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.
This video not only shares our only "date" of 2020 (thanks covid), but the most incredible thing that Craig's new Alber Emotion m25 wheels can do. If we wouldn't have tried out the Alber Apps for the Bluetooth technology intertwined with these wheels, he never would have known how shoulder saving these assist wheels are!
Because Craig was essentially, literally powerlessness all summer, we couldn't walk any where together, so...
Watch Now And Be Amazed
We also got to take advantage of a decent weather day and turned the trying out the Cruise App time, into our only time together out of the house since last fall. So if you want to skip our shopping trip, the most amazing cruisedem is toward the end of the video.
For details, this video corresponds with our blog www.walkingwayoverrated.blogspot.com My husband Craig has been waiting to replace his broken Power Assist wheels for months. To see his entire experience and learn what they are check out "Power Assist Wheels" at our Walking Way Overrated Blog.
See what half a lifetime of using a manual wheelchair can mean for your upper body and how you can receive great assistance. Come and learn with us.
Here is part one of Craig's new E-Motion M25 power assist wheels. These replace his 5 year old Quickie Xtender wheels and then his one day Alber Twion wheels. Just search power assist wheels on our blog to learn his history.
My husband Craig first started using Power Assist wheels five plus years ago. The brand was Quickie Xtender assist wheels. We covered a lot about them in this blog/vlog if you want to learn more. Sadly those wheels may have had a lot of spoke issues, but overall they handled hills very well. The goal of power assist is to assist the user so they don't have to exert strain and effort when pushing their chair. Folks like Craig often end up with torn rotator cuff injuries, shoulder strain and in his case the osteoarthritis makes his pain worse. So having the assist wheels gave him needed relief and freedom to go up hills like nothing.
At the five year mark as you will read/see in our blog, the Xtender wheels broke on a shopping trip. Again check out the blog for details. Well as you will see he decided on trying the Alber Twion assist wheels. They arrived and watch here to see what happened.
Watch Craig's New Assist Wheels Below
He has now been waiting for his replaceement choice. Since Xtender is no longer an option and Twion was literally a no go up hills, Lord willing, the E-Motion M25 new edition will work well. Stay tuned, he has been waiting about 5 weeks. He hurt his shoulder the day he tried the Twion up our driveway and has really felt the strain as well as going so many months without the much needed assist wheels.They are definitely a blessing. Hope the new ones come soon.
Thanks to our neighbourhood finally being updated with fibre optics wifi, it will no longer take two hours to upload a ten minute video. That definitely kept me from posting videos like I wanted to. So excited! For instance, This half our video took about 30 minutes compared to hours!! To inspire me even more, watch and have fun with us as I learn and explore our brand new Cannon M100, I will be able to create more videos and Vlogs and Tutorials along with just plain stuff! To add to my new and improved ability to make more videos, tutorials and vlogs, we just received our new Cannon M100 camera. Today it was gorgeous outside so I got to go on a walk and talk, whilst I try out different camera/video settings! For today's second day of exploring our camera and our neighbourhood take a Watch Below!!
In a world with a lot of changes that are not so great, decided for $50 CDN it would be cool to make a small change in our bedroom. Links for the look are below the video, including the new favourite fuzzy turquoise green blanket!
The video below is about that change and as well, since Craig has been a devoted Eglli's sheep farm cabin slipper fan for decades, we wanted to share his change to a new slipper style. Footwear matters when you have lack of sensation due to nerve damage. He has dealt with sores (not pressure related) to his ankle and foot for a long time. And as he has been sitting for over thirty years, swelling or edema has also caused concern and difficulty putting on his slippers, So we also show you the medical slippers from Egli's. Much easier for him to put on. Sheepskin is a great material to help prevent pressure ulcers for persons who are have issues like he does and for those spending the majority of time in bed. It helps to relieve pressure on the boney areas of the skin.
Happy Friday everyone! Hope you are having wonderful weather like we are. Today it was about 35°C and as you will see in the video below, it was quite warm as well, but then the cool weather moved in to create one of the best recipes we've enjoyed in a while....A good old thunderstorm !
It's been an adventurous week. As I was uploading this video, Craig sadly discovered our big van had a completely flattened tire! So I will be posting a video about today soon!
Hi guys! Alright, here is the grand finale of my exciting Walk And Talk. And remember what I said about walking!!! (It's in the video) For all of us who use wheels for legs, it is
Speaking of Canada Day, here I am about 24 years ago in Ottawa! My earlier walking days
totally cool to use the phrase or word WALK or Walking. For decades I have always used it in reference to myself or others who use wheels for legs and for years, to describe moving from one place to another. On occasion, there are folks who are uncomfortable using the "W" word to describe that motion when we use wheels for legs. They sometimes have even pointed out to me that I do not walk! I understand they mean well, (I think they do) but it is very difficult to bite my tongue and not be sarcastic. "No way! You mean I can't walk!? That explains a lot!" See, hard to not be. Sorry, I didn't mean to offend anyone.
So please know, if you use a wheelchair, it is way okay to say you are going for a walk or some such thing. If you are someone who is not in need of having to use wheels for legs and are worried about using the Walk word, it's okay to say it. Yes, there are a few of my peers who may insist on specifying that the wheeled or rolled or went for a cruise, etc. But in all my years, I haven't met any person who would be offended if you used the "W" word in reference to their movement.
Sorry for the wobbliness and the times my hand hit the camera mike. Other than that, please try to enjoy Part Two of my early morning Walk and Talk Vlog, Sight Seeing our neighbourhoodSORRY THE AUDIO IS SO LOUSY IN SOME PARTS...
Watch My Video Below -How It Ends!
Thanks for stopping by.
See you soon. Hope you get to go for a walk wheels or legs! If you know me, I mostly stay at home inside, creating(I am an artist.) So a walk is a big deal for me. But not in the old days!
Oh, and An update on Craig's new replacement power assist wheels status. We will receive a quote from the dealer Monday so we can pay the client portion before they can order the set. We decided to try the TWION brand by Alber. Craig says "Twion" sounds like Elmer Fudd talking (think Bugs Bunny). He is trying on or will TWION, the Twion wheels. "You Wasscally Wabbit, you!"
I chose to campout last night in my power tilt wheelchair, planning on some big celebration fireworks, to go to sleep whenever we wanted to. But sadly, the country and our city cancelled them, thanks to you know what! So sad, but find out what ended up happening. I broke my walk into two parts, so here is: Walk And Talk and Sight Seeing Around our neighbourhood!I know this isn't about my creativity, but I want to share it for fun anyway. Sorry for the wobbliness and the times my hand hit the camera mike. Other than that, please try to enjoy Part One of my early morning Walk and Talk Vlog, Sight Seeing our neighbourhood!
Sorry for the wobbliness and the times my hand hit the camera mike. Other than that, please try to enjoy Part One of my early morning Walk and Talk Vlog, Sight Seeing our neighbourhood!
Hi guys! Recent times have left many many people, without the care that they usually receive. It's hard to believe that the entire world has been impacted by one microscopic virus! But it has! Many of us who live with physical challenges, dependant on the arms and legs of others, most definitely had to figure out (and still do), how to not sick but to also how to live life in our home knowing folks from the "outside" world would be coming in to give us a hand. It was tricky knowing the protective equipment like masks, gloves and sanitizers were unavailable. Thankfully, due my vulnerability and need to avoid chest infections, we already had basic protective equipment. A larger order of medical masks from Amazon took about 8 or 9 weeks! (Amazon sure has been making a killing during this pandemic!)
In our case, I had a challenging time trying to hire a new Personal Care Attendant over the past four months. Wow, four months! Hard to grasp our big blue marble basically hold for that long. As it slowly started to roll more, we were finally blessed with a wonderful new addition to my care team! Thank You God for her and for my solo Attendant who assisted me daily over these past months. More thankful than I can say!
As for my dear husband, Hard to believe it has been five years since Craig first received his power assist wheels. So I thought it would affect my husband being able to get a seating clinic appointment, in order to get set up for a new pair of Power assist wheels. Many of the clinics and companies that we would deal with as you may already assume, have been on reduced hours and such. Well, about two weeks ago after Craig inquiring about making a seating clinic appointment, they actually called to make an appointment! Craig was out doing his grocery shopping run at the time, so I got to take the message. The amazing thing was, or I like to say the miraculous thing was there was a cancellation and he was able to get an appointment within a week!
Even More Miraculous...
Even more miraculous, Craig came home from the grocery store that very same afternoon, showing me how his five year old power assist wheels were no longer.
Vlog - I was up at 430am, after a short campout night in our living room. Why are we "camping out" in our living room? See what I saw as I vlog The Morning After Sleeping In My Wheelchair. I am up and free to go outside at 430 in the morning. Well by the time the sun can be seen, it's closer to 530am, I think.
For anyone new, I have been sleeping in my power tilt wheelchair a night or two a week, initially because I have been in need of hiring a new personal care attendant. With only one PCA during this life altering Covid pandemic, hiring had been put on hold and now difficult because our Government is giving away emergency money to folks. Which is beneficial to those who lost work due to the pandemic. However, the PCA work with myself, is considered Essential work. Without my one PCA, I wouldn't be able to physically survive. PCA's assist with critical tasks of life like getting into and out of bed. That's just the beginning. I have been hiring and managing my own care for over twenty years... That's the long and the short of it.
So, in spite of having one Attendant until we can hire, still I wanted her to have a night/morning off. Once I discovered the back foam/shape of my power wheelchair was comfortable enough, I decided I could do it. Of course without God's Amazing Grace and my wonderful husband, I couldn't!
Yes, stay bent too long in our wheelchair isn't good for the body. But one night a week, is worth the perks camping out in our living room. (my husband transfers to our futon to sleep.) The bonuses, I get to stay up as late as I want and as you'll see below, have even more adventures...
Watch The morning after my most recent Campout Below:
Hello World! Hope everyone is staying safe and taking protection seriously no matter how melancholy self quarantining can be. (For me, this is life as usual because I am an artist who loves working at home- but I have emphathized with the world, when we don't have a choice anymore. That's when I feel the
sadness and temptation to slip into self pity and the fear of getting the virus)
Something that is new to us also, spurred on because of this worldwide covid shift, yet,would have happened any way, to serve another purpose. When needed and even by choice, I can actually enjoy sleeping in my power tilt wheelchair.
We have vlog/videos that we will be sharing over time. Today, I wanted to share the cool opportnity to go outside at 430am to start watching the sunrise. Due to being in bed, requiring a Personal Care Attendant, and needing to schedule key parts of my life, I do't get to do these kinds of things on a whim. Something that is just part of my life. But being pressed into trying our campout idea, I have discovered great freedom. Even if just once a week, it's so awesome to have that freedom. Yes bed is more comfy, but the trade off is worth it! We even got to go for a star gazing (too much light pollution) walk at 1am! I love it!
To see part one of my early morning sunrise watching adventure there's the v. But first....
Social Distancing Isn't New To Mary and Peter.....
It has definitely been a challenging time over these past months. Unprecedented times. We can all relate to each other to a big degree. The entire world faces self isolation to help stop the spread of Covid-19. . Some countries won't let you leave your home at all. Then there is our realm, we are not to have gatherings of more than five, six feet a part. Ever watch the movie "Five Feet Apart"? Interesting all this happens world wide and this pretty good movie, about how persons living with Cystic Fibrosis can't be physically closer than five feet away from each other. Social distancing for patients with CF, is something they were very familiar with. I don't pretend to know everything but I do know, thanks to a favourite YT Channel called "Frey Life." I highly recommend meeting this amazing couple, Peter and Mary Frey. They share their very real life. As a young married couple living in America. Mary bravely lives life to the fullest with cystic fibrosis and her beloved husband Peter serves God as a Pastor, supportive husband. These guys know how to enjoy life no matter what obstacles arise. Take a look at Mary's art work, they also have a website. When you have cystic fibrosis, you are more susceptible to catching illnesses/infections from fellow cf patients. My disability is also something you are born with, as is cystic fibrosis. But, I can catch illnesses from anyone equally.
Why CF patients are unable to be physically close to each other is beyond my understanding
If you want to be encouraged and learn about real marriage and life with CF,
Take five minutes if you want a chuckle or two and if you want to know our thoughts on the MPOW S11 click to link, Bluetooth ear buds. My husband is new to ear bud world and come to think of it, I don't remember in eighteenths years of marriage, us ever really using good ear phones. Take a watch! Watch Below
We decided to share how we handle tough times like what the entire world has been going. Self isolation, unable to see family and friends. For those with fragile health, fear of getting ill tries weighing us down. We will be intermittently sharing special Bible Verses to hopefully inspire and encore fellow believers and those who are desperate to know, why are we on this planet. We can have peace in our heart no matter what things may look like. This passage is primarily directed toward fellow believers. We are to encourage each other always. So here is a short video. Be Encouraged..
We just posted a video yesterday about the challenges we experience, especially during these difficult times. But as fluid as life is lately, by the end of the day, yesterday, I started considering some ideas floating out there on YouTube channels we watch. So we still take
the virus seriously, believe it exists, but we are remembering what we learned years ago, to ask questions - especially when what we are presented with just isn't making sense. Even if we have questions and doubts, we support following orders our government gives (unless it goes against God's laws of course.) Assuming that we are being told the truth, we still like to research. No matter what we hear, we will never consider the strangest theory of all, that the earth is flat. L. A. Marzulli says, go to the edge of the earth, take a photo of it and then I will believe you.
As for this new Corona strain of virus, yes, there are plenty of persons out there in conspiracy world believing this is not as serious as the influenza virus that kills a lot of people every single year. (Worth researching those statistics)
The two big conspiracies so far, is that this is the 5G network causing illness, but they don't want to tell us. Aparently 5G hasn't even been started up yet. (There are a tonne of fears about 5G- worth investigating)
And the other theory is based around the possibility that this is a way for the new World Order to set up or "happen." Pointing to how the world looks right now. Removing most citizens from daily civilian life, off the streets- all over the world - basically all at the same time! We watch some of these channels for enjoyment and interest, but definitely are not saying believe all their theories. There are legitimate questions however.
Is all this a distraction while something else is happening? (notice we don't hear a word about anything else on the mainstream news.) The whole world has been ordered to Social Distance (just like they were told in the movie Contagion), to stay 6 feet apart from each other. Schools are shut down, non-essential workers laid off or put on hold, church gatherings, concerts, conferences, huge athletic activities the NBA and NHL, all put on hold or cancelled. The World Economy facing dark times, all Resulting in what appears to be no more protests, and even terrorism (I am about to look that one up.)
Silence basically, no more protesting or people out there stirring things up and such. We learned a long while ago, to not believe every single word spoken in the mainstream media and believe in questioning a lot of what we are told. If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it probably is a duck! What started to wake me up, was the first time I saw the movie called JFK, with Kevin Costner. About the assassination of John F Kennedy. It was based on the true account of Judge Jim Garrison, who tried to prove that Harvey Lee Oswald was not the lone shooter. The injuries did not compute with the laws of physics. What happened to me was what they call being "Red Pilled." If you ever watched the Matrix, the main character Neo, is given the option to either take the Red Pill (if he does, he will not be able to go back to his old life and will know the cold hard truth about what's really going on.) Or he could take the blue pill, that meant of course, he would not be awaken to reality and continue living as he was, in the "dark."
Then 9/11 happened. At first I questioned nothing, believing all they said on the news. But as time went by, documentaries (a good one is called LOOSE CHANGE). And instantly,
none of it made sense. It wasn't something you can talk about too much because those I know and love, except my husband, look at us like we are not playing with a full deck. But that doesn't matter because when you begin asking questions about the obvious things that just plum, don't make sense, you can not keep believing what you were told. Same with the JFK assassination. Try it, think about the laws of physics and how they do not appear to apply in these events. Two huge, steel reinforced towers would never be ble to drop straight down in ten/eleven seconds flat. Reduced basically to a heap of dust. That's only the first part of a multi-layered onion. So many inconsistencies and illogicality.
What To Do About Covid-19 Then?
Do what the governments are telling you. And kudos to those who stopped travelling from the first day word got out. And to those self isolating two months ago, suspecting something was coming, way to go. Sadly some of our governments took longer than they should have to make big decisions about lock downs. But we refuse to live in "What if land." We believe there is a real virus, but it may not be as bad as the regular influenza outbreaks. However, we can ask and research, but until we see concrete information stating otherwise, Err on the side of caution. We definitely trust that Bible prophecy is being fulfilled. Read Matthew 24, Luke 21, And Mark 13 and Revelation 6. And well, of course those whole Bible is God's inerrant Word. Because of Him, we have peace no matter what happens. Psalm 23.
Trust in Jesus. He really is the Only Way, The Truth and the Life. We know this based on trying life a part from Him and then spending thirty plus years with Him. A relation not a religion is what He offers. We wouldn't be here without Him. Thankfully, God our Father knows all things. We trust in Thee One Who knows what is conspiracy fact and fiction. Thankfully, He can handle our questions.
Be safe and remember don't touch your face but don't be afraid!
Hello world! This is the first time in our life that the entire world is in sync. All because of a new virus that is from the Corona virus strain. It is called Covid-19. Apparently it is always changing, I believe the term used these days is, "fluid." Based on our initial research and the concerns we have as person who are a part of the vulnerable population, trying to trust the media we made a video from that perspective right here.
As an artist, all the virus images did inspire an incomplete painting to the left. Abstracted microbes are unique and interesting, but not to be taken lightly.
As most of us can say, we have never experienced a world wide event like we are now. It really does feel like it's the end of the world as we know it. The question is, Do we feel fine? (check out that song if you aren't sure why I am referencing that song. It's catchy.)
As an artist, all the virus images did inspire an incomplete painting to the left. Abstracted microbes are unique and interesting, but not to be taken lightly.
The 24/7 talk about Quarantines, Cancellation Of Everything, Pandemic, Social Distancing, staying six feet apart, disinfecting everything and hoarding toilet paper and such has definitely increased my heart rate a lot lately. It feels like I am a warrior with my sword and shield fighting against anxiety, not Covid-19, but anxiety!
Thankfully my dear husband says he has zero anxiety. He says he doesn't think it's real, the virus that is, not the anxiety. It's my fault for watching too many conspiracy theory YouTube channels. But I think he means the intensity presented in Mainstream Media, when compared to world history. And I guess when I consider what his great grandma experienced in 1918, this, so far is a huge contrast to what happened then. She was an aboriginal woman, known for helping to heal victims hit by the deadly Spanish flu pandemic with Sturgeon oil, and roots.
If you haven't heard about that pandemic, here's a decent eye opening documentary we watched about it.
The final death toll for that horrific event ranges from 50 to 100 million worldwide. Thankfully, we know far more now about how not to spread diseases. And we don't believe we will see anything like Granny Cavanagh did.
Which is why I set out to write this article. Wiping surfaces you never may have thought of before... Watch How To Keep Surfaces Clean By What To Clean.
We spray 70% rubbing alcohol or higher if we don't have wipes and such.
The Vulnerable Population
We may not be living in 1918 thankfully, but it doesn't mean we are all guaranteed we won't get this illness. In fact my husband and myself, along with plenty of our friends who also have underlying health conditions are apparently those who run a higher mortality risk with Covid-19. Craig is almost 68 and has a physical disability as well. As for me, I'm middle Aged and was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy type 3, Severe scoliosis is also my achilles heal. Awe heck, decades ago the Doctors told me, it wouldn't be my muscle wasting disease that would do me in, but pneumonia. So it's not a surprise to keep hearing this kind of talk. But I do feel concerned fo my aging parents, mom survived non Hodgkins lymphoma over ten years ago, dad is a heart patient..and then there are all our loved ones with special needs in our lives and our virtual family on YouTube. Shane Burcaw who lives with SMA 3 and Mary Frey who lives with Cystic Fibrosis and my hero Joni Eareckson Tada vulnerable 70 year old quadriplegic.
All of you guys are on our hearts as we all hunker down trying staying virus free. We encourage all of us to stay self quarantined and I wanted to share some practical videos about how to stay virus free. Every see a movie called Five Feet Apart. It's about Cystic Fibrosis patients and how they can't be less than 5 feet apart. They are highly susceptible to catching illnesses from fellow CF patients.
So all this pandemic talk may have huge effects on our elderly folks (we do feel for those who are alone, with no visitors. But my husband who is a volunteer, says this has been an issue forever, not just now!)
We pray for our dear elderly population, and us and our fellow vulnerable peers, but we take heart refusing to believe that we won't be able to avoid it. We trust God for His protection, we are living as self quarantined as possible, disinfecting everything we can,
And besides, personally we have more immediate issues to figure out, as I am short one personal care attendant, so Have been preparing to try sleeping in my power tilt wheelchair. While my husband chooses to sleep next to me on the futon. We get to stay up as late as we want and can rise whenever we want. I will be sharing more on this adventure as it unfolds. Hopefully someone who is suitable will apply very soon. Always an adventure. And as were are about to read, God is in charge...
As Christians, we do trust that God is in control and even though I am battling anxiety temptation, I am constantly reminded to cast all my cares on HIM for HE cares for us. And another favourite Bible passage is:
[Mat 6:25-34 NLT] 25 "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28 "And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as
beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 31 "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.
It's been a while since posting anything here. Doesn't mean life hasn't been happening, it's full speed ahead. We hope everyone is doing well and for those in our climate, we hope you join with us in being thankful for the mildest weather that we can ever remember.
Snow and cold are not "friends" to our wheelchair tires! So it was great to not be restricted with minus twenty and thirty celsius temps. Our van lift hydraulics don't like to budge in frigid weather either. Who can blame it. Not that I ever leave the house, but my husband does all the super market shopping and all other adventures beyond our driveway. For some reason, staying indoor creating when I can, is what I do. Fatigue has been regular visitor these days, so when I am up for brain engagement, I tend to focus on my other blogs all about creativity and then my shop blog, hoping to sell my work to help recover my art supply addiction!
Yes, most creative types have an art supply addiction. Even if you don't touch them, you just see something really cool and then feel the sudden urge to "GET THAT!" Does that sound like you or anyone you know? Then there is the problem with being sure I don't hide the supplies away. Out of sight, out of mind. It really helps to inspire me, to be able to see what materials I have to spur my never quiet right brain.
Craig, has been faithfully working on his railroad painting. Squeezing that in, between shopping, volunteering, helping me out and everything else. But, he still isn't done. As soon as he is, you will see.
Recently I contacted one of my favourite ministries and I was blessed with a personal response from a lovely sister in Christ, who just also happens to have SMA type 3, like me! Struggling with disgouragement about trying to find and hire a new Care Attendant. As always, God provides the right person at the right time, His perfect time. But being a
human, I get tempted to worry and all that fun stuff. Happy to receive her response and to meet a person living who could relate to my life, is a rare thing. I love How God allows these encounters just when we need them. So I thought I would share her story from the JAF website for anyone else who may be interested.
Meet Kathey, Click here.
And if you are in need of support encouragement and such check out Joni And Friends. Joni, as you know if you have read this blog, is one of the most inspiring people I have ever read about, watched in her own bio movie, documentaries and conferences. It must be so exciting to get to live in sunny California, no snow battles and to be able to be
a beacon of Sure Hope in God's ministry to persons living with disabilities. Be encouraged.
A verse on her story page was just what I needed reminding of. Right at this moment! So awesome, how God does that! [Pro 16:9 NLT]9 We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.
Lord willing, my goal is to begin writing more on this blog like I originally intended to. Be it stories about life, videos about our adventures, experiences and such, I hope to be back soon. Thanks for stopping by.
