CRONEWAY

ADAPT Chicago

THE GIMP PARADE blog is such a great source for what is happening around the disability world. Yesterday there was a great turnout for the ADAPT gathering in Chicago at the AMA Headquarters in downtown Chicago. Some persons in the building were upset because they could not get out the doors to attend to their daily chores or meetings. HUM!!!!!! Sound familiar?????? Being held back by doors that are not accessible; not able to attend to daily chores in the neighborhood; attend a meeting or gathering of importance?????
Even tho I am disabled I am lucky I have a scooter, can drive a car (with adaptive controls), do some chores and go to meetings or to the library! I also can take the train but not buses. I am becoming more and more aware as I become less able of the mobility restrictions in society. I have a doctor I see periodically. The building had an elevator that went to the second floor, where the office is located. Two plus months ago the elevator was shut down and we were told that a part had to come from GERMANY! To this day the part has not arrived. Those of us who cannot get up the stairs are unable to see our doctors. The doctors are trying now to work with the city and the regulations related to accessibility. This incident has open everyones awareness related to the accessibility issues faced by us. In the meantime I cannot, nor can others get the needed care from our doctors. This is just unbelievable! No amount of confrontation has eased the situation.
There was an option given from the doctors that required a longer distance, an older building, inaccessible doors and parking restrictions. So those of us who cannot navigate these obstacles wait.
This incident has caused me to retreat into myself and my home. I am almost afraid to go out expecting the worst. I find myself imaging my trips out and coming up with barriers that seem impassible. Being more disabled, at this time of my life, frustrates, angers and creates the sense of being LEFT OUT OF LIFE! In my attempts to adapt I find that others in my life must also adapt to my situation. And that is difficult to achieve and not seem needy or a problem. I know I have to change to make the changes and sometimes I just feel defeated.

AEROBIC EXERCISE

Here we are in September, already!!!!!! The summer seems to be a blur except for the visit from my son and his family. I finally got to meet my grand-daughter! She is lovely and bright and seems very very aware! Some one sent me a site "Indigo/Crystal Children. Check it out. The newborns are our teachers and are bringing enlightenment to the world.

I've had some serious days of pain and ache. I have been exercising using my had cycle machine. I am trying to build up endurance. The last time I saw my doctor she recommended getting a HAND CYCLE ADULT TRIKE. A great way for AEROBIC EXERCISE. I need something like that to keep all parts of my body working. My joints seems to be fine, it is the muscles that ache and fatigue easily. So, anyway, I purchased a TRIKE. The company that I went to specializes in making bikes and trikes for the disabled. I went wanting a recumbent trike with hand cycles. Well I could get in a recumbent but could not get out. So that was not going to work for me. I went with a trike that is somewhat higher off the ground and easier to get in and out. I am looking forward to riding this time of the year, FALL, as it is my favorite. There are also a number of Forest Preserve trails near where I live so the access will be much easier for me and I can go by myself. The independence issue has loomed over me this past year. Even with my scooter I still need help getting it in and out of the car. So something that I can use right from my front yard and back with no help is a real treat. When I was trying out the trikes at the shop the sense of freedom and movement were welcomed senses. I have always wanted to be able to walk like "normal people" and have never achieved that. I have never been able to ride a two wheel bike, even tho I tried a number of times. My balance is way off. In my thirties I did get an adult trike with pedals and a basket. I rode my two babies around until they got too big for the basket. Then life became busy with other things. So it is almost 30 years later and I am finally discovering that there are other choices for bike riding. I am grateful for all those who have worked on and at the movement issues for disabled. A number of those have been athletes who have been seriously injured who were driven to create a way to exercise. These people have benefited the whole disabled community. In combination with exercise I am hoping to reduce my weight. Since I am not able at the moment to get aerobic exercise, even with eating properly and doing my strengthening and flexibility exercises, I cannot loose weight. I am hopeful the Trike will help.