What's Been Keeping me Busy?

Lately I’ve been busy with the ABLE program at Courage Kenny. It’s going great so far, and I am learning a whole new way of exercising when I’m unable to move. It has been challenging and exhausting, but beneficial to my health and healing. I spend 2 ½ hours, twice a week doing a nonstop workout, which includes transfers from the bike, the mat and to my chair. This doesn’t include drivetime there and back. I’m grateful that I started and can’t wait to see what results may come of it. I know one thing for sure is that I have already gained an improvement in strength, and I’ve only gone five times so far.

Aside from this, I have been getting outside when the weather is tolerable. It’s been hot and humid here, which makes it difficult to take Brody for a walk and roll. I try to stick to the shade as much as possible so that the pavement isn’t hot on his paws and the sun isn’t hot on me. Not only is it much cooler he seems to enjoy his walk more without overheating. When the weather is like this, I need to take him in to get his haircut more often.

Along with exercising and getting outside, I’ve been having Dr. appointments and going shopping at the mall. Now that restrictions on masks in public have been lifted, I have felt more comfortable getting out in the public. Although they are still required in clinics, including Courage Kenny, it feels good to not have to wear them all the time. Since I didn’t go out too often in the last year and ½, I’m not used to the masks as much as other people. I’m still a little skeptical of other people, because lifting the restrictions may give even those who haven’t been vaccinated an excuse to not wear a mask.

When I am inside, I’ve been playing games, painting, watching movies and going on my computer etc. To pass the time by, I like to play games with my nurses. Depending on which nurse works, depends on which game I decide to play. I don’t watch movies all that often, but when I do, I usually pick out ones that are most popular. Between my sister and I, we have Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Disney plus, Discovery plus and cable. Also, because of lack of movement, I don’t check my phone as much as others, except texting and phone calls. I use my computer for emails, writing blog posts and other things.

I’ve also been spending time with my sister and two nieces. I enjoy watching them grow up and spoiling them at the same time. Since I don’t have kids of my own to spend money on, I end up buying things for them. This includes clothes, toys and other things they may need or want. Avery will be eight in August and Madilyn will be one in October. I usually see them one or two times a week and is always a highlight.

Jenni

Showcasing Abilities

I remember this video like it was yesterday. Even though it was almost 7 years ago, I still feel the same to this day. I talk about showcasing the abilities of people with "dis"abilities. It's a concept that I've been sharing with others since my accident, especially during my public speeches. Also, a constant reminder to those around that there are misconceptions about those with disabilities. It’s about what disability means to me.  

Jenni

First Session at ABLE Program

I had my first session at ABLE yesterday. My mom was able to drive me in our van and pick me up. Sometimes I will use transportation, but for the first session it was good getting the feel for how much time I needed, including drive, transfer and session. When I got there, I saw that there were two physical therapists that would work with me at a time. Then the main PT talked to me about which two exercises I was going to do, and then went through a plan of the order and how long each one would take I would do. 

Using the Bicycle

The first exercise I did was called guided exercise. They transferred me to a bench and laid me down on my back. Then they strapped my feet to pedals like on a bicycle, although my legs were bent upwards. The therapists stood on each side of me and moved my legs simultaneously like I was peddling. After about 10 minutes, they strapped my arms up and as they moved my legs, my arms moved at the same time as my legs. Overall, I did it about 17 minutes, although in the future the goal is 20-30 minutes.

After this, they transferred me back to my chair and I repositioned it alongside a table mat. Then moved me to the mat so I could use electrical stimulation. They put electrodes on my abs, obliques, lower back and between my shoulder blades. After hooking them up to a machine that made them stimulate, the PT started with firing each spot separately until I could feel it. Then made them all go simultaneously, which made me spasm and worked my muscles. I did this for about 40 minutes, but the goal is 60 minutes total.

At the end of the session, my nurse said that before I went, she was nervous about how everything was going to work out. Then, the PT admitted that he was too, especially because the center had never had someone on a ventilator do any of the exercises before. I was excited but also a little bit nervous. Mainly for the fact that I wasn’t sure if everything would work out okay and if I would have the stamina to complete everything.

I’m glad I started and stuck with it, because everything worked out great! It took a while for me to get situated with each exercise. Next time, I’m planning on getting to Courage Kenny about ½ an hour earlier so that I have time to get through every exercise goal. After everything, I was very tired, and was exhausted as soon as I got back in bed. I slept while doing range of motion and even 30 minutes after. Usually, after I transfer into bed, I start range and it takes about half an hour and then I sit up and go on my computer for about an hour in half.

I am very hopeful that after the first six weeks session that I will have improvements in overall health, fitness, strength and possible feeling. One of the biggest goals is to gain movement. Although I may have a while until I get to that goal, I know with some hard work and dedication, that day will come.

Jenni

“Strength grows in the moments when you think you can’t go on but you keep going anyway.”

-Anonymous

Using my Knowledge to help Others in Need

I've always been a kind, generous, giving person and put others before myself. Although more so now that I know what it’s like from a perspective of someone with a disability, more specifically a spinal cord injury. I need constant help and support from those around in order to live a happy, meaningful and fulfilling life.

I’ve seen firsthand others in similar situations who need support and guidance in their life in order to get through tough times. I have been there before. I’ve struggled to find my place in a world that has a difficult time accepting those who are different from them. When it comes to people with disabilities, I had to unpack a lifetime of negative messages.

One thing that’s unique about my situation is that I never had any anger after my accident. I’ve figured, what kind of life would I be living if I went around being mad at everything that happened to me. I find it fatiguing to go over tireless circumstances, feeling like a victim of something, and self-pitying because I don’t feel it gets me anywhere. Although, I know there are those who have had similar things happen who may struggle with a different way of living and do question things constantly.

Through the last 18 ½ years, my accident has brought me many positives-including great friends, increased empathy, strength, forgiveness, appreciation, openness and a brand-new perspective on life itself. The thing that keeps me going is knowing that I can be there for those in need, along with the people who I care about most in my life. It has always been a part of my self-serving nature, even before my injury.

There are thousands of individuals and families affected each year who have encountered an SCI, and I believe throughout all the different types of disabilities, it’s amongst the most shocking life events one can experience. It often falls under that person’s friends and family to assist them on the hard road ahead to rehabilitation. Also, after this big of significant change, life is usually never the same again. One thing that’s most important is that those affected never give up hope.

This brings me to my next endeavor in my life, assisting others in need of someone who can understand the emotional and physical consequences of an SCI. There’s no doubt that the Internet has a lot of information, although it’s not always the most accurate and there is only so much aid those around can offer. So that’s where help and stories from someone in that same position come in and offer support. Within this is the expectation that they can show some sympathetic and kindness where it’s needed most.

I’m very proud of all the things I’ve been able to do to help out others in my current situation.  I know from past speeches, mentoring, my blog and volunteering that my accomplishments and achievements have not gone unnoticed.  I’m going to continue expanding my knowledge and helping people in need. I reached out to a few different mentoring programs and am in the process of becoming a peer mentor for a couple of different organizations. 

If you know someone who is in need of a mentor or you are interested, please let me know by emailing me at: jtic20@gmail.com.

 Jenni

“Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve.... You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

-Martin Luther King Jr.

Guest Blog Post by Brody III

I’m enjoying the weather right now, although it’s getting a little hotter and I don’t like to overheat. It makes me pant and I can’t go as long on walks with my mom. Plus, I’m getting a little older, and I’m unable to go as far as I used to when I was a pup. I turned nine in December.

Bailey and Casey

My mom’s dad’s dog and my best four-legged friend, Bailey passed away earlier this month. He was a black lab. I will miss him so much! My mom misses him also. Although nothing can replace him, I now have a new best friend. His name is Casey, and he is a pocket beagle. He is six months old and just my size. When he comes over, we love to play in the backyard. He plays with all my toys and lays in my beds. Since I’m older than him, I only like to play for a little while. Then just like humans I like my space and time to myself.

I’ve been enjoying my time lately by sleeping on the couch, going for walks, and playing with toys. I only chase after a toy once, but I don’t know how to play fetch. My favorite thing is getting attention from anyone who will give it to me. I love to be petted and scratched on my back. Although, I only like it for a little while, and then back to more independent time on the couch or in one of my multiple beds. I find it comforting to bury my head against my bed, couch or under a blanket.

Me Sleeping on the Couch

Brody

ABLE Program

The other day, I went to Courage Kenny center for an assessment. I was there for four hours, from 12 PM-4 PM (not including the drive there and back). They have a program called ABLE there that helps people with certain types of disabilities. They are brain injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, stroke and other neurological diagnoses. The program of exactly what they do is described in the next paragraph in a quote taken from their website:

“If you are living with paralysis or a neurological condition, the ABLE: Activity-Based Locomotor Exercise Program, may help you. ABLE is based on the most up-to-date scientific and clinical evidence. It’s designed to speed up recovery after a spinal cord injury. The objective is to help your brain and spinal cord relearn motor patterns associated with standing and walking. The ultimate goal is to increase your mobility and improve your health.”

The Treadmill

In my assessment, the PT and OT first brought me into a room that had a treadmill in it. They told me that if I were going to do it, I would get up into a harness and onto the treadmill. Then they have people who would assist me in walking on it. I decided I would wait on getting up on the treadmill because my ventilator tubing (8 foot) wouldn’t reach from my chair to me standing on it. I knew this for sure because I had an assessment a couple of years ago and tried but it wouldn’t reach.

Then they brought to me into the assessment room and first asked me a bunch of questions. Most were on a scale and included questions about my history, feeling, movement, activity level and many more. Then they transferred me to a memory foam chair. First, they laid the chair back all the way, took my blood pressure three times in a row, and then sat the chair up fast and took my BP 10 times in a row. They wanted to see how my BP would hold up in an upright position. My BP went down slightly, but not enough to where it was concerning. This was important because since I have a spinal cord injury, my BP usually is on the low side, and I need to take medication for it.

After this, the OT took measurements of me and then tested my movement. She had a device that beeped when something pressed against it. It’s a way to measure movement based off if it made noise, how long the beep was and how hard the pressure was. Out of all the places they tested, I was able to make it beep once when I tried to pull my right arm back. After doing the program for a certain amount of time, they will revisit this test to see if I’ve improved on movement.

In order to check my balance, they transferred me to a table mat. I sat up on the edge of it to see if I could sit up without assistance. After being held for a few minutes, I was able to balance myself for about 15 seconds. I used to do this with my physical therapist on the edge of my bed. Also, they checked to see if I was able to use my ab muscles to pull myself forward and back muscles to pull myself back. I was able to fire my back muscles, but not the front.

Table Mat

The last thing they did before transferring me back to my wheelchair was had me stand up. There were 4 people that helped, one in back holding my backside, one in front holding my knees, and 2 on each side of me grabbing under my armpits. Simultaneously, up I went for about 10 seconds until my left knee buckled. It still hurts a little sometimes from when I injured it a few years ago standing in my wheelchair. Although I've been wearing a knee brace at night and that's been helping.

I believe in this program and have proof from a friend of mine that’s in it that it works. His injury is below mine and not on a vent but is paralyzed from the shoulders down. He’s been going there for over three years and has gained a lot more movement than he had before. He used to use a sip and puff to drive his wheelchair like me, but now he can move his arms enough to drive his chair with a joystick. He also said there were other people who have gained more movement since starting. These are just a couple examples of the benefits that the ABLE program has.

Overall, it was helpful to do the assessment to see where I’m at now and how far I can advance in the future. When I start, I will be getting on a regular schedule of twice a week, for 2 ½ hours at a time. If I were going to do the treadmill as well, I would be there for longer. The first session is for 6 weeks in a row and then they will assess me again. I can’t wait to see how much I progress over time. I’ll keep everyone updated as time passes!

Jenni

Patience in Life

In my situation, it takes a lot of patience in order to live a happy and fulfilling life. It’s naturally an essential part of daily living, but especially when I have little to no ability to do things on my own and rely on others to do them for me. Having patience means being able to wait calmly in the face of hardship or frustration, so anywhere there is some-i.e., nearly everywhere-we have the chance to practice it.

We give ourselves the power to choose how to respond to specific situations when we are patient. It allows us to stay collected no matter what is happening. I’ve learned this throughout my life of being paralyzed because of my needs from those around. I need to wait every time I want something done. One thing to remember is that patience puts us in direct power of ourselves. Along with this, there is no more influential an aid to success then confidence.

So, how does one practice patience? It seems that at an early age we are told that patience is a virtue. However, very few of us are ever taught how to be patient. Patience is something we constantly do, not something we have. The more we practice it, the more patient we become. I know I need to remain calm throughout every obstacle that comes my way in life. Included with that, it’s only through patience that we truly learn.

Jenni

Donating My Hair

The other day I got a well needed haircut. It was a couple inches past my elbows. The last time I got it cut was almost a year to date. Last year, I wrote a post that said that I was going to get 10 inches cut off and donate it to locks of love. It was down to my elbows at that time. Although I ended up just getting 4 ½ inches cut off. This time I got 10 inches cut off and have yet to send it in to locks of love. It will be my fourth time doing it.

The last few times I’ve donated it, my hair afterwards was above my shoulders. This time, my hair was so long that it’s still shortly below my shoulders. It’s so thick and healthy now! It always seems so short once I get it cut, but my hair grows so fast. I always need to remind myself that it’s just hair and it will grow. Also, that I am doing it for a good cause.

Alopecia areata, cancer radiation therapy and severe burns are just some of the reasons why someone could lose their hair. And hair loss is not just a cosmetic concern-it can also seriously affect someone’s mental health. Hair donation gives people a chance of high quality, free, natural hair wig for free. It can also help someone restore emotional balance and regain self-confidence.

Locks of love is just one of the organizations that accept hair for donation. Some places require 12-14 inches or more of hair, but most require a minimum of 10 inches or more. There are some that only require a minimum of 8 inches or more. I like to do at least 10 inches because I have the stylist layer my hair, and when you donate it, they separate the longer and shorter pieces. Locks of love requires 10 inches or more. Also, if you send it in yourself, you get a laminated certificate saying you donated.

Jenni

COVID 19

Now that COVID vaccines are available, I feel more comfortable getting back out into the world. Before, I was so worried about getting the coronavirus, especially in my situation. It’s such a big risk being on a ventilator if I were to get it, that I was avoiding most people, especially crowds. I’ve been staying home most days (except for my daily walk and roles with Brody).

My nurses are still required to wear masks, even if they are fully vaccinated and I am too. My nursing agency is going by the state guidelines and until they hear anything otherwise, N95 masks and shields are required. It will be interesting if, and when they tell people they don’t have to wear masks anymore. I doubt it will be anytime soon though. It’s difficult for me to wear a mask because it’s hard to see my screen on my wheelchair. Also, since I use a sip and puff to drive it, I need to put a hole in it in order to use the straw to drive.

Good news is studies show that at least 50% of eligible Minnesotans have at least one dose of COVID 19 vaccine. And now that the governor has opened it up to 16+, even more people are signing up. It also means that spots are filling up, and there aren’t many appointments available. That’s why I had to get mine done so far away. My second dose is this coming Friday and then I will be fully vaccinated!

Jenni

Update

On Friday I had my first dose of the COVID vaccine. I ended up getting the Pfizer one which is two doses. My next one is scheduled for three weeks from Friday. I set the first appointment up about a month before it, and the only place nearest to me that had availability was regions hospital. Regions is in St. Paul which is about 30 minutes away from me. It’s actually connected to Gillette Children’s Hospital; that is where I spent over five months after my accident. Good thing is I didn’t have any side effects from it.

A couple weeks ago, I ended up with a respiratory infection. The reason I knew I was sick was because I had to constantly be on oxygen (I’m usually on room air). Also, my nurses were suctioning me more frequently and my secretions were colored. They were able to determine that it was 50% staph infection and a mixture of a couple other infections with a sputum culture. I was put on an antibiotic for 10 days and it’s all cleared up now. I’m glad that it wasn’t anything bigger than that being how sick I felt.

One positive thing is that since I’ve been off my seizure medication (Depakote) after my recent hospitalization, I’ve noticed some significant loss of water weight. It’s pretty much everywhere, especially in my face, arms, legs and stomach. My hands are where you can see it the most. They used to be super puffy and have a lot of pitting edema. Pitting edema is something that I had a lot of in my body. It is when a swollen part of your body has a dimple (or pit) after you press on it for a few seconds.

I’m so happy that it’s helping me, and it’s only been a few weeks. I can’t wait to see how much more I will lose down the line. It will be a huge transformation for me. I still have a video appointment with the nephrologist soon to talk to them about how I’m doing since being off the medication. I’ll be glad to report the good news to them.

For Easter today my sister, her boyfriend and my new niece came over to visit. I can’t believe that she is now five months old! My other niece is now seven years old. I love being on an aunt because I get to be the fun one, I get the distinct honor to spoil them, and they can come to me for advice. I’ve also always loved having aunts for the same reasons.

Jenni