Category Archives: Life in a wheelchair

Life in a wheelchair, Motivational

Having Cerebral Palsy means putting yourself in a vault during a worldwide pandemic

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I haven’t left my house in 4 weeks. I haven’t even put on a pair of jeans in 4 weeks. Having Cerebral Palsy means I’m at higher risk of getting sick, but to be honest, staying in is not about staying well for me. I don’t fear sickness. I’m trying to do everything I can to stop the spread so we can all get back to normal faster. The “comfy pants” are getting a workout. I’ve been hearing from a lot of folks online who are struggling with cabin fever and the challenges of finding interesting or useful things to do.

I hear people saying things like
“I’ve already watched everything on Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime.”
“The dog has been walked so many times she runs away when I get out the leash.”
“My jigsaw puzzle library has been exhausted.”

I have to be honest this is not something that I struggle with. Since all this started I have filled a 12-hour plus day with no problems. Maybe my experience can help you!

The key for me has been having actual work to do. Anyone that knows me knows I’m always working. I have a podcast that has been on the air for 15 years and still going called Gaming Uncensored. We talk about video games but we do everything we can to make it entertaining and accessible for everybody. You can find it right here. http://gaminguncensored.com/

If you have read this blog for any length of time, you know that Evie and I do lots of different projects together. The main thing we are working on right now is a 3D World that you can visit on your computer using only your web browser. Evie (have I mentioned that she’s multi-talented genius?) built the world and has a hand in everything you will see there We call it 3DWebWorldz and you can find it here. https://3dwebworldz.com/ We have an amazing team working hard on amazing things for you to explore and enjoy.

We have a space for you.

We have live streaming video music concerts every Friday night at 6PM pacific time to keep you entertained. You can join your friends, virtually, and have a night out without worrying about Covid at all! You’ll find a full schedule of upcoming music events at https://livemusic3d.com/

Had a great crowd at the Twin Peaks 30th anniversary concert arranged and performed by Liz Aday on 04-08

We also have an extremely active writers group that is made up of some very talented authors. They use the platforms to brainstorm with other writers, and they have great books that they would love for you to read. You can find out more about them at https://fictionfountain.com/ It’s a really fun place to explore and meet people, which is something we all need during these crazy times. Just recently the writers held a book expo where they each read from their books and took questions from the audience during Author Q&A as you can see

A great crowd heard some great stories. No social distance needed in 3DWebWorldz

The event was a huge success. Readings were done in voice and it gave the authors a chance to promote and sell their books to people from all over without leaving home.

One of the writers is, of course, Evie. She has multiple fantastic novels that will keep your brain engaged and take you on an adventure. (I should know, I’ve read them all).  You can find out more and purchase them here. https://yvonnedebandi.com/

This has become the longest post I’ve ever written on this blog. The point is not to say look at all the cool stuff we’re doing to keep you from being bored, you should support us. I would love it if you did :-)) The point is to put forward the idea that if you are struggling during this time of quarantine, there are things to do and great people to meet. If you are a performer, we can help you connect with an audience!

Writers and Teachers will want to take a look a the Smart Action Software tools we’ve rolled out to help you advance your skills and manage your projects. They are available with a special free preview offer right now.

The “silver lining” about being stuck in your house is that you have time to explore new hobbies and learn about yourself. Find something new that you really enjoy and work on it every day. For me it’s writing, podcasting, promoting online live music and fantastic new 3D meeting spaces. It can be something totally different for you. During this time you actually have time to explore and figure out what you really enjoy.

This is a tough and scary time for many of us, and I’m not making light of anything. I just wanted you all to know that I’m here and want to help in every way that I can. Stay safe and healthy and don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m just an email away.

As always thanks Evie for giving me a place to write when something comes to mind. Her genius is what drives me to keep working every day. Until next time.

Announcements, Comedy, Life in a wheelchair, Motivational

The book is finally here You can now have me in your house

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Hi everybody

I am super excited to announce that my book is finally available. It’s Called  From a seated perspective. Is available RIGHT HERE.  This has been a long time coming. Some of you have literally been waiting YEARS  and I think the wait will have been worth it. After you buy a copy: do me a favor and please write a review. I want to get the word out to as many people as possible.

Click the picture to go to Amazon

 

As with almost everything I do on the Internet these days, This book wouldn’t have gotten done without the help of Evie.  She did more than you guys will ever know to make it easier for me to write and did some amazing art that makes me smile every time I see it. I am a published author largely because of her. I’m not always the easiest guy to work with, so her perseverance means more to me then I have words to express.

I also want to thank my buddy Tommy, who did the final edit. He quite literally tore the book apart. We’ve been friends for more than a decade, and he is always around to back me up. It is very much appreciated. Thank you, sir.

I truly hope you guys enjoy the book. If it sells well I might be convinced to do another one.  So what are you waiting for? GO GET IT

Life in a wheelchair

Now I understand how Elmer Fudd felt

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Like everybody else, I have to shave. I’ve tried to wear a beard because well, it would just be easier. I always make it a few weeks and the itching starts to drive me more than a little insane. Most days I shave using an electric razor with Jane’s help. About once a week a little more help is required. There’s only so much an electric shaver can do.

In my case, my hands aren’t steady so I just have to sit back and let someone else do the work. Sometimes I go to a barber, but most of the time I get help for my dad. Whoever is helping me I try really hard not to make them angry before I need a shave because my life is quite literally in their hands.
Maybe I’m vain, but I’m not a huge fan of scars. Jane is afraid to help me with a razor for that exact reason, she does not want to be responsible. I guess we are getting to the point that I will soon have the option of a robot assistant, that sounds great in theory until they see me as a threat to their survival:-)
Thanks to Evie as always. Her work makes me laugh at myself and that’s pretty amazing.
Have a great Friday everybody
Life in a wheelchair

The power of levitation would come in really handy sometimes

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No matter how Vigilant you are, technology tends to break down and when it does, I realize how much I rely on it. It gets me out of bed, into the bathroom, the shower. Basically anytime I’m outside the chair a lift probably got me there. When I don’t have that technology it’s hard for me to move and puts a strain on people who don’t need to be lifting a fully grown man.

Unfortunately, you can’t just go to Amazon and pick up new hardware. I’ve had one lift in the shop for at least 6 months, and the other one is threatening to die. It will all work out, it always does but I wonder where one would go to hire a Swedish nurse in the meantime? As always, thanks to Evie for working her magic.

Happy Monday Everybody
Life in a wheelchair

Tow trucks are not wheelchair accessible

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It’s never fun to have a car break down, especially while you’re on vacation. That happened to me a few years ago. Doesn’t matter where you are, you can probably find some place to get your car worked on. That’s the major benefit of having a Walmart every 5 miles across the United States. If you’re in a wheelchair and your car braids down in a small town with little or no public transportation or any kind of accessible transportation for that matter, you are kind of stuck.
When this happened to me, it was interesting to see the look on the tow truck drivers face when my dad told him that the electric wheelchair did not fold up and I couldn’t just hop in the front of the truck. So for the first time in my life. I rode in my vehicle, as it was sitting on the back of a tow truck. I’m pretty sure this is highly illegal. but there were no other options in small town Oklahoma. The looks that we got from people as they passed the truck on the highway and realised that there were people actually riding in the vehicle on the back was priceless. I felt A little bit like an exhibit On Ripley’s believe it or not.
It’s definitely not something you see every day, but when accessible transportation is not available, you have to get creative. I’m pretty sure the tow truck driver will never forget me.
As always, I want to say thank you to Evie for actually believing me when I tell her all these crazy stories. Have a great week everybody.
Comedy, Life in a wheelchair

May I share this parking lot with you?

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Evie does a fantastic job capturing my life in comics. This one may be my favorite of all of them because it is absolutely true.  Most handicapped parking spaces are easily large enough to accommodate a lift that either unfolds out of the side door, or comes from underneath the side door as mine does. The problem is a handicapped spot can be hard to come by, and if I do happen to find one, most people don’t park straight and end up taking up their spot and half of mine. I’m in a wheelchair and have to park it all the time. I almost never park straight, so I completely understand, I’m just saying,  it complicates things.

When we come out from someplace and someone has made it impossible for me to get back in the car,  Jane usually has to back out and we need the construction cones you see in the cartoon above to make sure that I don’t get run over while I’m trying to get back in the car. It keeps life interesting if nothing else.

I need to take a minute to say thank you to Evie for all that she does. I’ve always wanted my own comic strip or comic books(Because my life isn’t that interesting without out a little bit of embellishment).She makes it happen every time I ask and I cannot express to you what that is worth to me.  I have never met a more beautiful person.  I also want to thank all of you for reading. It is great fun to sit down and know that someone enjoys what I write.

Have a great week everybody

 

 

Life in a wheelchair

I have a love hate relationship with my desk at work

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I’ve picked up another job recently. On my first day, I came in and they knew exactly where they wanted me to sit. I rolled up to the desk and proceeded to bang my knee on it.  FYI tables and desks in public places are rarely just the right height for people in wheelchairs to comfortably sit at. They are either too high or too low, After I banged my knee on the table, the next step was to figure out how we were going to raise

After I banged my knee on the table, the next step was to figure out how we were going to raise it. Since it is a part-time job, and I’m there at least a couple days a week, it needed to be a somewhat permanent solution. After some searching on Google, we figured out that the solution was furniture lifts. I had never used furniture lifts before, so in my mind, they were some marvellous piece of space-age technology. With that in mind, I sent Jane to the store. When she brought them back I found out I was sadly mistaken. They were four pieces of plastic with a hole in each, designed to be inserted under each leg of the table. When the process was complete, the table was  1.5 inches taller. They did the job, but they cost me $30. (gotta love capitalism ).  Some guy has made millions selling four pieces of plastic with holes for legs in them. Why didn’t I think of that?

As always, Thanks to Evie For making my life funnier in comics then it actually is.

Comedy, Life in a wheelchair

I should have been a doctor

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My handwriting has never been good. I can put most doctors to shame. It makes sense if you think about it. I have a hard time holding a pen pencil, obviously using them well is asking a lot, I don’t write much in everyday life.Most of my work Is done using a computer so it doesn’t matter most of the timeButI have recently picked up a part-time job helping customers in a retail store, When other employees are busy. It’s pretty simple. I ask them how I can help and take down information until another employee can check them in. I quickly figured out that I needed Jane to take notes for me, because not only could other employees Not read my handwriting, but I couldn’t decipher anything I wrote

What really worries me Is that I know there are other people who have no physical issues whatsoever, who struggle with the same problem. That’s scary. I think doctors must take a class to learn how to write illegibly, Maybe I’m in the wrong profession. Think of it, a Dr. with shaky hands, slurred speech, and issues reading his own handwriting, That kind of sounds like half of the doctors around the world. I think I could pull it off.

 

Happy Saturday everybody

As always, Thanks to Evie For adding a bit of comic relief.

Life in a wheelchair

I got to bring superheroes to life

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It has been a really long time since I posted anything here. Before you throw tomatoes at me(that would make for a mess on your monitor) I have a really good reason. I’ve been helping my friend Starla Huchton turn her hit book trilogy Evolution into killer audiobooks. I’ve been producing audiobooks for a while, but for the first time, ever audiobooks that I have created are available for sale on audible. I think that means I am a professional. 🙂 one of the many reasons I’m super excited about this project is because the trilogy follows the exploits of Candace Bristol in her quest to become a superhero. She is a no-nonsense butt kicker who doesn’t take anything from anybody. I would not want to make her angry. Neither would Bruce Banner. I love this character. If you are not into heroes but like romance, we’ve got that too. These are comic books for adults. There is plenty of adult subject matter. This series is not for the kiddos. That said there is plenty to love here for those of us adults who act like kids sometimes.

 

Before I wrap this up I want to talk a little bit about Audible. It is my absolute favourite service for audiobooks. Thay make it really easy to download your books to your phone, tablet, or PC. This means you can dive into a great audiobook no matter where you are. If you are a brand new Audible listener you can sign up right here and download one book absolutely free. The book is yours to keep forever. If you download one of these two books for free as a new member, both Starla and I get a nice bonus and you get a fantastic book for free. Just make sure you cancel before the 30 days are up. If you are willing to give it a try start by clicking right here if you want to just purchase the books for full price you can click the covers below.

 

Evolution Angel 

And evolution Sage

Evolution Hex wraps up the trilogy and it Will be available very soon.

If you would like to know what you’re getting into before you purchase. You can download a podcast of Evolution Angel. Each episode contains one chapter of the book and Starla is releasing one episode per week. If you are patient you can listen to the first book in the trilogy, with no risk absolutely free the second book Will not be released in podcast form.

Thank you guys very muchFor letting me share something that I am very proud of. I finally got to put some on my audio editing talent to use on something that pays me. To Randy Ray, your time was not wasted. Have a great weekend everybody.

PS Did I mention that my own book is coming out very soon? Stay tuned for that,

Life in a wheelchair

I occasionally moonlight as the invisible man

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My personality is huge. I’m really hard to ignore even when I’m quiet,(which I will admit is a rare thing). It does happen though. This cartoon was inspired by multiple real-life events. The most memorable time that it occurred was on a date with a friend. When taking our order, drinks, and entrée, the waitress would ask my friend what she wanted and then say and then say “and for him” I  of course, told her what I wanted the first time making it clear that I was not a statue.

When she did it again my friend became livid, I laughed it off because this is my life. It comes with the territory and I deal.. She was so angry on the other hand that we couldn’t even have a decent conversation. After about 10 minutes she went and got the manager. When the manager saw the problem, he gave the waitress a good talking to. At the end of our meal, she came over and apologized, and then got down to look at me eye to eye, and said in a voice that was fit for talking to a two-year-old “you have a nice day okay”.

This, of course, did not make my friend any happier and as I remember it, there was lots of cursing out in the parking lot and in the car.

Another instance occurred when I was on a trip with a very good friend to Philadelphia Pennsylvania. The airport staff was great about helping me, so much so that it made me want to travel all the time. However, anytime a question was asked, they would ask my friend what “he” while pointing at me would be needing. Finally, after the fourth person, my friend pulls me aside and says” dude why don’t they just talk to you?” I said because they are afraid I won’t respond and will be embarrassed or if they say or do the wrong thing it might cause a seizure, or tantrum or something.

That seems absolutely absurd, but I truly believe in this day and age lots of people do very strange things in an attempt not to be offensive to anybody ever.

So what should you take away from these stories? First, don’t be afraid of someone who is different than you. Being afraid of someone never leads to anything good. Second, most people are smarter and more capable than they may appear. If you meet someone and you are afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing, treat them like you would treat anyone else. They will probably surprise you,

This has been how to deal with specials 101. There might be a test later :-). As always thanks to Evie for comic greatness.