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by Kate Adamson
Many of you have heard me mention Cindy, who has been training for an upcoming marathon in Arizona next year.
Cindy, like me, is a stroke survivor. She had four strokes at the age of 40!
While participating in a "Train to End Stroke" marathon in Kona, Hawaii, for the American Stroke Association, another stroke survivor, Ray, and his wife, Gina, suggested that Cindy read my book, "Kate’s Journey." She found my journey remarkable in its similarities to her journey. In fact, she related so well, she felt inspired to spread the message of hope and encouragement to others.Until she read the book, Cindy had kept silent about her strokes. Physically, she appeared normal; her disabilities were hidden and she kept them hidden. After reading "Kate’s Journey," she decided to speak out. Cindy is bringing about general awareness regarding strokes as well as letting other survivors know that what they are feeling is totally normal. Once feeling ashamed and embarrassed, Cindy now speaks about being a stroke survivor. She says it has been the greatest gift she could have given herself and others. Stepping out in faith, she sat down and typed me an e-mail thinking she would never hear back. Thus began our friendship.
Isn’t it great that Cindy is willing to speak out? We need her voice of encouragement because every one of us is paralyzed from time to time, sometimes in ways that keep us from living the life we want to lead.
If you have overcome your paralysis, share it with me and others. When you lose your ability to perform some small task and eventually gain your life back little by little, these are the moments you truly feel grateful. Life is precious. Let people know how you feel. Reach out and ask for help and make the most of the resources that are available to you. Cindy didn’t remain paralyzed by the fear that was stopping her from moving forward. Recently she got her driver’s license back after nine years, something many of you reading this take for granted.
There were a couple of recent highlights for Cindy during her recent visit to my home. One was meeting with the local “Train to End Stroke” team. She ran with the team and will be seeing them in Arizona next year – that was a big deal. The second highlight was helping yours truly in the kitchen! That may not seem like a big deal, but when you are coming back from paralysis ANYTHING you can do that “normal” people can do is a big deal.
Cindy introduced me to recipes from the crock-pot to casseroles and yummy baking. Boy, did we have fun with that, not to mention my family ate well this past week. She had forgotten the section in my book where it mentions that I don’t cook. She sure had a difficult time finding a pot in my kitchen! Unbeknownst to me, cooking is her favorite hobby. Something should have clued me in when Cindy handed me three beautiful cookbooks as she landed in Los Angeles.
“Can you cook?” is certainly a frequent question asked at booksignings. Well ... here’s the proof. It’s Kate in the kitchen!
This was an experience for us both. We baked and enjoyed a fabulous pumpkin cake. In fact, why don’t YOU try Cindy’s pumpkin cake recipe this season? Here is her recipe.
Pennsylvania Pumpkin Bread
3 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 can 16 oz pumpkin
3 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon allspice
2/3 cup water
1 cup chopped walnuts
Place sugar, oil and eggs in bowl. Beat with mixer for 30 seconds. Stop and scrape bowl. Beat a further 10 seconds. Add pumpkin, flour, baking powder and soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. Mix 30 seconds at low speed. Add water and walnuts. Mix on low speed for 20 seconds or until all ingredients are combined.
Pour batter into two greased and floured loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes removing from pans onto a cooling rack.
(My favorite way to eat a slice of pumpkin bread is with some vanilla yogurt on top. Maybe that’s a New Zealand thing!)
As you can see ... Cindy and Kate take to the kitchen! Meanwhile picture this ... here’s Cindy, with blindness in one eye, a missing "pinky" finger along with weakness in her hand. Then there is me with no use of my left arm trying to steady the bowl while mixing. It was quite the scene as 12-year-old camera girl Stephanie stood behind the lens. Okay, so you have proof of me in the kitchen that where one of us can’t always do something alone – two of us can together!
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2002-2004 Kate Adamson 409 N. Pacific Coast Highway PMB #415 Redondo Beach, CA 90277 1-800-641-KATE 1-800-641-5283 Toll Free (310) 546-8142 Fax kate@katesjourney.com |