30 Days: Life in A Wheelchair

This documentary focused not only on how life would be in a wheelchair but also life as a para- and quadriplegic. I was unable to find it on recommended website, so I purchased it for $1.99 on Amazon.com and watched it in the comfort of my bedroom while being snowed in! I was pleased to see that the person chosen to volunteer for this documentary was a former NFL player, Ray Crockett, who had also won 2 Superbowls.

I enjoyed the documentary although I wasn't totally convinced that R. Crockett got the "real deal." He was able to do a lot more than the average person dealing with paralysis would. By this I mean, he was able to modify his home and his car in a matter of days. In reality, this would take much more time and even more money. I was also taken back by the way the NFL player's wife reacted to his situation. She stated she was getting tired of being his chauffeur, and couldn't wait for his car to be modified and accessible to him. That made me think about all of the family members and caregivers disability affects. It's not only about one person, it's about both the person all of the people who help the person during their daily activities, all of the people who love and care about the person and their injuries.

I was also touched by the woman who had recently been in a car accident and suffered some paralysis. To think that this woman is mother, daughter, sister and cannot fulfill her roles as easily as before, and how dramatically affected his responsibilities have become is heart-wrenching. It was important for me to  remain empowered by these people in the movie and to never feel pity for them. But the heart cannot help but sometimes feel sorry. The fact that this could happen to anyone at any given moment, is scary, but it's true.

Lastly, I was concerned about how his health may have deteriorated from sitting in the wheelchair for an extended amount of time, since he is someone who is so used to working out and staying in shape. I wonder what his legs must have felt like after 30 days of not bearing any weight, because I know after wearing a cast for a broken bone, the muscles become soft and weak.

Great movie and good idea to recommend before departing for our trip.

BIKES NOT BOMBS: Emmanuel's Gift

Truly an inspirational movie that made me both laugh and cry. I opened the flood gates with this documentary and I'm surprised it took me this long to finally watch it. The movie is greatly directed and Oprah does a wonderful job as the narrator. Emmanuel Ofusu Yeboah is among many other things remarkable and extraordinary. I was amazed at how much will power and determination this one man had, enough to inspire his entire village, enough to inspire his country, and enough to inspire the entire world. During many of the scenes I viewed the disabled on the streets of cities in Ghana and what daily life for them was like, and how they were able to make a living for their families. Emmanuel also made it possible for others with a disability to reap the benefits of his struggle, paying it forward to those less fortunate. One of my favorite parts of the documentary was when Emmanuel tells the story of when he went to the shop to buy items for his boss (for whom he was working for $2.00 per day) and the shop owner told him it was too early to beg for money. Many of Ghana's disabled may indeed beg for money, but this was not Emmanuel's purpose for being at the shop. Another one of my favorite moments is at the very end of the movie, when they portray Emmanuel marrying his wife, and later a shot with Emmanuel holding his daughter in which I later found out, he named Linda, after Loma Linda Medical Center where he recieved his fitting for his prosthetic leg. I was overwhelmed with joy to see that he was able to marry and have children, as his disability should never get in the way of leading the best life possible. GREAT MOVIE!

Multiplesclerosis for 2 Minutes, 4 minutes, 6 minutes...

Instead of getting a glass of water and drinking it, I decided to challenge myself and try the task of toileting. I used two pair of white cotton socks on my hands, immediately I felt the impairment (although my hands were nice and warm). I had to make a conscious effort to not move my fingers, or thumb. I first ran into the problem of opening the doorknob to my bathroom, as unfortunately it was closed. Immediately after gripping the knob with the ulnar side of my wrist and attempting to turn it, I thought about the fact that I would probably fail in my attempt to open the door and would need to call for help. After managing to open the door somehow, I now was faced with the issue of pulling down my pants, fortunately I had on sweatpants and was able to place my hands at my sides and wiggle them off and down. My biggest dilemma soon awaits as I sit on the toilet, WIPING. It took me a moment to figure out exactly how this should be done. After pulling the tissue off the roll with my left hand under the sheet and right hand on top of the sheet and onto my lap, I naturally wanted to bunch the tissue up in my fingers. So after placing a considerable amount of tissue onto my lap, I thought about how wasteful I was becoming (with the excess toilet tissue) since I didn't want to "dirty" the socks on my hand because of my lack of sensation on my hands to wipe myself. I then decided that I would wrap the tissue around my right hand to secure it so that I could wipe since I was unable to grip it to wipe. The worst was now over, or so I thought. The next thing I would have to do is pull up my pants without pinching or grasping. I put my hands on the inside of my pants and my socks provided some type of friction against my sweatpants so that they kind up rose up over my knees together, and then I made a big "lift" over my rear. I flushed and of course had to ignore the attempt to wash my hands. Now I had to use the same wrist technique to open the door knob to get out of the bathroom.

REFLECTION:
I realized that a 2 minute task turned into something that took more like 6+ minutes. I was also a little embarrassed by the fact that as soon as I couldn't do something or was faced with a challenge I felt to lazy to overcome, I thought about calling someone else to help me. I now understand how important independence is for individuals in these circumstances because there isn't always someone available in the home to help, or someone who is even willing to help. Taking this long to do certain ADLs can be time consuming and routine altering for newly injured or affected individuals who may need to practice these tasks over and over to become more efficient in them. I also learned that sensation is something that is hard to "fake" or pretend to not have. It is something we have no control over and happens instantaneously, I was able to feel the doorknob, toilet tissue being wrapped around my hand, the wiping of myself, flushing, and undressing and redressing myself even though I had two pairs of socks on. Ultimately, I wouldn't want to be someone is this situation, but more importantly I have a new found respect for their daily routine and things that we can do much more easily than they can.

Neighborhood Movie Theatre Accessibility

My boyfriend and I decided to go the a movie theatre near our home in Secaucus, NJ. We had been to this theatre before since it's opening this past summer of 10'. I had always told my boyfriend that this place was greatly accessible to people with disabilities and was so happy that the architects and company had accessibility in mind when building this facility. He thought I was a little crazy when I yelled out, "Look a ramp into the bathroom and handrails!" But on this particular trip back he pointed out the lowered water fountains that we passed before entering our theatre! This place is GREAT! They have large curb cuts, automatic doors, ramps into bathroom and theatre, handrails, lowered water fountains, handicap accessible bathrooms, sinks, large doorways, you name it! I was so impressed and now that I look back on it, I am so APPRECIATIVE for this. My boyfriend and I have taken a pledge to always spend our money at this theatre as they have a very wide selection of movies, very clean, and of course very accessible to people with disabilities. I am in FULL SUPPORT of more facilities like such. :) I sent them an e-mail to let them know that they have a great facility as well.

Dejavu'

Packing for this trip reminds me of my last trip to Africa (South Africa), here is my boyfriend and I in 2006 visiting a church in a township in Joburg'! We donated books to many children who attend the church...they were so thankful and happy to see us <3

Gear for Ghana

LOVE this bag! <3  My boyfriend was nice enough to gift me with it   this Christmas! And a cute pair of shoes to go with it for Ghana! *Urbanoutfitters.com

Suggested Packing List from CATO

I came across this suggested packing list from the Cultural & Academic Travel Organisation (CATO) online today. Thought it might be helpful if I reviewed it before traveling to Ghana in 7 days!

Toiletries:

q  Bug Spray

q  Sun Screen

q  Band-Aids

q  Antibacterial Ointment

q  After-Bite

q  Chapstick

q  Shampoo

q  Body Wash

q  Toothpaste/Toothbrush

q  Deodorant

q  Individually Packaged Antibacterial Wipes

q  Individually Packaged Body Wipes

q  Individually Packaged Face Wipes

q  Pads/Tampons (as needed; bring enough!)

q  Mini Toilet Paper Roll

Medications:

q  Prescriptions

q  Anti-Malarial Meds

q  Pain Reliever

q  Anti-Diarrhea Pills

q  Allergy Pills

q  Tums or Other Antacid

Miscellaneous:

q  Towel

q  Sleep Sack

q  Flashlight

q  Money Belt

q  Brush

q  Elastics

Documents:

q  Passport

q  Airline Tickets

q  Itinerary

q  Extra Passport Photos

q  Copies of Passport/Tickets/Credit Cards

q  Customer Service Numbers for Credit Cards

Clothing:

q  (Aside from the basic underwear, socks, shorts, and shirts)

q  Long Sleeved Shirt

q  Long (or Convertible) Pants

q  Cardigan or Light Fleece

q  (All for night protection against bugs)

q  Rain Jacket

q  Hat

q  Bandanna

q  Sneakers

q  Sandals

q  Flip Flops for Bathing

Other:

q  Day Pack

q  Journal

q  Books for Reading

q  Camera

q  Film or Memory Card

q  Recording Device/Mic

q  Blank Discs/Tapes

q  Batteries

q  Gifts for Hosts/New Friends

Important Notes on Currency:

·       ONLY VISA is accepted in most places in Ghana.  Do not bring a Mastercard!

·       Traveler’s Cheques may only be cashed in big cities.

·       You will get a better exchange rate for big bills ($20, $50, or $100).

·       Visa ATMs can be found in larger cities (Accra, Ho, Cape Coast).

·       Traveler’s Cheques can be cashed upon arrival in Accra and a Visa debit/credit card to be used in the cities (in stores or at ATMs).

Observation of Life

While walking my dogs outside, I noticed other people in my neighborhood, walking from the corner store with bags in their hands, other dog walkers, joggers, and people getting into their cars and driving away. All of these people are different, different colors, different clothing, different gaits, different motivations for where they are going. I guess I can say that they are all portraying acceptable behavior, conducting regular every day activities. If the dog walker let her dog off it's leash, then that would be unacceptable, or didn't pick up after it, that would also be unacceptable. If the people pulling their cars out of their parking spaces and driveways banged into other cars parked on the street, that would be pretty unacceptable. I can say that most of these people are having a typical day, but what I do not know is maybe that one may have just started a new job, or lost a job; a baby may have just been born in their family, or they may be morning a death. The jogger may have just started their new exercise plan after having a an argument with their significant other about how they are putting on too much weight or they just might be in competition at their job to lose the most weight. How a person sees someone during their daily routine is not an accurate reflection of what is truly going on in their lives, although they are able to act as if nothing is bothering them.

Visa Application Process for Ghana

I was so excited to apply for a visa for this trip, as it would mean another stamp in my passport! Traveling to the Ghanian Consulate was not as hard as I expected. Nana and I headed there on a direct M-train (from West 4th street to 47th), and it took about 15 minutes. Nana's mother had briefed her on the application process so we were as prepared as possible before arriving at the Consulate. Once we arrived we were told we needed to go next door to make a copy of our passport (the only step in the process that we failed to do). We went next door to a stationary store (which I might add, was a little weird), filled with books, papers, and binders everywhere. A complete mess, and very pricey I might add! Once we handed back our materials needed for processing we were on our way back to NYU's Washington Square campus. We were told our visas would be ready in 3-5 business days.

 We arrived the next week to pick up our visas, and I was very pleased to see the visa sticker affixed in my passport!