| Like an old pair of shoes... |
[Jul. 14th, 2009|04:13 pm] |
So, yesterday was the first for dance class with Full Radiance. I was coming off of 3 full days at MART and four hours prior. Needless to say I was exhausted but also happy to doing something that, once upon a time, was so normal.
For those who don't know, it is a combo troop, with everything from AB, to bi-peds to "wheelies". It began with a good long stretch out. I watched myself in the wall mirrors and felt my heart sink a bit. Even with all my work out for the last three months and watching my diet, I still felt HUGE and oh so uncoordinated. I kept trying to watch the folks in front of me, but would get confused looking at the person versus the reflection of them. The easiest rountines seemed to be processed backwards in my head. Nearing the end of that part, I was forcing back that feeling of tears and wanting to run away home. I'm tougher than this, I reminded myself.
Yet, as the class progressed, I gravitated toward the newer in the class, and though the teacher goes through the routines fast, I tried to forget "watching" myself. I won't say I got much better, but I can say it began to felt fun, and in a way, familiar. I was NEVER quick on intial up take of new dance steps, even with two legs, I reminded myself again. Then, nearing the end, the instructor used me as the "demo" on our first lesson of bi-ped to wheelie "spin"...and that's when it happened. For one moment, the feeling of movement, the feeling of beautiful fluidity was suddenly there, and in me. I know my smile cracked even the hard exterior of the "pros" around me.
So after a good catch up day of sleep, I am soon off for night two. Not sure where if anywhere, this all will lead, but atleast it's a "step" and isn't that how any journey begins?? |
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| (no subject) |
[Jun. 26th, 2009|11:58 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  contemplative | ] |
Hello! I posted here once before, so this time when I had a weird question I immediately thought someone here might relate.
I'm 23, with mild CP, which causes me to limp. So I'm no stranger to weird looks from people. And I can usually tell 'the look' apart from the various other looks I've received in my life.
But as I've started out in the real world after graduating college I've noticed a different look.
Anyone have trouble distinguishing a guy looking at you funny 'cause he's checking you out and the usual 'why is she walking funny' look? Sometimes I think it's a mix of the two, like 'She has a great smile, shame she walks like that'.
Is it all in my head? I don't know how to react to people looking at me anymore. I just end up confused. |
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| GimpGirl Community Support Meeting, 6/26 @ 5pm |
[Jun. 25th, 2009|08:34 am] |
This is an online, international event that will be held in Second Life, but is accessible to those not on Second Life via our text Chat Room. See below for details.
We are holding our next peer-lead support gathering for women with disabilities on:
Friday, June 26th from 5:00 - 6:00 PM SLT/Pacific.
(8:00 PM Eastern Time, for other timezones, click HERE)
In June we will be focusing on discussing self-advocacy. Some questions to ponder before attending: What does self-advocacy mean to you? How do you use self-advocacy in your daily life? How did you learn your self-advocacy skills? What do you wish you had learned sooner about self-advocacy? What would you like to teach others about self-advocacy?
We hope for a continued lively discussion, in a safe and supportive space.
NOTE: This gathering is for women with disabilities ONLY.
Second Life Location:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/3DE/165/33/260
IF YOU DON'T HAVE OR WANT ACCESS TO SECOND LIFE:
You can still attend this meeting online via IRC. To visit our Chat Room, go to our website at: http://www.gimpgirl.com/ and click on "Chat Room" under the Main Menu on the left. |
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| On our minds: body image, advocacy, and the future... |
[Jun. 18th, 2009|05:18 pm] |
The discussion links in this post lead to the forums on our website, but you are welcome to comment here as well...
Recently, GimpGirl Community representative Alejandra Ospina was able to participate in a radio program focusing on issues of interest to people with disabilities called The Largest Minority.
The second half of the program was a segment focusing on body image and relationships for people with disabilities, and there was a particular focus on women with disabilities...
It's exciting to watch our community grow; new members are joining all the time on our website, and in places like our Facebook and Twitter communities, among others.
As a member of the GimpGirl Community, how would you like to see us expand our reach online?
Don't forget -- our topic of the month for June is self-advocacy!
Join the conversation: Just Five Things
And don't forget to check our calendar for upcoming events! |
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| Washing up Problems |
[Jun. 14th, 2009|03:27 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  cranky | ] |
| [ | Current Music |
| | The Dune Mix by Mike G | ] |
This might be an odd post, because I'm asking someone else's disability. The situation is this - at the moment I "have" to do the washing dishes and cutlery in my household because both my boarder Kevin and his girlfriend seem to have a skin condition and if they do their own washing up they come out in a bad skin rash. However I also feel a bit "used" over this because they tend to produce about 60-80% of what has to be washed, and we've never had a real agreement about this, they force the issue by saying that they can't do the washing up. When Kevin came here it wasn't an issue because he was a better cook than me and we decided that he'd do the cooking and I'd do the washing up (he never mentioned any skin rash). But times changed and I decided to do my own cooking as I needed to take control of my diet. Kevin still expected me to do the washing up and then when Michelle came here it seemed she had the same problem as well (and had an allergy to latex as well). I feel that really, I should do my own washing up, and they should do theirs. But - I can't really demand that can I, with them having such a reaction to washing up liquids, can I? What work-arounds can you suggest for this so that they can do their own washing up without getting a skin reaction? |
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| GimpGirl Community Support Meeting, 6/12 @ 5pm |
[Jun. 11th, 2009|06:42 pm] |
This is an online, international event that will be held in Second Life, but is accessible to those not on Second Life via our text Chat Room. See below for details.
We are holding our next peer-lead support gathering for women with disabilities on:
Friday, June 12th from 5:00 - 6:00 PM SLT/Pacific.
(8:00 PM Eastern Time, for other timezones, click HERE)
In June we will be focusing on discussing self-advocacy. Some questions to ponder before attending: What does self-advocacy mean to you? How do you use self-advocacy in your daily life? How did you learn your self-advocacy skills? What do you wish you had learned sooner about self-advocacy? What would you like to teach others about self-advocacy?
( Read more... ) |
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| Tell what you notice, here |
[Jun. 5th, 2009|11:11 am] |
Opens to a pdf file
Adventures Without Limits Summer schedule
Go look, I'll wait.....
OK, somebody please tell me: What's up with all the kayaking? Why kayaking? |
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| GimpGirl Community Support Meeting, 6/7 @ 1pm |
[Jun. 5th, 2009|09:23 am] |
This is an online, international event that will be held in Second Life, but is accessible to those not on Second Life via our text Chat Room. See below for details.
We are holding our next peer-lead support gathering for women with disabilities on:
Sunday, June 7th from 1:00 - 2:00 PM SLT/Pacific.
(4:00 PM Eastern Time, for other timezones, click HERE)
In June we will be focusing on discussing self-advocacy. Some questions to ponder before attending: What does self-advocacy mean to you? How do you use self-advocacy in your daily life? How did you learn your self-advocacy skills? What do you wish you had learned sooner about self-advocacy? What would you like to teach others about self-advocacy?
( Read more... ) |
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| Gimp Girls in the Atlanta GA area!! |
[Jun. 4th, 2009|01:24 pm] |
I am sooooo excited I can hardly sit still. FINALLY, the Full Radius Dance troop (ie Wheel Chair/Disablities Dance Group) is offering adult classes in about a month. I called today and though they said they would work with me for the class fee, they of course, are a struggling art group and can use all the "full paying students" they can get. I've been waiting for this opportunity for awhile so I thought I'd pass it on to see if anyone else would like to get in on the class too. They have a concert this tomorrow and two on Saturday, I never miss them. Full Radius Dance at 404-724-9663.
So if interest in either, give them a call...tell them Lindy sent ya!!
*happy dance*
( here's the info ) |
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| Walkers and the like |
[Jun. 2nd, 2009|11:26 am] |
Does anyone know of any wheeled walkers with a seat that weigh less than this one?
http://ucanhealth.com/goto.php?page=detail.php&graph1=10230
Some sites have it listed at 8 lbs and others at 9 lbs. Honestly, that's probably an alright weight, but I would love something a bit more, uh, compact since it's the same dimensions as my invacare rollite now and I feel like I'm pushing around something the size of a tank. O_O But I guess it'll be okay if that's all I can fine. I was going to modify one of my two walkers (Invacare Rollite or the 5.5 lb single bar Invacare) but this would most likely come out cheaper and more convenient in the end.
Also, on a more fun note, what are good ways to trick out a walker? I'm planning on swapping the wheels for light up scooter wheels once I find a frame I'm happy with and adding a bag that says "This is My Old British Butler." (I'm going as Lara Croft to a convention and I have a "thing" for old British butlers, so my friends will get a kick out of it). I'm really interested in making a cushion for the seat, too, though it couldn't be too big or I'd risk not being able to fold it up! I'm just going to transfer my cup-holder and bag hook from my rollite over to this one, so it'll be nice and fancy. :D All I should need after that are cushy hand covers.
Take Care! |
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| Topic of the Month: Self-Advocacy |
[Jun. 1st, 2009|08:34 am] |
What does self-advocacy mean to you?
How do you use self-advocacy in your daily life?
How did you learn your self-advocacy skills?
What do you wish you had learned sooner about self-advocacy?
What would you like to teach others about self-advocacy?
Here's a definition from Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered:
"[It] is about independent groups of people with disabilities working together for justice by helping each other take charge of our lives and fight discrimination. It teaches us how to make decisions and choices that affect our lives so we can be more independent. It also teaches us about our rights, but along with learning about our rights we learn responsibilities. The way we learn about advocating for ourselves is by supporting each other and helping each other gain confidence in ourselves so we can speak out for what we believe in."
http://rtc.umn.edu/self/sadefinition.asp |
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| CALL TO ACTIVISM - Many people with disabilities to be excluded from accessible parking under propos |
[May. 30th, 2009|03:11 pm] |
(cross-posted, sorry if you see it more than once)
If you're in Australia, we need your help! Please spread the word. Copy as much of this post as you like.
The government is proposing a national harmonisation of disabled parking schemes. Sounds great on the surface, doesn't it? But they're going to throw independent people with disabilities (PWD) who aren't wheelchair or scooter users to the wolves. People who can walk without physical assistance from another person, with or without a cane, no matter how restricted their walking distance, will no longer have access to accessible parking.
Unless you intervene. Please, give your feedback to the government about this scheme, right now, and spread the word.
Harmonisation of Disability Parking Permit Schemes in Australia
You can email your completed submission to accessparking@fahcsia.gov.au or post it to:
Australian Disability Parking Scheme submissions (East Wing)
FaHCSIA
PO Box 7576
Canberra Business Centre ACT 2610
Submissions must be received by 5pm AEST Friday 31 July 2009.
You can read the full discussion paper in PDF here: "Harmonisation of disability parking
permit schemes in Australia". Alternative versions of the discussion paper are available from the call centre in Easy English, on CD, in Braille or in another language: 1800 630 740, 1800 555 677 (TTY).
Read on to hear about how this will affect real people. [cut for length]
( Read more... ) |
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| GimpGirl Community Support Meeting, 5/29 @ 5pm |
[May. 27th, 2009|12:37 pm] |
This is an online, international event that will be held in Second Life, but is accessible to those not on Second Life via IRC chat. See below for details.
We are holding our next support gathering for women with disabilities on:
Friday, May 29th from 5:00 - 6:00 PM SLT/Pacific.
(8:00 PM Eastern Time, for other timezones, click HERE)
( Read more... ) |
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| GimpGirl Community Support Meeting, 5/24 @ 1pm |
[May. 20th, 2009|02:11 pm] |
This is an online, international event that will be held in Second Life, but is accessible to those not on Second Life via IRC chat. See below for details.
We are holding our next support gathering for women with disabilities on:
Sunday, May 24th from 1:00 - 2:00 PM SLT/Pacific.
(4:00 PM Eastern Time, for other timezones, click HERE)
( Read more... ) |
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| Radio interview about GimpGirl Community (listen online, live or archived) |
[May. 19th, 2009|05:15 pm] |
As posted in our website calendar:
GimpGirl Community Representative Alejandra Ospina will speak with radio host Dan Windheim (based in Rockland County, New York) on his show, "Dialogues With Dan", which focuses on issues that affect people with disabilities. They will talk about the history and focus, and future of our community, and what makes us who we are.
The interview will take place on Tuesday, May 19th, at 6:30 PM EDT/3:30 PM PDT (if you are in another time zone, check here to find out the time in your area).
Tune in online at: http://www.rocklandworldradio.com/program/dialogues/
If you're not able to tune into the live broadcast, the interview will be available for later listening, in the show's online archive.
Thanks for listening -- what are your thoughts?
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| (no subject) |
[May. 18th, 2009|04:46 pm] |
Poll #1402075 Dyphagia
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: AllDo you have problems with swallowing? If you answered yes, what caused your swallowing difficulties? How long have you had them? Have your swallowing difficulties changed your relationsip with food? How has your relationship with food changed? |
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| Visiting Vegas? |
[May. 10th, 2009|03:46 pm] |
I live in San Francisco, and my parents have arranged a family get-together in Vegas.
I've been to Vegas before, but not since I got a wheelchair. I understand the city is fairly accesxzsible.
I'm wondering about my travel, and whether I should bring my own wheelchair or consider renting one there. At home I use a powerchair with a standard automobile bucket-style seat; I could use a scooter but they're often hard on my arms. (I also hate how much space they take up; I am spoiled by my wheels.)
But there is no way at all that I am taking my precious wheels on an airplane! (Why the hell can't airplanes have tiedowns anyway?) I saw what happened to my old-busted-spare chair when I let the baggage gorillas have it. Normally when I fly somewhere, I take my manual chair and get airport people to push me most of the way. But this means I don't have power wheels when I get where I'm going. (I have mostly done this to visit my parents, who don't have an accessible house or vehicle anyway; if I was going somewhere on my own I would probably rent.) But while in Vegas we want to have power wheels for me and an accessible van to put them in. (I can transfer and do not need driver modifications; I won't even do most of the driving.)
So I am trying to decide between two plans:
* rent a wheelchair van in San Francisco, drive to Las Vegas(9 hrs/600 miles) for eight days, drive back
* fly to Vegas (3 hours), rent a wheelchair van and hopefully a powerchair or a scooter if I have to while there, fly home
I have no experience with rentals. I don't know if the first plan would cost too much, or if places even rent vans for trips that long/far. But I also don't know if places will rent power chairs at all(as opposed to scooters) and am nervous about doing that sight unseen.
Do any of you wheelies have advice or recommendations for me?
Thanks in advance! |
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