How does life get so busy? I'm starting to understand how people start blogs and then lose track of time in between posts...
Ms. Addison:
We had a fun Halloween with Addison. She dressed up like Minnie Mouse, who is currently her favorite character in the world! She has a Minnie Mouse doll that she carries around everywhere, so choosing her costume wasn't difficult. The town of Cody arranges a trick-or-treat activity downtown during the afternoon of Halloween. They close down some of the streets and the local businesses hand out candy. It's a fun, safe way for the kids to enjoy themselves and for the parents to catch up. Addison had a blast and loved seeing all of the other kids dressed up. And I know I'm biased, but I think she was the cutest Minnie Mouse out there...
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| With her Minnie Mouse doll |
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| Decorating her pumpkin |
Disability News:
I have started therapy twice a week. I hadn't met with a Rehab Doctor in over a decade, so needless to say, I was behind a little on some maintenance areas. There is a lot of new technology coming out for people dealing with paralysis, but you have to be at the top of your game physically in order to qualify for any of the clinical trials. I had a bone scan which showed osteoporosis (if I get one more old person disease I'm not gonna' be happy...), which means more pills and more therapy. I also have some stiffness in my ankles which needs to be slowly loosened up. The technology I am most interested in right now is ReWalk, which is an exoskeleton and electrical stimulation unit that allows you to walk with arm crutches. Click
here for more information, as well as a video showing someone using the apparatus. Pretty amazing stuff! I am on the waiting list to participate in the trial in our area if I can get some physical issues worked out. So that means being in the therapy pool once a week, home exercises including using my
EasyStand glider machine, as well as once a week on the
FES cycle. Fun times ahead!
I received notice a few weeks ago that I was selected to represent Wyoming in the 2013 Ms. Wheelchair USA competition. The state competition winners are selected based on your application packet, which includes questions about yourself, letters of recommendation, and an essay about your platform. The nationals are held in Ohio in July, and my Ms. Wheelchair Wyoming sash and crown are on the way. They are also sending me a nationals kit, which will include more information about the next leg of the competition. I will share more details as I receive them. I am excited about the opportunity to bring awareness to issues close to my heart, including my platform, which encourages people with disabilities to remain involved in activities in the outdoors. Speaking of these activities...
In 2008, I was approached by a friend to see if I would be interested in being a part of a new group that was being created to assist disabled hunters. At first, I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it, having never been involved in hunting before, but I love learning about new things, so I said yes. Four years later, the
Wyoming Disabled Hunters is a non-profit organization that continues to grow each and every year. I was not planning on hunting this year, but when we had a few out-of-state hunters that had to cancel at the last minute due to medical issues, we needed to fill their spots. I am so thankful for the opportunity to hunt again. The group works closely with land owners in the Cody area to set up blinds in accessible areas so that the deer can be harvested in such a way that you get the real hunting experience, but not at the expense of it not being wheelchair friendly. I went out five different times before getting the opportunity to take a buck on a ranch up the North Fork. I missed the "big one," but that just makes me more excited about next season. Russ had gotten me a new crossbow for an early birthday present just in time. Here is the buck I was able to get:
We made sausage and jerky this time, which was a first for me, and it all turned out really great! So nice to not have to buy meat for a while.
Other News:
I started teaching computer classes this week for the
Northwest College Center for Training and Development. I will teach Computer Basics, Basic Word, Intermediate Word, Basic Excel, and Basic PowerPoint. These classes aren't for college credit, but more for personal enrichment/job training. This week's Excel class went wonderfully, and I am really excited about this opportunity.
We are also moving forward with finishing two bedrooms and a bathroom in the basement, so I will be starting on some projects in the near future. And Christmas decorating is right around the corner- YEAH!!! So pumped to decorate the new house for Christmas!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends!
