Scooter Saga

 I only had Skeeter for a few weeks when our youngest grandchild pointed out that I didn't have a helmet* 😳.  A year later when I acquired my trike, I also needed the helmet for that.  This Christmas, Earl found a new helmet on the web (of course) , a product of a 'Kickstarter' project.  He felt this might enhance my safety when venturing out and would make a good gift.  I didn't really need a new helmet, but this was so cool (and high tech **).  lumoshelmet.com With flashing LED lights, it's visible from a long distance—actually, any distance. I may look ridiculous, but that ship sailed long ago ***.  It really looks and weighs about the same as any bike helmet. I have long wanted a way of turn signalling that didn't involve hands (not many people even remember what car hand signals are.  Neither did I want to be confused with someone having a seizure or needing assistance.)  The helmet comes with an indicator th...

Just when I thought Spring was coming and severe weather was behind us, we were hit with a windstorm.  Granted, it wasn't a severe tornado–like storm more commonly seen in the Midwest, but it toppled trees onto homes, roads, powerlines and (gulp) knocked out electricity to thousands of homes.  Now, I realize being temporarily out of power is a 'developed world' problem, but we are an indulged nation.  I was born and raised a spoiled citizen and can live with that. Pollyanna to Elphaba Ordinarily, I can maintain a positive attitude in a challenging situation, so when Earl texted me at breakfast Friday morning that the power was out, I thought, "No problem.  Surely the power would be restored by the end of the day.."  After all, it wasn't the middle of winter, there were two fireplaces for heat, a water tank with enough hot water for a couple of navy showers, gas for cooking, and emergency supplies. My tech devices were charged (at the time) , so I was...

I know I just blogged about technology's role in helping with disability, but our digital doorbell is a bit different and deserved its own place in my world.  Sue me. The ring, my new BFF First of all, our nephew ordered and installed it at his house.  It was nice not to be the early adopter this time.  Secondly, it does help me as a person with disabilities and limited mobility to feel safer in responding (or not) to the door. Thirdly, installing it by our front door, required some simple tools.  What else was different from my more recently acquired 'gadgets'?  A total absence of ridicule and laughter. *  Must be the tool time. I can choose to answer and open the door in the usual way when someone's there.  But it's often too much effort to get out of a wheelchair and stand to reach the peephole.  So when the old doorbell rang, I would often opt to not answer it or take a leap of faith that there wasn't a magazine salesp erson, non...

I never thought I'd be 'that kind of person', but I am.  Early technology adopter can be a nicer term than junkie ...what ever .  I've made no apologies for loving my smart phone and have modified some persistent anti-social habits (I'm more likely to silence my customized phone sounds).  Still my 'tech gadgets' have helped me cope with the progressing deficits that accompany my ataxia.  Now, they enable me to be rude and distracted as well as disabled. Apple watch I had considered the wearable smart watch attractive, but redundant, unnecessary, and the start of a 'slippery slope'.  As I thought more about it however, the concept of unnecessary never stopped me before and I started down that slope a long time ago.  In an effort to justify a change in attitude, I considered the ways a smart watch would enhance safety for a person with disabilities.  I wouldn't be tethered to my phone, checking whenever a text or email came in.  I ...

Managing rental properties, when you're disabled, has it's drawbacks and advantages.  Earl has to do most of the legwork, inspecting properties, attending important homeowners' meetings, or showing prospective tenants.  Since he has a job, that tends to take up his days off, evenings or weekends.  We know we can always call on our village* and being up front with our tenants (It's nice to have a tenant with a sense of humor) about my ataxia has been very helpful.  However, armed with a smartphone, computer and some cognitive ability, I can be responsive, troubleshoot most issues, and not have to move my butt out of the chair. Text Message to Earl: Awesome! Since your European biking trip is over and you’re now flying home, I thought you’d get a kick out of this adventure.  I believe texting has an undeservedly bad rep.  It has been a boon to me as a landlord with limited mobility.  High tech combined with low tech–text messaging, computer, sm...