Welcome to the Think Tank Team: Ashley Olson of WheelChairTraveling.com

HomeBoundResources is delighted to welcome Ashley Lyn Olson, founder of http://www.wheelchairtraveling.com/ to Tammy's Think Tank Team.  Accessibility is key to our mental and physical health and we applaud Ashley for establishing a website that helps us all get out and see more of the world.

It takes an impressive woman to produce such an impressive internet site.  Through her contributing articles, she's going to show us how to get around the world and back!  I think you'll enjoy her observations and advice whether or not you're in a wheelchair.  But, first, here's her personal story:

At age fourteen, I was paralyzed in a horrible car wreck that took the life of my father, crippled my mother and injured my younger sister. That one moment transformed my entire world, but it couldn’t damper my spirit. I love adventure and that passion will never die in me. After going through high school, I received a scholarship from USC where I graduated with a degree in Communications and Music Industry. I currently reside in northern California.

I believe the world offers so much to us in its contrasts of natural beauties and man-made masterpieces. It’s a place to be explored. I’ve also discovered that it’s not entirely accessible, but there are still lots of places a disabled traveler can go. Whether it be the big city or countryside, the beach or mountains, there’s opportunity everywhere.

Breaking away from our familiar boundaries and testing our limits, for a wheelchair traveler, can take courage sometimes I realize, but the journey can be intensely satisfying. That’s the main reason I created my wheelchairtraveling.com site. It’s become my mission to add as much information as I can about all the accessible destinations I know of around the world, including activities, lodging and transportation, and to seek out other wheelchair travelers who want to share these adventures with me.

Ever since my injury, my eyes have been opened to the beauty of life, from the grandest of scales to the tiniest parts. I welcome life now with open arms and remember that all journeys come from the heart. “Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Ashley Lyn Olson

Tammy's Think Tank Team Welcomes Chris Rohan!



Chris Rohan
Publisher
http://www.disableddealermagazine.com/

 Tammy's Think Tank Team is pleased to welcome Chris Rohan, publisher of DisabledDealerMagazine.com! 

DisabledDealerMagazine.com serves thousands of individuals with physical challenges throughout California, Nevada and Arizona. Though Chris knew little about turning out a publication, she was inspired to take on the magazine when her son, Bobby, suffered a spinal cord injury in March 1989.


Leveraging more than 20 years of experience working in orthopedics and her drive to stay informed on the latest developments affecting her son’s disability, she embarked on publishing with little knowledge of the industry.

Today, Bobby lives independently with his wife and daughter while Chris pursues her passion with the magazine. She takes great pride in providing the most up-to-date information to her readers. To that end, she now makes the print publication available online to a nationwide audience using a state-of-the-art, interactive program. To subscribe, visit http://www.disableddealermagazine.com/

Putting the Emphasis on What You CAN do!

By Kristin McNealus, PT
Kristin@scitotalfitness.com
scitotalfitness.com
562.645.6348


As this is my first blog for the HomeBoundResources audience, I will start with introducing myself. My name is Kristin, and I am a physical therapist practicing with people who have neurological injuries (i.e. stroke, spinal cord injury, MS, etc.) After years of working on improving the mobility problems my patients were having, I decided to change my focus toward emphasizing what people can do, and how to maximize this to stay healthy!
I love Newton’s Law of Motion “a body at rest tends to stay at rest, and a body in motion tends to stay in motion, unless the body is compelled to change its state.” This basic law of physics can be easily applied to our physical state, don’t you agree?

How many of you have put exercise low on your “to do” list so that it frequently is what does not get done? This is common, but you can see how doing this for a week easily becomes a month, and for some – years!

For people who have difficulties with their mobility, do you let your caregivers or loved ones do things for you that you could be doing yourself - which further limits your activity?

For caregivers, do you skip your own workout because you are tired after a day of work?

Let’s discuss some of the positives of incorporating even minimal exercise into your routine if you are limited in your mobility:

- Decrease risk of coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, abnormal lipid profile
- People with physical disabilities tend to carry more fat than able-bodied counterpoints, particularly in abdominal area, which is correlated with increased risk of heart disease
- Additional weight impacts function by making transferring and walking more difficult. Exercise and improve or maintain the independence you have!
- Exercise can lower risk of secondary complications of disability such as development of some forms of cancer, respiratory illness, and UTI
- Exercise can decrease feelings of anxiety or stress
- Exercise can manage pain
- Exercise can decrease constipation
- Exercise can improve muscle strength, endurance, self image, and ability to fall asleep and sleep well
- Exercise can reduce hospitalizations!!
- Exercise will improve overall quality of life 

It is important that you encourage your caregivers to help you get exercise, as well as encourage them to incorporate exercise into their own lives!!

Exercise is equally important for caregivers because:

- Decrease risk of coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, abnormal lipid profile
- Exercise will decrease your risk of injury from the physical job that you do
- Exercise can decrease feelings of anxiety or stress – it is important to take time for yourself!!
- Exercise can manage pain you may have from your job
- Exercise can improve muscle strength and endurance, making your job easier!
- Exercise can improve self image, and ability to fall asleep and sleep well
- Exercise will improve overall quality of life 

It is important that you encourage and assist your client to help you get exercise, as well as make time to incorporate exercise into your own life!

It is important that you find something that you enjoy for exercise; otherwise you will not stick to the routine. I will discuss these options in future blog entries. In the meantime, think about your options and challenges.

Thank you for welcoming me to your group!

Learn more about SCI Total Fitness here!

Introducing Tammy's Think Tank Team!

One of the most valuable lessons we can learn as Caregivers is that we can't do it all alone.  I'm going to set an example by inviting some of my good friends to join us in blogging on topics of their expertise.  Look for their valuable advice to be featured regularly in the months to come.  I hope you'll challenge us with your questions.  Remember, we may not have all the answers, but together, we should be able to point you toward finding a solution that will work for your special needs. 


It is an honor and a privilege to welcome the following founding members of our Think Tank Team:


Mr. Andrew Angulo, angl747.com, was riding recklessly on his motorcycle in 2009.  He crashed, breaking his spine in three places.  Now paralyzed from the waist down, Andrew hasn't lost a moment since the accident.  He uses his skill as a filmmaker, with the love and support of family and friends, to take us all on his journey of recovery and daily life in a wheelchair.  His goal is to show as many people as possible that "You can get back to life and still do what you love."  He is the father of three beautiful children and I hope you'll find him as inspiring as I do!


Mr. David Block, blindfilmmaker.com.  David is passionate about educating the public concerning the plight of veterans and people with disabilities.  He is a prolific writer and fellow columnist at DisabledDealerMagazine.com, as well as a dedicated filmmaker.  To this end, with little or no budget, he has produced several documentaries, which illuminate the talents, strengths, and challenges of the blind athlete, the injured hero, and the forgotten veteran.  He personally promotes his work by teaching the blind sport goalball to fully-sighted people.




Ms. Dee Jaye Clark,  TheRelationshipNavigator.com.  Dee Jaye has primarily built her reputation on helping singles and couples navigate their way through the difficulties that arise in their relationships.  Now serving in a caregiving role to her parents, we've had more than one discussion about the family dynamics that exist for Caregivers.  To our good fortune, Dee Jaye has offered to share her wisdom with us about Siblings, Stubborn Parents, Step-Spouses and More!


Ms. Karen Kain, LorrinsWorld.com, is the author of "The Art of Allowing."  She cared for her daughter, Lorrin, for several years following severe vaccine damage that resulted in countless hospital stays, deep comas and months of life support.  Karen is one of the strongest women I've ever met.  The journey with her daughter didn't end when Lorrin died.  Karen is an advocate for mothers who are caregivers, she speaks regularly on the potential for vaccine damage, and she is an example of how a human being transforms the greatest tragedies into the most extraordinary Life experiences--through Hope, Laughter and Love.


Ms. Monique McGivney, marketing director for Vantage Mobility International, LLC, is a fellow columnist with DisabledDealerMagazine.  Monique is extremely knowledgeable about accessible vehicles.  Prior to launching any new product, VMI gathers all types of people from caregivers to end uses in scooters, manual chairs, and power chairs to determine usability, functionality and appeal.  She's had tremendous exposure to the mobility industry over the years and can help point us in the right direction to try to take the "bound" out of HomeBound.  More info on VMI can be found at vantagemobility.com/


Ms. Kristin McNealus, PT, ATP, SCITotalFitness.com, received her Master's in Physical Therapy from Boston University and went on to earn her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from MGH Institute of Health Professions.  Her work experience includes being a staff physical therapist on in patient rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injuries.  She uses her passion for exercise and knowledge of what the body is capable of performing to empower each client to reach his/her personal goals.


I hope you enjoy the new contributing bloggers to HomeBoundResources, and I thank each of them for their time and commitment. In addition to these colleagues, I am in the process of confirming contributors who will address issues concerning Medicare, Hospice, Incontinence, Nutrition and other critical topics.  Together, we hope to provide you with one of the most robust and interesting blogs on caregiving available.


Enjoy, and please drop me a note at Tammy@HomeBoundResources.com if I can help identify resources that will help give you some greater peace and joy in your journey.


From My Heart to Yours,
Tammy

Casino Night for Triumph

If you're near Santa Clarita, California, join Triumph for Casino Night and help raise money for a great organization!

Tammy Tested! Caregiver Approved!

National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association

If you are fortunate to have an opportunity to purchase a vehicle that is equipped for your special needs, I highly recommend dealers who are members of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association. NMEDA is a non-profit trade association of mobility equipment dealers, manufacturers, driver rehabilitation specialists and other professionals dedicated to expanding opportunities for people with disabilities to drive or be transported in vehicles modified with mobility equipment.

It’s been leading the dialogue on mobility for 22 years. You can do a search for the closest participating dealer in your area right on their website at www.nmeda.com or you can call them at (800) 833-0427. More than 600 dealers participate in the U.S. and Canada, and they agree to participate in guidelines and standards that assure a high level of quality, safety and reliability in the products they offer. In fact, NMEDA’s Quality Assurance Program is a recognized accreditation program for the mobility equipment industry.

NMEDA also sponsors an annual conference for dealers that raises the benchmark and keeps manufacturers on the cutting edge of design for persons with physical challenges. Maintaining a competitive edge result in demand for products that are continuously under review and subject to improvement.