[leah-leilani]

My mom always carries her pepper spray with her wherever she goes and I have a whistle attached to my purse. Although these are not allowed everywhere in places such as Disneyland, they are very user friendly for people with disabilities. I’ve also seen cool weapons for women on Amazon.com like small knives concealed in lipstick containers. It would be so awesome to find a self-defense class catered for people with disabilities because we are more vulnerable than the average person. I’ve even considered carrying a stun gun with me.

[leah-leilani]

I can do that as well. I’m so my best to show my parents the gratitude they deserve but I’m especially grateful if one or both of my parents are sick, overwhelmed or particularly exhausted because I realize that they still have to take care of me during those times. Do you find caregiving a touchy subject when you’re in the middle of an argument or disagreement with your parents/caregivers? Do you think it makes you seem ungrateful?

[leah-leilani]

I realized this late too but caregivers deserve our appreciation more than just in November. Caregivers help us live our lives to the fullest and provide us with quality of life. Thank you to all the hired caregivers, family members that care-give, nurses, assistants and all other forms of caregivers. We love and appreciate you.

[leah-leilani]

Although I don’t travel very far or very often, I do carry snacks with me in case I need a boost or get hungry. I have to a low fat diet for my liver and it has been a struggle to find protein bars and on-the-go snacks that fit my dietary needs. I like to carry nuts, Cliff bars, mini Kind bars, Gatorade and electrolyte drink mixes with me when I’m out and about.

[leah-leilani]

For many years now, my family and I have gone over to a friends house for Thanksgiving. They are very understanding about my disability and allow me to use my portable ramps to get into their home. I don’t go and see family because the majority of them are not understanding or accommodating. I definitely consider my friends to be my family.

[leah-leilani]

I’m so sorry for your loss, Dani. I find that grief tends to make me tired, sort of the same as depression. My body feels like it has to work harder than usual to function and get through the day. It really does feel like a type of fatigue. It’s strange how mental health can effect us physically too but it does.

[leah-leilani]

Tina, I hear you! Pain makes doing anything 10x harder. I think one of the hardest part about SSI and work is that there is no in between. You can’t work only when you feel well and you can’t make a living working only a few hours a week which is that SSI allows.

I do hope the medication helps. I have fibromyalgia so I experience some pain too but not since I was put on the right meds.

[leah-leilani]

Thanks for your concern. It means a lot. Fortunately, both my mom and dog came out fine and we now have our car back.

[leah-leilani]

I think it’s just another one of their ableist ways. They don’t tend to make anything easy on any of their clients. It’s as if they try to get people to just give up and not fight for their needs.

[leah-leilani]

Pete, my mom and I take take Miralax for the exact same reason (her GI track is worse than mine). I 100% agree that medications help us live better and longer with less pain and discomfort. It’s like saying our feet aren’t meant for shoes. We do what we have to live comfortably within reason. Some more than others.

[leah-leilani]

You’re right, Ian. It is been hard to get over. In fact, I woke up the other night thinking that I smelled smoke again and had to walk around my house to make sure that everything was okay. Jeez, it’s almost like which one costs more-the insurance or a new wheelchair? It’s similar to what came first, the chicken or the egg, haha!

[leah-leilani]

I wasn’t even aware you could rent a part for a wheelchair! That’s great to know in case something breaks. $400 is a lot in my opinion though. I’d love to know the reason behind that price point. Perhaps the joystick was difficult for him to acquire or he did purely rip you off. I wouldn’t put it past people these days. Hopefully it can be written off as a medical expense. You’ll have to keep us updated.

[leah-leilani]

I always fear something like this happening. Cities never take care of important stuff like this until someone gets hurt. I’m glad you came out okay but I know that your chair probably took a beating. Have you gotten someone to come a fix the damages to your chair? Could the construction company cover the cost to fix your chair?

[leah-leilani]

Hey Mary,

how are you doing? How has the new year been treating you?

[leah-leilani]

Hi Larry,

I just wanted to check in and see how you’re doing?

[leah-leilani]

Barry, have you brought this up with a doctor or thought about seeking out a physical therapist to see if they could help?

[leah-leilani]

Barry, have you brought this up with a doctor or thought about seeking out a physical therapist to see if they could help?

[leah-leilani]

Tracy, I think you’re doing the right thing with having several air purifiers. Dani’s suggestions may help too especially with all that pet dander. Have you thought about seeing an Allergist for better solutions and maybe some medication recommendations?

[leah-leilani]

I know exactly how you feel Dani! I feel that way just after hanging out with my friends, so there’s no way I’m able to work 9-5. You’re right, employers and companies expect so much from their workers making it so stressful. And there can be a lot of guilt attached when we’re constantly in a state of recuperation. Our bodies are our number 1 priorities, not our jobs unfortunately.

[leah-leilani]

Jason, it sounds like your son has some creativity! I love that he took the initiative to customize his chair. Wheelchairs can look quite plain on their own and adding some fun to them shows off our personality and character, which I think many think we as disabled people don’t have.

[leah-leilani]

Sounds like NuMotion! Hence, why they’re called No-motion. I hope you can get it all sorted out painlessly and finally get some closer. As well as prevent someone else from suffering the same fate or worse.

[leah-leilani]

Karl, that is the worst part about this situation and people’s opinions-when you get refused help. You didn’t go to the doctor’s for their opinion, you went there for medical help. For me, my illness is undetectable through normal bloodwork and tests. They have to look at the cellular level and even then might not find anything but I still do have a disability!

[leah-leilani]

You made a lot of great points. I’m sure it would be terribly difficult to get a new wheelchair had something happened to my current one in the fire. I do however keep a backup power chair in the garage. Of course, this isn’t a solution should the garage catch on fire but it wasn’t near this house fire we had. I do however think it’s a great tip to think about keeping a wheelchair outside yet safe from any harmful elements. My family and I are very good about disaster preparedness just not for a fire since we don’t live in a place in California where brush fires happen. But we sure are now. In terms of going to court, I don’t think that’s necessary in this case. As far as I know, the man was out on parole and should be getting the punishment he deserves already.

[leah-leilani]

Thank you, Pete! My thoughts exactly about the wheelchair. People always talk about what they would grab in case of a fire or earthquake. But in reality, it’s yourself and your family that’s most important. They did catch the person who did it and he was out on parole so I hope he predict he got quite the punishment.