The Question I Have A Hard Time Answering

I get asked questions all the time in all kinds of places.  In the grocery store..."Where did you get your wheelchair?" or at the mall "How do you drive?" or at the lake "How do you ski?".  But there is only ONE question that I dread being asked because I have such a hard time answering it.  It's this question:

"HOW HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO OVERCOME YOUR TRAUMATIC INJURY SO SUCCESSFULLY?"

Let me first explain, it's not that I don't know the answer to this question.  I absolutely do!  But every time I start to answer the question, it seems like words just don't adequately describe what I'm trying to say.  So here it goes but please understand that even now I know my words are not sufficient.

The answer to the question of how I've been able to deal with my T6 spinal cord injury is actually quite simple.  It is only through my relationship with Jesus Christ that I have been able to overcome.  But when I try to explain what He has done in my life, it gets more difficult for words to describe. 

I was 15 years old when my best friend and I were involved in a one car crash that left me paralyzed from the waist down.  I woke up in an ICU room and was told that I would not walk again.  My family has a deep to the core kind of faith so I know they had been praying for me during the hours before I finally woke up.  That is evident to me because when I awoke and was faced with such life changing news, I felt nothing but PEACE.  How can that even be?!  God had placed a peace in me that was so deep and so strong that I just knew that I was gonna be okay.  It is unexplainable and that's how I know that I experienced a miracle that day in my life.

How can I explain with human words what it means to me that God sent His only Son to die for my sins and enabled me to have a relationship with Him? That is everything to me. Then, because of that relationship, He has given me the most profound and unexplainable peace in my heart.  It's the kind of peace that no matter what happens, I truly, without doubt, know that God will work it together for good.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

The peace and joy that God has given me has sustained me for 26 years now.  If the past is any indicator, I expect it to sustain me until I go home to be with Him.  The gratitude and thanksgiving that I have in my heart is overflowing and I know that I could never repay God for His goodness to me.  

If you are struggling with any kind of problem, call out to God.  He is the only way to find peace and joy during the storm.  

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BLESSED IS SHE WHO BELIEVED THAT THE LORD WOULD FULFILL HIS PROMISES TO HER!  LUKE 1:45

Two Household Items That Make Wheelchair Life Easier

When we built our home 14 years ago, resale was the main thing on our mind.  We were a young family and knew that this wouldn't be our forever home.  We made sure that the main components of our home were accessible.  This included doorways, bathrooms, and a very open floor plan.  This did not include height of countertops, more than normal low storage space, or closets that had accessible upper spaces.  At the time, those things were of low importance to me.  But as the years have passed, I have realized how much those things affect the day to day ease (or not) of my life.

So, here are two househhold items that make my life just a little easier every day!

1.  Metal Cookie Sheet

Metal cookie sheet, you say?!  YES!  This metal cookie sheet helps me more in a day than a cup of coffee....oh, I mean if I drank coffee! I use it to bring in multiple bags of groceries so I don't have to make three times as many trips.  I use it to carry my watering can while watering my outside plants.  But the biggest use is when I'm cooking.  Yes, I make cookies on it of course.  But most days, I'm using it as a lap table for mixing, cutting, assembling or anything else I may be doing in the kitchen.

This is my watering can, cookie sheet and favorite color mums!  Selfie stick to the rescue! 

2.  Hand Held Reacher

This may or may not be an everyday household item but it sure is at my house.  I use it to put or get things out of my upper cabinets.  It's also handy when getting clothes from the top bar in my closet.  I just grab the hanger and lift up and it comes right down.  But I don't only use it for things up high.  I also find it very handy for reaching things on the floor that are out of reach.  Just this morning, I used it to reach a sock that had gone under my son's desk!  And when that annoying tree by my pool drops ten million leaves, I use it to clean leaves out of the skimmer!  What a life saver!

Forever dropping pony tail holders under my sink where I can't reach them!  

This is an example from my husband's closet because well, my closet is just embarrassingly messy! 

This may be a good time to let you in on a little secret.  The Wilson's are moving to the country y'all!  We are currently researching and designing our forever home and I'm excited to say that it will be accessible in EVERY SINGLE WAY!  We are taking our time and thinking through each detail so that we may hopefully improve upon the accessibility aspects.  I'm so excited and look forward to sharing our accessible home building adventures/mishaps as they happen!  

Email me (limitlesslivingsuzanne@gmail.com) if you have any questions! And comment if you have any everyday items that YOU use to make life easier!!!!

How do you keep your legs so skinny?!?! #wheelchairwednesday

This is a question I've been asked a MILLION (or a little less haha!) times!  Once I educate you a little on spinal cord injuries you will realize that the question isn't "How do you keep your legs so skinny?" but instead "How do you keep your legs from getting TOO skinny?"

Muscle atrophy happens any time your muscles aren't used for an extended period of time.  Have you ever had to wear a cast for an extended period of time and then realized once it was removed that your arm or leg is smaller than the other one which hasn't been in the cast?  That's muscle atrophy.  In your circumstance, all that it takes is a little rehab and getting those muscles moving again to correct this problem.  

When the muscle atrophy is due to spinal cord injury, the situation is different.  In my case, I have a complete spinal cord injury at T6 and T7.  As a result, my brain cannot communicate with any of my muscles below that injury spot which is about my waist area. Since that connection is severed and my brain cannot communicate, I am unable to feel or move muscles below that injury site.  The result is muscle atrophy. 

So what can you do?!?!  If you do nothing, then your muscles atrophy and become very soft and nonexistent.  But I was blessed enough to have a physical therapist way back in 1989 who was on the cutting edge of the rehabilitation for spinal cord injury patients.  One of the therapies I was involved in included an Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) system.  FES applies small electrical impulses to paralyzed muscles to help restore and improve their function.  FES is commonly used for exercise, but also to assist with breathing, grasping, transferring, standing and walking. FES can also improve bowel and bladder function and reduce pressure sores.

So, that's kind of the technical stuff.  I use the FES to exercise my leg muscles.  In the process, it works my stomach and booty muscles some which is a plus for sure!  I usually lay in the floor, put the cuffs on my legs and plug it into the black box that supplies the electrical stimulus.  I switch it on and just hang out while the electricity works my muscles.  After about 20 minutes, I am usually out of breath like I actually ran for 20 minutes! 

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This is my 20 year old FES system.  It doesn't look like much, but I'm SO thankful for it!  Also, excuse my puppies....they are always sneaking in my pictures!

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The letters on the black box tell you what muscles they work.  LQ (left quad) LH (left hamstring) RH (right hamstring) RQ (right quad)

This picture shows the cuffs plugged into the black box (which I'm sure has a name).  I've had this FES system about 20 years now so it definitely is showing age.  I've also had to get the box rewired a few times when it has stopped working.  Thank goodness I have a good friend who can fix ANYTHING! One more thing I want to mention.....the level of electrical impulse isn't something you want to play around with.  I had a friend once who thought he could handle the shock and let's just say....it HURT!  You definitely need to NOT have feeling or sensation when using this therapy!  

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I'll never have a perfect body due to the sheer number of muscles I'm unable to use and my love for food....but yay! for the ability to keep my legs in shape and help my circulation also!

Unfortunately, FES doesn't work for every spinal cord injured person.  Depending on the level injury or other complications, a person's muscles may not respond to the electricity.  I definitely recommend that you consult a doctor or physical therapist before trying any kind of therapy. If you are interested here are some links!

http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.mtKZKgMWKwG/b.4453425/k.27A5/Functional_Electrical_Stimulation.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/functional-electrical-stimulation-for-spinal-cord-injury/basics/definition/prc-20013147

http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/9670381

Don't forget, email me at limitlesslivingsuzanne@gmail.com if you have any questions about this or anything else! 

My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  Psalm 73:26

 

Wills and Wheels

This weekend I witnessed the epitomy of the saying "where there's a will, there's a way".  As far as I'm concerned it was the underlying theme at the  13th Annual Adaptive Sportsfest at Lake Gladewater!  This is the premier event of POWERinc where they give people of all kinds of disabilities an opportunity to do outdoor recreational activities.  Available activities included water skiing, tubing, archery, air rifles, kayaks, photo booth, face painting and disc golf.  

It was so fun to see people of all ages and disabilities enjoying the outdoors.  I tried kayaking for the first time with my daughter Micahla, and I must say it was AWESOME!  The guys from the local fire department were there and helped me into the kayak and into the water. They were there when we returned to help us out of the water and back into my wheelchair.    There were so many volunteers!  Some were at stations lifting people in and out of tubes, kayaks, skis, ect. and others were there running registration or cooking lunch for everyone.  It really touched my heart to see so many people willingly give up a Saturday to help out and make a difference.  I could go on and on about this but instead check out my slideshow of the day!

First time to kayak with Micahla 2015

If you would like to get involved, check out these websites! These are all Texas based, but if you know of any organizations like this in Northwest Louisiana PLEASE comment below and enlighten me!

www.powerincorporated.org

www.taasports.org

And like always, if you have questions email me at limitlesslivingsuzanne@gmail.com!

Be blessed!

On the Road to Independence #wheelchairwednesday

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Welcome to my first #wheelchairwednesday!  On Wednesdays, I'll be answering common questions that people have asked me over the years.  Feel free to email me at limitlesslivingsuzanne@gmail.com if you have a question!

"How do you get your chair into your car by yourself?"

In my life, the event that contributed most to my independence over the years has been the ability to drive!  Driving was actually the easy part to learn.  The hard part was becoming independent with getting my wheelchair in and out of the vehicle.  Of course, like everything else in life, where there is a WILL there is a WAY!  I definitely had the will because I actually LOVE to drive!  Driving is one of my most effective stress relievers.  When I'm stressed...I drive and sometimes for hours!  But usually by the time I return, I'm more relaxed and able to deal with  whatever was causing me stress.  

I've driven quite a few different vehicles over the years.  When the kids were younger, I was convinced that I needed to drive a SUV.  Although this made my life a lot harder, I loved the space it provided for my family.  After quite a few years of this, I realized one day how hard it had become to lift myself up that far into my SUV.  (I also will admit that this was something Clint had been saying for years but of course I wouldn't listen!)  Needless to say, I've been driving a car ever since!  One of my best decisions yet! HaHa!

This video shows how I disassemble my chair to put it into the backseat of my car.  My precious cameraman (Reid) cut me off at the end but whatever...it's all good!  If you've ever wondered how I do this, I hope this video answers your question!  Don't forget if you have more questions, email me!

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Getting that Cardio!

Well, I'll be honest.  Most days this picture sums up my view on exercise....

But today, on this beautiful Monday morning, I felt energized and motivated to work off all those weekend calories that I enjoyed! So let me tell you about one of the ways I burn those extra calories!

If I haven't mentioned it before, I have some of the best friends that exist.  Two such friends, Justin and Lindsay Small, just happen to own a fabulous gym 2 minutes from my house!  Anytime Fitness in Haughton, Louisiana is the BEST!  Check out their Facebook page!

Since I can't walk on a treadmill or climb a stairclimber, you may be trying to figure out how exactly I am planning to burn my calories with cardio....well, this is how.  It's called a hand cycle.  It's basically a bicycle that has the pedals up high so you can turn them with your arms.  Here's a picture!

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This hand cycle machine can be used two ways.  The user can either sit on the seat that's shown in this picture OR you can take the seat off and pull your wheelchair directly up to the pedals!  How cool is that?  So depending on your disability or comfort level, you can easily find a way to work this into your current workout!

When I first started using the hand cycle, I could barely go 5 minutes without being completely exhausted.  But as I began to use it more, I was able to gradually add time.  It really does a great job getting my heart pumping, sweat pouring, and arms burning!  Most of the time I go for about 30 minutes which usually means 5 miles.  Its a great exercise and I love that anyone can use it.  So the next time you see one, jump on it and check it out!

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Don't judge.  This was during the 7 o'clock hour this morning and I was a sweaty mess!  But I wanted to show you how I pull my chair up along side the machine.  I also have my water there because I drink A LOT of water while I work out! (click it to see the full picture)

Don't forget if you have any questions, feel free to email me at suzmarye@live.com!

Pregnancy Part 2: A Miscarriage and Another Answered Prayer!

Micahla was 9 months old when I found out I was pregnant again!  I'll be honest, the last 9 months hadn't been all rainbows and butterflies....Micahla was a beautiful, highly intelligent, and extremely strong willed little person!  Those qualities have served her well in her life, but those first two years where a challenge to say the least!  My first reaction to the news that I was pregnant again was tears and fear.  It had been tough (and exhausting) to juggle motherhood, college, and being a wife to my sweet husband.  I couldn't fathom adding another child to my daily routine.  Even so, it only took a day or two for the initial shock to wear off and for me to be completely thrilled and excited about our new addition.  

Micahla at about 9 months old!  This gives me *heart eyes*!

Only two weeks later is when the worst happened.  At 8 weeks, I miscarried our second child.  My first reaction was sadness but mostly guilt.  Maybe if I hadn't cried when I found out I was pregnant this wouldn't have happened, ect. ect.  But I knew my Lord was not that kind of God.  He is the Almighty, grace giving, loving God.  He didn't punish me for being a doubt filled human. But knowing this with my mind and believing it in my heart were two totally different things. Clint's words really helped me see this.  "It just happens that way sometimes.  The baby is weak and just doesn't thrive and that's all it is."  (I quoted that but it has been 19 years so it may not have been those exact words but definitely the same message!)  Looking back on this, I'm convinced that God spoke through Clint that day.  His words settled in my soul and I quickly came to terms with the fact that God loves me and wasn't punishing me for doubting I could deal with two babies under 18 months old.  God was caring for me and my little nugget baby.  And when that sweet baby was weak and couldn't thrive, He took him/her home to live in Heaven with Him until I one day join them.  And that's what I mean when I say God is the only source of true joy in all circumstances.  Only He can provide that type of peace and hope for a mom after a miscarriage.  Praise be to God for it's through Him that ALL blessings flow!

Ten months after our miscarriage, we were pregnant AGAIN!  This time, the news was pure JOY!  Although I had silently worried if my body would be able to sustain another pregnancy.  After the early labor with Micahla and the miscarriage, I was praying so hard that God would provide and this pregnancy would thrive and progress without any problems.  

Micahla "holding" Reid.  It didn't take long for him to start looking like he needed to be holding her! haha!  BIG BOY!

And as the future would tell us about how complete opposites our children would be, so did their two pregnancies....complete day and night!  Carrying this baby couldn't have been easier.  During the entire 37 weeks, I was prepared for early labor and bed rest at every doctor's appointment.  But it never happened.  Everything went perfectly and at 37 weeks my water broke and I went into labor.  His delivery proved to also be easy as pie.  Again, I was given an epidural to reduce the chances of complications like Autonomic Dysreflexia.  But this time I was able to do all the pushing on my own.  I was SO proud of myself!!!!  After 7 hours of labor, Marcus Reid Wilson was born into this world on August 2, 1997.  He was definitely an answered prayer and a tremendous blessing!  God has been so faithful to our family.  Regardless if the times are good or bad, He remains our Rock and brings joy in the morning!  

Micahla, Reid and I shortly after coming home from the hospital!  She was a great big sister! And for the next few years, I always had a baby or two on my lap!

Weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5

Precious Reid!

Pregnancy Part 1: Answered Prayer

It happened about 9 months after our wedding that I began to suspect that I might be pregnant.  It wasn't something we were trying for but it wasn't something we weren't trying for either! The store bought pregnancy test said yes with a faint plus sign but I couldn't even believe it.  I hadn't mentioned it to Clint yet because in my young mind I had to be 100% sure before I could even think about saying the words "Im pregnant!" out loud.  A visit to our local medical center and a blood test later, it was confirmed that indeed "WE WERE PREGNANT!"  God had given us our heart's desire and in fact continue to bless and answer our prayers throughout our children's lives.

Because I'm a T6 paraplegic, I began seeing a high risk doctor at LSU Medical Center.  We thought this would be necessary because we weren't really sure about what kinds of complications or problems my pregnancy may encounter.  At that time, I was only 5 years post injury so everything was uncharted territory so we took extra precaution where we could.

The first 20 weeks went by without a hitch!  I gagged on my toothbrush every morning, we found out we were having a GIRL, and my belly started to show the cutest pooch ever!  I used to spend embarrassing amounts of time laying on my back so I could watch her move and kick.  What a miracle pregnancy truly is!  It was going so well that it was recommended that I begin seeing my regular OBGYN for the remainder of my pregnancy.

Clint and Micahla at about 3 months old!

Then it happened at 26 weeks. I began to go into early labor.  There was no way to know if this was due to my paraplegia or if it was just something that would have happened regardless.  My most vivid memory of this time was my doctor saying "If we can just make it to 29 weeks then she will have a much better chance of survival".  SURVIVAL?!  Those were some of the most frightening words of my life.  I was immediately put on bedrest for the duration of my pregnancy and also had an at home contraction monitor that I had to wear during certain times of the day to make sure the medicine I was taking was keeping the contractions at a minimum.  It was all super tedious and boring but I was committed to do whatever I could to keep my baby from being born before she was mature.

Although the weeks passed way too slowly, we made it to each milestone that the doctor set.  First, it was 29 weeks, then 32, and finally 37 weeks.  Each time he would give me a percentage of how much higher my baby's survival rate was if I could reach the milestone...terrifying I tell you.  I truly believe it was a miracle and an answered prayer that I carried her to 37 weeks.  Even today, 20 years later, I get emotional when I think about this.

Because my doctor wanted my labor and delivery to happen in a more controlled environment, he induced my labor at 37 weeks.  It was April 19, 1995.  The main concern at this point was for my safety due to a common condition in spinal cord injury patients called Autonomic Dysreflexia. This is a condition of extreme hypertension (which can result in death) when the body below injury site is in any kind of painful state.  Of course, labor and delivery is high on the list of reasons this condition may happen.  Its a strange thought that, although I cannot feel pain below my injury site, my body is experiencing every bit of it.  Due to this, I was given an epidural to help my body endure the pain of childbirth regardless of the fact that I wouldn't feel a thing anyway.  The other concern was whether I would be able to push hard enough when it came time to deliver the baby.  If not, a nurse would press down at the bottom of my ribcage to help push the baby out.

Micahla and I just shortly after her arrival on April 19,1995.

My labor was very easy.  I couldn't feel the contractions but I could see them occurring by how my stomach muscles would tense all the way up then relax as the contraction eased up.  Amazing, I tell you!  My body knew exactly what needed to happen to deliver that baby regardless of my disability!  After 6 hours of labor and watching the Oklahoma City Bombing coverage on TV, Micahla Rene' Wilson was born into this world.  She was healthy and absolutely perfect.  We were so thankful that the Lord had heard and answered our many prayers.  

Due to being able to deliver naturally, my recovery was quite quick.  Its still so crazy to me that despite my disability, I was able to become a MOM!  What a blessing my children are in my life!  To God Be The Glory!

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  James 1:17

Next Blog Post: Pregnancy Part 2: A Miscarriage and Another Answered Prayer!

Can A Paraplegic Scuba Dive???

Let me answer that question with a resounding YES!  I'm not gonna lie....its physically taxing and you will most definitely need some help at some point during the experience.  But it was an amazing experience and YOU should totally try it!

A couple years ago, my friend Lindsay and I decided to get our husbands Scuba Certification for Christmas. Before long, we decided that we DEFINITELY wanted to learn to scuba with our guys! So, we scheduled our class/open water dates and waited with much anticipation!

Before you start classes, there is paperwork that must be filled out.  My paper work was the same as everyone else except for the fact that I had to get a Physician Release Form filled out by my doctor before they would let me start the water part of the training.  Come to find out, it's not just physical disabilities that require this form.  If you have any kind of medical issue, they will require you to have this form.  Of course, I have an awesome doctor who knows how much I love adventure so he gladly checked me out and gave his permission!

Here are a few things that we came across while learning to scuba dive:

1.  The hardest part was getting in and out of the water.  If you have sweet/strong guys like I do, then this isn't really much of a problem.  A very helpful tool that our scuba school had was a mesh body sling.  This enables 2-4 people to share in the weight of lifting in and out of the water.  Its a fabulous tool and we used it the entire time!

2.  Get webbed gloves!  Because I wasn't able propel myself with fins on my feet, this was a great alternative!  It really made a difference, but if I'm honest it still wore me out!  Once we got to open water at Lake Ouachita, Clint and I swam together so I could hold on to him if I was getting too tired.

3.  I'm not sure if this is only me, but I am EXTREMELY buoyant in water!  As a result, we had to add weight to my BC (buoyancy compensator) and also to my ankles because my legs kept wanting to float up to the top!

Other than these few things, everything else was about the same.  Scuba has a definite mental component. You know that you can breath through the air regulator but your mind keeps thinking "I can't breathe!". Your brain has to adjust and you have to mentally overcome the fact that you really don't belong down there under the water. Once I got my mind under control, everything else just fell into place.  

This picture was taken at Scuba Ventures in Shreveport, LA during one of the pool class sessions.

Clint and I loved it so much that the month after our certification, we flew to Vegas to scuba with sharks at the Mandalay Bay Casino!  It was an awesome adventure and I wouldn't change a thing! (besides the chainmail armor we had to wear....it was a little intimidating! Hahaha!)

Clint (left) and I (right) scuba diving with sharks at Mandalay Bay Casino in Las Vegas!

(CHAINMAIL ARMOR! AHHH!)

Wake Boarding! Possum Kingdom Lake, Texas

Every year my husband's family has a reunion weekend at his oldest brother's lake house on Possum Kindgom Lake in Texas. It's always an extremely fun time with activities ranging from card games to sand volleyball to wakeboarding!

A few years ago, we were riding on our boat with friends.  Everyone was skiing, wake boarding, or wake surfing.  I really enjoyed being on the boat and watching everyone but it occurred to me that I really wanted to learn to wakeboard.  We really weren't sure how to make this activity accessible for me but we started some research and it wasn't long before we had an idea. I had water skied before so we went with that same concept for the wake board. We purchased (LiquidAccess.org) the "cage" which is the seat that attaches to the wakeboard to make it accessible to people with disabilities. We had an old wakeboard laying around so we attached the cage to it and took it to the lake.

It was slow going at first and I even doubted that I would ever really be able to do it.  It was extremely hard for me to stay balanced in the water so my husband would have to get in with me and hold me steady until the boat pulled me up onto the water.  Once I was up it was super bumpy and frankly, I didn't find it that fun bc it kinda hurt!  I kept at it and it wasn't long before I was getting into the cage without assistance and then getting up without any help in the water!

Over the next couple years, we learned a couple things that made wake boarding one of my favorite activities!  The wakeboard you decide to attach the cage to does matter.  You need to purchase the longest/widest wakeboard you can find.  This will help with balance and also makes for a much smoother ride.  I went from a 138cm wakeboard to a 146cm wakeboard which was also a bit wider.  That doesn't really seem like it should make that big of a difference but IT DID!  It made it so much easier to get out of the water and also, a much smoother ride.

This video is from our weekend with family at Possum Kingdom.  I still have a long way to go, but I am finally able to get up, go across the wake, and even catch some air every now and then!  Leave a comment if you have any questions and let me know what you think!