| Disability Awareness | 
We Are Teachers...Whether You Like It Or Not!
If you are an adult with a disability or you are a parent of a child with a disability, you are a teacher. Now, we do not get paid to be teachers. It is a title that we naturally absorbed when we were either born with our disability or acquired it at some stage of our lives. Without us assuming the title of "teacher," the world will not be educated when it comes to people with disabilities and awareness will not spread as to what is possible in this world for us. Trust me when I tell you, it is much more rewarding to be a part of a teaching moment and bring people into our world, if even for just a few minutes. Getting angry and upset by one's ignorance, lack of knowledge, and more times than not, lack of experiences with a person with a disability, is not worth it. You have the choice to get upset or the choice to set the record straight and give them a dose of reality...a teaching moment! Choose wisely!
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Shawn Shares
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Inaccessible Taxi-ing Situation
One story about public access, or rather an extreme lack thereof, for people with disabilities that I have been following for a few years is the ongoing saga about the high level of inaccessible taxicabs in New York City. In short, there aren't near enough to cater to such a large population of wheelchair users who desperately need to use them. Accessible taxi and transportation issues exist to varying degrees in every city in America though. Here in Minneapolis there is a taxicab company that has a small fleet of wheelchair accessible minivans but apparently they don't run after 9 pm. In general, public transportation can be a tricky proposition for people with disabilities. Certain strides are being made bit by bit, but there is still tons and tons of room for improvement.
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Tiff's Corner
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Disability Relationships, Healthy Eating & Living Life In General
When The Easy Things Are Hard
When we deal with things that should be easy but aren't anymore, the question is how do we not go crazy. The memories of how easy everything used to be remain. We remember how easy it used to be get out of bed, to quickly slip your foot into a pair of shoes, and be off on an adventure. Is memory loss our only hope to find peace?
Smoothie Fever
Wow, I'm totally dispensing healthy eating advice now. How did this happen? Smoothies have crazily become the highlight of my morning, I feel energized, hydrated and satisfied. (Recipes included)
As The Wheel Turns
I heard a gem of knowledge the other day; a great catch-phrase if you're single and happen to be asked, "Hey! What kind of person are you looking for?" While "sweet," "understanding" and "genuine" are all great qualities, I like to share my most important quality, and that is being able to roll with the punches like a rock star.
Podcast - Tamara Mena Takes Beauty To A Whole New Level
Tiff talks with Tamara Mena, a model and spinal cord injury survivor, about her injury, losing her boyfriend in the crash, and learning to love again.
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Jenni's Journey
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Traveling - An Adventure Worth Taking
It was 8:30 AM when I arrived at the airport. The goal: attempt to get on an airplane and fly to Grand Rapids, Michigan for the Ms. Wheelchair America 2012 pageant. My mom, sister, physical therapist and two nurses were with me, going along with the adventure. All of us headed over to the check in with our 14 bags of luggage consisting of medical equipment. I hadn't flown anywhere since before my accident. I'm a C-1 C-2 quad on a ventilator, my thought was that it would be too difficult or challenging to go anywhere else outside the great state of Minnesota. The flight actually went better than I thought. My mom and therapist transferred me from my wheelchair to an aisle chair and then from there to the airplane seat. I was happy to be in Michigan away from my normal routine. Throughout the week we had a total of three separate interviews with the judge's. They tallied the scores and announced the runner-ups; I was fourth! The winner was Josie Badger, Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania. The trip was an amazing experience. I learned my limits but also how far I can push myself. I would definitely fly somewhere again if the chance arose.
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Clinician Resources
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Who's Responsible?
A while back I spoke with a nurse case manager about her client's need for a stander. After a lengthy discussion about the individual's medical justification; she informed me that standers turned into coat racks, and thus this payer program should not cover them. Shortly after, I was on the phone with a young man who had acquired a SCI four years ago from a motor vehicle accident. While I was talking with him about the process of acquiring a stander, he seemed to be having a hard time listening to what I was saying. He finally told me he was very frustrated with everything and everyone that day. As manufacturers, clinicians, case managers, suppliers, and payers, we shouldn't assume what we see or find with one client is how each of our clients will act or behave. We must treat each consumer as a person, on an individual basis, as we would want to be treated. Consumers need to know that actions or non actions can affect both themselves and others in negative ways. It's important to follow through with all treatments and technologies prescribed. Throughout our day, let's not forget our obligation to treat others as we would want to be treated.
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