This is a day according to the Restart a Heart Day website to create awareness in regards to learning CPR (2013). I have been involved with trying to get CPR certified myself. I have provided two links of two associations/organizations that do provide courses to take for CPR certification.
CPR courses are offered through the American Red Cross; follow the link below to sign up;
http://www.redcross.org/take-a-class
CPR courses are offered through the American Heart Association; follow the link below to sign up-
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/CPRAndECC/CPR_UCM_001118_SubHomePage.jsp
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Apple PIcking-How to do it and use both sides!
I grew-up; apple picking, pumpkin picking to pear picking. Yesterday, I went with my family to go to Julian to celebrate my Mom's Birthday! We went and did a handful of things. One of the things we did was apple picking.
Granted; this is something that I am very used too being from the Midwest. Who does not enjoy doing a fall activity?
At times; it can be a little difficult for a survivor of a stroke, like myself to go apple or pear picking; pumpkin picking is easier because most of the time you need to use two hands to lift a pumpkin.
This is a great photo with my left hand, the affected hand from the stroke and the difference and ability to not control my motor skills, like the un affected hand. The difference is significant in the ability for me to do something as opposed to not doing something. The best part about this; I have the determination to do what I think I cannot do. I have the determination to make things happen for me by myself or with the support of family and friends. This is that example, I am reaching in to grab an apple all by myself.
This is one of the reasons that I started the blog; to provide day-to-day living experiences that can be hard for a survivor and provide information that another survivor feels this too or has experienced it too! This is what is needed for survivors; tactics, examples and ways to ensure you participate in life the way you should!
Granted; this is something that I am very used too being from the Midwest. Who does not enjoy doing a fall activity?
At times; it can be a little difficult for a survivor of a stroke, like myself to go apple or pear picking; pumpkin picking is easier because most of the time you need to use two hands to lift a pumpkin.
One aisle for the apple picking with hills in the background; breath taking. Who does not love San Diego? This is paradise; beach on one side and the mountains to the other! The sunshine speaks for itself too!
This is me with the left hand, affected hand wrapped, gripped or spasticity around an apple getting ready to take it off of it's tree branch. This is me living a dream; doing things by myself to ensure I do what my sisters were doing too; apple picking with both hands. Live Life and get involved with your community activities like this; it always brings a smile; a great way to be living in happiness!
This is a great photo with my left hand, the affected hand from the stroke and the difference and ability to not control my motor skills, like the un affected hand. The difference is significant in the ability for me to do something as opposed to not doing something. The best part about this; I have the determination to do what I think I cannot do. I have the determination to make things happen for me by myself or with the support of family and friends. This is that example, I am reaching in to grab an apple all by myself.
This is one of the reasons that I started the blog; to provide day-to-day living experiences that can be hard for a survivor and provide information that another survivor feels this too or has experienced it too! This is what is needed for survivors; tactics, examples and ways to ensure you participate in life the way you should!
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Walk to School Day/Bike to School Day; October 9, 2013
Today has been a rainy day in San Diego. Therefore; Bealla, Piper and I got out before the weather poured later this afternoon.
We got out to get exercise and support the efforts to promote a healthy active lifestyle.
Happy Walk to School Day/Bike to School Day!-October 9th
Bealla, Piper, and I will be walking to support the day
since I ended school in 2011. I hope that you can find time in your day by
walking or biking to school, going shopping ,parking far from the store to get
some exercise or in to going for a walk and having a great discussion! In my
mind; it is not necessarily, walking or biking to school, but yet a day to
inform individuals how important it is to go out and be active!
Walking and Biking has been a big part of my childhood to
adulthood. I walked or biked or rollerbladed everywhere when I lived in
Northbrook. Yes, for certain things you do need a car and going to places
farther than the area of downtown or on the other side of the town. Then, to
get into Downtown Chicago you took the train. The train station was three
blocks from our home. OR if you were with my Dad-you drove into Chicago. It was
a great healthy lifestyle. When, I moved to Birmingham in England it was as if
I returned back to Northbrook. I walked to school, stores, outings & to go
to the train station. OR when I was
traveling into different countries (9) you experienced the walking or biking
lifestyle. In college at San Diego State University, I lived on campus and was
able to go back to the lifestyle I grew-up with too- I walked everywhere for
those years. One of the biggest culture shocks about moving to California was the
difference in the ability to do what I did in Northbrook or then in Birmingham
for my “normal” lifestyle.
The photo attached is a group of some of the friends from my
neighborhood (I am the one in the back-left). I do not think pink tights are
back in, but tights such as black are back in. I think you can see why now-a-days
Betsey Johnson is one, if not my favorite designer! This was the first day of 2nd
Grade for the back row (including me) and the first day of Kindergarten for the
first row. We all walked with the parents to school that day. It was apart of
the lifestyle; walking everywhere you went. We even had a crossing guard at one
section to ensure cars would not come through too.
They were repaving the sidewalk corner that I met one of my friends to go meet up with the other friend two blocks up the street to go to school. We put our handprints in to remember the important spot. We met here for 9 years in Northbrook!
I hope that today, as I do with Bealla and Piper; you get
out to enjoy an active activity that promotes your ability to lower your blood
pressure to stress or anxiety. Most importantly; live life and enjoy this fall
day or spring day!
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Lake Miramar Walk: October 6
Today, Bealla and I did a 4 mile walk at the lake. We would have done 5 but it really is dry out. I felt it in my throat and my lack of ability to keep the same pace as I am used too; maybe it was the Lakeside or Camp Pendleton fire.
Bealla got a great report from her doctor appointment in the morning. We also supported one of the local places; Peterson's Donut Corner! Today, so we celebrated by continuing a heart healthy lifestyle to go for a walk. She is now a very tired dog....
Keeping active and seeing all the people at the lake is awesome. You see families, friends, couples, the staying active individuals, those walking with their dogs, the bikers, teams training for one thing or another or people training to build up their lifestyle. Whatever the case; it brings joy to see all these people actively trying to ensure that they lead a healthy lifestyle and are happy with a smile and/or wave. People Love Bealla and so many people smile at me to say "Hi" after they say Hi to Bealla. It is an awesome feeling to know that I am doing something that keeps me healthy. I need to because not only did a stroke happen to me but cardiovascular conditions such as a heart attack run throughout one of my parent's sides.....
Live life & find that thing that gives you the passion to exercise and workout for a healthy lifestyle!
Bealla and I!
Bealla excited to go for her walk at Lake Miramar-this happens each time!
Bealla and I again..... I tried to get the sunset in the background. She loves to give out Kisses; as you can tell here!
The Mile Marker we turned around at....
A photo of the sun setting!
Bealla at one of her favorite spots; stopping, standing and enjoying the breeze!
A photo of the sun setting!
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Happy Teachers Day! October 5th!
Happy World Teacher Day! To all the teachers of the world; classroom setting to life lessons to your family and friends and your biggest teachers; the parents! Thank you.....
As you can image; I have had great teachers as well as the opposite. However with the opposite, I have learned that they do not acquire or have the interest to teach how a person learns but whatever works best for their teaching method.
For instance, the 1st grade report from professionals made statements that my teacher did not want to help and got annoyed that their was a need for extra help, repeat of instructions, patience, cognitive understanding, body language, attention span (ADHD, ADD) or an ability to speak or threatening to exclude me. To her benefit; the ADA Act was in the process of being passed in that period and the rules would not go in affect till I was going into 2nd Grade. Good thing I was moved to a different class for 2nd Grade! 2nd Grade was great!
I have met so many positive teachers throughout my life; from my parents, to my sisters, Aunt's, Uncle's, Grandparents, cousins, best friends, great friends, roommates, teammates, other survivors, the caregivers, doctors, therapists, the dogs in my life, ex-boyfriends & in some ingredient everything not listed that has taught me how to live my life to the fullest and not think of what others think.
As you can image; I have had great teachers as well as the opposite. However with the opposite, I have learned that they do not acquire or have the interest to teach how a person learns but whatever works best for their teaching method.
For instance, the 1st grade report from professionals made statements that my teacher did not want to help and got annoyed that their was a need for extra help, repeat of instructions, patience, cognitive understanding, body language, attention span (ADHD, ADD) or an ability to speak or threatening to exclude me. To her benefit; the ADA Act was in the process of being passed in that period and the rules would not go in affect till I was going into 2nd Grade. Good thing I was moved to a different class for 2nd Grade! 2nd Grade was great!
I have met so many positive teachers throughout my life; from my parents, to my sisters, Aunt's, Uncle's, Grandparents, cousins, best friends, great friends, roommates, teammates, other survivors, the caregivers, doctors, therapists, the dogs in my life, ex-boyfriends & in some ingredient everything not listed that has taught me how to live my life to the fullest and not think of what others think.
Friday, October 4, 2013
Supporting World CP Day: October 2
Bealla, Piper & I walked 5 miles at Lake Miramar in San Diego to stay heart healthy! We also supported the day with my outfit of green showing in this photo. Green is the color to support CP!
Living Life to the fullest with two great companions-Bealla & Piper!
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