How To Bring An All Inclusive Playground To Your Community

In August of 1999, I was injured in a ranching accident up the North Fork when I was 16 years old. I learned early on how important it is to stay active and continue to enjoy the outdoors, despite a disability. Fast forward to 2010, and after I had my daughter, Addison, I knew I wanted to teach her this important lesson as well. Unfortunately, when I attempted to take her to the local playgrounds for the first time, I found out that none of them were wheelchair friendly. I knew that if I, as a parent, was unable to enjoy active play with my child, then children with varying disabilities in our community were not able to enjoy active play either.

During the Ms. Wheelchair USA pageant in 2013 in Ohio, I was given the opportunity to experience my first all inclusive playground- a place where children of all abilities and their families were able to play together and learn together. I returned home with the dream of building Wyoming’s very first boundless playground right here in Cody.

SOAR Park, Ms. Wheelchair USA 2013 Pageant, Stow, Ohio

Here we are, two years later, and I am excited to say that we are hoping to open the playground in the Fall of 2016. It has been a wonderful journey, and I thought I would share the steps we have taken to help others in their quest for a similar project in their community. Obviously, every project will be different, but the steps can be altered to fit your needs. They may go in a different order as well.

Step One: Do Your Research

I knew that I hadn't seen any truly accessible playgrounds in Cody, but I wanted to make sure that I wasn't missing anything. I ended up doing a full playground audit of almost a dozen parks. I took a Saturday and headed out with my notebook and camera. At each park, I looked at the following criteria:

• Access to the playground, including sidewalks and curb cuts
• Parking at the playground
• The playground equipment, including accessibility and age/wear/condition
• The surfacing of the playground
• Surrounding features, including shelter houses and bathroom facilities
• Overall ADA compliance of the playground
• Priority level based on location and size of the playground

I also took pictures of everything, including things that worked, and places that needed attention. I compiled all of this information in a large PowerPoint presentation, which included education about the ADA and recreation guidelines, as well as a final recommendation. In our case, we chose to have one large "crown jewel" project that was completely all inclusive instead of  doing minor fixes at all of the parks.

Step Two: Make Contact

This step may overlap with the previous step, as it did in my case. One of the first calls I made when I started this project was to Rick Manchester, the Director of Parks & Recreation for Cody. Fortunately, he had been looking at a similar project in Cody, so the timing was perfect. He asked me to complete the audit and report back with my findings and recommendations. He was looking for a "community quarterback" for the project and I immediately volunteered.

If this timing isn't the case for you, you will have your project ready to present to make the case of the new playground project and its need in your community. Make sure you are talking and presenting to the actual decision makers who would not only control the direction of the project, but be passionate and knowledgeable about it as well.

Step Three: Get Creative

Rick and I spoke several times before heading out to Mentock Park, where we were leaning towards putting the park. Addison went with us for the site survey, and it was quickly evident that the playground needed work before it could be considered accessible, let alone all inclusive. But it did offer the best option for several reasons:

•  Location- Mentock is surrounded by residential housing, a middle school, and an assisted living community. While its location is easy to access and already established as a main community park, we wouldn't be dealing with heavy traffic or distracting commercial noise.
• Timing- Mentock is an older playground structure and was almost due to be replaced.
• Existing Infrastructure- To save on cost, try looking at a location that offers existing infrastructure, so that you don't have the additional cost of starting from scratch. Mentock has existing parking, sidewalks, curb cuts, and landscaping.
• Other Facilities- Mentock also has a shelter and a bathroom facility that works fairly well- we may just need to spruce it up a little. It also already houses several soccer fields and a skate park.

Once we had decided on the best location, we started researching companies that specialize in all inclusive playground design. One company, Playworld Systems, sent a designer up to look at our location and discuss design options with us. This was an exciting process, but also overwhelming. Luckily, the designer we were working with really knew her stuff, and we were able to collaborate to come up with a design that fit our location, our needs, and our budget. We also needed to take into consideration the upkeep of the playground and who would be responsible for that. Additional funding may be needed for this based on your project. Our designer drew up several blueprints, with differing budget levels in mind.

We wanted to ensure that we were meeting the needs of children of all abilities, including able bodied children and children with varying disabilities, including physical, sensory, and learning. Now that we had a working plan complete with conceptual drawings, we started sharing the project to raise the needed funds.

Step Four: Show Me The Money

A project of this size can cost anywhere between several hundred thousand dollars to over a million dollars, depending on its size. The numbers can be very overwhelming, especially if you are approaching the project with no prior knowledge of similar playgrounds. Fortunately for me, I had been able to speak with the people involved in bringing an all inclusive park to Stow, Ohio, the original park I had experienced in 2013 (SOAR PARK). They were incredibly helpful and prepared me for the sticker shock.

Even with that assistance, the enormity of raising the funds was intimidating. Luckily, we live in an amazing community and as we began sharing the project, we were approached by several groups and organizations that wanted to get involved. Rick also knew about a state grant that we were eligible to apply for that required matching funds, but would almost completely cover the cost of the playground. So we started looking for opportunities to present the project to additional groups that could possibly help us match the state grant. We were thrilled with the response we received, and we just turned in our grant application after procuring the matching funds necessary to meet the eligibility requirements. We will hear in December if we will receive the funding.

We are also pursuing a few grants with outside organizations that specialize in disability recreation and community projects like the playground. Make sure that the person writing your grants has previous experience and knows exactly what they are doing- some of these grants award large sums of money, and you only have one chance to make a good first impression for your project.

Step Five: Involve The Community

To me, this is one of the most important aspects of any community project, especially when it touches the lives of people in such a personal way. We will be hosting several community work days next summer to cut down on the playground construction costs, as well as offer folks the opportunity to be involved in a hands-on way. Parents and grandparents directly affected by a disability have come out of the woodwork offering support and assistance. It's so exciting to see your passion spread throughout the community and light a fire for such a special project.

One of the greatest lessons that I have learned from this project is that something worth doing well takes time and patience. This playground is going to be around for decades to come and will be enjoyed by generations of children and their families, and to me, that makes the waiting worth it. I will keep everyone posted about our progress. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at ashlee@ashleelundvall.com.

My Week at Craig Hospital

After my accident in 1999, I was taken by helicopter from Cody, Wyoming, to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Billings, Montana, for surgery and rehabilitation before heading home to a hospital in Indianapolis for additional rehabilitation. While my time in Billings was amazing, unfortunately, my stay in Indy was a bit of a nightmare. With this bad taste in my mouth for rehab hospitals, I spent the next decade avoiding specialty doctors and therapists like the plague.

After Russ and I moved back to Cody in 2007, I established with a primary physician, and over the next few years, we took an occasional drive up to Billings to meet with a specialist. For the most part, I was a minimalist when it came to therapy or new medical equipment. I had been making things up up to that point and was doing quite well as a wheelchair user, even if some routines and techniques were not exactly par for the course.

There is a large community of disabled individuals in Cody, and more than one mentioned to me in passing that Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colorado, was a special place. Besides being one of the leading SCI and TBI rehab hospitals in the country, they have an outpatient evaluation program that allows patients the opportunity to spend one week living in an accessible facility while going to appointments with doctors, therapists, and other medical staff. This team approach with people who specialize in injuries like mine was very appealing to me, and I started doing more research as well as checking with my insurance company to see what something like this would cost.

Last year, after a speaking event in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Russ and I traveled over to Craig to tour the hospital and learn more about the outpatient program. Even under heavy construction and spatial growth, we could see that this hospital was special in its approach to individuals in wheelchairs. And they sported some pretty high-tech equipment and fun toys in their therapy gym. I was beyond intrigued and scheduled my week for my outpatient evaluation.

Russ and I arrived at Craig on Sunday. We checked in to the family and patient housing next to the hospital and were pleasantly surprised to find that our room was actually a small loft-like apartment, complete with kitchen, dining table, and living area. It was also the most accessible hotel room we had ever seen- whoever designed these rooms needs to advise other hotels on what accessible really means! Unpacking there was a great start to the week.

Monday morning dawned warm and sunny, and we headed to the main entrance of Craig and down to the Outpatient Clinic where I checked in. After an initial appointment to review medications and get blood drawn for lab work, we met with the social worker to review insurance, my social and living status, and any other questions we had to start the week. I followed that with a session with the psychologist for a great check-in to see how I was coping with living life in a wheelchair. Next up was a history and physical with the nurse practitioner and a quick visit with the doctor before setting up my schedule for the rest of the week. We went back to our room to crash for a while before driving to the local grocery store to stock up for the rest of our time at Craig. We got back in time to unload the food before attending a family dinner event outside the housing complex. 

We met several other patients and their families, both outpatient and inpatient. One couple from Ohio had been coming to Craig every year for almost thirty years for the outpatient program following her car accident in 1986. We met another couple from Montana- the wife was staying at the family housing complex while her husband recovered on the inpatient floor after an accident just over a month ago. We heard nothing but positive things from the people there. The general consensus seemed to be that Craig Hospital was the place to be if you had a spinal cord injury, whether it was a new or old injury.

First thing Tuesday morning I had a cystoscopy to scan my bladder- such a great way to start the day! :) After that, I attended my first physical therapy session of the week. Since I was a first-time patient, they performed several assessments to establish a baseline in my function and strength to use for comparison during future evaluations. Starting at the top of your body, the therapist tests your motor function and sensation level by touching your skin with a cotton swab and a sharp pin to test light touch and pain recognition. The American Spinal Cord Injury Association (ASIA) scale helps doctors better understand your injury level, and my exam showed that my injury is complete (A), which basically means I have no function below my level of injury. My sensation level stops at the T-12 vertebra, which is the twelfth piece of the spinal column in the thoracic region. If you find your last rib and follow it around to where it connects to your spine, you have found your T-12 vertebra. The physical therapists also tested different muscles in my upper body, and I was happy to find out I have great upper body strength relative to my SCI. After not having any exams in over ten years, it was reassuring to know that I am maintaining my strength above the normal level of people with my type of injury. We also started talking about my wheelchair and what changes I wanted, as well as any other goals I had for PT for the week.

I also met with one of the nurses for a nursing evaluation, which basically covered bowel, bladder, and skin. I have been fortunate that these categories have stayed fairly stable over the years, but I have had some trouble since my gallbladder was removed in 2013, so we scheduled an x-ray to make sure my GI tract was functioning properly without any blockages.

My next session was with the occupational therapists. These ladies ran similar tests for function and strength, specifically focusing on my hands and shoulders/neck. One of my goals for the week was to find specific exercises to tone my upper arms, shoulders, and core muscles, so we also went to the gym to go over my options. Once again, I found out that my muscle tone, grip, and strength are great, which was very encouraging. 

I was lucky enough to begin Wednesday morning with a renal ultrasound to check my kidney function. :) Gotta’ love those first-thing-in-the-morning procedures. The rest of the day was filled with PT, OT, and recreational therapy sessions. I had a few issues with my chair, including my back rest, my cushion, and my foot plate. My current sling back backrest doesn’t offer a lot of support and actually discourages proper posture, which is something I struggle with anyway. The therapists took my wheelchair apart and started playing Frankenstein with different back rests, cushions, and foam wedges to reposition and restructure my current sitting situation. My legs are incredibly long, and getting a proper fit in my wheelchair can be difficult. Fortunately, the folks at Craig really know their stuff when it comes to fit in a chair, and before long, we were getting the results I wanted. My knees were repositioned so that they are closer together, which is great for wearing skirts. My in-turned right ankle was also readjusted and encouraged to sit straight on my foot rest. I began to really like the trial back rest and adjustments to my cushion, and by the end of the week, we had an order ready to go for a new back rest to put on my current wheelchair, as well as plan to order a new wheelchair when needed with all new specifications and a much better fit.

Recreational therapy was a great appointment, and I learned more about Craig’s adapted scuba diving clinic, which I will hopefully be returning to participate in. I also picked the therapist's brain about grant possibilities to assist with funding adaptive recreational equipment, which is usually quite expensive and not covered by insurance companies. 

Thursday was my last day of scheduled appointments, and we started with my outpatient conference, which is a team meeting with everyone you have worked with to summarize their findings from the week of evaluations. It went well and I left with some amazing education and resources for returning home and continuing my adapted life.

The rest of Thursday was filled with three more PT sessions. We finished wheelchair adjustments and discussed different surfacing options for my hard, tile shower bench and toilet seat back home to protect my skin. We also talked about different options for saddle pads and cushioning for horseback riding, which is definitely on my bucket list. And then the fun began. One of the things that had drawn me to Craig was that they are using some of the leading edge technology for people with SCIs. They have exoskeletons, track systems, and other machines that get you upright and essentially walking again. Unfortunately, due to my lack of standing in the last 15+ years, my bone density was not conducive to standing at this point. Nothing worse than standing up and fracturing your legs, even when you can’t feel it! :) I will be getting a bone density scan soon to see if there is anything we can do to fix the problem to allow me to try some of these new therapies.

Instead, we played with something called the FreeWheel, which is an attachment to the front of your manual wheelchair that lifts your small, front castors off of the ground and uses a larger, single wheel to better maneuver through rough terrain. It was awesome! Craig has an outdoor garden that allows you test your chair on different surfaces, including large river rocks, gravel, wood chips, etc. The FreeWheel handled everything so smoothly and with minimal effort. It also comes with the option of adding a rack to the front to carry luggage, grocery bags, etc., which would be incredibly helpful in my daily, personal life as well as my professional life as I travel and speak, not to mention living and playing in rugged Wyoming. We will definitely be looking in to getting a FreeWheel.

Finally, one of my last PT goals for the week was learning how to better hold and control a wheelie. You would think someone who had been in a wheelchair for almost sixteen years would have this skill, but unfortunately, it was not something I was taught in therapy in Indy all of those years ago. We quickly discovered that part of the problem was that my wheel axels were very far back on my chair, which affected my center of gravity. I was shocked by the difference it made when we moved the wheels forward by an inch- my center of gravity was completely different and it was much easier to start and hold a wheelie. After a few minutes of instruction, we went through the process of holding a wheelie, moving forward in a wheelie, and spinning around in a circle while in a wheelie. Next, we worked on holding a wheelie while going down a ramp, as well as going up and down curbs. I haven’t had that much fun in a hospital in a long time! It was empowering and encouraging and such a rush, knowing that learning that skill will just add to my independence and pursuit of an active, adapted life. The session was over way too quickly, but I now have the confidence and excitement to continue practicing and perfecting this new skill.

We finished the week with a session with the dietician. Russ and I were both looking for some new ideas about eating well and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and the appointment did not disappoint. We left on such a high from a truly life-changing week. 

If you are someone living with a SCI or TBI, I highly recommend Craig Hospital’s Outpatient Evaluation Program. My insurance company covered my entire stay and all of my appointments, so call your provider and see what your options are. Our only cost was the lodging fee, which is about half of what it would cost to stay in a hotel off campus. As someone who would be considered a “veteran wheelchair user,” I learned so much and was definitely inspired to push myself even farther that I have been accustomed to. I can’t wait to implement all of these positive changes, and I am already looking forward to my next visit to Craig!

For more information on Craig's SCI Outpatient Program, visit: https://craighospital.org/programs/outpatient-clinic/sci-outpatient-program

 

New Promo Video

Excited to launch my new promo video- please share it!

Also, please subscribe to my YouTube channel, where I will be loading more videos, and like my professional Facebook page if you haven't done so already.

Thank you to Dan Lipman of Video My Story | HD Productions for all of his patience and hard work!

Advocacy: How to Make a Difference

Have you ever seen a problem and had a desire to bring about change, but you didn't know what to do? I believe this is a common problem across the country. Many people have the thought, but there is no follow through action. Sometimes this is due to laziness, but more often than not, it is due to lack of education and empowerment.

Since earning my wheels in 1999, I have been given a new viewpoint. Pre-paralysis, I never would have noticed issues that now seem to dominate my life, especially when I am in a new place. Every time I travel for a speaking event, my eyes automatically begin searching for places where change can occur, whether it be a physical change or a change in attitude.

Many physical issues are obvious, if you are wearing your "disability glasses." Most of my friends and family received this new vision soon after my accident- some new friends put theirs on after spending time with me. They tell me often, "I look at the world differently now after getting to know you." They find themselves looking at the widths of doors and hallways, checking stores for proper ramps, and investigating cars parked in handicapped spots without properly displayed placards. They catch themselves checking out public bathrooms, transportation options, and table heights at restaurants. I enjoy seeing this awareness spread, because change is definitely not a one person job.

Sometimes the physical changes are simple compared to combating the tougher battle of changing people's attitudes. Awareness begins in the mind, and affecting thoughts is a tall order. People have preconceived notions when it comes to disability rights, especially when clouded with ignorance or prior experiences that were unpleasant. They think of people with disabilities as a group that "leaches off of the government" and "causes problems for small businesses." I've heard both of these accusations, and although there are a few bad eggs in every group, these broad ranging assumptions are a key part of the daily struggle to battle ignorance.

So how do we fight? I believe with all of my heart that in order to change the attitude of others, we must first begin with our own attitudes. Ask yourself the following question- "Why am I pursuing this change?" If the answer is anything other than making life better for people with disabilities, you need to do some serious soul-searching. It is easy and normal to take discrimination personally, and inacccessibilty can often do much more than hurt your feelings. But this can often lead to feelings of retaliation, and that is dangerous ground.

I do my best to honestly evaluate situations. For example- is a building entrance not properly ramped because the owner hates people in wheelchairs and doesn't want them in his store, or is it an older building and the owner hasn't been properly educated on simple, inexpensive ways to make the store accessible? Is an airline policy written in such a way that it ties the hands of employees from assisting in a real way because the company wishes your travel experience to go horribly, or have they had so many awful experiences with negative, entitled people abusing the system that they are doing everything they can to cover their behinds in case of an unsubstantiated law suit?

Are there people and companies out there that know the law and purposefully refuse to abide by it? Absolutely- and they should be held accountable for their actions. But just as people with disabilities don't appreciate being labeled, others desire the same courtesy. So give people the benefit of the doubt. Check your own attitude- and then move forward with these simple steps for change.

#1. Educate Yourself
It amazes me how many people with disabilities either don't know what their right are, or have a very warped, incorrect view of their rights. I cringe every time I hear someone misquote the Americans with Disabilities Act or other laws in order to attempt to bring about change. If only they realized how damaging false information can be, especially when trying to persuade another person to take action.

In college, I decided to minor in Labor Studies, and I was fortunate to take several classes dealing specifically with the rights of the disabled. At that time, I had been a wheelchair user for several years, and I was still blown away by how much I learned. I know that not everyone can take college classes on the subject, but there are lots of other ways to educate yourself- most of them at no cost. Find a local advocacy or independent living center- they often provide free education. Contact your local government entity that polices accessibility and ask for educational material. If you aren't able to get out, check out reliable websites that offer free material and teaching on disability rights. Here is one of my favorite paralysis resource sites. 

It's also important to educate yourself on your local government officials. Find out who makes the decisions about public sidewalks and parking lots. Track down your local Parks & Rec director for recreational accessibility issues. Learn their names, faces, titles, and responsibilities, so that when the times comes for action, you know who the players are.

What if, in the process of educating yourself, you find out that either there is no law on the books governing your issue, or you believe the current law to be invalid or outdated? This is where a hands-on approach is needed, and it begins with knowing your state legislators. Which ones have been involved in disability rights law in the past? Who is known for their stand on civil rights? Are there currently any bills working through the government that address your issue? Any committees that deal with your area? Lawmakers are always looking for community involvement on decisions of personal significance. If they can put a face on a bill, they have a better chance of changing the law. Be that face. Get involved. Make lasting, permanent change.

#2. Educate Others
Once you have correctly and responsibly educated yourself, you are in a much better position to educate others. This new knowledge can be shared not only with others in the disability community, but also with business owners and organizations when you run into an issue that requires change. Again, most of the time, inaccessibility is caused by ignorance. Once people are properly and politely educated, you have started the process towards affecting positive change. But often, education alone is not enough- you have to reach out and build relationships.

#3. Build Relationships
Picture this scenario. I go into a local retail store that sells women's clothing. While perusing a certain section, I realize that the displays are so close together that I can't get around to view all of the merchandise. I proceed to use my wheelchair as a battering ram, knocking over racks in order to clear a wider, more accessible pathway. Sweaters and jeans go flying as I enforce my right to shop without discrimination. Now, not only can I get around the displays easier, but I have the undivided attention of every store employee (and most of the other patrons) to assist me as I continue my shopping experience.

Now, picture this. When I realize the initial navigation problem, I head up to the counter. With a smile, I introduce myself to the manager behind the register. I politely ask her if she would mind assisting me as I would like to see a shirt but am unable to get to it without rearranging a clothing rack, which I am hesitant to do on my own. I resist the urge to giggle as she falls off of her stool in a mad dash to clear every obstruction in the store, profusely apologizing the entire time. I leave the store with the shirt and several coupons to use on my next visit.

Obviously, these scenarios are two extremes, but they show the difference a relationship can make. I'm not saying that you have to invite the store owner out for coffee, but when dealing with a problem, I've had a much higher success rate for change when I have put my face to the issue. Once an introduction is made, the person is much more open to you offering education and a valid solution- especially if a large, complicated fix is in order.

This relationship process could range from a simple hello to an actual, scheduled meeting. I always try to be respectful of the business' hours of operation. For example, I wouldn't head into McDonald's at lunchtime and ask to do a 20-minute training session with the staff. If I truly want lasting change, in both obstacles and attitudes, I have to go the extra mile to build a relationship.

Building relationships with local officials is also important. Introduce yourself, set up a meeting to discuss your willingness to be involved, volunteer to be on a board that deals with disability related issues, etc. The more you are involved and connected, the better your position to make a difference.

#4. Take Action
While I truly believe that most people want to make the world more accessible, I'm not so naive that I don't understand that isn't always the case. What if you can't even get in to the building to talk to the manager? What if you ask for assistance and are met with disdain and refusal? If you've faced a similar experience, you know how disheartening and hurtful it can be. Most people would give up at this point, or start badmouthing the establishment to family and friends. Does this feel good? Sometimes. Does it change anything? Not usually.

So what can you do when you are shut down? Here are some simple steps to take to facilitate the process of change when working with those who are seemingly uninterested in what needs to be done:

• Make a Phone Call
• Make sure you are speaking with the decision maker. Sometimes this is a manager- other times is is the owner of the business. If you want physical changes to a building, find out if it is owned or rented by the company. Have your facts in order when you place the call. State your grievance, the law or statute that calls for the change, and a plan of action. Work with them to find a solution that benefits all parties involved, if possible. A meeting may need to be scheduled off-site in an accessible location.
• Write a Letter
• If you don't get anywhere with a phone call, or you don't like that option, you can always write a letter. Again, make sure it is addressed to the decision maker. State the info listed above, and give them a deadline for a response. Be professional and courteous, but make sure they know you mean business. This also leaves a paper trail for what happens when both of these options fail.

#5. The Big Guns
If you have exhausted all of your known options, or you just aren't comfortable dealing with a situation yourself, you can always contact a civil rights attorney. I know that some people are suspicious of lawyers, or they don't want to get embroiled in a "law suit," but these feelings usually stem from misinformation. Here are some facts about civil rights attorneys:

• Most of the time, you don't have to pay anything for an initial consultation, or any of the proceeding action. Make sure you ask this up front when you call to get information, but the attorney's fees are usually paid for by the person or organization that is violating the law. If you don't win your case, the attorney usually doesn't get paid at all. 
• If you are actually seeking financial compensation, make sure you know how much the attorney will receive out of your settlement.
• Sometimes, a letter on a civil rights attorney's letterhead does more than a letter from an individual. Shouldn't make a difference, but that's just how it works sometimes.
• The attorney should have more knowledge of laws and other, similar cases in your community in order to educate not only yourself, but the business owner or organization you are working with.

As always, I understand that every situation is different. The above list is not exhaustive, but it should get your brain thinking about ways to make a difference. Be your own advocate, and be willing to advocate for others. Keep your ear to the ground on current issues and national news that could affect your community. Maintain a positive attitude, and believe that change can and should occur, starting with ourselves.

“If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. ... We need not wait to see what others do.” 

Ghandi

2015: Exciting News

Although I didn't make any New Year's resolutions for 2015, it will still be an exciting year of changes. First of all, I am honored and so very thankful to announce that I will be joining the Renee Rongen Speaking Team. I attended one of Renee's Speaking Summit conferences with my friend and fellow speaker, Tasha Schuh, last November. It was an incredible learning experience and I gained so much knowledge and confidence. I also created an amazing networking community with Renee, her team, and the other speakers who attended.

I am also launching tons of new media, including a new website, logo, and Facebook page. If you haven't checked them out, please do so! I will be closing down my old MWUSA Facebook page in a few weeks and keeping just my personal page and new, professional speaking page.

I am also beyond thrilled to announce the release of my book, coming Spring 2015! This has been a labor of love over the last decade, and the dream is finally becoming a reality. I will include some new head shots from the amazing Photography Layn, my logo, and a draft of my book cover. Fun times ahead!

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

I've been told I have a twisted sense of humor. I discovered long ago that one of the best ways to deal with disappointment is to try and see the funny side of things- even when that is difficult. For me, this attitude has helped me through some of the toughest moments in my life, and it continues to work for me when dealing with my own rocky times, as well as breaking the ice with others.

With the frigid weather out in force here in Wyoming, my list of one-liners expands exponentially. The cold can play a number on those of us dealing with paralysis, but I can't pass up the opportunity to have a little fun at the expense of my able-bodied friends. My favorite will always be, "It's so cold out here that I can't feel my legs!" Those who know me well just groan and roll their eyes, but it's always fun to see the shocked expressions on the faces of some as they teeter between wanting to laugh and deciding if that is an acceptable action. (FYI- if I'm the one making the joke about being disabled, it's okay to laugh...)

All joking aside, the winter months can be difficult when using a wheelchair. Trekking through the snow is not always conducive to quick travel, and once your hands get wet, you might as well forget it. Although I don't let much keep me from doing what I want to stay independent, some days, when the snow is blowing and the wind is howling, I would much rather stay inside and be thankful for my warm, accessible house. Here is my list of items that are a requirement for me for a cozy snow day:

1. A Blanket

I am very picky when it comes to blankets. I may sit short, but I'm over 6' tall stretched out, and I like my blanket to cover me from top to bottom. I also hate anything itchy, so I like soft, warm blankets. If you can afford it, nothing beats cashmere. It's luxurious, snuggly, and lightweight, so you don't feel smothered or weighed down. I have been known to go through fleece blankets like crazy because they are more affordable, but it's difficult to find them long enough. I went through a phase where I was making those fleece "tie blankets" for anyone I needed a gift for, and I loved them because you could pick your material and customize the length. I may also own a bright blue blanket with arms...

2. My Recliner

Russ and I stumbled upon a leather recliner a few years ago that allows you to go back completely flat. And I mean completely. To the point where you almost think you are going to flip over backwards, but in a good way. I love these recliners. They are perfect for stretching out in, especially if you have back issues and deal with your muscles tightening up on you. If you can't find me on a snowy day, look no further than my recliner.

3. A Drink

I go back and forth on this one. If I am beyond freezing, then nothing warms me like a huge tankard of peppermint hot chocolate. But if I am warm enough and just relaxing, especially around the holidays, I may feed my slight addiction to Welch's Sparkling Red Grape Juice. I don't like other brands, and I don't like other flavors. And yes, I have tried them all. Literally. Nothing beats the original. Thankfully, our local Walmart carries it all year long. For those of you who can only find it around the holidays, I am truly sorry. Yet another reason why Wyoming is the best state in the country.

4. A Snack

I am a junk-food junkie. I can trash a can of original Pringles without even stopping to breath. And don't even open a bag of chocolate/mint candy around me, unless you are wiling to share. The entire bag. Fortunately, I have a high metabolism, or I would weigh 84479 pounds and have a blood sugar to rival Buddy the Elf, but as I get older, that is slowing down, so I have to watch it a bit more carefully. My thoughtful husband understands my sweet tooth and keeps me well supplied, so I should probably speak with him about ending this cycle of enabling. Remind me to do that. In a few weeks. 

5. A Book

I love to read. When we built our home almost three years ago, I had custom bookshelves put in our office. Once I unpacked all of my books, Russ took one look at the sagging shelves and bought me a Kindle. At first, I felt like a traitor. I missed the feel of the pages and hated the technology. But now, I have to admit, it was a good call. I love being able to take so many books with me on one device, especially when I travel. I still have my paperbacks for when I need a tactile fix, but for the most part, I use my Kindle. And the buy-a-new-novel-at-the-click-of-a-button-with-immediate-readability feature? Perfection. Very dangerous perfection.

6. Reruns

If Russ is watching football and Addison is playing on her own, and everyone is fed and my laundry is put away, and the planets are aligned and the economy is stable, I am a sucker for re-runs of old tv shows. I don't like to get sucked in to a new show because I have trouble waiting in between seasons (or from week to week if truth be told). So I like to wait until the show is over, and then go back and watch it on Netflix or another site from my laptop. The entire show, every episode of every season, no waiting. Did I mention I have a problem with patience?

7. A Fire

I don't necessarily like a fire for the warmth, although that is nice. I do like the noise and ambiance a fire creates. When we built, we installed a gas fireplace in our living room. Ambiance? Check. Crackling noise? Not so much. Fortunately, you can buy candles that sound like a real wood fire burning. And without the mess of ashes and the hassle of having firewood on hand. Lovely.

8. My Family

This may be the last thing on my list, but it is definitely the most important. There is just something wonderful about snuggling up with my family. I am not married to a snuggler, and getting Addison to sit still long enough to snuggle is getting more and more difficult, so when I do bribe/cajole/blackmail my hubby and/or daughter into snuggling with me, my cozy day is complete.

What about you? What are your must-haves for a cozy day?

My Antelope Hunt

I am finally home for a few days before I take off again, so I wanted to take a few minutes and share with you all about my antelope hunt. It was an amazing experience! So many firsts for me- first time to hunt antelope, first time to harvest with a rifle from my personal wheelchair, first time to hunt with all women. Lots of firsts that I will definitely repeat.

Russ and I headed towards The Ranch at Ucross in Clearmont, Wyoming, on Thursday morning, October 9th, for the second annual Wyoming Women's Antelope Hunt, hosted by the Wyoming Women's Foundation. We got checked in and unloaded our gear before heading to a safety meeting with the Wyoming Game & Fish reps. Once we finished, everyone met at the shooting range to site in our rifles. I had a loaner 6.5x284 from The Best of the West, and I really enjoy shooting it. It is accurate at long distances, with no recoil- my perfect firearm. I also practiced shooting from our Wyoming Disabled Hunters' Action Track Chair- another first!

At dinner that evening, I was honored to be asked to speak to the hunters, guides, and staff members present. It was a great opportunity to share my story, WDH, and adaptive equipment. Russ and I were also introduced to Mike Rodriguez, who would be our guide for the next few days. We settled on a time to leave in the morning, and headed back to our room to get some rest before our first day of hunting.

On Friday morning, we loaded up the Track Chair and all of our gear and headed out with Mike and Miranda, the other member of my hunting team. Mike owns a cattle ranch in the area, and he and his brothers manage several more, so we had lots of land to scout for antelope. We spent the entire morning chasing small herds of antelope, checking out the bucks that were available. We saw a few that we liked, and after a lunch break, we headed back out to see if we could get close enough to an elusive buck from that morning.

After more scouting, Mike spotted a buck in the hills that Miranda liked, so we parked the truck and they set off on foot to see if she could sneak up on the small group without being seen. Russ and I stayed in the truck, but we were able to watch from a distance as she harvested her antelope. So cool! I am not used to hunting on a team, so it was very exciting cheering for another woman providing for her family through hunting.

Russ headed out to help Mike with the field dressing and retrieval of the antelope, and then we took it back to the ranch to prepare it for processing. We went back out for a few hours, but didn't see anything worth pursuing, so we decided to hold off until the next day to continue my hunt.

Mike picked us up on Saturday morning after feeding his cattle, and the four of us headed back out. He had seen a few herds on a property we hadn't visited since early Friday morning, so we started scouting for a buck to take. After driving for a short while, and watching a few different antelope, I decided on a buck walking across the side of a hill about 400 yards from the truck. Mike and Miranda stayed in the truck while Russ and I unloaded and set up my rifle. I had planned on shooting from the Action Track Chair, but we didn't have much cover, and we were worried that the noise from unloading it would spook the animals.

Russ set up my shooting sticks and ranged the buck- I could see him through my scope at about 370 yards. I got settled in and waited for him to stop walking and stand still. I watched him stop for a while, and decided to take my shot. Just as I squeezed the trigger, he took another step forward. He went down, and would have bled out fairly quickly, but I don't like waiting and prolonging any suffering, so I squared up for another shot. He was down in some tall grass, so it was actually a tougher shot than the first, but I knew this time he wouldn't be moving. One through the heart and he passed immediately.

We loaded up in the Track Chair and headed out to retrieve my antelope. I was able to pull it back myself with the Track Chair- something I've never done before. Being so independent was a very empowering moment for me. We loaded up and headed back to the ranch, where Russ and I began the processing to take the meat home to Cody. Sausage time!

The majority of the ladies harvested over the two days of hunting- and some were hunting for the first time! The Wyoming Women's Foundation raised support and money to continue making a difference in the lives of women and girls throughout Wyoming. Women were empowered and taught economic self-sufficiency through hunting, and relationships were forged through friendship and mentoring. It was an amazing weekend.

I am always grateful for a successful harvest and the opportunity to provide meat for my family. I am also thankful for the new friends that I made and all of the "firsts" that I was able to experience. I will post a few pictures below. Head over to my YouTube channel to see some of the footage we shot with my GoPro camera for a personal vantage point!

Loading the Action Track Chair

 

 

With Miranda

Got him!

With Russ (L) and Mike (R)

Group shot on Saturday night