Last week, I ran 4 miles in 50 minutes. “Big deal,” you might say. “You ride in a power wheelchair that can go 6 miles per hour.” All very true. Because I have SMA and cannot walk or bear weight, I use a power wheelchair as my primary…
Caring Together - a Column by Connie Chandler
“Come on, girl, just use your four extra arms!” I often tease my friends like this when we’re trying to accomplish a tricky caregiving task together. Some things would go a lot smoother if we had more hands helping out, but because my spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) weakens my…
The other weekend, I was invited to a golf tournament. It was a gorgeous day, and I rarely turn down an invitation for a good time, so naturally, I channeled my inner Rory Gilmore, donned my cutest golfing outfit, and asked my official caddy to tote my clubs…
One of the most common questions new friends ask me is: “Do you drive?” When I’m feeling snarky, I refer to my wheelchair and respond: “All the time.” But I know they are actually wondering if I drive a car. It’s a valid question because many people with disabilities do…
“What are we making for dinner today?” my friend asks as we head to my kitchen. I love when she says “we,” because she knows I like to be an active participant in this process. It isn’t just her making something for me; it’s both of us making something together.
What comes to mind when you think of Labor Day? For some people, it might mean a cookout, a day trip to the lake, or a last, desperate dip in the swimming pool. For me, it conjures up memories of hairspray, big puffy dresses, multiple ringing telephones, video cameras, and…
My parents came to visit me last weekend. For the past three years, I’ve been living on my own, 600 miles away from them. I love my home and my community, and I know that for now, I’m where I’m supposed to be. But there are times when I miss…
“Thanks for inviting me on this trip,” my 9-year-old friend Forrest said to me last weekend. His parents were in the gas station convenience store, and we were alone in the car for a few minutes. “Well, thank you for coming on this trip,” I replied. Honestly, I wasn’t sure…
In my favorite movie of all time, “The Princess Bride,” there’s a scene I love because I can relate to it and have learned a valuable life lesson from it. And today I’m going to share it with you. The three heroes are on the castle…
I recently got a new wheelchair! Thanks to the good folks at Numotion, I’m happy with the upgrades, including a new seat cushion, a phone holder, and headlights. My friends have been asking me what it’s like to be in a new chair, and I’d say it feels like getting…
