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A Girl's First Christmas

The woodle

By Saralee Perel

Thirty-four years ago, a young girl made Christmas cookies for the very first time in her life. All of the cookies came out of the oven looking beautiful . . . except for one.

As she picked up the misfit cookie to put it in the trash, she suddenly stopped and looked at it closely in her hand. Something about throwing it away simply because it was misshapen didn't feel right to her. "Just because something is different," she thought, "doesn't mean it no longer belongs anywhere."

Perhaps she felt that way because of all the times she had been left out and made fun of. This happened at school, when team members were chosen. This happened at dance class when nobody wanted her as a partner. But it wouldn't be until years later, that she'd find herself with no sense of self-worth, because she was left out of what nearly everyone around her was living, and that was a "normal" life.

So the young girl kept the cookie. She even made up a word for it. She called it a woodle. With colorful paints, she gave it a face. This made it seem alive. The girl decided not to tell anyone about this new treasure. Late that night when the others were asleep, she sat by the light of an old oil lamp and wrote this story.

A Christmas Tale
There once was a lonely woodle,
sad as sad can be.
It knocked on doors, saying to all,
"Can you find a purpose for me?"

No one knew just what it was,
or whatever it was for.
The lonely woodle had nowhere to go so he wandered from door to door.

Christmas Eve was coming soon.
Oh what a lonely night.
The woodle would sit up all by himself because Santa was never in sight.

But this Christmas Eve,
he decided that he would not sit at home all alone.
And wrapped himself up in his woolens and gloves to set out to the street where he'd roam.

As usual folks would slam their doors saying, "I have no use for you."
So he'd brush off the snow and try again,
but others would slam their doors too.

Soon he was ready to give up all hope of finding a reason to be.
He walked down the street with his head hung low.
"I think it's all over for me."

Oddly enough he saw one more house.
On the door there were ribbons and pine.
There were little dog prints throughout the yard.
"I guess I'll try one more time."

From the chimney came smoke that smelled so good.
Through the window he saw a tree that sparkled and glowed with love and warmth.
"Oh, what a fine family!"

He peered in the window for a closer look.
This tree was a sight to behold!
It held cookies and candles and ribbons and balls and lights that glowed red,
green and gold.

It had popcorn and berries with presents below.
His eyes filled with tears just to gaze.
"Boy, would I like to be part of this home and be loved for the rest of my days."

His presence was recognized quickly.
A puppy had barked from inside.
The husband and wife came to the door.
"I wonder if I should go hide!"

But it was too late; he was spotted at last.
"Oh I know they'll have no place for me."
The woodle was taken into the home and brought forth for the family to see.

And then he was given a most special gift.
They gave him a reason to be.
For the husband and wife loved him so . . .
that they placed him on top of their tree.

The woodle card

This was written by me when I was 25 years old. I was celebrating the first Christmas of my life, in 1977. It was the year I married my Christian husband, Bob.

I presented the poem to him that Christmas Eve. Bob had not known about the misshapen cookie. When he had finished reading the poem, he was wordless -- touched from the beautiful sentiment. I didn't say a word either. Instead I pointed to the top of our tree, where just moments earlier, I had put the woodle.

For thirty-four Christmases, the woodle has had its special place on top of our Christmas tree, where it has certainly found a reason to be.

And now, nearly eight years after my SCI, so have I.

Though for many years, it seemed that, just like the woodle, doors were metaphorically slammed for me too. I was different from most others. I was judged by what I looked like on the outside, rather than what I am, on the inside. I had to find my special place, where I felt I belonged.

To me, a special message of the season is this: It is not just our duty; it is our privilege to make room at the inn. On the very first Christmas, one individual grew to help millions. By helping even one person in need, we never know what that person will accomplish, once given a chance to belong.

And of finding a reason to be.

Award-winning columnist/novelist, Saralee Perel, can be reached by email or via her website.

She also welcomes friends on Facebook. Please click "Like" on her Facebook Fan Page: 4 Footed Coach.

Her novel Raw Nerves is now available as an e-book. To take a look at it on Amazon, please click here.

The ArcThe Arc is the world’s largest community based organization of and for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It provides an array of services and support for families and individuals and includes over 140,000 members affiliated through more than 850 state and local chapters across the nation. The Arc is devoted to promoting and improving supports and services for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Alliance for Parent CentersThe Technical Assistance ALLIANCE for Parent Centers (the ALLIANCE) is an innovative partnership of one national and six regional parent technical assistance centers, each funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). These seven projects comprise a unified technical assistance system for the purpose of developing, assisting, and coordinating the over 100 Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) and Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The national and regional parent technical assistance centers work to strengthen the connections to the larger OSEP Technical Assistance and Dissemination Network and fortify partnerships between Parent Centers and education systems at local, state, and national levels.

Ability OnLineA computer friendship network where children and youth with disabilities or chronic illnesses connect to each other as well as to friends, family members, caregivers and supporters.

All Kids Can!A disabilities awareness program that helps students of all ages learn attitudes of acceptance, dignity and respect, especially toward those with disabilities.

A Reeve Foundation Fact Sheet on Adjustment to SCI (PDF)

A Reeve Foundation Fact Sheet on Aging with SCI (PDF)

A Reeve Foundation Fact Sheet on Children's and Teen Books (PDF)

A Reeve Foundation Fact Sheet on SCI Autobiogs or Biogs (PDF)

A Reeve Foundation Fact Sheet on SCI Chat Rooms (PDF)

A Reeve Foundation Fact Sheet on SCI Research (PDF)

A Reeve Foundation Fact Sheet on SCI Tutorial 101 (PDF)

A Reeve Foundation Fact Sheet on SCI Videos (PDF)

Arkansas Spinal Cord CommissionThe mission of the Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission is to administer a statewide program to identify and meet the unique and lifelong needs of people with spinal cord disabilities in the state.

Council for Exceptional ChildrenThe Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of individuals with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides professional development, advocates for individuals with exceptionalities, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice.

CareCure CommunityCareCure Community features a SpinalNurse bulletin board with informed comments on matters of the bowel, and all issues of paralysis.

Canadian & American Spinal Research OrganizationPromotes and supports funding research to ultimately find a cure for paralysis. Also publishes journal of latest research they fund. Call (800) 361-4004 or use the link above.

Canadian Paraplegic AssociationAssists people with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities to achieve individuality, self-reliance and full community participation. Call (613) 723-1033 or use the link above.

Camp Ronald McDonaldA fully accessible residential camp for kids with special needs located in the high Sierra.

Craig HospitalWith funding from the US Department of Education's National Institute on Disability & Rehabilitation Research, has developed educational materials to help people with spinal cord injuries live in the community maintain their health. Topics include skin care, exercise, heart disease, weight control, alcohol abuse and conditions related to the aging body. Use the link above and click on SCI Health and Wellness.

Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD)Dept of Physical Medicine and Rehab Services at Baylor College of Medicine.

Determined 2 HealProvides helpful information for the newly spinal cord injured.

Easter SealsEaster Seals provides exceptional services, education, outreach, and advocacy so that people living with autism and other disabilities can live, learn, work and play in our communities.

Education Resources Information Center (ERIC)ERIC - the Education Resources Information Center - is an online digital library of education research and information. ERIC is sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the U.S. Department of Education. ERIC provides ready access to education literature to support the use of educational research and information to improve practice in learning, teaching, educational decision-making, and research.

Family Voices Family Voices Information and Publications, and links to external resources can be located in a number of different ways. All of our materials are categorized by topic (format and audience coming soon) on the publications page. You may also use the "Search FV" Tool in the left column to find materials by keyword. Some materials are available for download, some for viewing online, and others are available by hardcopy only from our catalog. State specific information may be found by contacting a Family Voices State Network Member. Please contact the kidshealth@familyvoices.org if you require any assistance.

Island Dolphin CareAllows children to swim and play with dolphins.

Family Center on technology and DisabilityThe Family Center is a resource designed to support organizations and programs that work with families of children and youth with disabilities. We offer a range of information and services on the subject of assistive technologies. Whether you're an organization, a parent, an educator, or an interested friend, we hope you'll find information that supports you in your efforts to bring the highest quality education to children with disabilities.

FacingDisability.comFacing Disability is a web resource with more than 1,000 videos drawn from interviews of people with spinal cord injuries, their families, caregivers and experts. I know that this is a lot to ask, but we'd be so grateful for your help. I'm looking forward to discussing this link with you, and to answering any questions you may have.

Model Systems CentersA federally funded program of 14 specialty medical and/or rehabilitation centers across the US. The SCI Care System collects and submits acute, rehabilitation and follow-up (annual, long-term post-discharge) data on SCI patients who received care in the these centers following injury.

The Miami Project to Cure ParalysisThe Miami Project to Cure Paralysis has studied functional electrical systems for exercise.

KidsComSite has plenty of games, message boards, kids chat, video game cheats, contests and prizes.

Mobile WomenArticles, resources, online forum for women with disabilities especially wheelchair users.

National information Clearinghouse for Children and Youth with Disabilities INICHCY) NICHCY is very pleased to offer you a wealth of information on disabilities! NICHCY stands for the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities.

National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC) Our mission: To strengthen service systems to ensure that children with disabilities (birth through 5 years) and their families receive and benefit from high quality, culturally appropriate and family-centered supports and services.

The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC)NSCISC supervises and directs the collection, management and analysis of the world's largest spinal cord injury database. Headquartered at the University of Alabama, Birmingham.

National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA)At NSCIA, we educate and empower survivors of spinal cord injury and disease to achieve and maintain the highest levels of independence, health and personal fulfillment. We fulfill this mission by providing an innovative Peer Support Network and by raising awareness about spinal cord injury and disease through education.

New York Online Access to Health (N.O.A.H)Offers information and links related to spinal cord and head injury treatment, rehabilitation, and children. Materials in Spanish.

Neuroscience for KidsOffers an understandable look at the segments of the spinal cord; from University of Washington.

Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA): Spinal Cord InjuryFor more detailed information on the clinical practice guidelines on respiratory management with spinal cord injury you can request booklets from the Paralyzed Veterans of America. These booklets also provide guidelines on proper weaning from a ventilator.

Parents Helping Parents (PHP) Parents Helping Parents (PHP) provides lifetime guidance, supports and services to families of children with any special need and the professionals who serve them.Parents Helping Parents (PHP) provides lifetime guidance, supports and services to families of children with any special need and the professionals who serve them.

Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER) The mission of PACER Center (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights) is to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families, based on the concept of parents helping parents.

SpineUniverseAt SpineUniverse our goal is to help patients and their families understand their back or neck problems. In clear, straightforward language we aim to explain what causes spinal problems and how they can be treated. We are committed to ensure that all of the information we present is trustworthy and of the highest quality.

The Sibling Support Project The Sibling Support Project is a national effort dedicated to the life-long concerns of brothers and sisters of people who have special health, developmental, or mental health concerns.

Shriners Hospitals Children up to the age of 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate are eligible for admission and receive all care in a family-centered environment at no charge – regardless of financial need.

Spinal Cord Injury Information NetworkThe Spinal Cord Injury Information Center features clinical information about bowel management and all other medical issues of paralysis.

Starlight Foundation for ChildrenDevelops multi-media and technology projects that empower seriously ill children to deal with the medical and emotional challenges they face on a daily basis.

United Spinal AssociationOur mission is to improve the quality of life of all Americans living with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D), including multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS), and post polio.

U Can DoA site that emphasizes what you can do, not what you can’t. Promotes ‘ability awareness’ to help kids focus on what is possible, regardless of their challenges.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Fact Sheet: VA and Spinal Cord InjuryOf the more than 250,000 Americans with serious spinal cord injuries and disorders, about 42,000 are veterans eligible for medical care and other benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

YahooligansBig list of links for all sorts of kids’ sites, including tons of places to go for games, sports, TV and movie stuff.

Quality of Life Grants DatabaseFind resources within the PRC Quality of Life Grants Database. Search by Zip Code, State or an Entire Category.

Library Books and VideosFind resources within the PRC library catalog.

Check out programs in your area on our one-of-a kind online searchable Quality of Life program database. You can search by location or topic. GO

The information provided in the Paralysis Resource Center was supported by Cooperative Agreement number 1U59DD000838-01 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the Reeve Foundation and do not necessarily represent the official views of the CDC.