Category: A day in the life

Alive Day

Alive Day

Alive day

August 23, 2014 is the kind of day you don’t forget. Like a birthday, wedding anniversary, high school graduation, and the birth of a child you do not forget the traumatic events that change the course of your life, without consent, forever changing how you live. On my Alive Day, several years ago a seemingly innocent dive from the bow of my boat altered my life forever. But this is more of a telling of what came afterwards and not a call for pity.

Since my alive day I have:

  • Cheated death several times during my hospitalization.
  • Come to the realization that the VA healthcare system is superior to any civilian run spinal cord facility.
  • Realized the depth that my friends and family care for me.
  • Made many great new friends.
  • Used my personal experience to raise awareness for people living with spinal cord injuries.
  • Continue to be a partner to my fiancé and father to my three girls.
  • Received assistance from all types of sources. Including: Paralyzed Veterans of America, Chive Charities, Department of the VA, Stack-Up, The Internet
  • Renewed my faith in family, particularly my parents who have been more helpful than I could’ve imagined.

My Alive Day

Besides advocating for people and doing the charitable work that I do I have not changed that much. My fiancé Tina may disagree with that; but my mental character and capacities seem to be the same. It’s very important to understand that catastrophic injuries do not have to alter the type of individual you are, or the type of life you live. It definitely should not stop anyone from getting up every morning and facing the day just like anyone else. I’m no more an inspiration or hero then the person who works and takes care of the family. I just do it without hands.

Make sure every day that you meet your potential, hug your loved ones, and don’t put off anything that means anything. Life can change literally in the blink of an eye. #Charliestrong

Alive Day Video

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZhHReD4j8g[/embedyt]

Lung health

How I Strengthen My Lungs with the Incentive Spirometer

| Charles Merritt

Strengthening lungs with incentive spirometer

September 12, 2014 · Saint Petersburg
Charlie has had a good night tonight. He only de-sat’d once with his O2 dropping into the 80’s. The nurses bagged him to give him some extra O2 & his O2 came right back up & has remained above 90 for the rest of my visit.
He is in good spirits tonight & looks better to me. His O2% is at 40% & peep is at 8 so we are well on our way to getting off this vent!
I will be leaving around 11p…

…Tina Kendrick at Bay front Hospital.

For those that may not know; I was not able to breathe, on my own, for several months after breaking my neck. Clinical term, “ventilator dependent.” As a C-3 complete quadriplegic a tracheostomy is usually a part of everyday life but through rehabilitation and respiratory therapists that cared enough to work with me I was able to be weaned off the vent.

Strengthening lungs with incentive spirometer:

This post identifies one of the tools I used to be able to breathe on my own. Which, also equaled eating regular food, drinking fluids, and being able to talk to my love ones. If you have had a tracheostomy you know the feeling of hopelessness when you can’t talk to someone (cont. below)…Strengthening lungs with incentive spirometer

Strengthening lungs with incentive spirometer

I have mixed feelings Strengthening lungs with incentive spirometer but the one thing I know for sure is that it works. However monotonous and ridiculous it may be to suck on this thing in the hospital or at home; it is pivotal in the recovery of anyone who has lost or deteriorated lung function.

Using your incentive spirometer after surgery will help you keep your lungs clear and will help keep your lungs active throughout the recovery process, as if you were performing your daily activities.(Continue on for step-by-step instructions and video!)

Guess what? You can buy on Amazon!

How to Use the Incentive Spirometer:

-Sit on the edge of your bed if possible, or sit up as far as you can in bed.
-Hold the incentive spirometer in an upright position.
-Place the mouthpiece in your mouth and seal your lips tightly around it.
-Breathe in slowly and as deeply as possible. Notice the yellow piston rising toward the top of the column. The yellow indicator should reach the blue outlined area.
-Hold your breath as long as possible. Then exhale slowly and allow the piston to fall to the bottom of the column.
-Rest for a few seconds and repeat steps one to five at least 10 times every hour.
-Position the yellow indicator on the left side of the spirometer to show your best effort. Use the indicator as a goal to work toward during each slow deep breath.
-After each set of 10 deep breaths, cough to be sure your lungs are clear. If you have an incision, support your incision when coughing by placing a pillow firmly against it.
-Once you are able to get out of bed safely, take frequent walks and practice the cough.

EZ-PZ

Strengthening lungs with incentive spirometer video

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iwKvhV0l8U[/embedyt]

Guess what? You can buy on Amazon! Strengthening lungs with incentive spirometer

References

Strengthening lungs with incentive spirometer

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. National Guideline Clearinghouse:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/how-to-use-an-incentive-spirometer

© Copyright 1995-2015 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All rights reserved.

This information is provided by quadcapable.com and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This post was last reviewed on: 5/25/2017

Women Think These Are Sexy

Scars
A good friend of mine recently had a surgery and posted a picture of his scar. This prompted me to think about my own scars and whether or not they actually are attractive to the opposite sex? So I’m putting this out there hopefully to get an answer.

This also got me to thinking about my own trials and tribulations and that not all scars are external. Currently we have an epidemic with veterans that are dramatically scarred and living with internal psychological issues. I relate to that with my own internal scars, depression, living with the lack of my extremities makes the future a difficult thing to grasp…Continue reading below survey.

[socialpoll id=”2439879″]

I think the most important part of trudging through the world and our lives is connecting with other people in positive ways. I tried to connect on so many different levels and we are fortunate to have the outlets on social media that allow us to share and socialize without having to be right next to each other. I believe this is all that it takes to make sure your friends and family are staying safe and know that they are loved and like and enjoyed. Sometimes a like on Facebook, a retweet, a follow, or a comment to mean the world to people who are reaching out for help in ways that may not seem like they are reaching.

I appreciate each and every one of you that take the time to read and check out all of the random stuff I try to do to promote awareness for individuals living with paralysis. I hope to continue this for many years to come.

Video of My Morning Routine

I decided it would be “beneficial” to provide a video showing what I do on a typical morning. Specifically, what the attendant has to do to get me out of bed and to get my day started. We have streamlined this process and with the addition of the ceiling lift typically takes about 20 to 30 minutes from start to finish. If you throw a shower into that it takes about 70 minutes.

C3 Complete Quadriplegic Morning Routine-Video

Featured image credit goes to:Colin Furze’s bed Launcher

Colin and his bed in action!

Quadriplegic Disabled Gaming

My WOW History

I began World of Warcraft Oct 27, 08 as a troll hunter (FINFIN) on the Anub’arak server where I stayed until March 2017. Currently I spend a lot of time as a guardian druid (HAYTOTHEWOOD) on Zul’jin and started playing a tank August 28, 2009. Why do I bring this up? Because, in August 2014 I broke my neck changing my ability to perform a lot of different functions including using my hands to play World of Warcraft. I spent seven months in rehab and got back into playing towards the end of the WOD expansion and more so when Legion came out.



 

RAIDS AND FIVE-MAN DUNGEON TANKING

Prior to my injury I was able to effortlessly tank 😉 just about anything and lost touch with my DPS hunter character. Being a bear druid took over and I really enjoy being able to play this role. Post injury I have had difficulty with tanking based on being able to position properly, being too slow, and lack of current experience. So hopefully this additional information about me and what I’m going through will assist people in understanding when I’m in a group with them that I’m getting my player experience updated inside of these types of instances so that I can be better and play more along with my able-bodied group members.


Character Information

[wowpi_character table_style=”profile_picture”]

 

Health

Manually Assisted Quad Coughing

| Charles Merritt

Manually Assisted Quad Coughing

[kwod]
A form of assisted coughing for patients with central nervous system disorders such as spinal cord injury who are unable to generate sufficient force to clear respiratory secretions. After a maximal inspiration, the patient coughs while an assistant exerts gentle upward and inward pressure with both hands on the abdomen. The increased intraabdominal pressure produces a more forceful cough. Manually Assisted Quad Coughing



GREAT VIDEO ON Manually Assisted Quad Coughing

 Manually Assisted Quad Coughing video

Reference: quad coughing

A day in the life, Travel

Disabled Travel: Five Things You Should Know

| Charles Merritt

Disabled Travel: Five Things You Should Know about Cruising As a Person with Disabilities

First off, I would like to thank Flying Dutchman Travel for providing my accommodations for this vacation. Also The Central Florida Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America who selected me to participate on this excursion. Disabled Travel: Five Things You Should Know.

A little background about myself. I am a C-3 complete quadriplegic who travels with his fiancée, friends, and family.  Due to needing someone to take care of my particulars. This is my second cruise vacation and my first after becoming a quadriplegic. I am an avid traveler and have become an advocate for persons with disabilities. This was a five day country cruise on the Royal Caribbean Brilliance of the Seas with stops in Key West and Cozumel. Here’s a list of a few things I believe are necessary as you embark on any type of vacation as a person with disability. Using my cruise as an example.Disabled Travel: Five Things You Should Know

Disabled Travel: Five Things You Should Know

    1. PROPER PREPARATION LEADS TO A GOOD TIME. I am lucky enough to have a tremendously smart and loyal fiancée. Who has gotten our preparation for travel down to a science. For the cruise we had to ensure that we were able to charge my power chair, bring along a manual chair in case of power chair failure, and a floor lift. We also tried out our new portable shower chair (not that great). Along with the equipment that allows me to scoot around we also brought a floor lift to get me in and out of bed. We also packed several suitcases full of other accouterments associated with my disability.
      1. Make a list
      2. Double Check Your List
      3. pack everything and double checked again
    2. FIND APPROPRIATE ACCOMMODATIONS: The cruise lines are very accommodating when it comes to people’s disabilities specifically, wheelchair users. Our room was over-sized by about 150 ft.² with a very large role in shower and a space for a king-size bed and a couch. We double checked with our travel agency as well as the cruise line to ensure there was ample space under the bed for our lift to operate correctly as well as double checking that the shower area was accessible as well. *Even though the website says it is always call and double check.
    3. RECONNOITER YOUR DESTINATIONS:

      Disabled Travel: Five Things You Should Know

      In the Marine Corps whenever we went to another country or training in certain environments we were given a detailed briefing and handouts courtesy of the CIA that described that specific area its demographics. Where to go and where not to go. Whenever traveling abroad make sure you have some understanding of the culture as well as any types of threats that may be applicable i.e. kidnapping. Also with Google maps most of the tourist destinations you can Street view. For people like me that like to run amok it may not be as simple.

    4. Disabled Travel: Five Things You Should Know Always bring a buddy.
    5.  REMAIN PATIENT: Not only with the local populace but with your caregivers and the people with you who may not have a complete appreciation for your lack of mobility. I try to keep a big smile on my face and keep everyone moving because typically I’m the point man. Understand that the people around you specifically, the strangers don’t understand you or your disability but for the most part will do everything they can to accommodate you. Don’t be afraid to ask. 
    6. REMEMBER, YOU ARE ON VACATION: the main thing is to try to have as much fun as possible and not let your disability drag down. Don’t be let down by the things you cannot do (I didn’t get to see the Mayan ruins). But get excited about the things you can do (midnight party on the cruise ship). Believe it or not the person with a disability is usually the center of attention and whether positive or negative your vibe carries on to the people around you.

      They are all looking at you and how you are reacting to the situation. The more positive you can be the better time that will be had by everyone. Learn how to laugh off detours on the ship. Hallways are very small. But the good news is there isn’t much other issues with the boat besides small hallways.  the accessible rooms are close to the end of the hallway and near the elevators.

      So this alleviates the need to go down the hallway. As always if you have any specific questions feel free to contact me and I hope you find your next vacation and can use some of my insights to make it an enjoyable experience.

Disabled Travel: Five Things You Should Know

Disabled Travel: Five Things You Should KnowDisabled Travel: Five Things You Should Know