OT: A familiar story from EDD

[MTHusky]

In her soon to be released book she shows she has no passion to the game. Link

 

[ctfjr]

Talent without passion, sad

 

[Vowelguy]

Perhaps this will finally put to an end to the falsehood about her leaving bc of her sister:

2. Delle Donne herself draws comparisons between the Connecticut situation and her decision to leave the Sky. When the Sky hired Amber Stocks, the new coach called for a championship culture. “They’re looking for players who are truly passionate about this team, I realized. Yet there’s a little voice in my head saying that that’s not me. ...​

 

[ctbbfn]

Perhaps this will finally put to an end to the falsehood about her leaving bc of her sister:

2. Delle Donne herself draws comparisons between the Connecticut situation and her decision to leave the Sky. When the Sky hired Amber Stocks, the new coach called for a championship culture. “They’re looking for players who are truly passionate about this team, I realized. Yet there’s a little voice in my head saying that that’s not me. ...​

I don't know, she is again choosing a move much closer to Delaware.

 

[JordyG]

So EDD shows and says what has become self evident. That basketball, the sport for which she has the greatest physical talent, the sport for which she has chosen as her career, the sport she has chosen to represent her and for which she has chosen to represent, she holds no real passion.

So why continue to play at all? She's not making any real money in the WNBA. Why not end a professional life that is really just a lie and venture off into the life you truly have a passion for? Doing something year after year for which you feel nothing just builds anger and resentment. It can also lead to questioning your own self worth and values. EDD as person remains a puzzle box to me.

 

[ZoneKing]

Another person, another story, showing different idiosyncrasies within the human condition.

So she's a 6'5" female athlete - when she was 12 years old I'm certain she was encouraged to play sports. And if you know something about her - besides her love for her sister - you know she may have been conflicted as a child/teenager in other areas that didn't make life easy. Life is never easy.

Look, cut her some slack. Like all of us: we're doing the best we can. Maybe some understand, probably most won't understand. Life is tough. Let her tough it out her way.

Good luck EDD.

 

[Orangutan]

So why continue to play at all? She's not making any real money in the WNBA.

When she was a rookie, Crain's Chicago Business said her endorsements were valued at $250k/year. Since then she's won the MVP award and a gold medal. I'd guess she's making substantially more now. She's making plenty of money through being a WNBA player.

The linked articles said that she was not passionate about the Sky. Not that she wasn't passionate about basketball.

She's clearly not the type that eats, sleeps, and breathes the game. But when she's on the court she seems passionate enough. She always plays hard. The year Chicago made the Finals her back was such a wreck that she was laying down and being stretched by a trainer during timeouts. If she didn't care, it would have been far easier to beg off and just say she was too hurt to play.

Frankly (and I'm a fan), the Sky are a poorly run organization. Epiphanny Prince forced a trade. Sylvia Fowles forced a trade. For whatever reason, they have done a really poor job of keeping their stars happy. EDD is just the latest example. This article leads me to believe that EDD didn't know Pokey was going to be fired before it happened. That's absolutely stupid. EDD was the centerpiece of the whole franchise. Management's 1st, 2nd, and 3rd thoughts at all time ought to have been "How do we keep Elena in Chicago long term?"

 

[ZoneKing]

"So why continue to play at all? She's not making any real money in the WNBA."

@JordyG: do you want her furniture? I do but I have enough furniture. I appreciate her craftsmanship but does it pay the bills? So she's not passionate - well I worked and I wasn't passionate either. Just professional. It was a job. Paid the bills. Like, no trust fund. You know, middle class? Maybe EDD does what she has to do? Like most of us.

Okay. I'm done for 2018 with EDD. I can't worry about her. Got Maya, Stewie, Tuck, Gabby to worry about.

 

[Longtime fan]

So EDD shows and says what has become self evident. That basketball, the sport for which she has the greatest physical talent, the sport for which she has chosen as her career, the sport she has chosen to represent her and for which she has chosen to represent, she holds no real passion.

So why continue to play at all? She's not making any real money in the WNBA. Why not end a professional life that is really just a lie and venture off into the life you truly have a passion for? Doing something year after year for which you feel nothing just builds anger and resentment. It can also lead to questioning your own self worth and values. EDD as person remains a puzzle box to me.

I have to say, this makes sense ( what you say ). She can do a lot of other things. It is not surprising that athletes burn out these days, having focused on one sport, 24/7 forever. In the men's NBA, a $6 million + paycheck helps maintain interest for a while longer.

 

[JordyG]

When she was a rookie, Crain's Chicago Business said her endorsements were valued at $250k/year. Since then she's won the MVP award and a gold medal. I'd guess she's making substantially more now. She's making plenty of money through being a WNBA player.

The linked articles said that she was not passionate about the Sky. Not that she wasn't passionate about basketball.

She's clearly not the type that eats, sleeps, and breathes the game. But when she's on the court she seems passionate enough. She always plays hard. The year Chicago made the Finals her back was such a wreck that she was laying down and being stretched by a trainer during timeouts. If she didn't care, it would have been far easier to beg off and just say she was too hurt to play.

Frankly (and I'm a fan), the Sky are a poorly run organization. Epiphanny Prince forced a trade. Sylvia Fowles forced a trade. For whatever reason, they have done a really poor job of keeping their stars happy. EDD is just the latest example. This article leads me to believe that EDD didn't know Pokey was going to be fired before it happened. That's absolutely stupid. EDD was the centerpiece of the whole franchise. Management's 1st, 2nd, and 3rd thoughts at all time ought to have been "How do we keep Elena in Chicago long term?"

Add together her endorsements and her WNBA salery and playing overseas would still NET her 3x that amount.

Any team that wants to win has to build a winng culture. Any team that wants to build a winning culture will ask of their players the same question.

When you play for a team you are NOT playing for an organization. You are playing for the people you're on the court with. The people who work hard, whose sweat is in your eyes, all of whom are working toward a common goal: Establishing a winning culture. That is usually the reason players play through pain and adversity, for each other.

Believe me I know what a toxic organization looks like. I'm a basketball fan that was born in NY. Chicago was and is clearly another one. I don't blame her for bailing. That's not my point at all. My point is about life choices. She's already achieved greatness as a basketball player. Why not move on to something that she does feel passion about? Something that would leave her feeling far more fulfilled. She's still young. Sports doesn't have to be the end all of her life.

I'm one of those people that feels the happier people are the better off the world is. I just think she'd be happier doing otherwise.

 

[JordyG]

"So why continue to play at all? She's not making any real money in the WNBA."

@JordyG: do you want her furniture? I do but I have enough furniture. I appreciate her craftsmanship but does it pay the bills? So she's not passionate - well I worked and I wasn't passionate either. Just professional. It was a job. Paid the bills. Like, no trust fund. You know, middle class? Maybe EDD does what she has to do? Like most of us.

Okay. I'm done for 2018 with EDD. I can't worry about her. Got Maya, Stewie, Tuck, Gabby to worry about.

I worked for 25 years taking care of the mentally and physically disabled. For 18 of those years I was wildly passionate and dedicated toward their welfare. I was also really, really good at it. I got up at 2:30 am every morning, left the house at 3 am, and loved every second of it. In year 19 I was cheated out of my position and sent back a grade to my former position. I was miserable, resentful and bitter for the final 6 years, and I worked without any spark or passion. It didn't help that my 4 hours a day transit never changed. It took a toll on me, a physical toll for which I am still paying. I wouldn't wish that one anyone, especially EDD.

I look back now and see my feelings and responses at that time as all just a monumental waste of negativity. I should have left. I'd have been far happier and healthier. No, I don't want her furniture. I'd wish for her to sell the house, well crafted furniture and all, and get a new place that's a better fit for her.

 

[Orangutan]

Add together her endorsements and her WNBA salery and playing overseas would still NET her 3x that amount.

I'm one of those people that feels the happier people are the better off the world is. I just think she'd be happier doing otherwise.

Why do you assume you know what would make her happier? She's an adult and she has clearly demonstrated that if basketball isn't making her happy she will quit and do something else.

Have you considered she's already following your advice? Yes, she could make more money overseas but she chooses not to. Instead, she stays home does the things she cares about: spending time with her family, writing books, making furniture, holding basketball camps, working with Special Olympics, etc.

Making $300k for essentially four months work and then having the rest of the year to spend however you choose sounds pretty good to me.

 

[ZoneKing]

No, I don't want her furniture.

@JordyG - the "do you want her furniture" was not rhetorical. EDD sells high end hand made tables. Beautiful stuff.

 

[Bronx23]

Doing what one loves is extremely important. Life is made up of various aspects and only the very few can love or is as good in, each and every aspect.
Maybe she has found a balance that is when put together very satisfying for her. I certainly have no clue as I truly don't know that much about her except what one reads. And going on that is possibly very incomplete, imbalanced or inaccurate.
I started to write one of my usually long winded explanations of how I see it. I've gone thorough some significant changes in the approximately 50 years I've worked and am still making choices about how my time is spent and almost all of us have to build living comfortably financially or at least decently into the equation.
No one is in her shoes so while suggestions and guidance might be useful, it's also very possible either she doesn't need it or want it. Most of us look at things, well if this happened to me I'd be thrilled to be one of the great players of the game and what I wouldn't do for that.
She has always seemed like a thoughtful, sensible woman who at least some part of the equation is growing up as a sibling of a handicapped person. Unless you've lived that type of life or experience you have no clue how it effects every member of that family. The fact that she's very close to and caring for her sister, is very admirable.
So I think those of you who want to criticize her, try and chill out. Or look in the mirror and figure out why and how it effects you at all or so much!
Nowadays younger people would say get a life!
Bronx23

 

[Monte]

I have never seen such recurring interest in a non-UCONN !

 

[Roger G]

So EDD shows and says what has become self evident. That basketball, the sport for which she has the greatest physical talent, the sport for which she has chosen as her career, the sport she has chosen to represent her and for which she has chosen to represent, she holds no real passion.

So why continue to play at all? She's not making any real money in the WNBA. Why not end a professional life that is really just a lie and venture off into the life you truly have a passion for? Doing something year after year for which you feel nothing just builds anger and resentment. It can also lead to questioning your own self worth and values. EDD as person remains a puzzle box to me.

She's not making real money? I know it's not overseas money, but compared to most of us shlubs who work for a living, it's a veritable fortune. And I'd like to say it's passion that motivates me in my job, but it's really that I like to eat and keep a roof over my head. This country isn't what it used to be and a dollar doesn't go nearly as far as it once did. Yet she's making over a hundred grand for a few months of balling. Anybody wants to offer that to me and I'll take it any day of the week.

 

[socal613ws]

So EDD shows and says what has become self evident. That basketball, the sport for which she has the greatest physical talent, the sport for which she has chosen as her career, the sport she has chosen to represent her and for which she has chosen to represent, she holds no real passion.

So why continue to play at all? She's not making any real money in the WNBA. Why not end a professional life that is really just a lie and venture off into the life you truly have a passion for? Doing something year after year for which you feel nothing just builds anger and resentment. It can also lead to questioning your own self worth and values. EDD as person remains a puzzle box to me.

not only that pretty sure her family has a ton of money, she's the Josh Rosen female version

 

[Eggman]

Add together her endorsements and her WNBA salery and playing overseas would still NET her 3x that amount.

Any team that wants to win has to build a winng culture. Any team that wants to build a winning culture will ask of their players the same question.

When you play for a team you are NOT playing for an organization. You are playing for the people you're on the court with. The people who work hard, whose sweat is in your eyes, all of whom are working toward a common goal: Establishing a winning culture. That is usually the reason players play through pain and adversity, for each other.

Believe me I know what a toxic organization looks like. I'm a basketball fan that was born in NY. Chicago was and is clearly another one. I don't blame her for bailing. That's not my point at all. My point is about life choices. She's already achieved greatness as a basketball player. Why not move on to something that she does feel passion about? Something that would leave her feeling far more fulfilled. She's still young. Sports doesn't have to be the end all of her life.

I'm one of those people that feels the happier people are the better off the world is. I just think she'd be happier doing otherwise.

She's willing to play for less to be near her sister?

 

[JordyG]

She's not making real money? I know it's not overseas money, but compared to most of us shlubs who work for a living, it's a veritable fortune. And I'd like to say it's passion that motivates me in my job, but it's really that I like to eat and keep a roof over my head. This country isn't what it used to be and a dollar doesn't go nearly as far as it once did. Yet she's making over a hundred grand for a few months of balling. Anybody wants to offer that to me and I'll take it any day of the week.

Playing professional sports for "a few months a year" is not some trivial or whimsical thing. The mental and physical stresses are something we sports laypeople can never imagine or approximate. Further the window of opportunity for moneymaking is extremely short because of these stresses. If you believe what she does is not work then you've never really seen what these people go through just to get on the court every day. Their after sports life rarely approaches the highs of that life, and most are ill prepared educationally and emotionally to pursue meaningful careers afterwards. Many of us who work at a "regular" job make as much or more than these sports figures over the course of our long working careers, since most sports figures are retired before 30. If you look at the incomes of other WNBA superstars, and EDD is one of them, their incomes far exceed hers. In fact, it may be a fortune to you and I, but among other superstars in sports, it ain't.

No my conceit is not criticism of EDD. Far from it. I admire her doing something as difficult as sport for so many years (since she was 6--7--9?). I don't know how many stories I've read of sports figures who have said they never really had a passion for the sport. That indeed they did it for the money and occasionally for the camaraderie. Most sports figures retire because of injury. Many of those who retire early do so because of their lack or loss of passion for the sport. I admire them because of it, but I remain puzzled as to how they could do it for so long. Sports is different from regular jobs. You are literally putting your life and health on the line every time you step on court. Indeed, every time you step into the gym for personal workouts, the weight room etc. You are your product. The day starts early and ends late. Your commitment has to be very high for a long period of years, and I admit, how someone could be so committed without passion for so long is beyond my ken.

EDD has a varied and fulfilling life outside of sport. If sport fulfills her professional ideals, good on her. I've always been of the belief however, rightly or wrongly, that people are happiest when doing things they are most happy doing. At this time in her life, she may be doing all of things that puts her in perfect balance, and that balance may be her passion. Good for her. Then I say whatever I feel just doesn't apply.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Another person, another story, showing different idiosyncrasies within the human condition.

So she's a 6'5" female athlete - when she was 12 years old I'm certain she was encouraged to play sports. And if you know something about her - besides her love for her sister - you know she may have been conflicted as a child/teenager in other areas that didn't make life easy. Life is never easy.

Look, cut her some slack. Like all of us: we're doing the best we can. Maybe some understand, probably most won't understand. Life is tough. Let her tough it out her way.

Good luck EDD.

She needs to stop talking about it publicly then!

 

[RogueDave]

Need to cut her a great deal of slack...My insight to share is it is the Chronic Lyme...It is kicking her ...

Hard to meet all the demands she faces when you are on that rollercoaster (Physical and Cognitive Impacts)...

Forces you to rethink trying to live up to everyone else's expectations as well as your own...You just are not able to do it on all levels all the time...

She must have really wanted to do those books and I bet it took a lot longer and required a lot more support to accomplish than she ever imagined...

She is my favorite athlete because of her battle with Lyme...

She cares about her teammates and does not want to disappoint them...It just is not always possible...for a variety of reasons...

 

[socal613ws]

Need to cut her a great deal of slack...My insight to share is it is the Chronic Lyme...It is kicking her ...

Hard to meet all the demands she faces when you are on that rollercoaster (Physical and Cognitive Impacts)...

Forces you to rethink trying to live up to everyone else's expectations as well as your own...You just are not able to do it on all levels all the time...

She must have really wanted to do those books and I bet it took a lot longer and required a lot more support to accomplish than she ever imagined...

She is my favorite athlete because of her battle with Lyme...

She cares about her teammates and does not want to disappoint them...It just is not always possible...for a variety of reasons...

Idk seems odd to me that she wanted to leave when the 1st 3 years she was with the sky they looked like they were building something special. Obviously the sky fell apart after Fowles demanded a trade and then they fired Chapman the hc.

 

[CocoHusky]

I have never seen such recurring interest in a non-UCONN !

Candace Parker?

 

[Monte]

Candace Parker?

Eh?.......1/2 dozen of one....

 

[dogged1]

I worked for 25 years taking care of the mentally and physically disabled. For 18 of those years I was wildly passionate and dedicated toward their welfare. I was also really, really good at it. I got up at 2:30 am every morning, left the house at 3 am, and loved every second of it. In year 19 I was cheated out of my position and sent back a grade to my former position. I was miserable, resentful and bitter for the final 6 years, and I worked without any spark or passion. It didn't help that my 4 hours a day transit never changed. It took a toll on me, a physical toll for which I am still paying. I wouldn't wish that one anyone, especially EDD.

I look back now and see my feelings and responses at that time as all just a monumental waste of negativity. I should have left. I'd have been far happier and healthier. No, I don't want her furniture. I'd wish for her to sell the house, well crafted furniture and all, and get a new place that's a better fit for her.

JordyG, as the father of a mentally disabled person, allow me to thank you for your service. It is an extremely difficult job, that can be most rewarding and frustrating at the same time. Shame on your boss for playing politics in that environment.

 

[JordyG]

JordyG, as the father of a mentally disabled person, allow me to thank you for your service. It is an extremely difficult job, that can be most rewarding and frustrating at the same time. Shame on your boss for playing politics in that environment.

Thanks. As I said though, the true onus was on me for allowing it to affect my work and the relationship I had with so many.

I worked all those years with the most difficult of populations: Those who were dual diagnosed, the most violent, and self abusive. Many were remanded by the courts, and as a consequence were not, nor most likely would ever be placed into the community. They ran the spectrum from profound to borderline, male and female. For years I worked on units where both male and female, sexually active and sexually unaware, passive and violent, non-verbal and verbal, were on the same floor, in the same rooms. Frankly, I saw and dealt with behaviors and physical afflictions some people can only imagine seeing, and trust me, I saw just about all of them.

As my age gravitated toward 60 it became impossible to physically handle guys who where transitioning into the DC where I worked. They were gradually getting younger and larger, some as big as 6'5". I started out in terrific physical condition. I was small, but I had arms and legs like tree trunks. By the age of 60 I lived on past reputation and a commanding tone of voice. I knew that wasn't going to continue. When politics played its hand my mantra became 25 and out. The last 6 years were agony, but I'm here and thriving.

 

[dogged1]

Thanks. As I said though, the true onus was on me for allowing it to affect my work and the relationship I had with so many.

I worked all those years with the most difficult of populations: Those who were dual diagnosed, the most violent, and self abusive. Many were remanded by the courts, and as a consequence were not, nor most likely would ever be placed into the community. They ran the spectrum from profound to borderline, male and female. For years I worked on units where both male and female, sexually active and sexually unaware, passive and violent, non-verbal and verbal, were on the same floor, in the same rooms. Frankly, I saw and dealt with behaviors and physical afflictions some people can only imagine seeing, and trust me, I saw just about all of them.

As my age gravitated toward 60 it became impossible to physically handle guys who where transitioning into the DC where I worked. They were gradually getting younger and larger, some as big as 6'5". I started out in terrific physical condition. I was small, but I had arms and legs like tree trunks. By the age of 60 I lived on past reputation and a commanding tone of voice. I knew that wasn't going to continue. When politics played its hand my mantra became 25 and out. The last 6 years were agony, but I'm here and thriving.

Perspective is everything, while my sons problems, MR and autism are debilitating, he is relatively speaking, a social person. I could see myself working with a community of similarly disabled people. I could not imagine a career in the range that you worked in. Amazing.

 

[JordyG]

Perspective is everything, while my sons problems, MR and autism are debilitating, he is relatively speaking, a social person. I could see myself working with a community of similarly disabled people. I could not imagine a career in the range that you worked in. Amazing.

Indeed your sons problems are debilitating. Yet all of us are disabled in some manner. It always depends on the support systems surrounding us. You're a lucky man. You have a healthy, active, wonderful son. He's a lucky man. He has a caring, giving parent(s) who don't view his issues as an affliction but an avenue. It won't always be a boulevard of green lights, but all of you will get there.

 

[Bronx23]

JordyG, I want to commend you on your life's work, and as importantly realizing how your anger and frustrations with what happened wasn't good for you. While obviously it took you awhile to come to that understanding and maybe even reluctant acceptance, you now have.
From someone who worked in the field of those with disabilities (and yes we all have them in some form or another), you worked with an extremely difficult population that at least then and there, not only wasn't fair to you, also wasn't fair to the clients with how they were grouped. You have my admiration!
Dogged1 your life raising a child with his disabilities presents many additional challenges than are faced by every caring, loving parent. It also provides a joy and hopefulness when you see what that child not only accomplishes, but brings to your family. As said before much of it is in ones perspective. From the little you've said here, you've done and are doing what every parent strives for regarding their children. Kudo's!!!
I worked from graduate school on with disabled people and their families in a wide variety of settings and with those from minimal handicaps to those extremely profound. Other than my family, it was the joy of my life. I have many memories of my work and specific individuals but one that stands out, I will try and describe. In my second post graduate position, I was hired to provide the full range of social work services to the residents of an apartment building of disabled and aged people.All of these people lived in their own apartments with whatever support services they were entitled to or able to receive. The woman who was hired as my secretary lived in the building and was in a motorized wheelchair with only limited use of one hand, the result of polio as a child. She had already raised a few of her own, healthy, adult children and now except for an aide a few times a week who would help with bathing and other personal care, she somehow did everything herself. Not only did she do it, she did it with a smile and joy on her face, almost all the time. So within the first few days of my arrival there. We had a small office, which I needed to use whenever I needed private space to meet with any of the clients. There was a large room outside of it that was a community room where people gathered regularly and we would have large group meetings or parties in. So they came to install a portable telephone which had to be put on a desk in a corner of the room and a three pronged jack had to be plugged into the jack attached to the wall there. The first time she went to move it, and get it hooked up , she wheeled herself over pushed the old fashioned rotary table style phone onto her lap, motored over to the spot and pushed the phone onto that desk and tried repeatedly tried to fit the prongs into their slots,so the phone would be operative. It took her 15-20 minutes and I quietly watched, not offering help, because she didn't ask for help and I knew how independent she was. At some point later on, in private, I asked her if it was worth all that time and serious effort to do what she did. Her answer taught be so very much. She said if I don't struggle to do that or anything, I wouldn't have been able to raise three kids in my physical condition nor live alone now nor a thousand other things, which those of us not physically impaired do almost naturally in seconds or minutes. It's what led to and gave her her independence and life. The tough side of it for her is as she aged the energy she had to expend for so many things more exhausted her as she aged and maybe sometimes led to illnesses and health problems, but that was her life and her choices. I saw and see seemingly fully healthy people who for whatever reason and their own limitations accomplish and strive for so very little. Hmmm! Perspective is so, so important!
There are many other people and situations with totally different set of life circumstances and issues I had the great fortune of working with. I remind myself of it periodically, when I'm faced with my own personal struggles and issues.
Every one of us, can improve and do better at facing, coping, changing our own struggles, difficulties and issues . But also we need to learn to be able to SAVOR, those special moments, when we accomplish something meaningful. As if you are eating a dish of food you love and don't want to end, chew, smell and taste every last bite. Then go on to the next obstacle.
Thanks JordyG and dogged1 for reminding me!
All of this holds for something as relatively inconsequential as the U Conn Wbb program, which most if not all of us, love and admire! Each coach, player, parent or fan hopefully can get something from each other.
Bronx23

 

[dogged1]

JordyG, I want to commend you on your life's work, and as importantly realizing how your anger and frustrations with what happened wasn't good for you. While obviously it took you awhile to come to that understanding and maybe even reluctant acceptance, you now have.
From someone who worked in the field of those with disabilities (and yes we all have them in some form or another), you worked with an extremely difficult population that at least then and there, not only wasn't fair to you, also wasn't fair to the clients with how they were grouped. You have my admiration!
Dogged1 your life raising a child with his disabilities presents many additional challenges than are faced by every caring, loving parent. It also provides a joy and hopefulness when you see what that child not only accomplishes, but brings to your family. As said before much of it is in ones perspective. From the little you've said here, you've done and are doing what every parent strives for regarding their children. Kudo's!!!
I worked from graduate school on with disabled people and their families in a wide variety of settings and with those from minimal handicaps to those extremely profound. Other than my family, it was the joy of my life. I have many memories of my work and specific individuals but one that stands out, I will try and describe. In my second post graduate position, I was hired to provide the full range of social work services to the residents of an apartment building of disabled and aged people.All of these people lived in their own apartments with whatever support services they were entitled to or able to receive. The woman who was hired as my secretary lived in the building and was in a motorized wheelchair with only limited use of one hand, the result of polio as a child. She had already raised a few of her own, healthy, adult children and now except for an aide a few times a week who would help with bathing and other personal care, she somehow did everything herself. Not only did she do it, she did it with a smile and joy on her face, almost all the time. So within the first few days of my arrival there. We had a small office, which I needed to use whenever I needed private space to meet with any of the clients. There was a large room outside of it that was a community room where people gathered regularly and we would have large group meetings or parties in. So they came to install a portable telephone which had to be put on a desk in a corner of the room and a three pronged jack had to be plugged into the jack attached to the wall there. The first time she went to move it, and get it hooked up , she wheeled herself over pushed the old fashioned rotary table style phone onto her lap, motored over to the spot and pushed the phone onto that desk and tried repeatedly tried to fit the prongs into their slots,so the phone would be operative. It took her 15-20 minutes and I quietly watched, not offering help, because she didn't ask for help and I knew how independent she was. At some point later on, in private, I asked her if it was worth all that time and serious effort to do what she did. Her answer taught be so very much. She said if I don't struggle to do that or anything, I wouldn't have been able to raise three kids in my physical condition nor live alone now nor a thousand other things, which those of us not physically impaired do almost naturally in seconds or minutes. It's what led to and gave her her independence and life. The tough side of it for her is as she aged the energy she had to expend for so many things more exhausted her as she aged and maybe sometimes led to illnesses and health problems, but that was her life and her choices. I saw and see seemingly fully healthy people who for whatever reason and their own limitations accomplish and strive for so very little. Hmmm! Perspective is so, so important!
There are many other people and situations with totally different set of life circumstances and issues I had the great fortune of working with. I remind myself of it periodically, when I'm faced with my own personal struggles and issues.
Every one of us, can improve and do better at facing, coping, changing our own struggles, difficulties and issues . But also we need to learn to be able to SAVOR, those special moments, when we accomplish something meaningful. As if you are eating a dish of food you love and don't want to end, chew, smell and taste every last bite. Then go on to the next obstacle.
Thanks JordyG and dogged1 for reminding me!
All of this holds for something as relatively inconsequential as the U Conn Wbb program, which most if not all of us, love and admire! Each coach, player, parent or fan hopefully can get something from each other.
Bronx23

And Kudos to you too, Bronx23. An inspiring, uplifting story. Thank You.