Stay-at-home Order

Brody tired from our walk today!

On Wednesday, our governor Tim Waltz gave a two-week stay-at-home order between the days of Friday, March 27 and Friday, April 10 (it’s now been extended until April 30). The order is intended to slow the COVID 19 across the state and minimize its impact. It’s a dramatic step that requires people to stay home unless absolutely necessary. It’s a far-reaching measure that is drastically impacting Minnesotans in the way in which we work, play, learn, go about our daily lives and communicate with others. Although it’s reported that by doing so, we are saving tens of thousands of lives by staying home. As of now, United States cases surpass 200,000 and death toll rises to 4300.

I know my last post was about the coronavirus, but it seems like our lives are consumed with that right now. I’ve been doing my part still by self-isolating myself but still having full-time caregivers along with PCAs, massage, physical therapy and acupuncture. The reason they are still able to come is because their work is considered critically essential and so am I, given my situation (healthcare and public health). They aren't required to carry any sort of paperwork when traveling to and from work, just urged to voluntarily comply with the orders set in place.

Luckily the weather here has been nice, so I try to get out every day. Aside from the couple of days where I went outside in the rain! I was desperate to get out of the house. Whenever I've been on my walks, I seem to pass more and more people enjoying the weather and getting out of her house as well. Other things I've been doing are binge watching Netflix, going on my computer and cleaning off random spaces in rooms. I suppose this order is both good and bad, given all of the things that are getting done that wouldn't otherwise despite the illness.

People are allowed to do many things outside or at home-as long as it follows safe distancing recommendations (6 feet apart). As far as getting necessary supplies and services, individuals can obtain food, gas, or carry out. Other things deemed necessary are care of others, displacement, relocation, funerals, and tribal activities.

Jenni

The COVID-19 Pandemic

Out of the last 17 years of being a quad on a vent, I’ve experienced many things. My life is full of ups and downs, and I have full-time caregivers helping with my every need. Now I know that the coronavirus can be serious, especially if someone in my situation got it. My nurses, PCAs and family are taking precautions to ensure my safety. I also haven’t gone out in public, other than my daily 30-minute walk and rolls with my dog, Brody.

The country is taking extreme measures to slow down the outbreak by canceling sporting and cultural events, concerts, television shows, movie premieres etc. Also, each state is taking their own precautions by closing schools, restaurants (take out only), retail stores and more. There are also states that are on complete lockdown, ordering people to stay at home as much as possible. However, people are encouraged to get outside for daily exercise and fresh air.

People are also doing what they can in case they end up not being able to get supplies by stocking up on daily necessities. Questions to my readers: have you or anyone you know gotten the coronavirus? What do you think about it? What have you been doing in preparation?

Jenni

Daily Quote

Dear Jenni

Dear Abby, is an American advice column founded in 1956 by Pauline Phillips under the pen name "Abigail Van Buren". It is carried on today by her daughter, Jeanne Phillips, who now owns the legal rights to the pen name. In the column, people write in asking daily relationship questions. Then she would respond, giving honest advice.

When I write blog posts, they either revolve around me, things I find interesting, facts about SCI’s, a glimpse into life as a quad etc. I’d like to propose a similar post kind of like dear Abby, only having people ask spinal cord or disability related questions. If you have one about your situation or something related, feel free to leave a comment and I will respond, giving you my own advice.

Jenni

Independence and my Computer

For those of us who lack independence, technology can be a powerful thing. It frees us from our inability to communicate otherwise. It is our way of gaining back the independence that we lost or do not have. Technology is growing every day, allowing us to express ourselves and have the independence to do things that we would not otherwise be able to.

As a quadriplegic paralyzed from the neck down, I depend on my voice for multiple things. This includes today’s technology to be more independent and for daily activities. There are many things out there that can be controlled by voice, but in order to type and move freely through my computer I use a speech recognition program called Dragon NaturallySpeaking.

The program allows me to train my voice so that it can recognize what I'm saying and identify my speech patterns. Also, I can create different commands based on things I say often or passwords that I use daily. It is how I type, search the web, create blog posts, and communicate with others. Dragon has given me the independence I need to have full access to my computer by use of voice.

I also use an added program called VoiceComputer that brings usability, productivity, ease-of-use and unprecedented accessibility to speech recognition. It’s an all-in-one add-on for Dragon. It works with it to allow me to have better access to my mouse. When it’s on, it numbers every link, box, location etc. possible. If I want the mouse to go to a certain spot, I just simply say the number coordinated and it goes to it. This makes it quicker and easier for me to navigate throughout the screen along with programs.

Jenni

Pain Is Temporary

There is more than one type of pain: physical and emotional. Dealing with pain is difficult, and we all have a way in which we do so. I found this video to be both inspiring and motivating. I hope it resonates with you too!

Jenni