Author: youshouldgoanyway

Reduce stress about your mobility issues

youshouldgoanyway
The end result of checking out maps, making calls, renting a jeep and off-roading it on the island of Lanai.

Do you ever get stressed out about venturing to a new place because of access uncertainties? Although I have traveled and done a lot of new things, I still get a baseline level of stress whenever I am going somewhere new. Whether it’s a new city, a new sporting venue, or even just a restaurant, there are situations that can stress us all out. Here are a few tips about how to deal with mobility-related stress and new places:

1. Look at a picture

With Google Street View you can see many places as if you are standing right in front of them. I find that when I am going somewhere new, it helps immensely to reduce my stress if I simply look at the street view of the place. It’s a great way to scope out steps, parking spaces, entrances, and even what happens to be next door! I also like to use street view to check out regular streets in other countries just to remind myself that these places are often just as accessible as the U.S.!

2. Call in advance

If looking at the picture doesn’t calm you enough, then calling somewhere ahead of time is a great way to reduce stress too. For example, a few years ago I was nervous about going to a concert during Milwaukee’s Summerfest down at the lakefront. I called ahead and discovered that they actually have special volunteers who take disabled guests from the ticket gate all the way up to their seats and also answer any questions along the way. This really eased my nerves. Often times if you call ahead then the good places will be prepared for you and even keep a look out.

3. Remind yourself you’re not the first person to ever go where you’re going.

This is a trick I use when all else fails! I have mentioned this before in my blog, but it bears repeating. If you are really starting to freak out about how something is going to work out then take a deep breath and remember that you’re not the only person or disabled person to ever do what you’re about to do. Unless you’re planning on cutting a path through a nearby forest or take a trip to the dark side of the moon, you’re not going to be the first person going where you’re going. Others have gone and managed. You will too.

4. Get there early!

If you’re ultra concerned about accessible parking or getting into a place or other logistics, the best thing you can do the day of your new adventure is get there early! If you know you have ample time before the event then you’re not going to freak out because you can’t find a parking space or you don’t know where the accessible entrance is.

Do you have any tips you use to calm your stress when you’re going somewhere? If so, please post them in the comments section.

Disabled people live everywhere

youshouldgoanyway

I was daydreaming about going to Europe and caught myself hesitating. A slight fear crept in that was rooted in the phrase, “How will I get around?” I hate it when those sorts of fears creep in but I love it that I am now able to control that fear by reminding myself that disabled people live everywhere. Why wouldn’t I be able to get around in my wheelchair wherever it is I want to go? Other people who live there do it every day.

Logistics are a common concern for everyone, disabled or not. There are some logistical issues with traveling to unknown places like: “How will I get from the airport to my hotel?” or “How will we get around the city?” The key to getting over these questions is remembering that there are answers to these questions no matter where you plan on going. How do I know this? Because people move about the Earth all day every day and many of them do it in wheelchairs, with walkers, canes, etc. Some are deaf, some are blind. These people can do it, so why can’t you?

Think about how you get around your own city for a minute. Is it scary? Probably not. Or at least not as much as an outsider might fear. Someone said to me once, “I really want to go to Hawaii but I am afraid about how difficult it will be to get around.” I first laughed out loud but then said, “You have nothing to worry about it, I do it every day!” The funny thing is that the person saying this was able-bodied!

Fear of new things and places is common. But if you find yourself deterred by fear, remind yourself of the following:

Someone else does this/that every day! I can do it!

Now go plan your trip.

Good vs. Bad Complaining

youshouldgoanyway

Complaining: Call someone who cares.

In my experience, there are two types of complaining: good and bad.

Good complaining is the type that happens when something is not right and the complaint is properly directed. For example, if a building or store is not accessible, then complaining to the building manager is a great thing to do. Complaining to a property owner when there aren’t enough accessible parking spaces is great too. Basically any legitimate complaint that’s directed to people who can make things right is a good complaint.

Bad complaining goes like this: “Oh I am so weak all the time…boo hoo.” or “Poor me, I have to use this wheelchair.” Of course the “boo hoo” and “poor me” are usually not said by the complainer but might as well be. This sort of complaint does nobody any good, especially the person saying it. It reinforces a negative attitude, a victim mentality, and results in further frustration. Besides that, others hate hearing it all the time. It drives caregivers nuts and will cost you friends and sometimes family.

There’s also fine line between good complaining and bad complaining. For example, if you find yourself constantly saying, “That restaurant really needs a ramp! I hate that!” but never actually submit your complaint to the restaurant, then that’s a bad complaint. Personally, I am sometimes guilty of this sort of complaint myself. It’s easy to complain but sometimes the effort to complain to someone who can make  a difference seems like too much work even though it’s not usually that difficult.

The best way to stop yourself from making bad complaints is exactly that — STOP YOURSELF! When you hear yourself making a bad complaint, whether it’s a “Woe is me” or an undirected type of complaint, then take a moment to reflect on what you just said. Rephrase your self-pity to something more positive like “I’m so tired but I am going to go do this anyway!” or decide to take action on your complaint. It also helps to notice when other people complain. This can help you identify your own complaints better as well.

It doesn’t take as much time as you think to direct an undirected complaint. If you think a building should have a ramp call/write/email both the business itself AND the property owner/manager if you can figure that out. A quick email or call can take just a few minutes. Tip: In the past, I have searched my local property tax records (sometimes available online by county/city) to find building owners. You can also look for “Now Leasing” signs on other units if it’s a strip mall or office building and that’s usually the owner or property manager’s information.

Nobody likes a complainer, but if your complaint can make a positive difference then take action and complain all you want to the right people.

7 Tips to make cooking easier if you’re disabled

youshouldgoanyway
Macaroni and Cheese Pizza

I went through a Rachael Ray infatuation stage about 5 years ago. I never could get one of her 30-minute meals done in under 30 minutes, but I learned a lot. At the time I was still walking so it was fairly easy to get around the kitchen. Navigating a kitchen in a wheelchair is definitely possible with the right setup, but my place has a dry kitchen area (no running sink, except in the bathroom) so I stick to basics. It’s easier to control what you eat and find a nice balance between prepared foods and healthier fare. Here are 7 easy cooking tips I’ve come up with along the way:

1. Paper plates / Plastic silverware / Plastic Cups

I don’t have access to a dishwasher but even if I did I don’t see myself wanting to deal with one. Washing dishes by hand is irritating if your arms don’t work well. I buy the bulk package of paper plates, bowls, and silverware from Sam’s Club and I’m set for months. I also have a huge package of disposable plastic cups for beverages and that works great too.

2. George Foreman is your friend

It’s super easy to grab a frozen chicken breast, steak, or fish filet and throw it on the George Foreman grill. The grill is fast, easy to clean, and healthy. It’s also simple to grill vegetables like zucchini and squash.

3. A toaster oven works wonders

If you don’t want to mess around with a big oven, a simple table-top convection toaster oven is easy to manipulate and allows you to leverage your arms on the table/counter to maneuver things in/out if you have trouble with your arms like I do. I can make personal pizzas (see #6) and bake things and make mini-versions of anything that usually requires a full oven.

4. Kraft instant macaroni and cheese + ?

Instant mac and cheese by itself is a bit plain, but super cheap (18 servings for about $6 at Sam’s Club). However, I have kicked up instant mac and cheese with anything from tuna to tomatoes to leftovers to chicken. One of my favorite tips is to drain a can of fancy soup and pour the guts (meats/veggies/etc) into a freshly prepared dish of instant mac and cheese. Then you’ve got something more substantial without having to chop meats and vegetables.

5. Eggs aren’t bad in the microwave

I like to scramble eggs, throw them in a disposable bowl and cook them in the microwave with pepper or other spices. Sometimes I even throw on some extra cheese. On occasion I will put a few strips of pre-cooked bacon on top and let it sizzle into the eggs. You can also make an easy omelet this way. Lately I’ve been putting a small tortilla into a bowl such that the tortilla becomes a mini-bowl itself. Then I just crack an egg into the tortilla and microwave until the egg is done to my liking. Throw on some cheese and spices and it’s a breakfast burrito in under 2 minutes.

6. Toaster oven pizzas are easy and can be healthy

I could eat pizza all day. This is one reason I like making individual pizzas in the toaster oven. I can make them with whatever I want and then I’m limited to eating just the individual pizza instead of a whole box of delivered pizza. I like to buy thin flat-breads like FlatOut to use for the crust. It crisps up quickly and is lower in calories than prepared pizza crusts. Then I just dump regular jarred spaghetti sauce on top, sprinkle some cheese and add whatever toppings I want. Leftovers make great pizza toppings too. I have made BBQ-pulled pork pizzas, leftover bratwurst pizza, and even macaroni and cheese pizza.

7. Instant coffee is fine with some doctoring

I like coffee but don’t want to mess around with a coffee pot or mugs. So I have a package of disposable hot cups and a jar of instant coffee. Then I add whatever flavorings, milk, or sugar I want to and I don’t have a coffee cup or pot to clean up. I simply microwave the water in the cup and I’m set.

Do you have any handy kitchen tips that might help out someone with a disability?