Articles

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is so much more than not walking. These articles share what I’ve learned about life with SCI: maintaining physical and emotional health, fashion in a seated position, My Favorite Things, and life hacks for living with a disability.

Articles

How I Find, Hire and Keep a Great Care Attendant

Early on in my injury, I didn’t want a personal care attendant. 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. Between my mom working full-time and her already-existing back problems, and Grandma being, well, a

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Articles

How to Stay Warm this Winter with a Spinal Cord Injury

Staying warm in the winter can be an art form when one’s ability to regulate body temperature is disrupted as a result of a spinal cord injury. Unfortunately, for many years I floundered about as I tried to figure out how to stay warm after my injury.   My first time going snow tubing, after my injury, I seriously failed in staying warm. After

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Articles

What Freed Me from the Prison of Spasticity

After my C6-7 spinal cord injury at age 16, I experienced severe muscle spasms. My legs would extend out straight or pull in so forcefully that the Velcro® strap behind my heels would break. I would kick off my shoes when my legs involuntarily shot out straight. My hands balled

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Articles

Why a Urine Culture is So Important

Fatigue. Fever. Cloudy urine. Could it be a UTI? What should I do? 2, 11 I’ll explain why a urine culture is the most important first step. UTIs are one of the most common complications with spinal cord injuries for those who intermittently catheterize.3, 11 People using a Foley or

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Articles

How and Why I Got a Professional Massage

I needed a professional massage, but I wasn’t sure how it would work with a spinal cord injury. It had been 10 long months since I’d had an occupational therapy session. And I was feeling the repercussions of it. Finally, I bit the bullet and purchased two sessions with a

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Articles

Do Not Tell Me I’m Confined to a Wheelchair

I’d like to punch the person who first used the phrase “confined to a wheelchair.” Or at least roll over their foot with my power chair. Earlier this week I got riled up after reading a great article about my friend. Unfortunately, the phrase “confined to a wheelchair” stuck out

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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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Welcome to my corner of the world! I’m Jenny Smith, and I try to keep it real when discussing life with a disability. I offer content on emotional and physical health, accessible travel tips, product reviews, and so much more. Whether you’re here for practical tips or real-world events, my newsletter gives you a front-row seat to my thoughts on life as a wheelchair user, my adventures, and products worth sharing.