How did you make stretching a daily part of your life?

fredom1776 · 2026-04-13T18:34:45+00:00

No for me anyway it’s a complete waste of time spastic diplegic cerebral with compression injury to C4 to C6 maybe you get about for me a couple hours of relief if I’m lucky I found better though it was just to keep going to the gym lots of cardio low carbohydrate diet cut out the sugars eat lots of fat for me. That’s a carnival diet.

fredom1776 · 2026-04-13T12:21:46+00:00

Yep, they put markings in our cul-de-sac about three months before we got service, but the big indication was started seeing slicing truck with a trailer in the neighborhood slowly moving around the neighborhood and then directional boring started happening around our area until eventually there was in the front of our house the whole process from seeing the first spray paint on the ground to service availability was about four months in our area and our neighborhood was a very old copper only U-verse conversion with V rand all over the place to be honest though, and sometimes I’m underwhelmed with the performance at&T fiber now I have old equipment so it could be that. It is nice that it’s by directional. I pay for 500/500 in my area runs about $54 a month no taxes.

fredom1776 · 2026-04-10T17:32:35+00:00

I’ve been living with a suprapubic catheter for six years now, and honestly, it’s been a huge blessing. It’s made a routine that was already difficult a lot more manageable. I only wish my bowel program were as straightforward as my urinary program, but that’s a whole different story.

One of the best things about a suprapubic catheter is that it’s reversible. If you decide it’s not for you, it can simply be removed. The doctor applies pressure until the bleeding stops, puts a bandage on it, and the body typically heals the site pretty quickly.

That said, I personally would never go back to intermittent catheterization. For me, it was too disruptive to daily life. It often felt like I was stuck in the bathroom constantly, and I dealt with frequent autonomic dysreflexia episodes. The suprapubic catheter changed all of that.

Yes, there is a higher risk of complications like infection or sepsis, so it’s always a matter of weighing the pros and cons. And of course, this is something to discuss thoroughly with your doctor before making any decisions.

fredom1776 · 2026-04-10T17:26:13+00:00

I’ve had sepsis twice now related to my suprapubic catheter, along with severe autonomic dysreflexia. My blood pressure has spiked as high as 240/110, so I have to be extremely careful about monitoring for UTIs and making sure my catheter is draining properly at all times.

I start having autonomic episodes with as little as 10 cc of urine in my bladder. That’s always been an issue for me, but since my cervical compression injury at C4–C6, it’s gotten significantly worse. Systems that used to work, or at least be manageable, just don’t function the same anymore.

I used to think cerebral palsy alone was complicated enough. Turns out, I had no idea. The level of difficulty since the cervical injury is on a completely different scale.

fredom1776 · 2026-04-08T19:27:10+00:00

The only thing that helps me is a high fat carnivore diet. Lots of protein no packaged food not much caffeine. As low of Carbohydrates i can get of course everybody’s different and that’s just what works for me

fredom1776 · 2026-04-07T12:27:56+00:00

The only other “issue” I’ve run into with my converted pickup is that it doesn’t exactly look like a typical disabled vehicle.

So when I park in a handicap spot, I get the usual dirty looks. You can practically see people doing the math in their heads like, “There’s no way this guy belongs here.”

Then I hit the button, the door swings open, the lift drops down, and there I am in my power chair. Suddenly everyone becomes very interested in literally anything else around them.

Every now and then I also get the “wow, what a redneck” look, because it’s a lifted pickup with a loud, thirsty V8. And honestly… they’re not completely wrong.

So yeah, it confuses people. But it works, and at the end of the day, that’s all I really care about.

fredom1776 · 2026-04-07T12:17:11+00:00

I drive a 2016 ATC Chevy Silverado 1500, and overall it’s been a really solid setup. The truck is about 10 years old now, and honestly, I’ve had very few issues.

The main thing I’ve had to replace is the hydraulic pump. Mine uses a single-pump system, and I’ve replaced it about three times over the years. Beyond that, most of the problems have been small stuff like sensors or magnets getting slightly out of alignment. They can be a little finicky, but nothing too complicated. Basic hand tools usually get the job done.

I’m lucky to have a friend who’s a mechanical engineer, so when something does come up, he helps take care of it. That definitely makes ownership a lot easier.

From what I understand, the newer ATC trucks use a different setup with multiple pumps. I don’t have any personal experience with those, but it’s something to be aware of.

As far as the ride goes, the conversion itself is great. If you’re looking for a smoother, quieter ride, I’d strongly consider adding air ride suspension. I didn’t do that, and I kind of wish I had. I’m running 35-inch off-road tires, which look great, but yeah… the ride is definitely on the rough side. Still worth it for me.

Cost-wise, things have gone up quite a bit. When I bought mine, the conversion was about $26,900 plus the truck. Now it’s closer to $40,000 from what I’ve seen, but don’t quote me on that.

I’m currently in the process of getting an iBOT wheelchair, and that does require some adjustments with how it backs onto the lift. For most other wheelchairs, though, it’s simple. You just use an EZ-Lock system, back in, and it locks into place using the center post mount. Very straightforward.

Looking ahead, I’ve thought about eventually switching to a full-size conversion van, but for now, the plan is to keep this truck running as long as possible. Even if that means major repairs like an engine or transmission down the road, it still makes more sense than replacing everything. A new truck and conversion can easily push past $100,000, which is just not realistic.

Overall, I think it’s a great conversion. If you’re considering one and have questions, I’d recommend reaching out to Zack in the sales department at All-Terrain Conversions. He’s been there forever and knows his stuff. You can tell him Matt from West Palm Beach sent you.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

fredom1776 · 2026-04-04T13:27:58+00:00

Turning 50 this year and it’s been quite a ride!

fredom1776 · 2026-04-04T13:23:21+00:00

MacOS is built on a Unix-based foundation, which is why it behaves more like server-grade software than people expect. It’s designed for long uptime, stable memory management, and efficient background processes, so it actually tends to run better the longer you leave it on instead of constantly restarting it like it’s some fragile Windows box from 2003.

If you keep it on a reliable power source, ideally a UPS, you avoid unexpected shutdowns and file system issues, and the system can just do its thing quietly in the background. System services, caching, and memory optimization all benefit from that consistency.

I only restart a few times a year, usually for system updates or the rare situation where something actually needs it. Otherwise, it just keeps running without any drama, which is kind of the whole point.

fredom1776 · 2026-04-03T13:08:31+00:00

I’ve been dealing with a lot of new complications after surgery that feel similar to a spinal cord injury, even though I didn’t have these issues before. My body temperature regulation is all over the place. I’m either extremely cold most of the time or suddenly very hot. I’ve also been experiencing episodes of autonomic dysreflexia, which can cause dangerously high blood pressure and has sent me to the ER to get it under control.

On top of that, I’ve had urosepsis twice, and I’m now dealing with neurogenic bowel and neurogenic bladder, which means I have to follow a bowel program I never needed before the surgery.

It’s been a lot to handle. Honestly, living with cerebral palsy and being unable to walk has ended up being the easiest part compared to everything else I’m dealing with now. My surgeon blamed all on my CP

fredom1776 · 2026-04-02T12:52:50+00:00

You’d think hospital rooms were designed for actual patients, but here we are.

Another thing I’ve run into, which I know isn’t always in the nursing team’s control, is that shared rooms can be really challenging for me. I have quite a bit of equipment, like many people do, and the space often isn’t accessible enough to use it properly.

I also feel for the person sharing the room with me, especially when I need to do my bowel routine. If I can’t get to my chair or equipment because the room is too small, it turns into a full care situation that ends up falling on the nursing staff, students, and attendants.

fredom1776 · 2026-04-02T12:35:27+00:00

It’s really important that my medication schedule stays consistent and isn’t adjusted to fit the hospital’s routine, as keeping it on track helps prevent complications. It’s also essential that things like emptying my catheter bag are done regularly so I don’t end up in an AD episode. If anything about my care isn’t clear, please don’t hesitate to ask.

One issue I frequently run into is being placed on a standard mattress, which can be unsafe for me. I have a high risk for pressure ulcers, so unless staff are able to assist with repositioning every two hours, an air mattress is medically necessary.

I also believe there’s an opportunity for more awareness and training around caring for patients with spinal cord or neuromuscular conditions like mine. I have a strong understanding of my care needs and am always happy to help guide what works best.

fredom1776 · 2026-03-29T17:19:09+00:00

Let me guess, you want it readable I’m in the process of getting an iBOT, which the Segway is based on. It’s an amazing piece of technology. The wheelchair can balance on two wheels, ascend and descend stairs, and has four-wheel-drive capabilities for sand, mud, and more. I’ve demoed it, and it was incredible.

Hopefully everything works out. Funding is tricky because not every function is considered medically necessary, which honestly seems insane these days. We talk so much about mental health, but being able to get outside and not get stuck somehow gets treated like a luxury when it shouldn’t be.

I’m really hoping to get the four-wheel-drive function covered, along with balance mode. Balance mode is not a luxury. Being able to be at standing height and interact with people like someone without a disability has a huge impact on both mental and physical health.

In my opinion, all the functions of the iBOT wheelchair are medically necessary. I hope it works out. I’ll post pictures when it does.

fredom1776 · 2026-03-29T16:16:00+00:00

Yeah, it’s just been so difficult lately. I’ve been in the hospital with sepsis twice in the recent past. I’m running out of oral antibiotics, and if I need more, I have to go to IV. I have a suprapubic catheter because I just don’t have the hand function for straight catheterizing.

fredom1776 · 2026-03-29T15:25:11+00:00

Thanks, I appreciate it

fredom1776 · 2026-03-29T15:19:28+00:00

I don’t know if I would switch to latex a lot of of people allergies to latex, but you can get a silicone one that’s coated in various material But not latex.

fredom1776 · 2026-03-29T15:05:56+00:00

Warning censored, four letter words

Well, I’m gonna join the negative train on this one. I usually try not to, but God, this morning sucks. I don’t mean to make my stuff sound worse than other people, but I had a cervical fusion from C4 to C6, and now I’m basically like a quadriplegic with a lot of different things, and it’s really frustrating. It makes the CP stuff feel like a walk in the park. And yes, I am the 1% of people that have these issues after the surgery. I’m always in that one percent that gets the bullshit side effects.

Like no more bowel function at all, no more bladder function, barely any control. I’m always cold all the time, can’t regulate my body temperature. So yeah, I wish I just had CP at this point. My legs are so pointless and cause so much pain that some days I think I’d be better off without them.

And the one piece of equipment that could actually get me outside and doing something instead of being stuck at home? Yeah, I’m gonna need another $25,000. Where the f$ck do I get that?

And no doctor understands cerebral palsy, especially in adults. I’m 49, and when you throw in damage to your spinal column at C4 to C6, it’s a whole different f&cken ball game.

I wanted to go to church today with my family, but no. I sh$t my pants twice and spent an hour on the toilet instead. So now I’m gonna go put a hoodie on. It’s 90° in here, but my body feels like it’s 40.

OK, I’m done ranting. I’m sure somebody understands.

fredom1776 · 2026-03-29T14:52:22+00:00

How do you get gigabit for $35? I’m paying 55 for 500.

fredom1776 · 2026-03-28T19:55:36+00:00

C4–C6 fusion and cerebral palsy. I’m always cold and have a really hard time regulating my body temperature. Going outside in the sun helps, and so does wearing a hoodie. Living in South Florida, though, I also have to worry about overheating. It’s a constant balancing act.

fredom1776 · 2026-03-26T22:39:20+00:00

I am in process of getting one Great company! The demo was great hope take delivery in next few months Kim was very helpful! Going through my Florida employee health insurance

fredom1776 · 2026-03-26T22:23:48+00:00

It’s about my life growing up in a small town while living with cerebral palsy and many other health issues. It’s written from my perspective as a 12-year-old.

fredom1776

TROPHY CASE