Throughout the summer, my favorite pastime is just to be outside, for long walks, porch talks, picnics — any reason to bask in the sunshine. But as the days get cooler and shorter, I prefer to be inside and find crafty things to occupy my time. Over the years, I’ve…
Caring Together - a Column by Connie Chandler
“Take the burden from my arms/ Take the anchors off my lungs …” This is the opening line to “Live It Well,” one of my favorite songs, by Switchfoot, one of my favorite bands. I woke up listening to it last week, and was struck by how…
“If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate, just give me a yell!” Pam says on Saturday nights as she tucks me into bed. “OK, you, too!” I reply, and we giggle and bid each other good night. She closes my bedroom door and goes to sleep in the adjoining…
A few years ago, a good friend of mine named Essie found out that her newborn daughter had been diagnosed with SMA. She reached out to me then, as she knew I had SMA, too. She had so many questions, so I went to my mom because she is…
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…
“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…
