We are blessed to have a way to share our extraordinary lives that prove why for us, Walking Is, Way Overrated. You'll see... Stories, Life lessons, Problem Solving, Aging with a disability, all intended to encourage and help out anyone who may be new to using wheels for legs, aging, have a loved one facing challenges or you may just be interested in reading something unique. You may even smile! All glory goes to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
We have recently discovered a really great channel called the "Able Family Life." Dad was uses a chair for legs because he received a spinal cord injury at work. We love that they to simply live life and clearly know that Walking Is Way Overrated and life is great sitting or standing. So great!
Their channel not only helps to create awareness and understanding about every day life using a wheelchair and every day family life, but we get to enjoy the entire family having fun together. They make us smile and we are sure they will make you smile too!
Enjoy! And don't forget to Subscribe to their channel!
For research purposes, I just made a video (down below) of how perfectly my "Old Faithful" Invacare Arrow." TT (True Trac), Gearless Brushless motors, with Power Tilt Seating (there is a 2GT sticker on the base-not sure what that means), can manoeuvre and stop perfectly and smoothly when going downhill.
Old faithful when it was new!
Old Faithful definitely in need of new seating,
but motors and controls work great after all these years.
Yes, I am still loving my brand new Invacare Arrow GT (NOT gearless brushless motors - can't remember the type right now.) My new one is a great chair, seating is better for my back. Like I mentioned before, it takes time to get everything fitted and the settings all programmed to the client's needs. It may be the newness, since mine was so old, the brakes are super super "grabby," when I even release the joystick a teeny weeny bit. So we are trying to figure out why and how to adjust it. It works fine on level surfaces and even up hills. I am sure it is just on of those things and will be all fixed up soon. It is at the shop now getting checked out. The great thing is, I have a reliable chair for back up when the other one needs to be worked on :0)
I don't have a video of the new one in motion, but see how smooth O.F. is!
You decades ago back when I was younger, A Family member worked Under a manager who has epilepsy. I remember because they express their fears and concerns Regarding Their manager having a seizure. What I remember the most was Being concerned That this person was being misunderstood. As someone who grew up with a physical disability, my number one goal always was education and awareness. It just seemed that maybe these employees would not be so afraid if they understood more about epilepsy. Most of all, what was best to help her if and when she had a seizure event.
Then years later I had a friend who had epilepsy since childhood. I didn't get to meet him until his 20s, he was friend's boyfriend. His situation was extremely unique, with other issues. Sadly after entering the hospital due to seizure issues, The day before he was about to come home, he passed away because of a blood clot to his lung.
And then there is the closest person in my heart, who battled convulsions when she was teeny. For some reason I always thought convulsions were different than seizures. Based on the research I did today, It appears they are pretty closely linked. Probably might be why they had an official seizure in their teen years. With no diagnosis of epilepsy to date.
There've been other friends would've had seizures, not that I've witnessed many, mostly the Petite Mal or Absent type
Why bring this topic up today?
Just today my husband watched a friend suddenly fall to our floor. This person has no history of epilepsy at all. He did not have any idea what was happening and it bothered him greatly because he didn't know what to do to help them. Thankfully it did not last more than a minute and it looks like our friend will be okay.
But, it was a wake up call for us, to heed the need for awareness for instances like this. Heaven forbid, it would happen again. To learn about,
what a seizure may be and what to do to best help the person at that moment, until medical attention can be obtained. Or even whether or not you should get medical attention.
And based today's research, it turns out, I need to learn more because I just discovered that what I took in a First Aid course decades ago, has invalid information. People who have seizures cannot choke on their tongue, Contrary to what we were talking first aid class.
A very good reason why It is important to keep up to date with First Aid. So first of all I want to share a couple of First Aid and Responder Care videos and then after, meet some folks that I have learned from, thanks to their YouTube Videos.....
Symptoms Of A Seizure And What To Do
Basic First Aid
Responding To Seizures: Comfort And First Aid
Responding To Seizures: Rescue Therapies: Overview And Devices
Hi guys! Hope you are all having a great weekend! I just want to share this with anyone who wants to
know about Self Directed Care or about being a "Self Manager" of your own personal care attendants or Personal Care Assistants. For about twenty years I have been blessed with being able to hire and
Illustration of me, by me :o), Anita Harris Berglund
manage my own, thanks to the program in the video below about the program in Ontario, Canada. Click here to see a previous article about my personal experience hiring and managing my own care.
There are programs available in some countries that have such services to enable independent living. It is perfect for those of us who want to have a say in who enters our home to provide care and assistance and who do not mind carrying out the administrative aspects. In fact to be a self manager under the Ontario D/F program, the applicant must be able to recruit, hire, train and administrate their own employees.
Watch Below: Direct Funding - Ontario, Canada
Prior to hiring my own PCAs, I was enabled to live independently in an S.S.L.U. apartment building for eleven years. That may be an option for you or someone you care about. Support Service Living Unit means, there were on site 24hour PCAs. When I needed a hand, I just phoned. Emergencies
were answered to with a paging system. Now it means possibly waiting because they work for all who require their assistance. It worked adequately early on. I was thankful to be able to live on my own. Only trouble, not all PCAs are kind, caring, respectful and compassionate. But if you needed a hand say to go to the washroom, and someone who may cause discomfort or uneasiness is working, you have to press through it or hold "it" in. And that isn't good for your body. Until the Ministry of Health developed Direct Funding, it was my only way to live alone.
There are people who have insurance settlements from accidents and such or plans that enable them to hire and manage their own care. In Canada we can receive tax credits/deductions for any funds used to hire someone to assist with daily living.
Then in many places as in Ontario, there are agencies that offer homecare assistance. You may not get to choose or even know who will be coming into your bedroom in the morning to help you up, but, it is better than being stuck in a hospital. We have met friends who had to live in a hospital for a year or two after rehabilitation from an injury or life altering illness, waiting for a wheelchair accessible apartment/home.
The Aging Population and Independent Living
Because of the Baby Boomer population, there is a high population of dear citizens who are entering stages of life when they require more physical assistance. Without assistance, it may be too dangerous or just physically impossible to live alone. Many of us have spouses and family/friends who lend a loving hand to enable aging and residing our home. However some do not and they want to live out their life in their own home and not a home for the aged. What is Available for Me?
If you are getting older, like my husband. Our Province (an maybe where you reside) does have
There're always dear little friends
who lend a hand!
agencies that provide in home care services. CCAC, Community Care Access is the one stop "Shopping" for receiving assistance. If you aren't sure, Please check with your family Doctor what options are available.
My Mom just informed us that we apparently can call Red Cross to have volunteers come to shovel our snow for seniors. We will be calling to check on that service. What If I Need Nursing Care?
If you require care that only can be administered by a medical facility than please follow your physician's care plan for you. However, if you are able to have you health issues managed at home, there are places where in home nurses are available. Depending on your preferences and needs. Personally, if I had healthcare needs such as medication administered or a wound cleaned and dressed, I would simply train my own PCAs to provide that care. However exercising discretion and wisdom to seek out medical professionals if my situation had no other choice.
If you have any questions please comment below or email us at walkingwayoverrated@gmail.com Hope this was helpful :o)
