Life is Sweet

I'm not sure that's the name of the song. It's one of Natalie Merchant's great songs that I hope someone plays at my memorial. Yes I think about things like that, doesn't everyone? Anyway, I'm not going anywhere soon, I have a plan. As you are aware, I am studying for my licensing exam. So easy to get distracted. I spent hours today trying to upload a photo from my phone. First I got lost trying to organize my photos on the computer. Finally I figured out how to upload the photo. I love the picture and have decided to take many more pictures. The woman with me is my partner, Colleen. We also took our baby punkin on a ride. We rode down to the park that punkin really likes. It was very nice to get out.

Another new development that I'd like to share with you is increased movement in my arms. This has allowed me to try all kinds of new tasks. I was able to hold a cup and drink the water in it.. I fed myself 75% of my lunch today. I'm trying to adapt my hand braces so that I can try to brush my teeth. I'm really excited about doing these things. My hands have been getting lots of sensation. In my mind I can see my fingers and thumbs moving.

I was so tired on Friday and Saturday that I gave myself the day off to rest. Besides studying for my test, I've been getting visits from all of the home health people. That eats up my day and my energy. However, I also got a visit from my aunt who just turned 80! It was great to see her and celebrate this milestone. We had a cake with candles and sat around telling funny stories. I learned for the first time that my mother, grandmother, and aunts and uncles lived in Compton. Actually, they lived there twice. My aunt shared that she went to 17 different schools. I always think about my grandmother and the struggles she had raising her family as a single woman in those days. I know that it was hard for her and she would be proud to see how we've all turned out.

Good news! I've begun to receive the equipment that the Department of Rehab is giving to me. This assistive technology will allow me to utilize my computer fully whether I am in bed or at my desk. I also received a book stand so that I can read a physical book. I'm working to figure out how to use a new Bluetooth earpiece which will allow me to answer my phone and probably do a lot more. I am very grateful for this help and I'm trying on to learn how to use it all so that I can make good on my employment plan.

So now I have to say goodbye so that I can get back to my studying. So long…

Look what I can do!

Today I accomplished a new action all by myself! I turned the TV off! Seems like a little thing, but to me it is huge and I'm very proud of myself.

I've been doing a lot of things by myself lately. First of all I have more muscles and sensation in my arms than ever before. So my arms have been contracted so they've looked like chicken wings. I have been able to stretch them out so they are beginning to look straighter.

The level of my injury caused my arms to have biceps but no triceps. I was unable to stretch out my arms. Recently I've regained my triceps and I'm making good use of them. I reach up and pull my microphone so I can speak into it. I've used my mouse and even clicked it. Every day all day long. I stretch my arms using my wheelchair for leverage. Every little bit increases my independence a little bit.I'll take any independence I can get even down to turning off the TV.

Good news today. On Friday I'll begin to receive the assistive technology that the Department of rehab has allowed me to get. I will be getting updated software, a bedside table monitor, a mouse that I can use, and a tool that will allow me to press keys on the keyboard. All of these items will allow me to utilize my workstation to my full capacity. I am very grateful to the Department of rehab. The DOR is an amazing resource for those who want to return to employment. They are also providing me with the study material that I need to take my licensing exam. Eventually I would like to apply to work for the DOR.

Life is good!

Ms. Wheelchair America!

Congratulations to Ms. Wheelchair America, Alette Coble-Temple! I am so grateful to know Alette. She is an amazing woman and an inspiration to many. She is most certainly an inspiration to me. The first time I met her was in a graduate school course that takes one year to complete. I admit when she first rolled in to the class. I groaned because I wasn't sure I would be able to understand her but within three minutes. I fell in love. During my studies at graduate school. I was lucky to take many courses that Alette taught and I learned a great deal from her. Even luckier, was that she agreed to chair my dissertation. Although it took me some time to complete, I had no struggles with my committee. Many my fellow classmates could not say the same. One course I took from Dr. Coble-Temple was the Psychology of Disability. While I was in the hospital not long after I was injured, I remember thinking, what an advantage. I had because of the knowledge I gained in that course. One of the concepts we talked about was how the disability community called able-bodied people , "temporarily able-bodied." This concept blew my mind because I had never thought of the possibility that some day I could actually become disabled. It was truly an aha moment for me. Lo and behold, as fate would have it, that was the concept that I needed to deal with so that when I found myself in that position, I understood that this happens to people. I am certain if I had not ever thought about what it might be like to become disabled. I would've been even more devastated than I was and my recovery time would've taken even longer just trying to wrap my brain around the fact that I had become disabled. In the weirdest way I am truly a lucky person. And I am so lucky for the people I have in my life. We couldn't ask for a better spokesperson to represent the disability community. She knows so much about disability culture and the challenges we face on a day-to-day basis. Hooray for Alette and all of the disability community!