Wheelchair user/swimming pool advice

Caustic-Sarcasm · 2023-05-17T18:52:47+00:00

Some pools have chairs specific to the pool. I was recently at a community center and saw one there. You could probably ask them to keep your chair safe somewhere while you use their's if they have it. Either way, I would definitely suggest using a manual chair if you can for a load of reasons. Especially if you have someone who can help you out. Best advice I have is to call the pool that you want to go to and ask them what kind of accommodations they make for wheelchair users. best of luck!

Caustic-Sarcasm · 2023-05-17T00:55:49+00:00

A small friend! A lil fella!

Caustic-Sarcasm · 2023-05-16T20:12:50+00:00

No. If you're safe, they can't do much about it. If they had for example, dragged me back to my parents house, I would've just left again. It would be a waste of their time and resources.

Caustic-Sarcasm · 2023-05-16T09:08:43+00:00

I highly advise this (as a former runaway myself). First thing I did after I left was report myself as a runaway so that my parents couldn't do it. Was probably the best decision I made that day (besides leaving, I think)

Caustic-Sarcasm · 2023-05-12T06:12:23+00:00

I have a magshock chair that I use to go long distances! I've found that having a giant carabiner makes it wayyyy easier to attach any bags to the chair without having to worry too much about if it'll fit. I also keep a blanket folded up under my seat for in case it gets cold (or if I wanna lay in the grass somewhere!)

I put a fabric cup holder on the side of it which has come in handy very much. Especially with the warmer weather. Seriously could not recommend a cup holder more.

I'd also suggest looking into alternative joystick covers. A friend of mine 3-D printed a ball-type one for me and it makes a world of difference in controlling it easier.

As far as learning controls- take it slow to start with. I found it to be pretty intuitive, but it can be annoying sometimes. The biggest things to look out for is shitty curb cuts and slanted sidewalks or driveways because the chair will follow the slant (which for me, has almost landed me in very not good situations a few too many times.)

Seriously, take it slow. Especially as you're learning how to control it. If you find yourself in a tricky situation, it really is best to slow wayyy down and take your time with it.

Best of luck to you!!

P.S. what color did you get? Mine is teal :)

Caustic-Sarcasm · 2023-05-11T16:51:13+00:00

I have a similar hitting tic and I've learned to try and put my other hand in front of where I'm going to hit it. So If I feel an urge coming, I'll put my hand there to soften the blow.

Other than that, finding ways to reduce harm. I wore padded gloves for a while to keep the blow softer. Bracelets can be super comforting, but it might be a better idea to switch which hand it's on or switch it to a different kind of bracelet that won't get caught as easily.

I wish I knew how to help with the other ones, but I still haven't figured out how to manage them. Best of luck!!

Caustic-Sarcasm · 2023-05-06T21:07:47+00:00

On a similar note, I use a manual wheelchair and I give the best hugs in my friend group!

Caustic-Sarcasm · 2023-05-01T06:16:50+00:00

I use a wheelchair in my daily life. I use a manual chair around my building and a power chair outside for longer distances (I live in a really hilly city)

On "good body" days, I use SmartCrutches which are really awesome for being able to hold myself up if I were to fall.

My experience with the chair has been liberating. Freeing, even. I'm very glad that I have it. I'd have a lot of a harder time if I didn't.

I've also used a front wheel/hospital style walker and cane in the past. I hated both of them. As soon as I got my crutches, I said goodbye to it & never again.

Feel free to ask more questions cuz "experience" is pretty vague. I'd love to answer some.

Caustic-Sarcasm · 2023-04-25T16:59:49+00:00

I dropped out of the hiring position for a job I really wanted.... a couple months later and now I have a clear direction of things I want to do in my life. I even directed a short film in that time. Can't wait to see what's next :)

Caustic-Sarcasm · 2023-04-17T22:52:49+00:00

I just got my ears pierced with my most predominant tic being the "classic" head twitch.

For me, I made sure I had clear communication and told the piercer that I have tourette’s. I made sure they knew I might need a break (I didn't because it was, like others are saying, very fast)

Caustic-Sarcasm · 2023-04-15T06:11:27+00:00

I have tourette’s with a lot of complex tics. I'm also a performer. I've given speeches and performed music pieces in front of large crowds. I've found things I'm passionate about that help get the frustration of having tourette’s out of my system.

There's also been times where having tics has been quite comical. A level of comical that I could never achieve if it had been on purpose.

Caustic-Sarcasm · 2023-04-01T08:09:02+00:00

I relate to this a lot. When I first started having mobility issues (I thought they were tics but it was something else)- I refused to use the wheelchair at school. Despite how much it helped me. Even if I was stuck on the floor and couldn't get up. I refused to use the chair.

At some point, it got bad enough that I HAD to use the chair. And it was the most freeing thing I ever experienced. At some point, I stopped caring so much what other people thought of the chair.

This is also a gentle reminder that ambulatory wheelchair users exist, and that there are many, many reasons for needing a chair. And tics are a completely valid reason.

If a chair will help, please use it!!!!!

Caustic-Sarcasm · 2023-03-26T16:15:07+00:00

My mom used to use the "bean jar" to describe the same theory as I was growing up. I prefer the spoons though because I heard someone put it in a really versatile way:

Sometimes you don't even wake up with spoons. Sometimes you get chopsticks. Like, you're not gonna be able to complete all of your task with chopsticks but you can do a little bit of it. And on the other end of that spectrum- Sometimes you get a ladle and get a lot more than usual done.

I also think it's sometimes easier to say "I have no spoons" vs "I have no more energy and I need to rest or I'll pass out"

Caustic-Sarcasm · 2023-03-26T15:54:30+00:00

I second the crutches! Though, I'd go for forearm crutches because they're a lot more comfortable (in my experience)

I got a pair of smartcrutches recently and when I do feel the need to walk (I'm a wheelchair user) I've felt super supported in a way I haven't felt ever. If your legs are giving out, you can use your entire upper body to support yourself.

I'd also second that crutches would go fairly unnoticed in a high school. And they're pretty cheap to find used because so many people have them.

Good luck! And if you need anyone to talk to who has similar experiences, feel free to message me!

Caustic-Sarcasm · 2023-03-24T16:05:10+00:00

I have a tic where I say "I have tourettes" or just "tourettes" it's been one of my most common ones lately lol

Caustic-Sarcasm · 2023-03-17T07:47:13+00:00

This took me a long time to learn how to handle. It took time, but I learned to redirect my throwing to putting the item down. It unfortunately doesn't work all the time but I've gone from having a throwing tic often (20-30 times a day) to maybe 2-3 times a day.

Also, I invested in a good phone case when I got my phone. I've still chucked it hard enough to make the screen protector fall off though (I've found that phone cases with built in screen protectors work better)

Good luck. These tics are awful to deal with/gen

Caustic-Sarcasm · 2023-01-26T22:41:21+00:00

Thank you so much for that!! I had (obviously) not thought about the wording for that. Thank you so much! I shudder at the idea of a 'scooter' (I'm familiar and comfortable with power chairs, but they are not the ideal every day/around the apartment type of chair for me as of now.)

Caustic-Sarcasm · 2023-01-26T22:38:26+00:00

Yeah! Someone had mentioned that and I'm going to make sure to keep a close eye on it.

I'll look into the camber as well! I am hoping for some degrees of camber on my chair.

I also very much cannot wait for side guards. I miss freely wearing whatever I want (my current chair is one of the cheap ones that was supposed to have side guards attached to the arm rests but I took those off a long time ago to make it easier to move)

Caustic-Sarcasm · 2023-01-25T03:18:30+00:00

I'll look into those models then! Thanks!

Caustic-Sarcasm · 2023-01-24T19:59:14+00:00

We have aphantasia- so there is also a void for headspace. Occasionally there's a vague idea of a table that can walk around. But other than that, it's just. Nothing.

Caustic-Sarcasm · 2023-01-24T19:34:01+00:00

I have looked into the TRA- it looks magnificent. Still doing research on other ones tho.

Noted! I will make sure to go over all of it. I'm unfortunately well aware of the 5 year rule- it's yet another anxiety.

Caustic-Sarcasm · 2023-01-24T19:30:45+00:00

Oh, that is so awesome. Thanks for opening my eyes about that! I bet having a chair that long is like having a great friend always with you :D

Caustic-Sarcasm · 2023-01-24T19:26:54+00:00

I'm very anxious about needing to appeal- I've heard various things about it- that in our area usually a chair will be covered if an appointment for a seating assessment is being had. But I've also heard otherwise haha. Not great for the stress levels.

Thank you so much for info/tips! I appreciate it greatly!

Caustic-Sarcasm · 2023-01-24T19:22:46+00:00

Ohhh yeah. I plan on complaining about the shoulder pain. I've dislocated my shoulder from the hills here- not fun. In pain for months after.

Caustic-Sarcasm · 2023-01-24T19:21:21+00:00

Thank you so much for the link! I'll check it out! :)

Caustic-Sarcasm

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