People have this unbelievable fear that I’m going to run over them. If I’m within 30 feet of them they start moving out of my way. They move their kids like Godzilla is coming to eat them. I have to admit, it kind of gets to me sometimes. I’m not sure I have ever actually tried to run over someone. I can’t speak for other people in chairs but, I work really hard to always know who is around me. I know people already have their doubts about me, I don’t want to reinforce those doubts or worries by being reckless with my chair. In crowded situations it really hits home that people are genuinely afraid. I guess I can understand, but it’s almost as if people don’t believe I’m in control of my faculties or  mentally capable of using a wheelchair. Sometimes I believe that people think I’m going to have a seizure and fall on the joystick losing control and taking them out in the process. That’s what he feels like anyway.(I don’t suffer from seizures.)

Kids love me, they are not afraid at all. They will climb over the wheelchair, with no fear. It’s the parents that are unsure. I get wanting to protect your kids, but sometimes the way  parents move them when I am in the area, I feel like a creepy stalker who is hanging out at Chucky cheese during a kids birthday party. I’ve been in the chair my whole life, if I want to run over you you won’t get away I promise. (that’s a joke, I only run over bad people, yep still joking).

Occasionally, I meet someone in public who truly deserves it, and the little voice in my brain says you can totally get away with it, They are the ones who are completely oblivious that I’m sitting behind them and there’s no possible way I can get by. I think this has a lot to do with electronic devices, everyone has one and we all use them in places we shouldn’t.. It’s easy to get lost in them, I know.  I always resist running over those people, because when they finally realize I am there, I see the fear in their eyes like everyone else. As I write this I’m hearing a quote ‘with great power comes great responsibility(yes I watched entirely too much Spiderman as a kid),

I’m not really sure what the point of this post is other than to say I AM NOT A MONSTER and I am aware that you’re standing next to me. The question of the day, have you ever been afraid that someone in a wheelchair was going to run over you? If so, why?  Happy Wednesday everybody.

Thank you Evie for once again making me look cool

I pride myself on being low maintenance and as self-sufficient as possible. If you’ve been reading very long, you know I need a lot of help, more than I would like to admit  honestly. Today’s comic is great because in my room, which is probably the most accessible room in the house for me, I can’t reach the string on the ceiling fan to turn on light. I sit in the dark most of time, which I don’t mind (it’s easy on my eyes), but the light would be on more if I didn’t have to ask for help every time I needed it. I’m actually in the process of having my room modified so that lights and window blinds will be accessible by voice. The process is taking longer than I would like because there are lots of hoops to jump through to get it paid for. When that gets done, you will see a post about it, hopefully with video included.

I know turning a light on or off seems like a very simple thing but I have to admit I’m extremely excited because having one more thing in my life that I have control over is amazing. There are 3 million things on a daily basis that I can’t control. Just a few examples, I don’t choose when I go to bed. That’s a big one for me, I haven’t found a piece of tech to help with that yet. I can choose where I want to go but only if someone is available to get me there. If I wanted to go to the store today for example. it would be hard because no one’s around today. Another big one for me is that I can’t use the restroom if no one is around to help. That means if I know I’m going to be alone for several hours, I have to be very careful what I drink so that I can be comfortable. I’m not whining or complaining, it is just part of my life. If I could change just those three things with the aid of some piece of tech, it would probably change my entire life.

Cars that drive themselves really intrigue me, but I’m not sure I would be brave enough to get in one. I love technology so I probably would. Once I did and could go anywhere, watch out, because I would use it all the time. Going to bed when I want only requires having someone around who keeps the same hours as me. I suppose I’ll find that eventually on a more full-time basis. I could wear a catheter to solve the restroom issue at least partially, but if you’ve ever worn one, you know they are not a lot of fun. They serve a purpose but it would be a struggle for me to use one every day. In my brain I think I just need a robot around all the time whose only job is to help me. I’m sure that’s coming at some point.

What is something in your life that you would like to have more control over?

Say thank you to Evie folks for another fabulous comic. She is the closest thing to helpful robot that I have. She makes this blog so much easier.

Today’s cartoon made me laugh because it is absolutely true. I have lived in my parents house for my whole life. There are two reasons for this. The first and most important is that like it or not, I need the support system. I just need help. The main two areas that I need help are dressing and bathing, yes I said bathing. More people have seen me undressed then the world’s biggest porn star. I’m not modest because I can’t afford to be, it’s just something that I have to be okay with to function on daily basis.  I stay in my room a lot. I always have. my family actually makes jokes about it. They tell people that I (stay in my cave). It’s very true, I do, and I don’t deny it. I do it because it’s the only place really that I can do things on my own. Watch TV, Play video games, work on this blog. Everything in my little command center has been set up so that I don’t have to ask for very little help. There are lots of days that I only come out for meals. Evie probably reads these posts and thinks that I talk about her a lot, the reason why is that she is one of very few people who spend time with me inside my sanctuary everyday.

Privacy is something that every human needs but when you are handicapped you have much less than the average person. It works the same way for my family, they don’t have nearly as much privacy as they would have if I were a fully functional man who didn’t need help. I am in their space and they are in mine. It grinds on all of us sometimes, but on the other hand, you have to learn how to be patient with people very quickly. Although I have gotten used to it, I think most people take a lot for granted. When I shower, I may not have someone in the shower with me all the time but they are close by. Much like what you see in the comic. Some of the same questions even.

Secondly, up until just over a year ago I had no other help besides my family. Jane showed up about a year and a half ago and has made lots of things possible. I can now go where I want to go and do what I want to do within reason. I can go find a house now if I would like but getting one put together with all the appropriate Lifts a large bathroom, roll in shower, and all the other things I need is not an easy (or cheap) task. I will get there eventually, but in a situation like mine you have to be sure all your ducks are in a row so to speak before you jump. I’ve lived this way for so long that I’m not even sure what I would do if I had more privacy what would be different? I’d wear less clothing most likely 🙂

What do you value about your privacy?

Evie has nailed the comic one more time. I couldn’t do this without her. Thank you for all that you do.

Like most people, I thoroughly enjoy food. Maybe a little more than I should. I love home cooking,(my mom has a great cook) and I enjoy eating out. Growing up in Texas, a meal is a social experience. Sitting down to a meal with friends or family, is how I learn what’s going on in their lives. I have several friends who love to eat with me, because when I eat I dive in. Apparently. watching me eat is really entertaining.  My body doesn’t always work the way it needs to, so dropping food from my fork happens fairly regularly, especially if I’m busy talking and not paying attention.

It’s rare that I get through meal with a clean shirt, I’m actually surprised if it ever happens. If I’m eating a burger or burrito that I have to pick up, it gets even more fun. I’m not really the kind of guy who eats a burger or burrito plain and dry. There’s not much I don’t like, so when I get something, I get everything on it. My friend Tommy, will routinely hand me my plate and say “good luck” I always manage to get a meal eaten, no matter how messy it looks. Since my personal assistant Jane has been working with me, she is very diligent about using my napkin like a bib, but sometimes I still get stuff on my shirt.

Thing is, there aren’t a lot of people who will tell me if I have food on my face after eating something messy. I always ask people that I’m with, and hope that they don’t lie to me, just to watch me go around in public with mustard on my mouth. Every time a woman smiles at me, I often wonder if she thinks I’m cute or if there is something on my face that I missed. If I ever get my own TV show, one of the first things I will do is take you guys out to eat with me. I’m thinking ribs, all that sauce will make for great entertainment.

As always, thanks to Evie for another fabulous comic

Yes I’m old.

I’m old enough to remember Life without smart phones. I didn’t have a computer in my house until 95 or so. Now I use technology wherever I can. I have computers and game consoles, but by far the most useful piece of technology I own is my Samsung galaxy gear Smart watch.

I didn’t own a cell phone until 2014 because my motor skills aren’t the greatest and it would have been nearly impossible for me to hold the phone and use it at the same time like most of you do every day. I’m certain I would have dropped it on a very regular basis. When the galaxy gear came around all of that changed. It allows me to call and text while leaving my phone in my bag. Before the watch, if I decided to go to movie, I had no real way to call someone to come and pick me up when the movie was over. I became very good at figuring out when my ride would need to be there, and letting them know when they they dropped me off.

The thing is, many times I was wrong.  The movie started late or whatever, in this case I would just have to wait. Waiting in front of the movie theater for more than 30 minutes  Is not fun. Every fifth person I saw would ask if I needed help. I would have to say no, just waiting on my ride. I’m not ashamed of my life, but I always thought it was kind of embarrassing to be in that situation as an adult. Now, with the watch I can call or text my ride as needed. The watch also syncs with my calendar, so I never miss an appointment. It has quite literally changed the way that I do things. Plus, it makes me look like a superhero.

The battery is going out on the watch that I have now so it’s time for a new one. If you have one or have looked at one you know they are not cheap. That said, for someone like me who can’t really use a phone without the watch, unless it’s sitting on a flat surface, the watch becomes an absolute necessity. If I didn’t need to charge the battery every day and a half or so, I might not ever take it off. If you have someone in your life who doesn’t use a cell phone for similar reasons, I highly recommend a smart watch. If you would like to donate to the help Jamie get a new watch fund, I won’t argue, just hit the PayPal button. If you guys enjoy these gadget blogs, let me know. it might be fun to do more.

Thanks again to Evie for making me look so cool