As most of you know, I spend a lot of my time lying down. It’s easier for me to function in that position because my back and neck get tired quickly in my chair, and when I’m lying on my side I feel like I’m not having to fight gravity as much. It can be hard for me to lift my arms to do things sitting up, but lying on my side I can use my body to support them while I eat, paint, and type. (And no, I don’t choke while eating on my side. Read more about that here.) You would think that having brittle bones would ma[...]
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disability
Let's just get it out there: dieting sucks. Right ladies? I mean, what is better than a hot donut first thing in the morning, a big, juicy hamburger with a buttery bun and a soda for lunch, or fresh pecan pie with ice cream after dinner (maybe with a glass of port or sherry)? I'm drooling just thinking about it! Why is it that all the good foods make us gain weight?! Because I rely on everyone else to move me around, it's important that I watch my weight (as annoying as it is) for the sake of their backs and knees. Also,[...]
My blog this week was supposed to tell you guys about the amazing art teachers I've had throughout my career, but the experiences I had with my wheelchair over the weekend flying to Maine and back inspired me to switch it up a bit. Don't worry, art teachers are soon to come. A couple of months ago, Mom and I were given a unique opportunity to plan a trip to anywhere in the United States we'd like to visit at little cost to us. We chose to head to Maine, a trip we've wanted to take for several years, to visit a some close f[...]
It's summertime, and you know what that means-everyone seems to be sick with that miserable upper respiratory cold that goes around without fail at this time every year. You know, the one you have tried desperately not to catch? The one where you tell yourself it's just a sore throat, and then before you know it, you're pretty sure you're dying from drowning in snot from the inside out? Yeah. That one. Having Osteogenesis Imperfecta makes catching a simple cold a major problem for me. Because my rib cage didn't develo[...]
Having Osteogenesis Imperfecta, or Brittle Bone Disease, certainly poses some unique problems for those of us with short limbs and limited mobility. Here are ten gadgets/adaptive technological advances that help actual people with OI as well as other disabilities. 1. Wheelchairs: This one is pretty obvious, but most of us with the more severe forms of Osteogenesis Imperfecta (Types 3/4) use electric wheelchairs for mobility. Most of us use one of Permobil's models because they are technologically the most advanced and e[...]
Meet Lexie, my 7-ish year old sheltie/border collie mix and trained service dog. We rescued Lexie about five years ago from the Gulf Coast Sheltie Rescue in Pensacola. She had been found five months prior running on the interstate with a child's leash attached to her, had heartworms, and knew absolutely NO manners or obedience. Though we did not want a puppy, we basically got one in adult form. She barely even knew her name. Originally, I wanted to get Lexie into competitive dog agility. It turned out that Lexie was p[...]
Do you suddenly find yourself depending on others for basic necessities? It's hard, isn't it? When people meet me, they often say things like, "Wow, you break that easily? You're in pain all the time? That must be so hard. I can't even imagine that." The truth is, yes, there are days where it can be difficult just to breathe and the pain factor really sucks, but most of the time I have an underlying pain that I've adapted to over the years. Sometimes physical pain makes it hard to be me, but doesn't everyone have somet[...]
First and foremost, don't assume someone in a wheelchair has a mental disability. Like me, there are many, MANY people in wheelchairs who are completely aware of what is going on around them and chances are they understand exactly what you are saying about them even if they are physically unable to respond. Most people in wheelchairs are not deaf. I don't know why, but a lot of strangers have this innate need to speak loudly and slowly to me when they first meet me. It's true that I do have a little hearing loss, bu[...]
Today on Looking Up, I'd like to introduce you to a TRUE entrepreneur, Jane Hash, who just so happens to have Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type III like me. An activist, business owner, volunteer, podcaster, nutritionist, and blogger herself, Jane has truly done it all. Let's get started! Hey Jane! First, I want to start off with what exactly you DO...or maybe what you DON'T DO would be the shorter list! When someone asks you what you "do," how do you answer them? Thank you for asking that question because it’s someth[...]
Katherine, your real gift is in art and painting. Why don't you do that full-time? You would make a fortune! First, no I wouldn't, trust me. Ever heard the expression "starving artist?" Well, there's a reason for that! Very few artists make a real living from their art. Most of them have a "day job" or have some other source of income to supplement. In most cases, except for maybe the lucky few like George Rodrigue, if an artist's work is going to become truly valuable, it's not until after they've died. I mean, what is the[...]