What’s In a Name? What Does Your Name Mean to You?

Posted by Barbara Techel

For nearly forty years I never felt like a Barbara. I felt like Barb, but not Barbara.  Nor did I like being called Barbie.  Barbara conjured up in my mind this graceful, beautiful, elegant lady.  I didn’t feel confident in that picture in my mind and applying it to me.  Barbie conjured up, well, the image of the Barbie Doll as that is what I grew up, what I was to inspire to be, right?

When I was born my mom wanted to name me Roberta. My dad wanted to name me Barbara. It’s no secret to my mom that I am glad my dad won. Though I wasn’t comfortable with being called Barbara for most of my life. But in all fairness, my mom wanted in part to name me Roberta so my nickname would be Bobbie.  Ironically enough, when my oldest niece was young she couldn’t pronounce her R’s very well, so auntie Barbie sounded like Auntie Bobbie… and it stuck. I love it and loved being called Bobbie by my nieces. Still do to this day.  So my mom’s wish, in a way, came true.

So back to Barbara.  Barbara Gail is my full name. You don’t come across the combination too often.  As I went through life coaching back in 2005 I began to grow as a person spiritually, though had been exploring that for four years previous to that. I wondered why I felt different and not all that into religion and being boxed into a label of what religion choices can mean. I wanted to be free to be me and my own way of thinking that brought me peace.  As I went through my life coaching experience I discovered many things about myself. Many things I liked and finally felt good about in myself.

As I began exploring what was important to me and started living into that  it seemed as all of a sudden I felt like a Barbara. Was she there all along, buried underneath a sea of doubts and lack of self confidence?  Yes, indeed, that was the case.  While I realize a name is a just a name, I can’t help but think of how many people struggle with liking their name and what it means for them personally.  How we put images or conjure up thoughts of what that name is meant to be. But who we are really is not in our name.

But with all that said, I’m happy to say I fully love my name now, which to me means I accept and love me for me.  Not easy some days, but happy to say most days I feel so much more comfortable in my skin than I’ve ever felt. It is a good place to be.

I. AM. Barbara Gail.

Joie Test Drive’s Her Eddie’s Wheels Wheelchair

Posted by Barbara Techel

Frankie’s wheelchair has given a whole new life to our new bundle of  joy,  Joie.  After seeing the specialist this past Thursday I felt comfortable in adjusting what was Frankie’s wheelchair so Joie could explore a whole new world. After a few adjustments by John, Joie pretty much took to the wheels.  Oh, how my heart sings seeing her mobile and happy to explore all that is around her.  Come see!

PawZ Natural Rubber Dog Boots. Part of Joie’s IVDD Physical Therapy Program.

Posted by Barbara Techel

In yesterday’s post I said I’d share the dog boots I learned about when I took Joie to see Dr. Morgan yesterday.

Dr. Morgan told me about PawZ which are natural rubber dog boots. You can see Joie modeling them in the photo. Because they are a natural rubber this helps Joie’s feet from slipping out to the sides, and it especially helps while I am doing physical therapy for her to help keep her little paws in place.

They are great for ice/snow also when walking your dogs. I did have a bit of a challenge getting them on Joie, but really not all that bad.  But check out the video page on how to best put them on, which I discovered after I tried for the first time and while writing this post. And once they are on, they stay on!  I’ve tried other booties in the past and I’d say these are the best I’ve seen to date.  Joie does not seem to mind having them on either– it’s as if she does not even know she has them on. They are one of those products where you hit yourself upside the head and say, “Now why didn’t I think of this!”

You don’t want to keep these on all day, but just for walking your dog or in Joie’s case they are great for helping aid in her physical therapy sessions.  Dr. Morgan suggested then having them on no more than an hour.

Sizes run Tiny through XL.  Though the only down side is each size only comes in one color– so as you can see Joie is stuck with orange, looking like Halloween colors.  ha!  If I had my way she’d of course have pink booties.  But color aside, which is so trivial considering what a wonderful aid they are for her and helping her to be the best she can be despite having IVDD. We can deal with orange paws!