Suffering. It’s a word with many faces. Poverty. Illness. War. Financial hardship. Death.
Read the article in NEXT magazine on page 18.
BCIR Update #7
A lot has happened since my last update. I flew home. Then less than two weeks later I flew back to Florida. Continue reading “BCIR Update #7”
Do You Have a Wheelchair?
Have you ever stopped to consider if people in developing countries have access to wheelchairs or other mobility aids? I hadn’t until nine years after my injury when I asked David and Magda, two friends from Poland, what accessibility was like in their country. Read more at Bard Care by clicking the image below.
29 Years
Today is the 29th anniversary of my injury. (Math tells me that, but I don’t believe it. I’m not even 29 years old, right?)
On the evening of July 10 when I was 16 years old, my best friend Barbara and I sat in a swimming pool discussing what it would be like to be paralyzed. Continue reading “29 Years”
Why Traveling to a Developing Country with a Wheelchair is Not Impossible
Do you want to travel to a developing country, but think it’s impossible? Don’t dismiss the thought. It might take a little extra planning, some additional help (how much depends on your disability) and possibly a little extra cash. But it’s well worth the effort. Continue reading “Why Traveling to a Developing Country with a Wheelchair is Not Impossible”
Naked Burritos
Whether it’s Qdoba, Chipotle or Moe’s, building your own burrito in a bowl is a tasty treat. Save some money and do it at home. It’s easier than you can imagine. Continue reading “Naked Burritos”
BCIR Update #6
I’m home. I’m on IV antibiotics and had a scary run-in with sepsis the last week. But I’m home. Continue reading “BCIR Update #6”
Quad Friendly Fashion
As a quad, it’s difficult to deal with a lot of different earrings or necklaces so I just keep it simple with scarves. Click on the photo link below to watch my Bard Care article on accessorizing with scarves.
My Most Valuable “Asset”
Butt. Tush. Rear end. Trasero. Heine. Pompes. You name it, my derriere has been called it. Click on the link below to read about my experience with pressure sores and 7 tips I have to prevent future breakdown.
Wonder Women
Wheelchair rugby. It’s probably not the first sport you think of if you know me. But I’ve grown to love it.
Read more at Bard Care by clicking the link below.
BCIR Update #5
I started to write this update 10 days ago. It began: “I’m dressed. I transferred into my chair. I’ve been spending about 45 minutes twice a day outside here in Florida’s fresh, breezy warm air. But Thursday or Friday will be the true test: I will begin intubating (using the stoma to empty the new pouch).”
Today (Thursday, May 17) I’m still sitting in a Florida hospital room, drinking Miralax to clean my system out for a second surgery to repair a fistula (same one as last time). Continue reading “BCIR Update #5”
To All Moms
On my birthday this year, my thoughts turned to my mom. I realized at 45, she was three years into having a 19-year-old daughter with a spinal cord injury.
Read more at Bard Care by clicking the image below.
Quadly Cooking: Sausage and Kale Soup
Friends + Soup + Netflix = A Great Evening In. This soup is extra comforting when served with some warm, crusty bread. Continue reading “Quadly Cooking: Sausage and Kale Soup”
7 Easy Fixes to Make a Bedroom More Accessible
My bedroom is a place I go to not only to sleep, but to relax, rest or read.
Here’s a list of 7 fixes in my bedroom that make it more accessible and functional. Continue reading “7 Easy Fixes to Make a Bedroom More Accessible”
BCIR Update #4
I had not expected this update to be written from a hospital bed. I “should have been” discharged last week and back at home. Instead I had surgery for a fistula on Sunday. Continue reading “BCIR Update #4”
Abundant Living
After my injury it took me quite some time to learn, or re-learn, the concept of trying. My go-to response was, “I can’t.”
Eleven years after my injury, I finally attempted a sport again. I tried playing wheelchair tennis. I was awful. Seventeen years later, I’m still bad at tennis. But I try. And I play.
I’ve learned to live. What’s the use in being alive if you aren’t living boldly? Click below to read about 4 principles I try to put into practice to live an abundant life.
BCIR Update #3
Well, I knew when I decided to have this procedure there were risks of complications. Unfortunately, I’m one of the people to develop a fistula. A fistula is a small hole. Mine is located near the top of the pouch and leads to the surface of the skin. When a I began intubating on Wednesday, it didn’t go well. By evening, I was back on suction with a scope scheduled for Thursday. After the scope confirmed the fistula, I had a CT Scan with contrast. Continue reading “BCIR Update #3”
BCIR Update #2
I thought I knew what I was getting myself in to. And yet…
This is so much harder than I ever imagined. Continue reading “BCIR Update #2”
Quadly Cooking: French Toast
Breakfast? Dinner? I say both. Continue reading “Quadly Cooking: French Toast”
How a Quad Puts in Contact Lenses
Click the link below to watch a video of me demonstrating how I put in my contacts.
BCIR Update #1
Due to overwhelming support, but inadequate energy, here’s a brief overview of my BCIR journey so far. BCIR is an internal continent catheterizable colostomy with no external appliances like a colostomy or iliostomy. Go to www.bcir.com for more info on the procedure and here for my journey on the decision.
I enjoyed “My Last Supper” and took in a beautiful Florida sunset.
Why the New Adaptive Jeans from Target Are the Real Deal
I recently came across an article about Target’s Universal Thread™ adaptive clothing line. I’ve heard this song and dance before, so I was hesitant, if not downright skeptical. But my interested was piqued. Continue reading “Why the New Adaptive Jeans from Target Are the Real Deal”
How to Clean and Declutter with Less Effort
Stuff. Stuff is here. Stuff is there. Stuff is high and low and everywhere. It gets dusty. And dirty. And dated. What’s a person to do?
In this article on Bard Care, read five tips I have for keeping my home as clean and clutter-free as possible. Click on the link below.
Quadly Cooking: Cabbage Roll in a Bowl
Part soup. Part stew. Part cabbage rolls. All served up in one wonderful bowl. Continue reading “Quadly Cooking: Cabbage Roll in a Bowl”
BCIR for Bowel Program Management
I plan on having surgery at the end of the month (as long as insurance cooperates). Watch this video to hear about the BCIR procedure and how I hope this will help me gain back one of the biggest losses that comes with a spinal cord injury.
For information on BCIR, Palms of Pasadena Hospital and Dr. Rehnke, go to BCIR.com.
My Favorite Things – In the Living Room
Some things just make life easier. Others make it more enjoyable. I thought I’d share some of my favorite quad-friendly fixes from around my house. In this post, I’ll talk about my favorite modifications or adaptations in my living room. Continue reading “My Favorite Things – In the Living Room”
Home Sweet Accessible Home
In this Bard Care article I discuss some of the modifications I made to the condo I bought once I was ready to “fly to coop.” Click on the picture below to read the article.
Don’t Be Like Rosie: Recharge Your Battery
I want to introduce you to a coworker. Rosie works in my office and she has a big job to do. It’s stated in her job description that she is supposed to periodically re-energize herself so she can finish her assignment. Regrettably, we find Rosie in odd places in the building, simply having lost her ability to do her job because she ran out of energy. Continue reading “Don’t Be Like Rosie: Recharge Your Battery”
Quadly Cooking: Asian Salmon and Kale Rice Bowls
Folks, pay attention. This dish is so incredibly delish. And easy. I’m not confident in my fish-cooking skills, but I figured this was worth a shot. And I’m so glad I tried it. Continue reading “Quadly Cooking: Asian Salmon and Kale Rice Bowls”
On Being Single
It’s almost Valentine’s Day. With that in mind, I’m re-posting this Bard Care article.
I’m single. I rarely sulk in my singleness. I am free to do what I want and when. The remote is always in its place, except when my dad comes over. As an introvert, I truly cherish my alone time. I’m in charge of my finances. (Read: I like control.)
Read the rest of the article by clicking on the picture below.
Yes, I Can Wear Boots
Watch my video over at Bard Care Community on how I manage to put on boots as a quad.
Click the picture below to be linked to Bard’s website.
Quadly Cooking: Sicilian Pasta with Meat Sauce
I know what you’re thinking: “Cinnamon and raisins in pasta?”
I promise, it tastes as good as it looks. Continue reading “Quadly Cooking: Sicilian Pasta with Meat Sauce”
Glossary of Terms for SCI
Want to learn the lingo of spinal cord injuries? Here is a “Glossary of Terms” for your perusal that I wrote for the Bard Care Community. Whether you are an AB (able-bodied) or a fellow SCI/D, pass this along so you can learn our language.
Quadly Cooking: Coconut Curry Lime Chicken with Rice Noodles
Let’s start off by defining Quadly Cooking. I’m a quadriplegic due to a C6-7 spinal cord injury. “Gimpy” or “quadly” aptly defines the function – or lack thereof – that I have in my hands. Thanks to several surgeries called tendon transfers, I have a decent grip with my left hand that improved my ability to cook.
For a variety of reasons I try to make meals from almost-scratch if possible. Not only is it healthier, but I avoid food intolerances by cooking meals myself. I use a lot of short cuts that make cooking do-able and I’ll share these in the videos and posts. Continue reading “Quadly Cooking: Coconut Curry Lime Chicken with Rice Noodles”
Welcome
Welcome to my site! To be honest, this is a bit overwhelming and intimidating. But let’s take this journey together and see where the path leads.
On Wednesday, January 17, 2018, an article I wrote was published by The Mighty. To say it has resonated with many people is an understatement. Unfortunately, just as surprising is the number of people who are unaware of the financial issues that some of us with disabilities face.
Read the article at the link below. As a disclaimer I do not agree with the title. I do not think society is the problem; government policy is where the problem exists. I shared my story with the hope that my voice will be heard in Frankfort. I urge lawmakers to reverse the income limits for personal care programs so that others with disabilities will not find themselves in my position.
Click below to read this article.
