I am honored to have been asked once again to be a guest blogger for Come Roll With Me.  With Summer in full swing, I thought vacationing as a caregiver would be the perfect topic. Vacations are a precious commodity for caregivers.  For some, they are unreachable fantasies.  Finding adequate and qualified respite workers is a difficult and sometimes impossible task.  However, for many finances are the major obstacle.  Caregiving is financially draining.  As a single mom and p

Eddie with his winning ribbons Last weekend I ventured to Merrill, WI to watch my friend, Eddie as he competed in the Special Olympics.  It was a beautiful day for the event, sunny and warm!  Eddie completed in 3 events: 1500 Meter Run, Relay Race and the Running Long Jump. History of Special Olympics Eunice Kennedy Shiver (sister of John F. Kennedy) founded the Special Olympics on July 20, 1968. After witnessing the unfair treatment of cognitively disabled children, Eunice d

In my 26 years of life, I have faced some challenges related to my cerebral palsy.  One of the biggest, other than being immobile, is the pain and stiffness in my muscles.  One of the adverse effects of CP is rapid aging of the body.  If you think of it in dog years, my muscles and joints are about 182 years old!  Okay, that may be a bit dramatic!  I have embraced my limitations and CP.  However, I do not embrace the pain.  Over the years I have tried many different things to

“Keep Rollin’ and Keep Smilin'” has always been my motto.  My big, goofy smile is my trademark.  Cerebral Palsy has never dampened my spirits.  However, there are times my smile masks the pain that can come with cerebral palsy.  Recently, I became aware of CBD oil and it’s pain relieving claims. Back in September of last year, my mom and I attended a seminar about the benefits of CBD oil.  We had actually never heard of it until that evening.  Even after all the testimony, we

This post was sponsored by Verily. Personal opinions and thoughts are my own. Spaghetti is a “no-no” for first dates The other day I asked my mom for some dating advice.  Not that I have a date lined up, but I like to be prepared, just in case.  Be a gentleman, take her someplace nice, be a good conversationalist…all advice I have heard before. However, my mom started listing foods to avoid on a first date.  I had never considered bad first date food choices before. We starte

Eddie and I at the Wisconsin Woodchucks game Last night, my mom took my friend, Eddie, and I to Athletic Park in Wausau to watch the Wisconsin Woodchucks play.  The Wisconsin Woodchucks and Athletic Park have always been good to me as a wheelchair user. Additionally, I was so happy to share in Eddie’s excitement, as this was his very first Woodchucks game. We always sit in the bar rail seats, as this is one of the most wheelchair friendly spots with the best view of the field

Eddie and I crossing the bridge by Mosinee Dam There are many benefits to spending time in the great outdoors. Unfortunately, Mother Nature is not very accessible by design. Accessible trails give wheelchair users the freedom to explore the outdoors. After a successful leg surgery, Eddie can climb this hill for the first time! Science has proven many benefits from spending time outdoors.  Spending time in nature can decrease stress and tension.  Improvements in depression and

http://www.clipartpanda.com/ My van is still in the shop, waiting to have the lift fixed. I decided to step away from my normal topic of accessibility and focus instead on my disability. My mom and I field questions all the time about Cerebral Palsy and life with disability. This post will address some of those questions we have been asked along the way. 1. What is CP and is it progressive? Cerebral Palsy is a movement disorder caused by lesions on the brain. These lesion

When I was in middle school, my parents bought a 2004 GMC Sanvana with a wheelchair lift. I was excited and enthusiastic, as I no longer had to be lifted in and out of vehicles. This was huge because it was so much easier on my back. Actually, my butt was happy too because I was never able to sit properly in a vehicle seat. When my parents were still married we took several family trips in the Green Machine. I believe the Green Machine has taken me to about 25 states and

Trails End is a bar/restaurant that has been my major hangout for the past year. Although, I have been going there for family fish frys ever since I was in grade school. It is on Sherman Street past Wausau Scrap and is literally at the Trails End! The parking lot is partially paved and part gravel. When I have to park in the gravel section it is not always wheelchair friendly when the weather is bad. They have one handicapped parking space. The positioning of my lift is

Goofing off with Adam My cerebral palsy is severe enough for me to be considered a quadriplegic.  This means that I have no or limited use of all four of my limbs.  I am unable to stand or transfer using weight bearing.  My left hand is more of a helper hand and I have greater, but not normal use of my right hand.  Because of this, I am unable to effectively perform daily task.  This means I need to rely on caregivers to assist me with personal cares, meals, transportation, a