Looking Back...

Hello World,
Long time no write on here... lol...

I did mention that I'd be posting more on my other blog, so those of you following me there know that I've not been MIA. However, I chose to write on here today because, March 23rd marks 7 years since I had the car accident. I don't think I've ever said anything on the anniversary of that day but today, I felt the need to because I think that  I am FINALLY at a stage where I can fully say I celebrate March 23rd. It was the day before my Dad's birthday that I got in an accident that affected my spinal cord and left me to be in use of a wheelchair, so I generally always felt somewhat sad on March 23rd. BUT not no more! Shame on the devil.

Today I bless God for the gift of life and for all the wonderful things he's done for me.

This morning, I was drawn to go read this article I wrote for Bella Naija​. After reading it, I was inspired by what the me of back then wrote. I am forever THANKFUL to God for giving me another chance at life. It's amazing how much a near death experience can change us. I have been living a life full or purpose and meaning and God has truly been wonderful despite all the challenges of life.

As I said in that article I wrote, "Physical disability does not mean mental disability and it’s not a plague. That a person is disabled physically, does not make them less important or condemned". A BIG THANK YOU to everyone in my life that has never made me feel less of an human being. Thanks to friends and well wishers.

Today is not one for mushiness or tears because I celebrate my life. I am not writing this for any other reason than to remind us all (yes myself included) of this bible verse: 1st Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it”.

It didn't look as though I'd ever get to a point where I talk about March 23rd with complete happiness, but here I am y'all. Today is March 23rd and I can happily think about how my amazing father is getting a year older tomorrow. I now declare March 23rd as my second birthday, because on that day 7 years ago, I was given another chance at a life full of purpose. I'm not where I want to be, and I know God is not done with me, but so far, I can say it's been GOOD! 

I look forward to everything else God has in store for me, and I want to tell the world... GET READY, GET READY, GET READY!!!!!!! 

Counting my Blessings...

Hello world... 

How are you all doing today?

Well, it's been a while right?
Yep.. this lady has been busy.

But I'm here now and I'm about to give you a piece of what has been going on.

I am still going for physical therapy at Project walk - although I took a two weeks break because I traveled for my friends wedding in ATL. It was fun and it was a beautiful wedding. Love is a beautiful thing and I am totally looking forward to my own big day.
The mini vacation was also much needed. Some times a change of environment is very much needed.

Here's a picture of me from my friends wedding.

Next up, My therapy fund is still going and I thank everyone that has donated so far. God bless you.
As I stated, I am still going for physical therapy, and constantly asking my therapist to take pictures of me during therapy became uhmmm, what's the word - a bit unserious like. lol.. Sooo, unless my little brother or a friend/family follows me to therapy, I hardly ever get any "during work out" pictures. I feel I have gotten stronger and I won't shy off asking them for a picture or video when something EXTREMELY cool happens. Y'all know I love pictures!

I also have been a bit mehhh - this was before my vacation - about a lot of things.
Mehhh in the sense that I just want MORE for myself and life in general and it almost felt like those things I wanted weren't happening. But as I got thinking, and sort of praying I realized I was being a bit dramatic. God has actually been amazing in my life.
Surely there are some goals I set for myself that I haven't actually accomplished yet, but in the general look of things, those things are obviously not necessary for my survival and happiness. I am living, not lacking or wanting, and don't have any cause to sorrow in any part of my life or family member's life.

My moment of thought brought about this status I posted on my facebook page some minutes ago. Here it is.

Thankful to God for his blessings. He has actually always been on MY side. Though I keep asking for MORE, MORE, MORE (like that little girl in that AT&T commercial), God has always given me exactly what I needed when I needed it (Scary how true this is now that I think about it). I have never actually been stranded and he has always provided. Many times than I can count he has used my talents, personality, other people, and even that which I consider as a misfortune to set me in places that I couldn't have otherwise dreamed of being - Proverbs 18:16. 

Father I'm sorry for every time I never thanked you for your blessings. I'm taking a moment to count my blessings right now, and I also thank you for the things you've blessed me with that I don't even see or realize.
Oh and in my true human nature of always wanting more of your blessings, Baba, You know how I be, no need to front..lol.. so I must say now that I am certainly looking forward to all that you have in store for me. :-)

And that, my friends is how I want to end this post.
I choose to count my blessings today and I'm glad I can see God's hands in my life.

I urge you - yes you - to count your blessings today. You'll be surprised how blessed you are.

Oh and here's another picture from my time in Atlanta. :-D

I have blogged about these looks on my beauty blog - so make sure you're following that blog if you want details on what I'm wearing or to stay updated on my beauty/fashion steezeee. 

Also... Hmmm, should I mention this? 

Ok I will, you can follow me on instagram for up to date pictures. I'm not hiding anything on there, but remember when you follow me that you CHOSE to follow me ooo. Lol.. Don't preach or lament on how many pictures I post. lol.. 

My username: @thediylady. 

Therapy Fund Raising: CLICK HERE

And that's it for now. 

Till later, God Bless. 

Project Walk Update: Video and More...

Hello All, 

Lizzy here again. 

Today I have a video from some of my Physical therapy session at project Walk Dallas. 

For my first Fund Raiser, I expressed how I'd love to go to project Walk for intense therapy on my goal to walk again, and thanks to God and to you all, my initial goal was met, and I embarked on the journey. As I type this, it's been about 2 months since I went back to Project Walk and it has been an amazing journey. 

I tried to keep you all updated via my blog and I hope I did a decent job at that. Lol. I also updated via my facebook page and Instagram. 

Without further ado, I must say Project walk is certainly all about getting each and every person that comes to them BACK ON THEIR FEET. The Intense therapy and continuous  motivation I get by my physical  therapist over there is beyond me and I just love the fact that I have ALSO SEEN SOME IMPROVEMENTS in this short period of time! God has been good to me...

BUT... there is still a but... More money is needed to keep me at project walk. 

For my first  Fund Raiser, I really didn't know what to expect, and I was very afraid to ask for what I considered to be A LOT of money, so I limited the amount to $5000, which was only enough for 2 months of therapy at project walk. 3 times a week for two hours each day. 

I really really really need your help if you can read this post. No amount donated  is too small, and I would appreciate it if you can share my fund raising page and youtube video with your friends and loved ones. 

Here's the Video for your viewing pleasure:

I would like to Increase the days I go to Project Walk to 4 times a week for 2 hours every day if I can. I have chosen to dedicate this time in my life to this GOAL of walking again. I have lived what they call an Optimum life on the wheelchair,  and I have set aside physical therapy and everything to get my degree. I could go ahead to get a job and continue living life as I know it, but I refuse to settle for less, especially since this is one thing I haven't actually tried before. 

I will be ALL over the place posting my Fund raising link and Youtube Video trying to get the word out there to raise enough money for staying at project walk for Physical therapy for as long as I need. I pray to God that it won't be much long, and I assure you that whatever amount I have left at my disposal should I begin to walk before all the money you donate is used up, I'll donate that money to a CHARITY. Seriously!! :-)

After tasting and seeing, and feeling for myself that project Walk is indeed a blessing, I am not settling for less. I have Faith in God and know that he can use any means to perform the good he has  in store for those who love him, and all I can do is My Part and let him do the rest.

You can click the picture above, or CLICK HERE to go to the new fund Raising Page and please help me share.
Also, feel free to us the DONATE NOW picture on your blogs to help me spread the word. Just make sure the picture is linking back to the Fund raising page. :-)

I'll continue to update you all via my blog, youtube, instagram and wherever else I can all over the internet. Lol..
God Bless you all, Thank you. 

Happiness is....

Good day everyone...
Today's post is just a random one..

Therapy is going well in case you're wondering but I just want to write some small stuffs on the blog today.

As the title of this post says...
Happiness is ....
Not Guaranteed
Fleeting
But importantly, Happiness is... A choice. 

Yep, that's what I think of Happiness. It's a choice we all have to make at some points in our lives.
If one always has to wait for the perfect conditions, or situations before s/he can be happy, I'm sorry to say, that individual might live most of their life a sad, sad person.

I have learned in life that our situations/conditions aren't always how we want them to be. But If you wait for everything to be perfect, you'll most likely never find happiness.
We all have to, at different points in our lives, Choose to be happy!
This isn't an easy decision, but it's a good thing to always remember. Choosing Happiness!

I am not saying one shouldn't feel or express their sadness at certain situations. So, I hope no one wants to start a debate on that. Lol.. 

This is just a general life rule I try to live by. Choosing happiness and knowing that my God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that I can imagine. - Ephesians 3:20.

EDIT (couple of days after... May 2nd to be exact): Now that I think about it, What I am explaining in this post isn't called Happiness, it's Called JOY. Inner JOY! Ha! Yep.. JOY!

Anyhoo... Today, I also have some pictures for you all from this past week (Tuesday). :-D

This next collage is what I call "The many faces of Lizzy". Lol...

And before I leave, I'd like to share a paraphrase of a message my pastor preached at church yesterday. 

These are my words, but they were inspired by my Pastor's sermon. 

Forgetting what God has previously done in our life is what derails most of us from waiting on Him for the future promises and gifts he has for us. 

Remember the testimonies of yesterday, and look up to the God who has proved times and times again that he is ABLE!!!

That's it for now, 

Till later, God Bless. 

Happy New Year...

Hello everyone...

It's coming a bit late, but HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I pray that this year will be a fruitful and prosperous one for us all in Jesus name.

Just a little update today.
I would like to thank everyone who has donated to the Get Lizzy Back to Therapy Funds.
A major thank you to everyone who has shared the page countless and numerous times! You guys are all awesome!!!

I'm doing my best to keep sharing the page, and I am so happy that the fund raising is going well so far.
I pray that we'll gather the said amount by the date I posted on there.

The new year has started well so far for me and I can only praise the name of God.

Here's a picture of me at church on the first sunday of the year...

I love wearing tailored native outfit. They fit so well and are comfortable even on the wheelchair.
I also have a Gele Philosophy, lol.. If you're going to wear a gele, MAKE IT BIG!! Gotta Love Geles (that is the Headtie on my head).

And here's a Picture I just took Yesterday. :-)

Follow me on Instagram if you have an account and are into that sort of thing. I post random pictures on there.
Username is TheDIYLady.

Stay strong world, and I'll talk to you soon.

Continue sharing my Project Walk Funds Please. :-)
Till Later, God Bless.

God is Still God

Hello lovelies...
I know it's been a while since I posted on my blog, but please forgive me for that. :-)

I'm sure most of you see all around you that Christmas is here, and that means that the year is coming to an end. During this time of the year, most people reflect on all that they have accomplished throughout the year; and when they do this, they either feel good, or feel bad about themselves or accomplishments. As the year is coming to an end, it appears that most people begin to wonder why they are still in the same position that they were at the beginning of the year or they count their blessings and are happy about all they've accomplished.

A couple of days ago, I sat down and began to count my blessings but I got tired as I was counting because I deemed it irrelevant since I was still breathing and I was able to count. I mean, what other proof did I need that God was still God and has been good to me? When I stopped counting, I began to praise God, not just for what he has done, but for what I know he'll do in my life. I am determined that this year will end in a bang for me.

You might not be where you thought you would be, but remember that God's time is the best. Psalms 115:3 says that "Our God is still God and he does what he pleases". The confidence we have as children of God is that, what God pleases to do will eventually be for our good and not for evil because Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". 


You see, because of these promises, we ought to remain calm and let God be God over our lives. We can only do what we're capable of doing and if you feel you've done all you could do this year, but are still not where you felt you would be, don't worry too much. God is still God.
As it is with most things, "letting God be God" is easier said than done. But I believe that as humans, we have the power and ability not to be driven by what we feel.
Praise your way through the rest of the year. If there's anything else you would like to accomplish before the year is over, get to work, and start doing it.

God is still God, and he will never forsake his people. Are you serving him with all your might and heart? Are you really trusting in him? If yes, then worry not, because when God is ready, he will not only show up, He will show up AND SHOW OUT!!!
My God doesn't do things in a mediocre manner, he is after-all the same God who turned water into wine (John 2: 1-11).

I leave you all with this words today: Keep Calm and Carry On because God is Still God. 

Till later, God Bless. :-)

First Blog!!!

Hello all,

Thanks for visiting my blog. I am new in the blog-world, or should I say Blogosphere? Ok, I don't really know Blog-Slangs, so forgive me. I'll get the hang of this soon. 

Most of you on this blog right now probably know me personally, heard about me, or came on here as a result of reading my story on BellaNaija. 

In case you've not read my story, well here's your chance to go on BellaNaija, read it to learn a little bit about me. :-) 

Anyway, in case it's not clear yet, my name is Elizabeth Oke and I finally decided to start blogging! 

In this blog, I will be sharing a whole bunch of things ranging from stories of my life after the tragic car accident, my message on disability awareness in Nigeria, words of encouragement/motivational posts, random musings... in fact, let me just say, posts on this blog shall be about WHATEVER COMES TO MY MIND. 

Bookmark this page, follow me, write the address down, do whatever it takes not to forget this blog's address (lol) and stay tuned for more posts from me. 

God bless you all, and have a wonderful day. :-)

Some Pictures of myself: