Is Financial Peace Possible with a Disability?
Anyone with a disability knows that finances are one of the most stressful parts of a disability. The burden of health insurance, co-pays, supplies not covered by insurance, and caregivers (no, insurance doesn’t pay for this) can be overwhelming. Studies back this statement showing that households that include an individual
Dear Personal Care Attendant
Dear Personal Care Attendant, I’m writing this letter concerning the events of the past two days. You changed plans. Then canceled. Let me first say I’ve been singing your praises. You learned my routine quickly. You’ve shown up three times in a row. And on time. My expectations aren’t unreasonable
Christmas Traditions after a Spinal Cord Injury
After a spinal cord injury, one thing we might lose is holiday traditions. Over the years, I’ve learned traditions change with time as well. The excitement of Christmas morning no longer wakes me up before sunrise. To get in the Christmas Spirit, I try to be intentional. I’ve established a
The Lack of Personal Care Workers in Today’s Economy
In the article How I Find, Hire and Keep a Great Care Attendant, I walk through options for finding a good—hopefully great—personal care attendant or caregiver. The problem: these tips aren’t working in our present economy. I’m finding a lack of personal care attendants. I’ve done everything I recommended in
Peer Mentors: The Power of Roll Models in Life with a Spinal Cord Injury
Throughout decades with a spinal cord injury, peer mentors have taught me the “tricks of the trade” of transfers, bladder and bowel care, dressing, the importance of sports and staying active, among other things. I now enjoy walking (or rolling) with others on this journey as a peer mentor as
How to Find and Maintain a Job after a Spinal Cord Injury
Working after a spinal cord injury may seem overwhelming. But you have finished up rehab or completed schooling, and you’re ready to go to work. Now what? How do you go about finding and maintaining a job or career with a disability? A lot of energy goes into simply living
A Review of the Quantum Stretto Power Wheelchair
In my article How to Choose a Perfect Power Chair, I outlined my steps to look for…well, a perfect power wheelchair. In January 2021, it was time to research my options and try each chair that met my specifications. Hopefully, one wheelchair would “fit” just like Cinderella’s glass slipper. But
How Do I Celebrate the Anniversary of my Spinal Cord Injury?
How do I celebrate the anniversary of my spinal cord injury? It’s a question I hear over and over. I don’t think there’s a one-size-fits-all approach to this question. The way in which someone commemorates, celebrates, or chooses to ignore their anniversary will vary. If a person’s life was in
How Do You Define Independence?
How do you define independence? Does independence mean you are not reliant on anyone or any mobility device? I believe independence is something greater than that. Dependence Immediately after my injury, I became completely dependent on others in all aspects of my daily life. Dressing, bathing, bladder and bowel care, eating,
How Does a Quad Put in Contacts?
Have you ever wondered how a quad with limited hand and finger function puts in contacts? Probably not. But now that you are thinking about it, I demonstrate how I take out and put in my contacts in this video.
Jenny Smith
After a spinal cord injury at 16, I discovered that a wheelchair could take me places I never dared to imagined.
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Videos
How I Can Tweeze My Eyebrows as a Quad
What is a pressure sore? (Video)
Quadly Cooking: Middle Eastern Chili (Video)
How Does a Quad Put in Contacts?
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