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Watch the Paralympics online

Great news!  If you don't want to wait until the NBC show tomorrow night, you can see coverage of the Paralympic Opening Ceremonies tonight! Approximately two hours after the Opening Ceremony ends (about 11PM PST,1AM EST), the coverage will be available as Video on Demand (VOD) on the official Internet channel of the International Paralympic Committee, ParalympicSport.TV.

By the way, ParalympicSport.TV will broadcast from the Vancouver Paralympic Winter Games everyday from the 12th thru the 21st of March. All Paralympic sports will be covered in the programming, either live or delayed. This coverage will also be made available as Video on Demand (VOD) after the events, again on www.ParalympicSport.TV.  So, spread the word!

Live from Vancouver...

Bonnie

March 2010 | Blog Comments
Categories: Inspiration Prayer

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Letting Go of DeFeet

There were hardly any kids at the Shriners Hospital today...  The administrative assistant I contacted had tried to discourage me from coming because the hospital would be so empty.  But I came anyway, because I was in town.  I wore my Olympic medals and brought souvenir postcards to sign for the patients who were there.
 So I visited a few kids and talked.  Then we met this little girl with her mother in the hallway. Neither spoke English.
 Through the translator I shared the story of my amputated leg and being at Shriners for my surgeries when I was a kid.
 Then the girl lifted up her pants leg to show her foot was five inches off the ground with a brace like mine was.
 It turns out she had the same problem, but refused to let them cut her foot off.
 We talked a bit more.
 Then I visited some other kids.
 I saw her again and asked "is getting a leg like mine an option?" She shook her head quickly as if to say "no way"
 "Do you have any questions about it?" She shook her head faster.
 I wasn't getting through at all.
 So I put down my purse, took off my high heels, adjusted my ankle to flat and ran across the room and back as fast as I could.  Then I took out my jump rope and jumped.

 I didn't see her face while I was running but they told me they saw the light in her eyes go on!  A man who had seen her when she first came in--shy and withdrawn--started crying.
 If she was the only kid in the hospital that day, I think it was worth going.

 When I spoke at the church later that day I told the story of the little girl...and I said, "Here she is in the middle of free, state of the art medical care turning down the treatment she needs--and a powerful new leg--because she wants to keep a foot that doesn't work!"
 "How often are we like that with God?  God has everything prepared for us but we are like a small child from a foreign country who doesn't understand the big picture.  What is the foot you are holding onto in your life that is blocking your blessings?  Is it a job you need to move on from? Is it a relationship that you need to let go of? A degree you are afraid to get?  What are you holding onto?"

 I hope someday I will find out what that little girl decides to do.  I pray she will find the courage to accept God's blessings.  Will you?

August 2008 | Blog Comments
Categories: Prayer

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Walking in Memphis

Just landed in Memphis...went to the Baptist hospital and spoke to 50 women from the Links, Inc. I celebrated Black History Month by sharing stories about each of the nine African American women in How Strong Women Pray: Vonnetta Flowers the first black woman to win gold in Winter Olympics. Dorothy Height, winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor for her civil rights activism Susan Taylor, the inspiration behind Essence Magazine for so long Johnnetta Cole, first woman President of Spelman College and also former President of Bennett College Immaculee Iligabiza, trapped in Rwanda during the genocide, she speaks out now on forgiveness and healing Marilynn McCoo, winner of many gold and platinum records, grammys and has a star on Hollywood Blvd! Colette Branch, saved over 100 people from Hurricane Katrina Dr. Suzanne Karefa-Johnson, hospice doctor Maya Angelou, inagural poet and inspirational figure and me--first black person to win medals in Winter Olympics. ...and we sold out of books, even though I brought thirty extra!

February 2008 | Blog Comments
Categories: Prayer

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Blessed in Detroit!

Last night we celebrated at the Museum of African American History!  I was honored by the City Council, signed books, and even received a birthday cake.  What joy!  My sister from Lansing came to join us.  My daughter is coming in tonight!  Today I was a guest on radio, TV, and did a magazine interview, too.  I am doing a lot of interviews.
Tomorrow we go to Ann Arbor for a book party to benefit Spelman College.  Sunday I will be speaking at Little Rock Church  both at 8am and 11.  Hope to see you there!
Next week its Maryland and Chicago...

November 2007 | Blog Comments
Categories: Prayer

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