If you have followed me for a while, you know how significant independence is for people with disabilities. A lot of my blogs involve adaptive devices that are used for independence. However, it’s important to remember that you can always grow and learn to adapt with or without the device. For years I used universal … Continue reading Overcome Dependence from Adapted Devices
Did you know that my body will shake uncontrollably? Yes, it’s true, and if you see me in public it’s possible you’ve been a witness. My legs will shake, bounce, or extend, my wrists will flex or shake, my triceps will spaz, or my core muscles will pull me back in to my seat. I will have these muscle spasms … Continue reading Muscle Spasms Help My Independence
2019 is the best year yet for wheelchair users. Why is that? Because of the advances in technology. As technology keeps improving and is more accessible to the consumer, it can provide more independence for anyone with a disability. You may have heard of the company Apple, and if you haven’t, you live under a rock. Apple has … Continue reading The Apple Watch: Wheelchair Mode
My ultimate dream is not only to walk again but to move out of my parents' house and live independently. Both of those dreams may sound impossible to somebody, but I believe both are achievable. The Problem As I have that dream in the back of my mind, it’s hard trying to adjust at a … Continue reading A Simple Tip To Make Your Kitchen Accessible
A trick I have learned from traveling with medical supplies is packing strategically and having an organized list. Yes, that means color coding, bold type, and underlined titles. However, before you think I am this detailed in real life, I am actually the very opposite. Before my accident, I was the person who would make a list in their head and … Continue reading Tips For Organized Traveling (With A Caregiver)
Let’s be honest, I am still figuring out this independent lifestyle with disabilities. It’s a process but I am making progress! An obstacle I am still figuring out is how to cook noodles. I mean, I love any type of pasta in general, but this obstacle has caught my attention. Here is my problem… I … Continue reading The Spiralizer: A Device For Adapted Cooking
There are some great advances in the power chair industry nowadays. I’ve only had three power chairs in my post injury life, but I’ve been pretty fortunate (thanks insurance) to have some great ones. Typically, people see a wheelchair as a burden or think less of a wheelchair confined person. Well guess what - you’re … Continue reading Health Benefits of Standing In My Power Chair
Before the car accident that left me disabled, I never thought about how a person in a wheelchair could fly in an airplane. There’s not a spot for a chair to sit so how do they do it? What do they do with the wheelchair? Can they even fly? If they can’t walk, how do … Continue reading Diversity When I Travel By Plane and Why I Like it
I’ve been going to therapy for seven years and occasionally, we hit a huge milestone in my recovery. So far, I cannot walk (which is always someone's expectation but for now that is not the case), but we are working on my independence regarding transfers, rolling side to side, and other things. The video I’m … Continue reading Transferring from Supine to Sitting!
This week, Premiere Physical Therapy celebrated National Caregiver's Day and they asked me to speak at a night tailored to Caregivers! I was excited to share my perspective on what it's like to be in the position of the patient, the one that needs to be cared for BUT also to encourage them because without them, I'd … Continue reading National Caregivers Day
