I’ll just take the time to recap parts of summer. I went to summer school to make graduation requirements just in case. Its crazy to think i was going to be a senior at that time. I also went to STEP at Junior Blind of America and met some life long friends.

Those were some highlights of my summer, and my brohter had an eye doctor’s appointment before the school year started. Luckily while I was there, Dr.Terry Cole felt the need to check me really quickly as well just in case of some possible improveements. And eh felt that I needed glasses…

And in another further post later on this week maybe, I’l inform you all of my experiences with wearing glasses and everything.

There’s just so much I want to tell you guys, but yet so little time!

Sunday, April 4, 2010 might seem like an ordinary day to soemone, but to me and my family that was an important day in my life. It was Easter, and my dad and I took the step to get baptized. We were both baptized at Northside Christian Church on Easter Sunday. It was wonderful!!!

I’ve been going to church for about the last 6 years and have grown a lot in my faith these last few years. At first, I was all into it when my mom decided to take us to church. I was just willing to go, and tried to listen to whatever they told me. In the beginning, it didn’t really make sense to me…

Then when I was in the 8th grade, I decided to volunteer for our Children’s Ministry in the Nursury/Toddler Room. I started out by volunteering their once  a month, then twice a month…eventually became once a week or more. I develped a love for those children I cared for each week, and learned a lot from them as well. Through that experience, I develped a geater love for God. I met a lot of people who volunteered there and had a strong faith. It made me think about everythign in my life…\

Even though my faith had started to develp them, that still wasn’t enough. I just needed more. I knew in my heart I didn’t believe and trust God with all my heart. So, it was summer before my Freshman year in high school…I was going to go to a brand new school with all of my old friends, Clovis North High School. And I took a step up and decided to join the high school youth group at our church. I didn’t know anyone at first, but that didn’t stop me exactly. I was determined to meet people and learn more about God, and of course I did. I just wasn’t feeling the whole youth group idea. But after awhile my attention caught on. And I loved going to church! i looked forward to go to church and volunteer, going to youth group afterwards, and on Wed. night youth group. And once a week I’d have a small group with a bunch of girls my age. It was always super fun!!!

At this pint, life was pretty good actually. And then middle of spring semester of my sophomore year I found out about BeikeBioTech and the wonders that stem cells may do for me and my family. i took that leap of faith and decided to go, even though it was somewhat of a struggle convincing people that this was the best thing for me at this point in my life. I knew in my heart I wanted to go no matter what happens, and knew it woudl be a good idea. I prayed about it all the time. And I had everyone I knew praying for me. God does wonderful things, when you have the power of prayer.

I learned a lot while I was in China. I learn a lot about God and myself as well. There was many families who were in China to try to get a better quaility fo life for their lvoed ones, and had a purpose. Most of them were Christian, and taught me a lot just by listening to what they had to say on a daily basis. Being a foreign country definitely changed my perspectiv eon thigns. Each day I woudl pray about anythign and everything. I don’t think I’ve prayed so much until I was there. I prayed every chance I could sometimes. I prayed in the morning, before each meal, before each treatment, during the day, and of course before I went to bed. It was nice, because I was also given the oppurtunity to pray with my mom. It just made our prayer twice as strong. I learned how much I had and shoudl be greatful for so much in the world. And to trust God to keep me safe whiel in Chian. I can just go on and on about all the amazing things God has done in my life while being in China.

Not only that, but I came back to the US after a month. I was able to connect with many people affected with LHON and learned about their sufferings and stories. I didn’t realize how much easier I have it than so many others. I became really close with some of th epeople I was able to come in contact, which I am blessed I know. I also learned that many who had LHON were also strong believers of God in one way or another.

And even things have been hard with my family, friends, school, etc. I still believed in God and prayed to him all the time. If ever something bothered me, I wrote it down in a journal, or prayed about it. It didn’t matter when or where I was. I always found the time to pray about anything and everything.

Anways, basically I’ve gone through a lot in the past 6 years that I can even beginning to go into too much depth about. This was just the jist of my lfie in a nut shell. Through all of these good and bad times, I felt a closer connection to God and felt the urge and desire to get baptized.

So, on Easter Sunday in front of the entire congragation, I got baptized by my high school pastor, Pastor John Richardson! It was a moment I’ll probaly never forget.

God is good!!!

Well, at this point, I probaly won’t see too much of an improvement, since this is when doctors said I’d probaly seeing improvements, because the stem cells are now fully matured. But I’ll still never stop hoping that my vision will get better as the days go on. There’s a lot of hope that goes through the power of prayer.

People have started to realize that my vision will probaly stop improving at this point, and have taken the time to ask me how I’ve been doing and what my vision is like. I still haven’t made an appointment to visit a doctor, but I plan to sometme in the next few months. I am as eager as anyone to know what my acuity is now and how well my vision has been since I last went to the doctor.

For myself, I think my vision has been alright. I think it can definitely be better though. But I’ll probaly always say that until I can do all the things I want to do in life. I know and understand that I should be happy with whatever improvements I have, and don’t get me wrong…I am so happy I took the chance to go to China and be the first patient with LHON to take that risk. And I’m happy I saw some sort of improvement, so I can be here to tell my story to other people now. I believe there was both a good and bad of goign to China. And I don’t regret any of it what so ever.

In school I’ve been lucky enough not to use Braille anymore. I still know how to read in Braille of course, but I won’t need it to read all my materials like I previously did. I am fully capable of reading in Large Print, and depending what it si already, I am able to use the regualr copy. Also, on lined paper, I am able to write straighter on the lines, because my vision is more focused on what I’m doing. And people who have been used to seeing my handwritign before have noticed that I write a lot bigger. I sued to write so small that no one was able to read my handwriting. And now that I was able to see better, I write so that I myself is able to read it. And teachers who are very observant or know me pretty well have even noticed the fact that my vision is somewhat better or I do things slightly diffferent. It’s wonderful to know that other people notice these slight and suttle things without me even mentioning it to them.

At home, I ue the computer on a regular basis of course. And I sometiems still have to use my supernova, but thats not a big deal too much. I have come from usign it at a 2.7x to a 1.5x. It might not seem like a big difference at all, but if you were to see the magnification difference, you’d be surprised. It’s amazing…!

It’s interesting when I always notice a suttle improvement or difference in my vision that I didn’t notice before. Hmm…little things would be like being able to read a sign while walking around the block, being able to see the traffic lights, walking down stairs more confidently and quickly. These small things might not seem like a big deal to many, but many also don’t know what visually impaired people have to go through on a daily basis. Anythign that can make one’s quality life better is always a plus.

I still want my vision to be even better. Sometiems I think about it, and it sounds selfish of me, but I just can’t stop thinking how differently lfie would be if my vision was better. I know and understand that it will never be like it sued to be, but still…it never hurts to hope.

For now, I shoudl be blessed with the vision I have. God has constantly been challenging me in my life, and using me in more ways than I can imagaine. I shoudl just live in the moment, and not worry too much about the future.

So, its kinda exciting for me to take these tests now though. It’s not like they’re really that much fun or anything, but instead I get to take them in alrge print, and am actually able to bubble them in on a scantron myself, but I have to use a CCTV for that though. Regardless, its still a lot of fun knowing how far I have come in the past year. I remember taking standardized tests, and having to use Braille, Audio, Large Print, and what not. It was super exhausting, and now its just large print. It’s so much easier and simplier. I’m hoping this could make a difference in my scores in the end. I’ll defininitely let everyone know in the end how it all turns out for me.

Besides all of that crazienss, I have to start thinking of what I want to do with my life. LoL I don’t even know what I’m going to do tomorrow, nevertheless in the future. Bu i have started to look into possible colleges that I can be looking at and applyin gto next semester. It’s different, since I should consider the tpe of programs they offer for one who is visually impaired Lucily, I won’t need as manyaccommadations as before, so it shouldn’t be as bad, but still somethng to lookinto though.

And for all my tests, I’ve still been using just large print. And for quizzes in math, I’ve gotten really good at doing those in regular print. It’s not as hard, since there isn’t as much to read and stuff. I’ve also gotten better at reading more fluently with my vision, and stuff. I’m happy with the improvements I’ve gotten so far. And for sure looking forward to next doctors appointment I have, and see what they tell me. At this point in time, I have no idea when that’ll be though.

Hope everyone is doing well! I appreciate all the emails that eople have been ending me. I’m so glad to kno that you gys care.Emal me f you jsut want to say hi, have a quetion, or anything else.

So, our school is brand new, and we don’t have any seniors at the moment. Our class is the oldest class on campus, and we’ll be the first graduating class of our school. It’s so exciting!

And for our mock trial team, it has been our second year of competition. We worked hard, and stuck together no matter what happened. We quickly became a mock trial family, and know we can count on each other for practically anything. For our second year, we were able to beat the 9 year winning high school, and that easily led us to winning county. So, we were Fresno County champions. That was quite an accomplishment, and everyone was very impressed. That definitely wasn’t the end; we went to San Jose on March 19-March 21 for the state final competition. The competition there was super competitive, and definitely something we weren’t sued to, but we gave it our all. And not once did we ever give up! Overally, we ended up getting 16th palce out of 35 schools. So, it wasn’t too bad for being a new team and a new school. In the next year to come, we’ll definitely get better, and who knows what can happen from there! I’m proud to be on such a committed team.

I have definitely learned a lot from being on the mock trial team this year. I realized how quickly I was able to memorize things, write easily on paper, and large print easier and quicker. so, I learned things about myself and my ever changing vision through this experience. It has absolutely been worht th etime, effort, and what not.

Everyone on the team is special to me in a way, and glad they have been here for me all through my junior year. And I look forward to spending my senior year on the team as well!

It’s crazy that my last post was about the beginning of the semester, and now we’re half way through spring semester. It just shows how quickly tiem just flies by. Before I know it, I’ll be a senior in high school, and off to college somewhere.

I’ve seen some improvements here and there. I’ll probaly be able to tell a good story here and there, but will end up posting them as a different post, so this one doesn’t get too long. You guys all know how I am once I get to writing or talking. it seems like I just can’t stop. LoL

In any case, I hope all is well and you guys have a wonderful spring. You guys will definitely be hearing more from me very soon. So stay tuned!

Not quite sure how my overall grades or GPA turned out, since I still need to talk to a few teachers and things here and there, but overall it shouldn’t be too terrible, but I know I can always do better next semester. No one is perfect after all, so there’s always room for improvements.

I’ve had a pretty long semester it seems like. So much has happened in my life in just so little time. These are times I’ll never forget thats for sure. Some highlights of the semester would have to be being back from China and seeing slight improvements each time I go to the eye doctor, being more involved in school, meeting new poeple diagnosed or effected with LHON in someway, my 16th birthday, friends and family who are always there for me, knowing those who went to China and came back with improvements, and so much more. Seems like the list can just go on forever and ever.

And no one understand who awesome this past year has been so far! Just glad finals are over. They always put so much stress on students and a bit overwhelming. It’s just somehting we have to do, and never ends until we graduate college. So, I’ll get used to it, which I pretty much am by now.

Anywyas, I have a lot to look forward to this semester as well. Hmm…Our family might consider taking my brother to Chian as well to do the stem cell treatment since I went last summer and saw good improvements. But everything is still up in the air right now, because of so many things. And if he goes, I so want to go and see everyone in Qingdao. I miss everyone there! And if you keep up with my blog, that’s awesome,a nd hope you guys are all doing well. Even through you busy schedules, its nice to recieve an email from you here and there. I love hearing from all of you guys!

This semester I’ll have to work harder than ever to finish my Junior year strong.! Colleges will definitely look at how well I’m doing in school, so I can’t slack off now. Not like I’ll ever do that anywyas. I always try to keep as postive and modivated as possible to do well. If someone tells me I can’t do something, then I’ll try to do it anyways. I’ll also have to be on a lookout ofr what college I might consider going to after I graudate. It’s scary to think that I apply in less than a year for colleges. I don’t even know what I want to do with my life. LoL Not sure exactly what college I want to go to, but I do know that I want to major in psychology and maybe minor in child develpment. I think it will be super fun, because those are both things that I love with all my heart. I know I’ll do good. poeple say I work well with kids and am also a good listener. So, if you ever need anyone to talk to, you know I’ll always be here.

I also have SATs and ACTs to get ready for. That’s intense…so much pressure on these tests these days. It’s so nerve wrecking to do so well. It would be terrible to have a bad day and do poorly, but I think I’ll do fine if I just do some studying here and there. I’m not too worried about it now, but when the time gets closer I might start freaking out.

And there’s always prom this year! Woot for junior prom! LoL Not sure if I’ll be asked, or even if I’ll go, but its something to look forward to in the near future. And I so want to go, but we’ll see what happens. I wouldn’t even mind if I just went with a bunch of my friends and just had an amazingly awesome time. I think its fun just to do something to end the year. So, we’ll see life takes me by the time it gets closer to prom.

Wow, I still can’t get over how much has happened in so little time. Things just keep happening and I just can’t keep up with all this excitement it seems like.

Ok. well since finals are over and all that pressure is off. I’ll be sure to update every once in awhile regarding my schooling, grades, tests, family, friends, improvements in vision for sure, and anything else that seems to happen to me these days.

Hope everyone started out the year beautifully!

-Michell

There is so much for everyone to look forward to in life. No matter what happens just try to make the best of things. Fall semester of my junior year is quickly coming to an end, and I’ll have to be ready for spring semester. Time is just passing so fast, sometimes I don’t know what to do, but I just have tjo go with the flow. That’s all we can do.

Haha it’s so crazy, but I realized in a year in a half I graduate from high school. That’s  a scary thought if you ask me, but super exciting at the same tiem. We’ll see what happens when the time is closer, but for now I have so much living to do!

Anyways, I know all of you guys are super anxious to know how I’m doing. So, just to start the year off right, I’m doing fantastic. Life is good. I will learn to love to live, and definitely live to love!!! My winter break is coming to an end, and its been a good couple of weeks I’ve been able to relax and just spend time with the family. All the stress, worries, uncertainity, or anything else that may have been going in my life just took a pause in my life. I used this break to do whatever and enjoy time off from school, and what ever else I wanted. It’s been really enjoyable actually. Now, I can’t say I want tjo go back to school, cause who would actually say that, but I’m definitely ready. I’m going to start this new year and decade as strong as I possibly can. I’m not going to let anyone stop me or bring me down, because I’m too stubborn and determined to let that happen to me. LoL

And for my vision, its been pretty stable. There hasn’t been anything that I’ve noticed that was too outa the ordinary. I do practice reading things in large print, and regular print if I can. I do get tired of reading sometiems, but then I just take a nap and I’m ready to go again. I still haven’t sued Braille yet, which is a good thing. I used to rely on Braille in a way. That used to be my prefered method of reading for textbooks and other school materials, and now I don’t even consider it as an option! Also, as I’m typing this for all of you eager people…I’m not using any type of magnification as I’m writing this. I’ve been having some strange problem with my Supernova on my laptop actually. It’s on a USB, and its a new version and all, but used to go to a smaller font li

I had a nice Christmas with family…those that were here that is. And it did seem a bit different this year but nonetheless it was still a good Christmas. I always enjoy spending time with the people I love.

Oh, and to those who have recently gone to China, or may still be there….Hope you guys see AMAZING  results in the year to come. This 2010 will probaly be awesome for everyone. No matter what comes out of these stem cells for you, I know you’ll see some kinda improvement. I pray for each and everyone of you all the time. Either way, I know you have been a blessing in my life, and have definitely made a difference in others. It may seem tough now, but I do know that it does get better.

Let me know how everyone is doing with your improvements, about life, or just anythign in general. I just love hearing from you guys once in awhile.

Have an awesome rest of the holiday season!!!

I remember the translators and especially Dr.Tony always telling me that in order for these stem cells to work  to keep a positive attitude, stay happy, and try to be stresfree and carefree. Many people might think that might be iculus, but when I first heard about that I honestly thought it jwould be a piece of cake. Like how hard could it be…I’m usually optimistic, always smiling, and hardly ever let anything bother me. Little did I know…it’s ALOT harder than I thought.

This whole semester was definitely not how I ever imagined it owuld be. Everything has been extremely difficult for me physically, emotionally, and mentally. It’s like sometimes I don’t even know waht to do anymore. Not sure who to turn to, what to do next, it’s like I’m lost in this changing world and I don’t know what to do.

Before I thought I had energy as if I was the energizer bunny or something, and now…I’m super tired all the time. This could be a normal teenage thing you might say, but I don’t think so. I useed to survive with 3-6 hours of sleep and it would be no big deal. Currently, I sleep 7-10 hoursa night, but yet I still ge etremely tired thorughout the day. Lack of energy is what I have…and it makes me feel horrible. Also, during the begining of the semester, I cme home everday when I didn’t have to stay after school for some sort of practice and jwould pass out in my room or on the couch even for that matter. Now,I just dont have the time to take naps, so I will attempt to sleep earlier and thats just not working. It does help to keep myself busy though in shcool, but latley it seems as though I’m not modivated enough to do certain things. I still believe things will get better…Just not sure how soon that will be. Either way, I’m sure this is what God wants for me, and will have to learn to manage…

It seems like my emotions have been an ever changing rollar coaster these days. And for those who knw me, and had the chance to know me, I was definitely not like this before. This change is so hard for me, and it seems like no one is there to understand that. One minute I will over joyed with happiness, and the next I’m like depressed and cry my eyes out it seems like. It’s like this bipolar reaction I have to certain things. I wonder why these things are happening, but I guess it’ll be a mystery to us all. I must admit, the hardest thing about being so emotional has to be that I’m one to not show my emotions towards others. Therefore, I usually just keep quiet when somethings bothering me or just try to be happy, which I’ve learned to get really good at. This happens to me most when I’m at school, church, hanging with frineds, and even family…but mainly anywhere out int he public. It’s not something I particular like to do, but I’ve been doing it my whole life practically…So, now it feels like I have to be one tjo hide my emotions and always be brave and try to be happy. It’s hard, but I don’t know what else to do. I don’t anyone understand what I’m going through, how I feel, or how hard I have to try sometimes. I just want to be like I was before. I was always so happy, optimistic, and always believed int he best. I was always such a high achiever as well. And now, I won’t say I’m not that person, but thigns has definitely changed. But then again, life does have its ups and downs. I guess I’m at a down moment in life…again.

Now, I’m mentally exhausted of everything I’ve done and it brings on a lot of stress. I’m involved in many things, and they all take commitment, but I’m used to that. Now, I’m not sure if I can handle all that. I want to prove myself and everyone else who say I cannot do it, that they’re wrong. Currently, I’m in debate, mock trial, youth group, piano, volunteer work, key club, asian club, peer counseling, and the list goes on and on it seems like. But on top of all that, I need to focus on keeping up my grades. At first, that didn’t seem like a challenge at all. Life was good, teachers were really cooperative, and all worked out. And then I don’t even know what happened, but teachers didn’t listen when I needed certain accomadations. Others didn’t understand how to teacher one with a visual impairment. I try being patient with them, and now its towards the end of the semester, and my parents are definitely not happy with how things are looking, but neither am I. I strongly believe with my determination and stubborness I can get my grades up where they’re supposed to be by the end of the semester. I’ve done it before, and I can definitley do it again. If I really want something that badly, I can do anything!

The only prblem with all that is that I’ve loss modivation on certain things. I wouldn’t exactly say that I’ve given up, because I would never do such a thing, but I am definitely unsure of many things in life though. Before, I used to be so sure of things. I knew what I wanted and what ot aim for in life…all that has changed. The only thing I know that is I want my vision back more than anything…

No one understands what its liek to live with a vision loss, unless you’ve actually been there yourself. There are people in life who make it seem easy and ok, but its really not. I know many friends, family, and others believe I make it seem so easy for me to live with a visual disability, but still can be so outgoing, social, semi-successful, and faithful to the Lord. But I honestly do try to make it seem that way, because I do not want anyone feeling sorry for me, or anything like that. I will admit it is super hard sometimes though, and no one will ever understand the challenges and hurdle sI’ve had to go thorugh for the past 6 years. \

This is the time of my life where I should be getting my permit, if not my driver’s license my now. And look at me now, relying on my dad to drive from place to place and if he’s buys hoping someone else can take me, if I’m lucky. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate everything everyone has done for me, especially my parents, since I completely understand this is probaly hard for them as well. But its so hard to hear all my friends talking about getting their permit or license, or even getting a car as a gift…

It’s like I don’t even have the independence to drive myself places. I don’t mind others taking me, but its not as convient I think. Somehow, I feel as though its holding me back from life. For example, there are times I want to go somewhere, and my parents don’t want to go. Therefore, that leaves us here at home, when I could of just driven myself. And now its not even an option at the moment. Sometimes, it seems like others have their lives so much better than me. But I know I know…everyone has their own sufferings and problems, but some aren’t as visible as others. These sufferings and hard times is what makes us a stronger person. I do believe thats true, and think of it often.

And it kinda bugs me sometiems when so many asks for electronic items or materialistic things for Christmas, when there’s so many other thigns we could be asking for. I’m not saying its bad to have materialistic things, because I myself have done the same. But I’ve been thinking a lot about families who don’t have enough, soldiers who can’t be home with their families, and suffering all over the world. Honestly, this year all I want is happiness, love, support, and most of all the estoration f myvision. I dnt think  can ask for anthing more. There is anything that can replace my health, love,a nd happiness. And support plays a keyfactor as well, because I want to know and feel that what I’m doing is the right thing…

Sorry, if this was an extrmely long post today. I guess since I haven’t posted in awhile I had a lot to say. But I think I just wanted to vent and let everything out that was bother me. Even though it might not be everything, it does make me feel better. Also, I wanted everyone to know as happy as I am, I also have my ups and downs. I do get confused and ually unse.So, its normal if you are feeling depressed, uncertain, or just have a rollar coaster of emotions. That’s the way life is.

Remember, if life gives you a lemon, make lemonade. And if you never heard that before, it t means if life throughs you a situation, just try to make the best of it.

I’ll try to update more when I can. Now, that I’m break for th eholidays, I mihgt have a couple more things to blog abou bereI go back to school. I’m sorta looking forward for two weeks off to ut take it easyand see how life treats me.

Take Care