Jenny Smith Rolls On

Every seven or eight (or nine) years the process begins: It’s time for a new power chair. There are few decisions in life that affect me as much as what chair I use during the 15+ hours a day I am in it. Read this BardCare article for tips on how to choose the perfect power chair. Click on the photo below.

Finding clothes that fit well when seated can be challenging after a spinal cord injury. The good news is I’ve discovered quite a few things that work well for me (including The Most Awesome Dress Pants Ever Made). Read this BardCare article by clicking the photo below.

I had been debating whether I should get a home security system. But after a neighbor’s house was broken into, I decided I would rather be safe than sorry. Click on the photo below to read this BardCare article about how I chose a home security system.

Did you know that people with spinal cord injuries T6 and higher can’t sweat? Unfortunately, sweating helps regulate our body temperature. I easily overheat once the weather starts getting warm. Read what I do to try to beat the summer heat by clicking the BardCare article below.

One of the best things about my life is the friends I have met along the way. Emily Shryock is one of those amazing people. I met her when I fist started playing wheelchair rugby. In this BardCare article, I interviewed Emily to learn more about her experience with AcroYoga.

Click on the photo below to read this article.

There’s nothing worse than hearing “You don’t have enough faith” or “Just work harder.” Read about these and other myths and misconceptions about SCI in this BardCare article. Which ones have you heard – or maybe said? Click on the picture below to read.

We may often feel isolated or lonely if we are not intentional in building a community of support. In this BardCare article, I cover seven ideas on how to be intentional in building community. Click on the photo below.

Early on in my injury, I didn’t want to do it. It was horrifying enough to have my mom and grandma help me with personal care. But a stranger? No way! And then I had to. Read this Bard Care article by clicking on the photo below.

When I got a phone call asking me to share my story for a podcast with Kyle Idleman, I was little stunned. But of course I said yes. So what do we do when life hands us a tragedy? Listen to the podcast by clicking on the link below. Kyle’s new book Don’t Give Up is on shelves now.

Resistance to antibiotics is becoming a worldwide problem due to the misuse of antibiotics. What is the one thing you should do before treating a UTI? Click on the link below to read this article I wrote for Bard Care that researches this life-threatening issue.

I didn’t know what to expect. But I’d heard the horror stories. The inaccessibility. The discomfort.

I was past my doctor’s recommended age to have a mammogram. But my primary care doctor was relentless in her pursuit, so I made an appointment at an imaging center several miles from where I live.

At Bard Care we’re getting the word out about the importance of mammograms. Three of six of the women on our team have had breast cancer. Read my entire Bard Care article by clicking the link below.

The weather is cooling off and I will no longer be able to get out on the river to row. During the winter (actually, all year long), I use a rowing machine (ergometer) to get a good cardio workout.

Click the photo below to watch my video at Bard Care.

A 3-month post-surgery video update on how the BCIR (Barnett Continent Intestinal Reservoir) surgery has given me the ability to independently do my bowel program for the first time in 29 years.

Weight, nutrition and diet, and exercise are important factors to consider in maintaining our health with a spinal cord injury. Click on the image below to read my article at Bard Care to read the latest research.

Suffering. It’s a word with many faces. Poverty. Illness. War. Financial hardship. Death.

Read my article in NEXT magazine on page 18 or this easy-to-read version here.

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” →

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.

As a quad, it’s difficult to deal with 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.

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. Click the picture below to read my BardCare article.

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.

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” →

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.

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” →

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.

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” →

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” →

Click the link below to watch a video of me demonstrating how I put in my contacts.

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.

Continue reading “BCIR Update #1” →

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I share 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.