This is me.
I am a 65+ paraplegic grandma in pretty good health, not necessarily athletic--though pretty strong for my age and gender--I garden, sometimes sew, periodically play piano, cook and clean, work on projects like this, drive, haul my body around . . . but not as much as I could 30 years ago.
More than 35 years since I sustained a spinal cord injury in an auto accident. It has been a learning experience! After so many years of hefting and hoisting myself around, my shoulders are wearing out. If I lose my shoulders, I'll be bed-ridden, and I don't want to do that. So I travel with a helper when I can, and I've now got an electric wheelchair and a van with a ramp.
Knowing that every disability is different, every injury different, I offer my experience and perspectives, hoping this blog will help others with the kind of info that I need.
I got a Purple seat cushion for my car and my wheelchairs, but I augment that with more cushioning. Without bladder control, I've made vinyl cushion covers to sit on, and take large washable as well as disposable bed pads to sleep on. I wear adult diapers. I sit on a towel in the tub, beside another to do the job. This creates considerable luggage and laundry. No traveling light, no quick exits.
2025 update: I got a tub seat that lowers and raises electrically, because for a couple years now I can no longer strong-arm myself in and out of the bath. I alternate bathing with using my roll-in shower, as it is easier for transferring. Still, the tub is my therapy pool, and I suffer less from my chronic neuropathy when I am able to soak my spinal cord in the heated water, especially after a long day or bumpy ride. Additionally, I try to keep my diabetes (common for paraplegics) under control, get better sleep as best I can (neuropathic pain keeps me awake most of every night--for which I take gabapentin, that helps some), and limit sitting time--my life is either siting or laying down, of course. Overnight travel is getting to be such an ordeal that I am able to do less and less of it. I'm so glad I went those long trips when I could!
Since I am on disability, resources are limited--luxury vacations are of the "dream & drool" sort. But hopefully I can manage some fun ones, and I hope this blog will help others go fun places and do fun things.
I am a 65+ paraplegic grandma in pretty good health, not necessarily athletic--though pretty strong for my age and gender--I garden, sometimes sew, periodically play piano, cook and clean, work on projects like this, drive, haul my body around . . . but not as much as I could 30 years ago.
More than 35 years since I sustained a spinal cord injury in an auto accident. It has been a learning experience! After so many years of hefting and hoisting myself around, my shoulders are wearing out. If I lose my shoulders, I'll be bed-ridden, and I don't want to do that. So I travel with a helper when I can, and I've now got an electric wheelchair and a van with a ramp.
Knowing that every disability is different, every injury different, I offer my experience and perspectives, hoping this blog will help others with the kind of info that I need.
I got a Purple seat cushion for my car and my wheelchairs, but I augment that with more cushioning. Without bladder control, I've made vinyl cushion covers to sit on, and take large washable as well as disposable bed pads to sleep on. I wear adult diapers. I sit on a towel in the tub, beside another to do the job. This creates considerable luggage and laundry. No traveling light, no quick exits.
2025 update: I got a tub seat that lowers and raises electrically, because for a couple years now I can no longer strong-arm myself in and out of the bath. I alternate bathing with using my roll-in shower, as it is easier for transferring. Still, the tub is my therapy pool, and I suffer less from my chronic neuropathy when I am able to soak my spinal cord in the heated water, especially after a long day or bumpy ride. Additionally, I try to keep my diabetes (common for paraplegics) under control, get better sleep as best I can (neuropathic pain keeps me awake most of every night--for which I take gabapentin, that helps some), and limit sitting time--my life is either siting or laying down, of course. Overnight travel is getting to be such an ordeal that I am able to do less and less of it. I'm so glad I went those long trips when I could!
Since I am on disability, resources are limited--luxury vacations are of the "dream & drool" sort. But hopefully I can manage some fun ones, and I hope this blog will help others go fun places and do fun things.