Go Karting!

This was one of the best activities I did as a child. We went Go Karting every year; one night of the week with a dinner out to Pizza Hut at our cabin week. I think the ability to handle the kart will always be a slight difficulty for me. I have learned that it is pretty difficult for me to control the wheel because it does not move as easily as a car wheel. 

Advice;

Try it out. First do bumper cars. This will ease the experience of GO Karting. It is hard to do these two things; i.e. getting in and out of the kart as well as speed and ability to handle these karts. You need to take your time getting in and out as well as getting the Helmet on. Ask; if you need help getting organized to get in and out or the helmet on or off. As a kid; you are not driving; this is the closest at this point you might get to feel like what a driving experience feels like. 

Fishing

This is a sporting event. Growing up; this was an activity we did with cousins. I learned how to use a fishing poll the same as everyone else. I was able to cast the fishing poll the same as everyone else. I was able to bait the hook of the fish like everyone else. If my hook got stuck or fell off; I did the same as the cousins and had my Dad or Uncles or Grandpa fix it. I never touched the poll like everyone else. I caught all the same fish. I did it. I felt a little behind and a little uneasy at most times till I could get it down right. It is just who I am. I learn slowly and it takes an amount of time to get it done. However; with time, I get it. I do it well too. I have caught all size fish and as a child; the best was catching a fish that would go into a bucket full of water to show the whole family of the accomplishment for the day!

Advice;

As a kid through my early adulthood; I was apart of the cousins group and learned how to fish. I think this was always a good example of cognitive and reactive response to ensure that my stroke side and my ability to identify what I was doing was there. It was also good that I was just like my sisters and cousins and the whole family with the opportunity to fish with a regular fishing poll and bait hooks. It is the best feeling to feel apart of doing the same thing. As a kid; it is not easy to understand that you are not like the others and need more time to get things done. As an adult it is ok. Everyone’s maturity level differs and the space you get is great to do your own pace without feeling rushed.

Tubing: Water Sport

This is something that I truly enjoy. I have always enjoyed it. I sometimes take some time to organize my thoughts on this and then I realize that I will find what my childhood life within it.

As a child; I grew up going to lakes during the summer. I had two uncles and one set of grandparents that had boats. I loved going boating, helping to clean the boats but the most important event; tubing. I did it too! I always used both hands. However; my right hand always compensates and uses it strength to hold onto the tube for my left hand at certain point will not be able too based on the waves, the speed and turns that occur while out in the speed zone.

Advice; Do what I did and go do it and have fun. I loved this sport and still do. It is one of the great water sports as a child. I enjoyed being apart of what all my cousins and siblings were doing and everyone made sure I was no different from the other. I think this is good to ensure that I have the ability to not be different from my peers. I can do it so can you. If you try it and cannot hold on; look for alternatives to ensure that you can. I  have literally no strength on my left due to the motor skills, but I have done it throughout the years; so can you. The tubes that the shops now offer are very widespread with several options. You will have options to choose tubes that fit an ability to ensure you enjoy this water sport with Joy. The one thing that really helped was my left hand grip and curl. This helped my left hand to hold on tighter and for a longer period of time. I believe this will help any other survivor to do the same! 

Congrats to the ADA Act: It’s 23rd Birthday! July 26, 2013

The ADA Act celebrated the anniversary of it’s 23^rd birthday. This act came up when I was in first grade headed to second grade. Therefore; for several years; 8 years to be exact when the law was first put into place. It changed a few things right away that were installed for me to get my elementary school education.

Brita: Water holders

I love to drink water. I work out and always need water in order for me to ensure that I have enough fluids in me.  I drink my water and fill it up with a Brita containment.

I find that this needs to be in the fridge a certain way to ensure that I can grab it efficiently out of the fridge. It  cannot be in a side door or in a position that would make it hard for my non affected hand to grab because my affected hand could grab it with no problem.

Advice; the best way to place your Brita in your fridge is on the bottom shelve that has the size to ensure that level of the Britia fits in that shelve. I would grab or turn around the Brita to grab the handle to ensure that the Brita with the weight of the water is able to grab and ensure that it is ok to grab. I also fill it up when it is at least half way empty. The Brita can be a little too heavy at times for my motor skills ability on the left side. If you pick it up with the affected side; make sure that your other hand is there to help as a back-up if needed. I do this all the time. 

Eating Sushi

I love going out to eat Sushi! Finally; as some of my friends would state. It is healthy and it is filling. It also provides great entertainment i.e. Love Boat on the weekends! 

Eating Sushi with the coordination can be difficult with chop sticks. It is a little difficult to coordinate things and this is an example of trying to coordinate the chop sticks in the proper way. I will try to do it for a time or if someone requests but it is hard for me and I want to go out and enjoy my time not always make it a science project. 

Advice; 

Eat your Sushi like I do the way you need to for the enjoyment of the food. I continue to use my hands to eat the Sushi. I tend to use one chop stick to pick up Ginger if I want to add it to the Sushi and Sauce. I would consider trying to figure out what works best for you to enjoy the Sushi as I do. With Miso Soup; I use the spoon provided. I enjoy the soup and finish it. The spoon helps to ensure I enjoy the food. 

The curl of the hand/hook/motor skills while being (affected side)

This is where the most of the problem comes from if anything. It is very hard once my hand grips up and curls and then the hook presents itself. I have recently; been at certain events for family and family friends where I have not finished my meal or drink because of the curl occurring. Does it stink? Yes, but I figure out a way to ensure that it does not disturb my life too much. 

Example) I was at a friend’s party and we were having cake. I got so nervous that my hands were not functioning to the best of it’s ability. I threw away the rest of the cake as it was ice cream and made a joke out of not finishing that being surrounded by those I did not know. This provided protection for myself from those that I fear would not understand or just met me.  I had noticed this for some time with miso soup. I love Sushi and getting this as a starter. The price is normally right too! 

Advice; Keep doing what you are doing. However; realize that not everything is going to be perfect with the curl of the affected hand. Take your time to ensure you can eat or drink what you have in front of you.  I would suggest, like myself, to put your item down and wait a few minutes to calm down, leave the anxiety and stress. If it does not stop or to get comfortable; I would suggest have it to go or be done with what you are drinking or eating. I need to concentrate on the item to eat or drink; ensure you focus turns to that. Then, take your time and eat or drink the item.