Just a Little Back Talk: A Journey of Faith, Femininity and Fortitude

By Ve Ce Dottie

In life, we dream of that perfect life; some may even fantasize about it. My day started as any other, and little did I know it was about to take me places Ive never imagined. My awareness to others, as well as my own life, is about to blossom and allow me to embrace all of the things I simply wouldn't take the time to before. My name is Valencia Dotson; in my journey, I have been inspired to take on a new name to compliment the old one. Ve Ce Dottie is the name that came about as I discovered an inner strength and strong desire to inspire, uplift, encourage, and enlighten others.

I am wife to a wonderful husband, the mother of two beautiful school-aged girls and one phenomenal college-aged daughter. I have worked for the federal government for twenty-one years of my life. Day in and day out, I punch that time clock for the nine to five, hustle and bustle just like any other. Theres nothing big or famous about me other than my love for God, of life, and my family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 2, 2016
• ISBN: 9781503539419

Ve Ce Dottie

The Doctors said that they were unsure if I would ever walk again. God said I would and I did. The Doctors said that my life as I once knew it, would never be the same, and it hasn’t. God said let me show you that your life change can be positive and productive if you embrace the journey, I did and I am prospering. Doctors warned me of depression and discouragement; God said depression is natural and can be conquered through faith and inner strength. God showed me that progression and perseverance can always defeat depression and negativity and it has. Please share my journey and receive my message of encouragement and inspiration so that you may take from this what you need for your journey. I pray that God continues to bless you and your family along the way.

Book preview

Copyright © 2016 by Ve Ce Dottie. 701961

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015901459

ISBN: Softcover     978-1-5035-3940-2

Hardcover     978-1-5035-3939-6

EBook     978-1-5035-3941-9

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Rev. date: 07/30/2016

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They are very silent, never making a sound.

We don’t give them a second thought; just to place them firmly on the ground! They walk, they run, they take us where we need to go.

Our legs, why would we speak of them?

They only get our attention when we can no longer go!

So now I can’t stand, walk, or bend.

Mine gave me a wake-up call, for I could not rise or simply stand at all.

Our legs—why would I speak of them?

They are such a blessing, from the beginning to the end.

Think ahead: Today for tomorrow, and for many days beyond. The wisest of precautions is to take time for this, for to the ready there are no accidents, and to the forewarned no dangers. Do not wait to think until you are overcome, but be forehanded. Anticipate with matured reflection the worst outrages of destiny.

The pillow is a silent Sibyl, and to sleep upon an enterprise avails more than to be sleepless under it. Some act first and think afterwards, which means they must concern themselves more with the excuses for their acts than with the consequences. Others think neither before nor after, when all life should be continuous thinking in order to hit upon the right way. It is reflection and foresight that assure freedom to life.

—Baltasar Gracian, The Art of Worldly Wisdom

Dedication

First, I’d like to thank God for every blessing he has given me, every lesson he has allowed me to learn, and every strengthening he has allowed me to experience. I graciously receive this journey and acknowledge his power, wisdom, and never-ending mercy.

My husband, Earl. Who would have ever known such a blessing would come to me in the image of you! My lifetime companion, I thank you for your unconditional love. You are truly my one and only true love ever!

My children: Valecia, Victoria, and Va Nea’. My dear sweet babies, I love you to the moon and back.

Love ya, Mom. Thanks for being there—not only for me, but for my husband and children during this trying time!

Danielle, only with a sister’s love, James Sr., James Jr./Autumn, Reece, Jamel, and Jalisa.

Daddy, missing you to the end of the world! Always and forever, your baby girl.

And to Eddie, my loving brother—gone too soon and too long, RIP.

Be able to express yourself, not only clearly but with charm. Some conceive easily, but have a hare delivery. Yet without pains these children of the spirit, our thoughts and our judgments, are not rightly born. Others are like those vessels which hold much but yield little, while conversely others pour forth more than was anticipated.

What resolution is to the will, exposition is to the mind. Both are great attributes. Clear heads are much praised, but those balmy may be venerated because not understood. Wherefore at times be not too clear, in order not to seem too ordinary. Yet how can a world get a concept of what it hears, if the speaker himself has no clear notion of what he is talking about?

—Baltasar Gracian, The Art of Worldly Wisdom

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1 Personal Notes From Within

Chapter 2 Accept, Embrace & Reclaim

Chapter 3 Replace, Replace, Replace…

Chapter 4 Maintain your you!!!

Chapter 5 It’s Not You!!!

Chapter 6 Share, Surround and Support

Chapter 7 It’s ok…

Chapter 8 Be Patient

Acknowledgments

TIRR Memorial Hermann Medical Center Houston,Tx (physical & occupational therapist—special mention to Mrs. Yolanda Washington, Jessica, Oscar, &Lafayette, the boots work). Lots of love to Donna, 5th floor unit support, thanks for your yearly help and dedication to the patients.

Dr. Raul Sepulveda &Dr. Andrew Kant at KSF, Dr. Sepulveda, God constantly blesses me by allowing you to become part of my family, and you have taken my hand through this entire journey. Thanks for everything, Poppa Sepulveda! May God watch over you and continue to bless you with the gift of helping others live a better and more functional life. Nurse Kathy, thanks for all the much-needed hugs … lots of gratitude. Ladies at the front desk, Linda &Patricia, stay beautiful as always!

Dr. Peter Shedding, I would be lost, had you not taken on the challenge! May God continue to bless you, your mind, and your very talented hands! (Kevin &Danielle, what lifesavers!)

Dr. Glenn Bricken, of Bricken & Associates. Life would be so crazy without you!

Jessica G, the world’s best physical therapist. Thanks for everything. God bless you and all the hard work you do for everyone.

Schanta Jones, R. Norris Rogers, Le Nette Leveston, and Althea Logans (the best friends ever imaginable), you guys are the epitome of true friendship. Dennis Lindsay, A always a true leader…RIP

My roomie, Carmen. Wow, such a beautiful friend I have in you! I feel the scheduling of our room assignment came from a source so much higher than TIRR.

In heaven all is gladness. In hell all is sorrow. Upon this earth, since it lies between, sometimes the one, and sometimes the other. We have our being between the two extremes, and so it partakes of both. Fortune should vary, not all being felicity, nor all adversity.

This world is a zero, and by itself worth nothing, but joined to heaven worth everything. Indifference to your lot is common sense, and not to be surprised by it, wisdom. Our life becomes more complicated as we go along, like a comedy, But toward its end it becomes simpler. Keep in mind, therefore, the happy ending.

—Baltasar Gracian, The Art of Worldly Wisdom

Wisdom backed by courage makes greatness. Because they are immortal, they immortalize.

Each person is as great as his or her mind, and to the one who knows, everything is possible.

A person without knowledge is a world in darkness. Understanding and will are the eyes and the hands; without courage, the mind is dead.

—Baltasar Gracian, The Art of Worldly Wisdom

Look at me … do you see a disabled person?

Do you see any disability that you think I may have? Would you know what to look for? And whose definition of a disability would you be applying to the situation and the person? Can you tell just by looking at the way I am dressed or the way my hair is combed? Could it be the smile on my face or the way I laugh? Maybe the happiness I still feel?

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Look again…

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Oh, I am sorry; that is simply a picture of my spine. But do you still see a disability? OK, look one more time.

Please, just humor me…

Now here we go. I bet you see what we consider to be a disability or, in most people’s eyes, what is accepted to be a disabled person now.

image%20(3).tif

Funny how the pictures you saw are in reverse order. I was blessed enough to regain some control of my legs after experiencing paralysis from the waist down. My injury is what is called an incomplete spinal cord injury, and this has allowed me to walk again; but the initial injury is still there, and so is the pain and nerve damage. Therefore, I will always be referred to as a spinal cord–injury patient, but I can spread my testimony of being a recovering SCI patient for the rest of my life. It will never go away, and it is a process that I will constantly struggle with my recovery.

Yes, the last picture you saw, the picture above, is where my journey really starts. The first picture you saw is the here and now, all after the fact, and my injury starts