Exciting Day!
Met Kent plus Megan his producer and Jeff his photographer at the Des Peres Dierberg's for taping. I won't give away all the details, but Kent used my old wheelchair and seat belt and shopped for groceries.
It gave him a different perspective about how grocery shopping isn't easy for everyone. That is the main purpose of my blog is to show that being in a wheelchair isn't all gloom and doom. There are work arounds for all different situations the disabled face every day of our lives.
Enjoy the world around you, whether it be family, friends, charity work, or animals. So much is out there to embrace. That is what I plan on doing from this day forward.
My list of places to visit in my new light weight wheelchair include the following: St. Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, Butterfly House, St. Louis Zoo, etc. That is just the list of attractions. Still making the list of restaurants and entertainment places to scope out.
Until next time keep rolling.
Monday, November 4, 2013
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Great Day St. Louis part One
So Happy! Have my new ultra light weight wheelchair and have already taken it out for a test run. Now tomorrow Monday, November 4th I'm meeting Kent Ehrhardt the weather caster for KMOV Channel 4 and one of the hosts for Great Day St. Louis. On opening day for the St. Louis Cardinals I ran into him (not literally, no weathercaster has been harmed by me, so far) and challenged him to a Can Kent wheelchair challenge.
It has finally arrived. He accepted and we have decided to meet at a supermarket. Bringing my old chair for him to use. This is going to be great because most people just run into the store grab a cart and throw in what they want, check out and put it in their car. No big deal.
What about if you're in a wheelchair? Up until a couple months ago I was able to park in the handicapped spot and walk inside to get one of the special carts so I didn't have to walk around the store and risk falling. Now my right leg is giving me so many problems that I need to use my chair and be selective about what I'm buying.
In college, a long long time ago, my step-father took an auto seat belt and had the ends sewn together so I could use it with my wheelchair. That holds on either a bag or the small plastic totes the grocers have for people who don't want to use a cart.
Now you're probably thinking that once I'm strapped in that the higher shelved items are out of my reach. Well since I'm not even 5 foot tall they were already out of my reach. lol
Details will come later this week on how everything went and when it will air. Until then keep wheeling along.
It has finally arrived. He accepted and we have decided to meet at a supermarket. Bringing my old chair for him to use. This is going to be great because most people just run into the store grab a cart and throw in what they want, check out and put it in their car. No big deal.
What about if you're in a wheelchair? Up until a couple months ago I was able to park in the handicapped spot and walk inside to get one of the special carts so I didn't have to walk around the store and risk falling. Now my right leg is giving me so many problems that I need to use my chair and be selective about what I'm buying.
In college, a long long time ago, my step-father took an auto seat belt and had the ends sewn together so I could use it with my wheelchair. That holds on either a bag or the small plastic totes the grocers have for people who don't want to use a cart.
Now you're probably thinking that once I'm strapped in that the higher shelved items are out of my reach. Well since I'm not even 5 foot tall they were already out of my reach. lol
Details will come later this week on how everything went and when it will air. Until then keep wheeling along.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Decisions, decisions, which way should I let life take me or should I take my life?
It's been awhile since I've written anything. Trying to decide in what direction I should take my life. Have been working for years on writing a romantic suspense, which I do plan on completing. However, I'm feeling drawn toward also doing motivational speaking and travel writing for the disabled.
Any preferences? Would you like to hear about how to travel with your wheelchair or someone to inspire you and talk to you about life in general?
Well I do have something big coming up on November 4th. I challenged Kent Ehrhardt to a Can Kent wheelchair challenge. It will be filmed on the 4th and I'm hoping to have my new ultra-lightweight wheelchair by them.
Until next time keeping rolling through life.
Any preferences? Would you like to hear about how to travel with your wheelchair or someone to inspire you and talk to you about life in general?
Well I do have something big coming up on November 4th. I challenged Kent Ehrhardt to a Can Kent wheelchair challenge. It will be filmed on the 4th and I'm hoping to have my new ultra-lightweight wheelchair by them.
Until next time keeping rolling through life.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
What do you do when life knocks you on your butt?
Hmm...it's been awhile since I've posted on my blog. This year was supposed to be so upbeat and me doing so many things. Instead it's been a little sad. My Dad was diagnosed with brain cancer at the end of 2012 and had a procedure that was suppose to make him better/cure him. He was upbeat and positive that it would be only a few months and he would be living on his own again.
Unfortunately it didn't work out that way and he went from rehab to a nursing home. At the end of May he went into the hospital for the last time and after tests were done to determine what his pain was from it was my decision to place him on hospice. My grandparents, my younger brother, two aunts, and one of my uncles were with me when the doctor talked to us. My Dad was not able to make any decisions on his own at that time and since he had no living will or anything it fell to me.
So everyone should at least have a living will so that all their wishes are known. There was an option of surgery on his broken back to help him be able to sit up in his last weeks/months, but the doctors didn't think he'd survive the surgery. Afterwards seeing him just laying in that hospital bed I doubted my decision. He died on June 10th a little after 8 am. He was buried at Jefferson Barracks with military honors. It's been hard, but I know he would want me to be happy and go back to a productive life.
Have been helping watch my niece and nephews and even had a staycation watching a friends house while she was away. Plans right now are to visit museums in Forest Park and the newly rehabbed St. Louis City Library:)
Well off the check on the hours and events for the museums. Have a great evening everyone.
Unfortunately it didn't work out that way and he went from rehab to a nursing home. At the end of May he went into the hospital for the last time and after tests were done to determine what his pain was from it was my decision to place him on hospice. My grandparents, my younger brother, two aunts, and one of my uncles were with me when the doctor talked to us. My Dad was not able to make any decisions on his own at that time and since he had no living will or anything it fell to me.
So everyone should at least have a living will so that all their wishes are known. There was an option of surgery on his broken back to help him be able to sit up in his last weeks/months, but the doctors didn't think he'd survive the surgery. Afterwards seeing him just laying in that hospital bed I doubted my decision. He died on June 10th a little after 8 am. He was buried at Jefferson Barracks with military honors. It's been hard, but I know he would want me to be happy and go back to a productive life.
Have been helping watch my niece and nephews and even had a staycation watching a friends house while she was away. Plans right now are to visit museums in Forest Park and the newly rehabbed St. Louis City Library:)
Well off the check on the hours and events for the museums. Have a great evening everyone.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Mother's Day 2013 at the St. Louis Zoo
Gorgeous day for mom's in St. Louis. I went to the St. Louis Zoo with my mom, 2 brothers, sister-in-law, 3 year old niece, one year old nephew, and seven year old nephew. Weather started off a little cool and warmed up.
We were lucky because after we parked at the North Entrance parking lot it was full and they closed it. Had we been a little later it would have been horrible to find a place to park and walk with the kids. Well I would have wheeled:)
Most of the zoo is easy for me to navigate in my wheelchair, but there are a few areas that have steep grades and some spots that I feel like I'm leaning a little to one side or the other. One of the first places we visited was the Penguin and Puffin Cove. One of the penguins jumped off a rock close to me and I was splashed in the hair and face. Not to bad so I was laughing as I wheeled away to a safe distance to clean my glasses:)
The kids loved it. My niece insisted that she had to ride with Grandma so we got her seat set up and on the way to the zoo talked about the different animals including the prairie dogs, which are her uncle's favorite animal. Only she called them fairy dogs and said she didn't like them until we made it to the prairie dog exhibit for a quick stop and then leave for the new seal exhibit. Daddy had to go back and keep her from climbing in with them. As we started to enter the tunnel she started to freak out so daddy held her and I gave her a jacket because she said she was cold.
Her daddy tried to hit me up for some allergy medicine but it was at home. Mom suggested I check with one of the souvenir kiosks and when I asked if they had one the lady said she did---and got it out of her own purse and handed us one for him. We didn't expect that at all and it came packaged so we knew what it was. That's one of the things I love about St. Louis is how friendly the people are and helpful.
After the seal's we headed for the elephants and was able to see one of the baby's and I think Raja. The zoo is still working on their new habitat and even had pictures of it along the trail. Looks like it's going to be beautiful.
Not the easiest path at times, but I had my brother's to help get me through. I need to get back to the gym and build my arms up more.
The train ride was the last thing we did and it was great. There's a car right behind the engine that holds wheelchairs and scooters that includes a bench that people can sit behind you. So if you have a young child in a wheelchair you can be right there if they get scared or too excited. The engineer seat belted me in and tied down my wheelchair and then closed the canopy over me. There are a couple of tunnels that you go through that kind of look like clean sewer tunnels.
Well heading to bed for a good night sleep because tomorrow I'm having lunch with an amputee support group. Never been to one before. I'm hoping that not only can I contribute, but I can learn some news things to try out and share with others.
Keep rolling with your head held high!
We were lucky because after we parked at the North Entrance parking lot it was full and they closed it. Had we been a little later it would have been horrible to find a place to park and walk with the kids. Well I would have wheeled:)
Most of the zoo is easy for me to navigate in my wheelchair, but there are a few areas that have steep grades and some spots that I feel like I'm leaning a little to one side or the other. One of the first places we visited was the Penguin and Puffin Cove. One of the penguins jumped off a rock close to me and I was splashed in the hair and face. Not to bad so I was laughing as I wheeled away to a safe distance to clean my glasses:)
The kids loved it. My niece insisted that she had to ride with Grandma so we got her seat set up and on the way to the zoo talked about the different animals including the prairie dogs, which are her uncle's favorite animal. Only she called them fairy dogs and said she didn't like them until we made it to the prairie dog exhibit for a quick stop and then leave for the new seal exhibit. Daddy had to go back and keep her from climbing in with them. As we started to enter the tunnel she started to freak out so daddy held her and I gave her a jacket because she said she was cold.
Her daddy tried to hit me up for some allergy medicine but it was at home. Mom suggested I check with one of the souvenir kiosks and when I asked if they had one the lady said she did---and got it out of her own purse and handed us one for him. We didn't expect that at all and it came packaged so we knew what it was. That's one of the things I love about St. Louis is how friendly the people are and helpful.
After the seal's we headed for the elephants and was able to see one of the baby's and I think Raja. The zoo is still working on their new habitat and even had pictures of it along the trail. Looks like it's going to be beautiful.
Not the easiest path at times, but I had my brother's to help get me through. I need to get back to the gym and build my arms up more.
The train ride was the last thing we did and it was great. There's a car right behind the engine that holds wheelchairs and scooters that includes a bench that people can sit behind you. So if you have a young child in a wheelchair you can be right there if they get scared or too excited. The engineer seat belted me in and tied down my wheelchair and then closed the canopy over me. There are a couple of tunnels that you go through that kind of look like clean sewer tunnels.
Well heading to bed for a good night sleep because tomorrow I'm having lunch with an amputee support group. Never been to one before. I'm hoping that not only can I contribute, but I can learn some news things to try out and share with others.
Keep rolling with your head held high!
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Disabilities combined with natural and man-made disaters
Since last Wednesday there has been a tornado in my community (Hazelwood, MO), a terrorist bombing in Boston (at the marathon), and a fire and explosion in a fertilizer plant in West, TX.
Some disasters you can prepare for and try to take cover, but others are unexpected and meant to kill and destroy as much as possible. We should be aware of our surroundings; who is there, what are the escape routes, how do you get yourself out, and many other questions. Disabled individuals can't depend on accessible escape routes and may need to depend on those around them.
Start with where you live, are their people who have trouble getting around living next door to you? Do they use wheelchairs or walkers? Even if you can't help them yourselves by knowing where they live you can point them out to the first responders who are trained to aid them in emergency situations. Then when you are out in public, for example at the Boston Marathon, who are the people around you? Friendly or sketchy, law enforcement or civilian, happy go lucky or suspicious, able or disabled? Depending on who they are they can either help you, you need to help them, or you or someone else need to stop them. Don't worry about appearing rude if you stare at someone. It may save your life and the lives of those around you.
Disabled people need to be aware of the best escape routes for them and always have a list of your medicines on you somewhere. If you are taken to a hospital or Red Cross area you may not have access to your pharmacy or doctor's records and having a list can be life saving for you or a loved one.
Healthy people don't think about things like this so we must be pro-active to help ourselves and others as much as possible. Unfortunately bad things can change people and make them more aware of what is going on in their world.
Be safe and keep on rolling.
Some disasters you can prepare for and try to take cover, but others are unexpected and meant to kill and destroy as much as possible. We should be aware of our surroundings; who is there, what are the escape routes, how do you get yourself out, and many other questions. Disabled individuals can't depend on accessible escape routes and may need to depend on those around them.
Start with where you live, are their people who have trouble getting around living next door to you? Do they use wheelchairs or walkers? Even if you can't help them yourselves by knowing where they live you can point them out to the first responders who are trained to aid them in emergency situations. Then when you are out in public, for example at the Boston Marathon, who are the people around you? Friendly or sketchy, law enforcement or civilian, happy go lucky or suspicious, able or disabled? Depending on who they are they can either help you, you need to help them, or you or someone else need to stop them. Don't worry about appearing rude if you stare at someone. It may save your life and the lives of those around you.
Disabled people need to be aware of the best escape routes for them and always have a list of your medicines on you somewhere. If you are taken to a hospital or Red Cross area you may not have access to your pharmacy or doctor's records and having a list can be life saving for you or a loved one.
Healthy people don't think about things like this so we must be pro-active to help ourselves and others as much as possible. Unfortunately bad things can change people and make them more aware of what is going on in their world.
Be safe and keep on rolling.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Cardinals opening day April 8, 2013
Wow, what a day! This was on my Mom's bucket list and her friend Suzanne went with us. We started the day early and arrived at about 9:30 am. The plan was to go to J. Bucks where Channel 5 was going to be for autographs and hand out Stan Musial harmonica's. Well first we heading in totally the wrong direction and went totally out of the way. Finally we made it to J Bucks and saw a huge line that blocked part of the side walk. We decided to head for someplace else and on the way there we sat down to rest and check my smart phone for a map.
Our second choice was too far, but Talia Kaplan and Stephen Patterson from KSDK Channel 5 walked by and my mom said hi. Talia and Stephen stopped and chatted and invited us down to J Bucks, which is when we told them I couldn't get through. Talia was so nice! She said they'd get us in, which she did. The band was great and so was the crowd. We didn't get the harmonica, but it was a great time anyway.
We left there and decided to go onto the other side of the stadium to another opening day bash, which turned out to be KMOV Channel 4 and KMOX radio. There I met Kent Ehrhardt, Virginia Kerr, and Matt Chambers from Great Day St. Louis and they were so nice. Shared with Kent my idea of a challenge for his Can Kent series of him doing an obstacle course like scavenger hunt at the mall. He asked that I e-mail him about that and the fact I'm a member of the local romance writers chapter.
Haven't sent the e-mail yet because I want to make it perfect. This maybe my only chance to have an impact for the disabled community. Well I'll let you all know how it goes.
Then onto the game. The stadium was very accessible and the section the three of us were in was a special section for wheelchairs and the disabled. Folding chairs were available for my mom and her friend, there were cup holders attached to the wrought iron railing in front of us. Plus it was under the cover of the section above us so no hot sun! The only negative was the standing room only crowd encroaching on our space. You know how it is people don't really "notice" wheelchairs so they have a tendency to get to close.
The bathroom stall had enough room for my wheelchair to turn around in and enough room once I was out to get to a sink and the paper towels. Our seats were on the third level and I explored that area and then went down to the main level using the regular elevator and explored to my hearts content. Didn't have any problem, well except when women stopped in the middle of the huge hallway and it took me about 30 seconds to realize it was just the bathroom line. lol Then went back up using the freight elevator, which was also used by pregnant women and people who had problems with the stairs.
The game was great until the ninth inning and I could see everything from my wheelchair and I would love to go again sometime. Will be requesting the same seats. Until next time keep rolling with your head held high.
Our second choice was too far, but Talia Kaplan and Stephen Patterson from KSDK Channel 5 walked by and my mom said hi. Talia and Stephen stopped and chatted and invited us down to J Bucks, which is when we told them I couldn't get through. Talia was so nice! She said they'd get us in, which she did. The band was great and so was the crowd. We didn't get the harmonica, but it was a great time anyway.
We left there and decided to go onto the other side of the stadium to another opening day bash, which turned out to be KMOV Channel 4 and KMOX radio. There I met Kent Ehrhardt, Virginia Kerr, and Matt Chambers from Great Day St. Louis and they were so nice. Shared with Kent my idea of a challenge for his Can Kent series of him doing an obstacle course like scavenger hunt at the mall. He asked that I e-mail him about that and the fact I'm a member of the local romance writers chapter.
Haven't sent the e-mail yet because I want to make it perfect. This maybe my only chance to have an impact for the disabled community. Well I'll let you all know how it goes.
Then onto the game. The stadium was very accessible and the section the three of us were in was a special section for wheelchairs and the disabled. Folding chairs were available for my mom and her friend, there were cup holders attached to the wrought iron railing in front of us. Plus it was under the cover of the section above us so no hot sun! The only negative was the standing room only crowd encroaching on our space. You know how it is people don't really "notice" wheelchairs so they have a tendency to get to close.
The bathroom stall had enough room for my wheelchair to turn around in and enough room once I was out to get to a sink and the paper towels. Our seats were on the third level and I explored that area and then went down to the main level using the regular elevator and explored to my hearts content. Didn't have any problem, well except when women stopped in the middle of the huge hallway and it took me about 30 seconds to realize it was just the bathroom line. lol Then went back up using the freight elevator, which was also used by pregnant women and people who had problems with the stairs.
The game was great until the ninth inning and I could see everything from my wheelchair and I would love to go again sometime. Will be requesting the same seats. Until next time keep rolling with your head held high.
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