This blog is difficult for me to write because I have to admit
something very personal to you. I am scared basically all the time. I
put on a good face of being strong and able but the truth is it is
completely fake. So recently my boyfriend of 4 years and I broke up and
I am faced with living on my own, which I have never done before. I
have lived with my parents, and lived with my roommate but never
completely by myself. I have learned a lot about myself in recent
time. First, I am completely capable for doing most things on my own.
Second, it is OK to ask for help when I need it from others, and third
there are a million and one ways to get just about anything done.
I
was worried that I would not be able to pick up dog poop on my own and
dispose it. We only have one poop station at our apartment building and
it is up on curb so I cannot reach it. Thanks to Amazon.com I found
the perfect solution, flushable poop bags.
https://www.amazon.com/Flush-Puppies-Flushable-Certified-Compostable/dp/B004K4ZV1K/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1471712560&sr=1-2&keywords=flushable+poop+bags
I
have used these for a week now and they are priced comparable to
other bags, are just as durable, and do not clog the toilet. They tear
easy off the roll but they do not have scented bags and i wish the did.
Further I have learned that my apartment building has fabulous
maintenance men who just about run when I call them. Normally I would
be so nervous about letting strange men into my apartment and I still am
but I pray before they come in and I make sure that the dogs are on
guard
The other day, Cody darned out the door other day
and I freaked out. I started to chase him around the complex and I was
stared. I prayed to God to make him come back. When literally almost
immediately two people came to help me and we were able to get Cody back
in the house. I am so blessed to have good neighbors and God to count
on.
It got me thinking that I need to count on God to
protect me and help me when I need it. Also it I am capable and that
people are flawed, so I have to count on God more than I do I people.
This is a harder life, I believe God will not fail me.
Saturday, August 20, 2016
Saturday, December 26, 2015
My Chair is not furniture
What is a wheelchair????
Webster's Dictionary defines a wheelchair this way "a chair mounted on wheels especially for the use of disabled persons"
I would define my wheelchair as my legs. It is an extension of my person and not just a piece of equipment.
The other day I was in the office and I was working at my desk. There were a group of men putting together tables. Now I had previously told my manager that I didn't want a table next to my desk because I put my wheelchair where the table would go. I like to transfer from my wheelchair to my desk chair and then I leave my wheelchair next to me. However, I don't think the workers got the message that I was not requesting a table in my cube. One of the workers began to roll my wheelchair away to place a table in my cube, I screamed don't touch that and I said I don't want a table. He sort of coward a little and said I was told to put this here. I said I don't care where you put it but it's going here.
Now, you may have read that exchange and thought "why where you so mean to that poor guy". He was just doing is job right? Yes, that is true but this is the problem with what he did. My wheelchair is not a piece of furniture to be moved around like a desk chair. It is not a file cabinet to be moved at a whim. My wheelchair is my lifeline. My ability to move and be independent. What happens if there is an emergency?
You might still think I over-reacted, but let me enlighten you about something. I was scared to death! My legs were being stolen from me without my consent. I reacted out of instinct. I felt like I was being trapped. Of course that was not the man's intention but that is how I felt I had to do something fast in my mind.
This is just one example, sometimes when I am in a store pushing through, just doing my shopping, and a helpful stranger will come up to me and start pushing my chair. They are trying to help and the mean well but if you saw someone walking down the street would go up to them and grab their hand and pull them down the street of course not. That would be weird and inappropriate but doing that to someone in a wheelchair is exactly the same.
Think of my wheelchair as an extension of my body. You would not touch me without permission and my chair should be treated that way. It is always OK to ask if I need help but it is not OK to force your help on me. Keep in mind that just like you I don't want to be put in a situation where I feel unsafe.
Webster's Dictionary defines a wheelchair this way "a chair mounted on wheels especially for the use of disabled persons"
I would define my wheelchair as my legs. It is an extension of my person and not just a piece of equipment.
The other day I was in the office and I was working at my desk. There were a group of men putting together tables. Now I had previously told my manager that I didn't want a table next to my desk because I put my wheelchair where the table would go. I like to transfer from my wheelchair to my desk chair and then I leave my wheelchair next to me. However, I don't think the workers got the message that I was not requesting a table in my cube. One of the workers began to roll my wheelchair away to place a table in my cube, I screamed don't touch that and I said I don't want a table. He sort of coward a little and said I was told to put this here. I said I don't care where you put it but it's going here.
Now, you may have read that exchange and thought "why where you so mean to that poor guy". He was just doing is job right? Yes, that is true but this is the problem with what he did. My wheelchair is not a piece of furniture to be moved around like a desk chair. It is not a file cabinet to be moved at a whim. My wheelchair is my lifeline. My ability to move and be independent. What happens if there is an emergency?
You might still think I over-reacted, but let me enlighten you about something. I was scared to death! My legs were being stolen from me without my consent. I reacted out of instinct. I felt like I was being trapped. Of course that was not the man's intention but that is how I felt I had to do something fast in my mind.
This is just one example, sometimes when I am in a store pushing through, just doing my shopping, and a helpful stranger will come up to me and start pushing my chair. They are trying to help and the mean well but if you saw someone walking down the street would go up to them and grab their hand and pull them down the street of course not. That would be weird and inappropriate but doing that to someone in a wheelchair is exactly the same.
Think of my wheelchair as an extension of my body. You would not touch me without permission and my chair should be treated that way. It is always OK to ask if I need help but it is not OK to force your help on me. Keep in mind that just like you I don't want to be put in a situation where I feel unsafe.
Friday, November 27, 2015
Why I do this---About me
Why write a blog you say....well one answer is I love to write and miss my journalist passion. The real reason that I felt I needed to do this is because life is stranger then fiction. So many odd things happen to me because of my disability and I feel that it is just because of most people's ignorance about what life with a disability is like.
So let me tell you a little bit about myself. Currently, I am in my thirties and live with my long time boyfriend Bryon. I have two dogs Dusty and Cody.
Aren't they adorable?
I am a college graduate and I am currently back in school for computer programming, I also run my own Avon business. I also work full-time for a local employer. Yes, I am super busy. My point in telling you all of this is to show you that people with disabilities have the same rich lives as anyone else. I hope you enjoy and learn from all my future posts
So let me tell you a little bit about myself. Currently, I am in my thirties and live with my long time boyfriend Bryon. I have two dogs Dusty and Cody.
I am a college graduate and I am currently back in school for computer programming, I also run my own Avon business. I also work full-time for a local employer. Yes, I am super busy. My point in telling you all of this is to show you that people with disabilities have the same rich lives as anyone else. I hope you enjoy and learn from all my future posts
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