Monday, February 25, 2013; Polar Plunge weekend is over!

No I didn't jump in Creve Coeur Lake on Saturday. My youngest brother did in my honor for the Special Olympics. His whole team dressed up in footed pajamas and he was one of the two sock monkeys. The big snowstorm had come through the area at the end of the week, but the sun was out so that helped. Plus there were fire pits placed around the park.

Some of the sponsors were Hazelwood Police Department, Maryland Heights Police Department, and the Pattonville Fire Department. It wasn't hard for me to get around in my wheelchair until it came for my brother and his team to jump in. So my brother tilted my chair back and took me toward the area he was to line up, then someone said they thought I was supposed to be on the other side of the plastic  fencing, and then someone else said no bring her closer to the water. Lol, my poor brother I'm sure was getting frustrated, but he made sure I was in a good spot.

The good spot? Up by the judges on the edge of the pavilion. There were some cadets by the water as we tried to figure how to get me up the hill to my spot so I asked them if they wanted to earn extra credit. Three or four of them helped my brother lift me up and carry me and my chair up the hill to my spot next to my brothers chief.

It was the perfect spot to watch the craziness! Then I figured out if I would have just gone straight to the pavilion and worked my way through I could have made it to the same spot. lol Oh well live and learn.

I definately will go again next year. What is one thing that you think may be difficult for you to do on your own? Could you achieve it with a lift or a helping hand from others? It doesn't have to involve snow and cold weather. It could be as simple as going to the library and the book you want is on a shelf too high for you to reach on your own. Ask someone to get it down for you. Doesn't have to be the librarian it can be a stranger looking for their own book.

So go forward and conquer your world!

One of my goals with this blog is to find handicapped accessible entertainment options for people in the disabled communtiy. Especially those like me in a wheelchair. Last week I went to Wild Country in Collinsville, Illinois, for my first visit ever.

Now I didn't do a whole tour of the place. Was at my friend Shannon's for a get-together and from there we went to visit our friend Charles at Wild Country. Now Charles is not only a friend, but was my personal trainer until he moved to Belleville over the fall/winter. When it warms up hope to be able to let him push me until I drop again.

First there is a separate entrance for wheelchairs. The doorman came over and checked our ID's, took money for the door fee, and gave us wrist bands before we could enter the door. We came in at one of the bars so it was a little crowded, but everyone was nice and made room to get through. When we saw Charles he was in a section that was up about 3 steps and he just tilted my wheelchair back and delivered me up to his table. It overlooked the dance floor and there was energy that just took over. I loved being part of the crowd. Now I could see tables on the lower, but they were the high tables. Didn't get to check out the bathrooms.

There were 2 areas wheelchairs won't be able to visit. The foosball and darts are upstairs on the left side of the stage and the food area with more things to do is on the right side. Pool tables are on the lower level.

Guess this means I get to go back again and do a much better job on recon. Until next time hope you all have a great day and please keep exploring the world. It's ours too!

Hello everyone! This is my first blog so please hang in there with visual changes I may make to it.

First the reason for my blog is that February 3rd was the 30th Anniversary of my leg amputation at Shriners Hospital in St. Louis. It was done the day after my 16th Birthday so for you all keeping check that makes me 46.

My entire life I tried to do what I thought I was suppose to do to be 'normal'. Graduated high school on time by going to summer school, went to college to get a degree, found a job after graduation, then found a better job, obtained my MBA and then it all went to Hell in a handbasket.

Let me back up a little. I was born with Spina Bifida, surgery at about 8 months to remove a tumor, numerous hospital visits that resulted in 3 volumes of medical records, and then infections that resulted in a below the knee amputation below my left knee. I had already dealt with partial paralysis below the knee of my right leg.

Except for one revision of my amputation there were no major medical problems from the time I was 16 until 39. My urologist said my bladder had shrunk to the size of an acorn. At the time I didn't realize he was telling me I was going to die. Fortunately for me there was an option besides dialysis.

A bladder augmentation saved my life, but ended my working. Since then I have worked on my writing and spent time with my family and friends.

I want more out of my life though. My trips to Washington DC and Orlando for writing conferences fired up my travel desire. To show that people in wheelchairs can explore and see everything that able body do.

So my plan is to first explore St. Louis and give tips on how I made it work. If there are anyplaces that you would like me to check out for you and see if they are accessible please let me know. I can walk short distances; however, even with that ability restaurants and attractions can make it difficult.

It is up to us to show them the way. Please join me on my journey.