What You Need to Know About Insuring a Modified Vehicle
Congratulations! You’re ready to start driving with modifications and/or hand controls. What do you need to know about insuring a modified vehicle? I’ve been driving a modified van with hand controls since 1992. Over the past few years, my insurance premiums have steadily gone up every six months. I requested
An Unexpected Visit from Grief after Spinal Cord Injury
Grief was the last thing on my mind. It had simply been a long day. Physically, emotionally, and mentally I was drained. Life with a spinal cord injury can do that to a person. Although I’d been listening to an audio book to unwind, even that felt too taxing on
How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep with a Spinal Cord Injury
How to get a good night’s sleep with a spinal cord injury A good night’s sleep and spinal cord injury… I’ve heard the horror stories. I’ve experienced it from time to time myself. But I’ve discovered a number of things that help me to get a good night’s sleep. 1.
When Advocacy Works: Louisville Ordinance 72 allows towing of vehicles in access aisles
Back in November 2019, I arrived early to an event and was grateful to find an accessible parking place. Unfortunately, when I returned several hours later, I found a vehicle parked in the blue striped area, called an access aisle, which blocked access to my side-loading van and ramp.
Why Visitability Needs to Be Considered When Building or Remodeling a Home
Have you ever heard the term “visitability”? If not, let’s learn something new! Whether or not you have a disability, you should consider if your house is visitable. Several years ago my aunt was in town. In casual conversation with my mom she asked, “So when are you going to
How Does a Quadriplegic Sleep?
How do I sleep as a quadriplegic? I’ve had kids ask me this question – and adults are probably wondering the same thing. So in this video I show how I position myself to sleep at night. Everyone with a spinal cord injury is different. But side sleeping works best
My Favorite Things Gift List for Quadriplegics
Here’s a complete list of My Favorite Things gift list for quadriplegics (or paras). From the kitchen to personal care items to the living room, I hope these ideas will make life easier – and even bring joy – into your life.
Why I Get Frustrated When You Don’t Appreciate Your Wheelchair
I’ve been holding my tongue on this topic for a long time. Why? Because it gets me fired up. Let’s call it a righteous anger. Over and over I read posts on social media from Westerners living in developed countries who complain about the quality of wheelchair they have access
How I Drive with Hand Controls as a Quad (video)
People often want to know how I drive. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I figured a video would be even better. My friend Leslie Ostrander – a quad who uses a different type of hand controls – shot this video while she was visiting town. Click on
What ‘The Greatest Showman’ Can Teach Us About Accepting Ourselves
Have you seen the movie The Greatest Showman? It’s the fictional story of Phineas T. Barnum. However, the stars of the show – and the ones with whom I resonate – are Lettie (the bearded woman), Anne (trapeze artist), Charles (the little person General Tom Thumb) and the other performers
Jenny Smith
After a spinal cord injury at 16, I discovered that a wheelchair could take me places I never dared to imagined.
Follow Me
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?
Get travel tips FREE!
Receive a PDF copy of 10 Tips for Traveling with a Disability when you subscribe to my monthly newsletter.