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.
Showing posts with label aging with a disability. Show all posts
Showing posts with label aging with a disability. Show all posts
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.
Watch my earthly hero share her encouraging words on why living with dignity means living out life right until the end of our time here on earth. Th seek assisted suicide (murder) is not to die with dignity. Focus on helping and encouraging all of us aging with disabilities and others living in chronic pain, suffering from progressive illnesses and such. Let's all show them what it means to live with dignity so we can die with dignity! God is the Author of life!
Since all of my blogs are able to collide and work together, I am sharing the link to a new post that I just recently shared about where physical health and being an artist impact each other. Take a peek click the header below....
Craig using this sweet teaching tool created by one of our brightest, and best nursing students ever- my mini hoyer lift canvas/sling with little Nicole
Back when I use to paint!
So excited the day I received a gift from my favourite polymer clay artist Christi Friesen
Even though my husband has been using a wheelchair for about thirty years, he is still always learning how to do daily activities as his body faces aging issues such as osteoarthritis. For instance, up until about seven years ago, he would do a standing pivot transfer. Meaning he would stand up, hold on to his arm rests, carefully balance and pivot to drop down his backside onto whatever surface he wanted to transfer to. Life Altering Injuries
One day as he was standing about to pivot, he noticed his wheelchair brake was releasing. Not wanting to come crashing down, he made a sudden twisting move to hit the bed surface, heard a wrenching, tearing sound in his shoulder. It was a memorable night, but ever since, he has not been able to transfer the way he always did. His rotator cuff was torn and mighty painful. In fact, it has never been restored completely. He has undergone physical therapy, has stretches and and exercises to do at home. Words of wisdom, if you have a routine your physio wants you to do, stay committed and do those exercises and stretches because if you slack off, as my husband has discovered, your muscles and joints, tendons and ligaments will suffer. The old adage, if you don't move it, you'll lose it, is true. Not to mention in his case, because he is sixty four, osteoarthritis has been impacting his physical mobility in his hands and fingers. Again, all the more reason to keep mobile no matter what it takes! Not Confined to Our Wheelchairs, Just Using Them!
Like I said, if you are able to bear weight like Craig, you can stand holding onto your braked wheelchair and pivot onto your destination. Unless you end up with a a shoulder injury like he did,
Me and my older hoyer lift
then you need to find another way that doesn't involve standing.
As Life changes your abilities, it means coming up with new ways to make life happen.
The sliding transfer Craig does now, is the one I used before I broke my leg doing it back in the this photo when I was eighteen! It was only because of my motor neurone disorder, Spinal Muscular Atrophy. My arm collapsed while I was sliding from my bed onto my wheelchair. Plunk, I my knee hit the floor and I heard a devastating crunch. In my situation, I lost the muscles needed while healing my femur fracture. Mental note, when you live with progressive neuromuscular disorders, please remember to move your muscles as much as possible in order to maintain the strength you had prior to whatever it was that landed you in the hospital or cast.
But this is about transferring for persona who are able to do it on their own, without any devices such as a hoyer lift or even a transfer board.
Before I used a Hoyer hydraulic lift, I would transfer the same way Craig has been ever since the injury. I call it a sliding transfer. It can be done without any assistive devices. In Craig's case and others, it is often necessary to make sure the surface, be it the bed must be raised to a similar height as your wheelchair seat. Unless you are a pro, with great strength, sliding from surface to surface of equal height is the easiest. Let's See How Other's Do IT!
Below are some very useful videos, the first one is from a cool dude, seriously he is :o) named Mad Martini! I love his Channel title, "Wheelchairs Rock!" So take a look at this to see the basic transferring skills that Marty shares as he enters and exits his car. And then we have added a few more useful videos on the same topic of sliding transfers. Watch Martin Transfer Here:
Looking For Inspiration?
If you have been here before, you've met one of my biggest heroes! If you haven't met her, I introduce you to Joni Eareckson Tada and her husband Ken.
I have been blessed by her for decades. When I was about 12, a bunch of fellow children with disabilities from the residence I lived in, all went to see her movie debut called: "JONI." What was so incredible was that she plays herself. I always recommend others to watch "JONI." As well, for the last several years her ministry, Joni and Friends, have been producing short fils about persons who inspire her. Thankfully in the mix are some more great videos featuring Joni, her life, husband, and all that she does.
To see the first video in this series about Joni (years after the movie about her was made) Just click on the title here: I'D RATHER BE IN THIS WHEELCHAIR
Here is another great video all about Joni's beautiful art work.
This video is a great, meaningful interview with Lucy Wedemeyer, wife of Charlie Wedemeyer. Her husband miraculously lived with ALS for over thirty years. Click this link to hereto watch her interview with one of my heroes, Joni Eareckson Tada, as they discuss the role of caregiving and what that means when you spouse or loved one depends on your care. BE ENCOURAGED Caregivers!
