Tag: Not Without God

Poetry

Not Without God – A Poem

Zina Hermez

Tonight I would like to share a poem that I wrote from my book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. Regina, my nurse had put this in a plaque for me as a gift and she gave it to me on my birthday – a few months after my accident in 1994.

Regina was not only a nurse for many years in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. She was also an ordained Baptist minister, and woman of faith. She was the first medical professional to tell me I would walk again after my all of my injuries.

GOD

GOD I am crying, crying out to you.

Will you help me, help me get through.

Through the hard times with faith, strength and wisdom.

And be able to face whatever the outcome.

I will give my hardest to do what I think is best for me.

With everything I got, heart, mind, ability will you hold my hand through this PLEASE?

But if in the end I will be upset, I’ll be thankful, thankful for being here with family and friends.

And thank you God we finally met.

I wrote this poem after I found out some of the hospital staff were saying I would never walk again. I’ll never forget how I felt when my sister and Regina broke that news to me. In this poem, I was asking God to get me through the crisis while believing, and accepting.

My nurse found this poem so special that she framed it. It still sits on a mantle in my living room. I still read it, and to this day I am thankful. In awe of God’s mercies and all He has done for me. This is from Chapter 2 of my book.

 

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the book Not Without God: A Story of Survival and has created the Spinal Cord Injury Solutions! on line website. Zina works as an English Language Instructor, and has been an educator for nearly fifteen years her thousands of students have been from many parts of the world and she’s worked with all ages.

Zina writes articles on faith and overcoming disability and her stories have been featured in Christianity Today, Spinal Cord Injury Zone, SCI Access, newsletters, and medical journals among many other various publications. To learn more about Zina visit http://zinahermez.com.

Writing, Speaking, and Media

Not Without God Book Launch

Zina Hermez

Hello friends,

Not Without God: A Story of Survival will be available in bookstores across the country tomorrow, October 7. It is already being shipped out. Will you be a part of my team? I NEED your help. I am asking you–my friends, and family.

A few ways you can help:

Have you bought my book? If not this would be a good time because I’m giving away a free Not Without God bracelet with each purchase now through Friday, October 10. I’m offering this promotion to celebrate! Just visit: http://www.zinahermez.com.

Facebook Share: I’m hoping to see Facebook shares with a link to my website where others can purchase the book over the next few days at http://zinahermez.com. These shares today and tomorrow would be great!

Twitter Update: Are you a Tweeter? I’ll need your help. If you follow me on Twitter please Retweet any book posts or links you see, or feel free to tweet my link on your own: http://zinahermez.com.

I hope you’re in! I would be so grateful, I would never have come to this point without all of your help!

Yours truly,

 

Zina Hermez

Author, Not Without God

 

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the book Not Without God: A Story of Survival and has created the Spinal Cord Injury Solutions! on line website. Zina works as an English Language Instructor, and has been an educator for nearly fifteen years her thousands of students have been from many parts of the world and she’s worked with all ages.

Zina writes articles on faith and overcoming disability and her stories have been featured in Christianity Today, Spinal Cord Injury Zone, SCI Access, newsletters, and medical journals among many other various publications. To learn more about Zina visit http://zinahermez.com.

Writing, Speaking, and Media

Not Without God – an Excerpt

Zina Hermez

Today I’d like to share a passage from my book Not Without God: A Story of Survival. As you may already know my life is a miracle, and so is the ability to walk after an accident that left me paralyzed as a teen. In the hospital I kept a journal, and each night at midnight—under my covers, with my flashlight in one hand and a pencil and pad in the other, with 10,000 Maniacs playing “These Are The Days” and “Garden of Eden” in the background—I would write.

Here is a journal entry I wrote.

“Dear God, I believe You are with me—listening to me and answering my prayers. I feel lucky. I have You here. That’s because I’ve opened my heart, and I’m trying to more and more every day. I don’t know how I got so lucky. Because before this accident I didn’t know exactly how You worked. I was insecure because I didn’t know who I was.”

I would ask God to make me a better person. I was confused. I knew there was a God and that He was mighty, but I couldn’t grasp everything. I believed my prayers were answered through my tragedy. I was thankful, and I felt lucky that God saved me from the accident. The outpouring of love and support made me feel even more fortunate.

The passage continues.

“But now it’s like I have found myself, I know who I am, what I want, where I am going. And I’m sure of myself. I don’t know. But no matter what, I’m thankful. How did I get so lucky for you to help me and save me from the accident? And help me see clearly. I know it came from You.”

Every time I feel upset or down I try to revisit this place. A place where I was simply thankful (for breath and life). It makes all the other stuff seem not so important. I return to thankfulness and gratitude. This was a turning point, and it is from Chapter 2 of my book.

 

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the book Not Without God: A Story of Survival and has created the Spinal Cord Injury Solutions! on line website. Zina works as an English Language Instructor, and has been an educator for nearly fifteen years her thousands of students have been from many parts of the world and she’s worked with all ages.

Zina writes articles on faith and overcoming disability and her stories have been featured in Christianity Today, Spinal Cord Injury Zone, SCI Access, newsletters, and medical journals among many other various publications. To learn more about Zina visit http://zinahermez.com.

Inspiration

How I Found Peace

Zina Hermez

Have you ever felt a sense of peace while turning the pages of a story about your life? This is what I’ve experienced. As I review my book, and the suffering I’ve encountered from a life-changing accident that left me paralyzed as a teen. I begin to feel a sense of peace.

I didn’t always feel this way.

Something that once welled up my eyes with tears. Tears that often hit the keyboard as I typed and recapped thoughts and memories—is now a source of healing for me. I can read over the story of my life, and feel good while doing it.

It’s amazing how God works.

To be cured is to be freed from a condition or disease. To be healed is to be made whole. Although I’m still dealing with present circumstances from my accident. I cannot walk without a cane or crutches. Yet, I still feel whole; complete.

How could this be?

I’ve been given a gift. I don’t mean the gift to teach, nor do I mean the gift to write. A gift that has brought me pain, rejection, and even loss that most people will never experience. But more importantly, a gift that has brought me closer to God. With every failure and with every defeat, I have come to know the Lord.

It still feels like a dream that I have finished my book, Not without God. It still feels dream-like that it will be available in bookstores on October 7. It is now available online and at http://zinahermez.com. I always had a desire to leave my mark, so to speak.

A desire to make a difference in the world. I never knew that desire would be fulfilled through a tragedy. The odds have been stacked up against me. The Bible says, “…for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again” (Prov. 24:16). I am not perfect, but with each failure and with each lesson. I have gotten up!

 

 

Writing, Speaking, and Media

Not Without God book event!

Zina Hermez

My first book-signing party took place earlier this month on September 5. Sponsored by Beztak Homes and held right in my hometown, I had a wonderful time. Many supportive friends came out on a stormy night. I gave a talk that was centered on a speaking engagement I’ve given called, “How to Live Your Vision and Overcome Your Challenges!”

friends
With my friend Samara!

Not Without God: A Story of Survival books were displayed as well as bracelets that I designed. I made the bracelets to match the colors of my book. Copies of my book are available now on my website at http://zinahermez.com. People were purchasing both, and I signed and personalized the books. There were appetizers, networking, friendship, and fun! It was very nice.

I was able to share my story and offer simple methods on how I healed after my accident with tips like prayer, exercise, keeping a journal, and more… I read a few excerpts from my book.

I opened with a quote that is one of my favorites, “Love is a force that is able to heal the worst of situations.” I explained to my audience how love saved my life after my accident in 1994 through the care of doctors, nurses, family, and friends. I then challenged my audience to ask themselves how they could give or invite more of this love into their life. The kind of love that has the power to heal and the power to save. The kind of love that I experienced.

Our prize drawing was a copy of my book, Not Without God. The winner, Elizabeth, was excited and that really meant a lot. She assured me the book could not have come at a better time since she is going through a divorce. She also said she really needed to hear my talk that night. I appreciated the feedback. It’s always a blessing to receive responses like this after I’m done speaking, or after someone has read my writing.

I’m rapidly approaching the launch of my book, Not Without God! It will be released in October and available online or at your favorite bookstore! It is available in bookstores and online right now for pre-order. I will attend a Writer’s conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan next month. I really look forward to meeting a few writers there that I have only met on line, and I also look forward to making new friends. I’m grateful for all of the love and support I have received. It is a busy, but exciting time!

 

SCI medical information

My latest article on Spinal Cord Injury Zone!

Zina Hermez

People sometimes write to me from other countries. I recently got an email out of India, and it was a plea for help. The writer has a family member that was injured in an accident, and the family member now has a spinal-cord-injury (SCI). I believe that in countries such as India, medical insurance (especially for those with spinal injuries) can be harder to afford than it is in the U.S.

He wrote: “Dear Zina, my brother in law had an accident 2 weeks back and is now a paraplegic even after 2 spinal surgeries. He has a T11-12 fracture. The Dr. says he won’t be able to walk again it’s too depressing. We live in India and we don’t have enough money for survival. My sister and brother in law are so depressed as they are having a 2 year old son. Can you guide us in what we can do to get recovery. Please guide us for recovery. Kind regards, Ruchi.”

These kinds of posts are always sad. I have already responded, but I would like to address Ruchi’s request and answer here for him as well as for the others that have written to me with similar requests on my blog. I have posted this advice several times. After a spinal-cord-injury, health insurance could very well not be affordable. However, you may be able to find a personal-trainer that is willing to help you at a reasonable cost. He or she can design a safe but challenging exercise program designed specifically for the patient’s needs.

Of course the physical therapist or trainer would determine when it would be safe to start exercise/physical therapy after spinal-cord damage. A family member also may be able to help if hiring a personal trainer or physical therapist is not an option. But safety must come first! You don’t want the person with SCI to become worse by risking further injuries.

I am not a doctor or psychologist. I don’t have a non-profit. I‘m a teacher and a writer and I started my blog in 2012. I have separated articles into categories and have given free tips, inspiration, and medical information. I also wrote a book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival and it describes how I healed from near-fatal injuries as a result of an accident that left me paralyzed at sixteen. While crossing the street to get to my friend’s bus stop, I was hit by a car. It’s a miracle from the Lord that I’m alive and able to walk.

In my book, I explain simple things I do such as getting daily exercise and taking fifteen minutes a day for prayer. It may be helpful to keep a food diary to know your body as spinal-cord-injury can also affect your digestive system. Another tip is to know how to listen carefully to your doctor without neglecting “your own doctor” within. Trust your intuitions–they can really help you! My book is more than just a personal story because it focuses on recovery.

Chapter five is called Some Quick Tips on How I Heal, and I suggest simple methods to recover such as prayer and exercise. I offer a short homework assignment at the end of the chapter where the reader is the student as well as the teacher. I encourage you to assess yourself! Please read my latest update, news, and article about my book on Spinal Cord Injury Zone:

http://www.spinalcordinjuryzone.com/info/12978/book-without-god-story-survival-published

Last but definitely not least—don’t forget to pray! Pray Always!

“Prayer will always change things! …you can’t talk to God and not have it change things!” –Bishop T.D. Jakes

 

Writing, Speaking, and Media

The Benefits of Being in Groups

Zina Hermez

My friend Millie invited me to speak to her non-profit organization, A2 LEAP last Wednesday in Michigan. A2 LEAP stands for: Authentically Awesome (A2), Leaders, Entrepreneurs, Achievers, and Professionals (LEAP)! Isn’t that cool? I’m a member of this dynamic and thriving group. I was able to share my story with them, and offer some tips on how I healed after my accident with a little bit of my writing. It was such a wonderful experience.mespeak

One of our prize drawings was a copy of my book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. The winner was excited, and it was really neat to witness that. The event was called, “How to Live Your Vision and Overcome Your Challenges! by Zina Hermez.” I knew some of the people there and had already become friends with them at previous events. Some of the faces were new, but everyone was friendly and warm welcomed me. I started off my speech by thanking them. After I was finished, I got some really great feedback. I can’t remember the last time I went to sleep so happy!

Almost two weeks ago, I launched my new website: http://zinahermez.com Please take a look, and let me know what you think. I will be adding a “Speaking” tab to it very soon. I’m blessed because I get to do what I love—write and speak. I feel a sense of peace. I’m grateful for the new friendships I’ve made. In general, I’m grateful for all of the love and support I have received. It feels so good to be here. Despite everything I went through, I am embarking upon a new journey. I am thrilled.

I had a nice time in church on Sunday. I was invited to attend a class as part of a Learning Labs series. One of our topics was God’s place in logic and reason. The class is taught by a physicist and expert in Biblical apologetics. It’s refreshing to see someone in medicine take on this approach. I look forward to upcoming classes, because apologetics is an area I would like to learn more about.

I’ve always enjoyed being a part of groups. How about you? Have you joined any groups lately? Tell me about them. I think being in groups can be very healthy. You are welcome to share your thoughts with me in the comments.

I’m grateful for these kinds of opportunities and I welcome them. I love to learn, meet new people, inspire, and be inspired whenever I can!

 

Spiritual

“Love Conquers All”

Zina Hermez

“Love is a force that is able to heal the worst of situations.” ~Zina Hermez

It’s one of my favorite quotes from my forthcoming book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. Love helped me heal from my accident on Oct. 18, 1994. The love from friends and family, and the love at the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital was incomparable. It emanated from the doctors, the nurses, even the families of children who were ill. There was this energy I can’t explain, but it translated into a lot of love.

The reason I wrote Not Without God, is to share my story and how I healed from a catastrophic accident that left me paralyzed as a teen. I hope that through reading my book, others will be inspired and overcome their own challenges of any kind. I pray that through my story, others will be able to get insight into how to heal.

Today I’m grateful for the abilities I have and the ability to walk at all, and I have not given up. I went from being a popular teen to alone and handicapped. I was on a breathing machine. I could not talk. I could not move. I could not eat solid food in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for nearly a month. The only way to communicate was to write.

People tell me “you’re so strong” all the time. Perhaps I am; but for me to be here is a part of God’s plan. He controls everything. We have to understand that everything happens by Him and for Him. I think sometimes people have this misconception that they are rewarded because of their effort or hard work and things they do. Good things happen to them, and they get surprised when bad things occur. But God allows suffering sometimes. No matter how much I’ve been through, it’s nothing compared to what Jesus went through.

Today is Palm Sunday: the first day of Holy Week. Easter is on Sunday, April 20. No matter what our burdens, let us carry them and follow after Him.

But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed. —Isaiah 53:5