On 1/30/04 9:16 AM, "lucyw1966" <no_reply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

>>> >>I think one of the most diffcult things I have tried to cope with is
>>> >>the loss of independance. Im still working hard on increasing my
>>> >>upper body strength and better trunk movement but being having a high
>>> >>level injury makes this a painfully slow process.
>
> Working out with weights has done wonders for me. I have a low-level injury
> (L1) so itıs easier. I have a quad friend who has weights that wrap around his
> wrists and are secured with Velcro. Not sure where he bought his, so Iıll
> check to see. Perhaps somewhere on the internet?
>
> I also bought a fantastic exercise video for paraplegics. Itıs high energy and
> fun. Three of the participants are in wheelchairs. I try to do this one-hour
> workout at least three times a week. If youıre interested, Iıll send you the
> information on where to buy it.
>
>>> >>Anybody that has any tips for wheelchair / car transfers is much
>>> >>appreciated. I plan to get a car in the summer which should go a long
>>> >>way back to being more independant.
>
> After eight years, I am finally learning how to drive. The biggest obstacle
> for me is fear. Hand controls are very easy to operate and the independence
> you gain from driving yourself will be amazing. My quadraplegic friend drives
> his van everywhere. He recently drove from Seattle in Washington State to
> Southern California (a two day trip at least) to pick up his new service dog
> and go through the training. Heıs much more fearless than I.
>
> I also know several female paraplegic women who drive. One recommends
> transferring into the passenger side, then folding the chair and bringing it
> into the car, then sliding over to the driverıs seat. She now has a van, but
> for years this is the method she used. Here in the states, several car
> manufacturers are making four-door vehicles where the rear doors open from
> front to back, so that you can transfer into the driverıs seat, then fold your
> chair and stow it behind the driverıs seat. The one American model Iıve seen
> with this feature is a Saturn. Perhaps you can find a similar car in the UK?
>
>>> >>I read some good posts for tips on clothes. Very usefull on the
>>> >>account that I practically never come out of jogging bottoms and
>>> >>baggy sweatshirts much since my injury.
>
> Youıre on the right track with baggy pants. I only buy knit pants that pull on
> and have an elastic waist. Much easier to put on and take off. Pull-on,
> elastic-waist skirts are easy, too.
>
> Anne

anne@...
http://fey.cc



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]