.....A Special Friend
Gina
Gina and MeThis past weekend (April 18th), my good and best friend from Ohio came down to JMU. She came to see her brother perform in JMU's accapella group Exit 245. She had let me know of her plans of coming to Harrisonburg a couple of months ago. I got to see her! ...and I haven't seen her for over a year...oh how I miss her. We spent a good amount of time together before she had to meet her family for dinner. It was great catching up with her and talking to her and just being with her.
How do I know her you ask? I've know her for almost 9 years. We met in the Fall of 2000 while at JMU. She lived in the floor beneath me. We both were Special Education Minors. when we realized we lived in the same dorm and attended the same Special Education classes, it was a bond that formed right there----and that bond has only gotten stronger the past 9 years.
You see, Gina has a remarkable story. Truely remarkable. She's a friend so dear to my heart and when someone says " I know how it is to strive on and conquer battles and obstacles" she knows what it means. She was in a almost fatal car accident the year before I met her. A truck hit her; and although the doctors didn't think there was any hope for recovery or survival, Gina, by God's grace and mercy, survived----and was led to live a life for Christ. Gina had to overcome many obstacles....including relearn many simple things. When I first met her, she was in an electric wheelchiar. Now.......she's walking on her own. She has a master's degree in Rehab Counseling.....she is specialized in Traumatic Brain Injury. She's an image of a woman after God....who constantly reminds me that it wasn't her own doing that she accomplished so much----it was all God; and she constantly reminds herself and me that without God she wouldn't be here. She knows me very well---she knows when I'm "lying" about whether or not I had a good day or not" She knew how unhappy I was at my old job dispite my repeated attempts to convince her that I "really did" like the job......she knows when I need a friend to talk to and she knows when to remind me to seek after God and pray.
Gina and I am similar in many ways. We both decided to minor in to Special Education because of our own disabilities. Though our majors were different (I think she was Social Work and I was Psychology), we managed to get into several classes together; we studied together, we did group projects together, etc. We both have a love for people with disabilities; and we both want our jobs and call in life to honor God in everything that we do.
One of my Fondest Memories: Gina and I were chosen by our favorite special education professor (now a dean of special education dept) to do a video for other special edcuation classes. The topic: well, I forgot, but it was something in the lines of how a student with special needs (like myself and Gina) would want to be treated by professors or teachers. We got to voice our opinion of how we think teachers should treat special needs student; and who better to ask than a special needs student who is majoring/minoring in Special Education? Gina and I talk about that "video recording" instances on several occassions.....i know it sounds like a corny bond between us but that is one of MANY MANY bonds between us.
---so whenever I see a picture of Gina or talk to her on the phone.....I thank God for bringing us together as friends. A friend I had for 9 years......and pray that this bond will last a lifetime.
.............and oh! Lord willling, when she comes back down for her brother's graduation in 3 weeks, I will get to see her again---assuming things work out, even if it is just for lunch!!
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