Author: Kendra

This author has written 37 articles
Read more about the article Good Habits for Long-Term Health with a Spinal Cord Injury

Good Habits for Long-Term Health with a Spinal Cord Injury

Please Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you chose to purchase something through one of the links, I may get a small commission, without any cost to you. Read the full disclosure here. Fresh after injury, all the new things to remember, and habits to build, can be exhausting and daunting. However, building strong habits is paramount. Unfortunately, small problems can quickly turn into life threatening situations. Being proactive and taking preventative measures against secondary complications is essential to long term health. It may seem like a million things to remember and plan for in the beginning. It also may be physically and mentally exhausting as well. Some days it literally feels like…

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Read more about the article Interesting Facts About Spinal Cord Injuries

Interesting Facts About Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord is something you never really notice or think out until there is an abnormality or damage. Yet it is the part of the body that is responsible for controlling all of your conscious and unconscious bodily functions. It is the superhighway that connects the brain to the body and allows you to control your muscular and skeletal system. To put it plainly: it is the electrical wiring that allows you to pilot your meat suit through the world. Many people (myself included prior to my injury) take the spinal cord a bit for granted. To quote age old wisdom from Futurama: "when you do things right, people won't be sure you've done…

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Read more about the article Minor Annoyances of Wheelchair Life

Minor Annoyances of Wheelchair Life

Wheelie life comes with its own list of challenges.. Here's my compilation of annoying things I have encountered over the last couple of years.. 1. Forgetting to put on shoes before leaving the house.. Or having a shoe fall off when you transfer or go over a bump.. The lesson learned here is that if shoes 'slip-on' they will slip-off just as easy. 2. Dropping stuff on the floor.. Bonus points when things fall into the wheelchair rim and then just spin around when you try to get it out. 3. Not turning off the light before getting into bed and having to spend 10 minutes getting back up to turn them off. This is…

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Read more about the article Secondary Complications of Spinal Cord Injuries

Secondary Complications of Spinal Cord Injuries

A spinal cord injury is more than using a wheelchair. Paralysis, and the inability to walk are the primary and most obvious complications after a spinal cord injury. However, most days not walking is the least of my worries. Unfortunately, there are many secondary conditions that need to be considered as well. Severity and level of injury will affect the number of complications. As will factors such as age, weight, diet and immune function. Unfortunately, secondary complications after a SCI are generally a matter of when, not if. Simple things can potentially become life threatening. It can take longer to diagnose many problems if your body isn't able to tell you something is wrong, and…

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Read more about the article 100 Things to Eat and Drink Around the World

100 Things to Eat and Drink Around the World

Tea and the sea One of the best parts of travelling is the food. For many of us the first introduction we have to a new culture is through its food (and drinks). While many versions of these classics are available all over the world, there is something special about having the OG version. Particularly, when it is made with fresh local ingredients.. and especially when it is made using a family recipe passed down through generations. Some meals are so special they leave a mark on your taste buds forever. Food so good you dream about it for years to come. Let it be known, I have no interest in fancy five star restaurants…

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Read more about the article Beers and Cheers Around the World

Beers and Cheers Around the World

Beers are best enjoyed cold and with friends Hello. One beer please. Thank-you. This is always a good starting phrase to learn in local language before travelling. Hola. Una cerveza por favor. Gracias.Salut. Une bière s'il vous plaît. Merci.Ciao. Una birra, per favore. Grazie.Hallo. Ein Bier bitte. Vielen Dank.Olá. Uma cerveja por favor. Obrigada.Xin chào. Làm ơn cho một ly bia. Cảm ơn bạn. There's nothing like a cold beer while soaking in the sights of a new city. Especially after a day of exploring, or when the temperature is pushing 30 degrees C. The good thing about beer is that it is accessible to all (assuming you like the taste). Whether you like ales,…

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Read more about the article Useful Apps and Resources for Wheelchair Travelers

Useful Apps and Resources for Wheelchair Travelers

Technology has made travel exponentially easier compared to the days of paper guide books. This sentiment is especially true when it comes to planning wheelchair accessible adventures. Here are some useful apps and resources to plan your next escapade: Map Apps: AccessNow (iOS) (android) This free app is a Canadian start-up, crowd-sourced database which displays accessibility ratings for restaurants, bars, stores, hotels and more. Its three tier rating system categories locations either: fully accessible (green thumbs up symbol), partially accessible (yellow traffic cone symbol) or not accessible (red thumbs down symbol). You can search specific locations by name, or you can discover new locations in your area with your specific accessibility needs. You can also…

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Read more about the article Positive Things About Wheelie Life

Positive Things About Wheelie Life

People assume that having to use a wheelchair is the worst thing ever. It definitely comes with its inconveniences, but there are some perks that come along with it as well. First and foremost, people need to realize that a wheelchair is not an inherently bad thing. In fact it is the opposite. A wheelchair is FREEDOM and allows me to get out and explore the world. This is an important distinction a lot of people miss. So I just want to set the record straight. Yes, spinal cord injuries suck. Paralysis sucks. Neurological conditions suck. Chronic health issues suck. Overpriced medical equipment sucks. But my wheelchair is awesome. Here's my rundown on some positive…

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Read more about the article Travel Hacks You Wish You Knew Sooner

Travel Hacks You Wish You Knew Sooner

Please Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you chose to purchase something through one of the links, I may get a small commission, without any cost to you. Read the full disclosure here. These little tips and tricks will make your next trip a breeze. From packing and organizing before you leave. To enjoying a relaxing and stress-free journey. Tips for getting the most out of your time once you arrive on location. As well as, creating meaningful memories and mementos that last a lifetime. I have got you covered! Here are my all time favourite travel hacks: Packing Hacks/ Before you Go Ziploc bags are the best for packing clothes since you…

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