falling prey

We've all heard about those scams that target seniors trying to get at their money, and I can't count how many emails I've gotten from deposed African monarchs wanted my help to regain their fortune. There are also scammers who are more focused on whom they prey on. They take the time to research who they are going after. Being disabled, we are often perceived as more gullible, less able to protect ourselves.

The old adage, 'if it seems too good to be true, then it must be' works well here. Just be aware you might be a target, and if you think you are being scammed, call the police.

keeping in touch

Whether you live alone, or spend any time alone, you're likely to face a scenario where you're going to need to reach someone. It might be that you've fallen, or you're simply stuck and can't get to your normal sources of communication. Trust me, it's something you want to plan for because when it happens and you can't reach help, you'll have plenty of time to wish you had planned.

There are many ways to do it, a cell phone that you always keep on you, one of those systems where you simply press a button and a call center answers, or the more sophisticated ones that can tell you've fallen without having to push any button. Shop around, because some of these can be pricey.

One of my problems has been that my cell phone does not work in my underground parking. That was taken care of by installing a 'phone repeater' which basically increases the signal strength in confined spaces.

Think about ways to deal with these kind of situations beforehand, and avoid having to swear at yourself with your loud outside voice...

kick ass

I don't care much for being given false hopes as I've mentioned in my earlier blogs. However, there are times when you are told 'no', and you need to not accept that answer.

I had my drivers' license before I was disabled. When I tried to get it again afterwards, I was refused the right to even take a test. Driving was one thing I wasn't going to give up without a fight. It took several months of going back and forth, with the help of an ombudsman, but I was eventually allowed to take the test. The driving examiner told me that if all his drivers were that good, his job would be an easy one. I'm still driving over 30 years later.

Sometimes you just know when the answer you get is wrong, and you've got to go out and kick a little ass.

understanding

Your friends, family and anyone else in your life will never totally understand the extra effort required for you to take part in life. But this doesn't mean you shouldn't try to help them understand to some degree.

For example, for me to get dressed and into my chair each morning can take almost an hour (hard to believe it was 20 minutes once, ahh, aging). Getting from my front door to pulling out of the garage in my car, when everything goes just right can be about 20 minutes. If people understand that, they know to allow for the extra time when planning to meet. If we don't share that kind of information, they aren't likely to think about it on their own.

It's not a case of looking for sympathy when you share this kind of information... it's just letting people into your life more completely...