takes you on unimaginable, unforgettable adventures that are beyond your wildest dreams! To think, the Banks kids told Mary Poppins that they didn't need the services of a nanny! No matter the circumstance or situation they found themselves in, Mary Poppins always had a positive motto and a life lesson to be learned! Mary Poppins wasn't the only one sporting a positive midset, her lamplighter friend, Jack played by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who is spectacular in this role, is Mary's right hand man in supporting her positive mindset and her adventurous spirit! One of the scenes I ABSOLUTELY LOOOOVE is scene 10 "Turning Turtle" where the kids, Mary and Jack go to see Cousin Topsy, played by Meryl Streep, to fix a bowl that the kids chipped one night while fighting in their room. When they meet Topsy, she isn't really keen on seeing them walk through her door, but she would complain about her life that seems to turn upside down like a turtle in it's shell. By the end of the scene, all of the positiveness of Mary and her friends rubbed off on Topsy! My favorite quote in that scene is: "When you change the view from where you stood, the things you view change for good"
I bought the DVD and now watch the it everyday while enjoying my morning coffee!  Ladies and Gentleman, in my humble opinion, this movie is "Practically perfect" in EVERY way! Disney hits another home run!!

Michelle Fischer is host of A View from My Window, a podcast produced by The Arc of Indiana