My Spinal Cord Injury has Not in Been in Vain

I may or may not be able to post the rest of this week, and into middle of next week.

I've been asked to write some guest blogposts, and I'll probably link those posts into this blog when the time comes.  This is because when I write guest blogposts, I try to be a little bit more detailed.  And my posts here are more of a chit-chat - so they are similar, but a little different.

That said, my topic for today is My Spinal Cord Injury Has Not Been in Vain.  It was a tragic event and I wouldn't want to go through what I have been through to recover.  However, there is a silver lining.  That is I recovered nearly completely, and I get to share my story (with anybody who will listen to me talk or read my book).  My spinal cord injury has not been in vain because I believe someone who faces an obstacle will read my story and be inspired. And if it turns out that I have helped at least one person out by sharing my story, then the injury has not been in vain.

This is also a reason why I encourage other people who have faced obstacles to share their stories.

Lazy Bowel

I learned a new term this week.  It is called lazy bowel.

I have noticed that ever since I injured my spinal cord, my digestive system has been kind of slow.  If I didn't augment the process by eating as much fiberous foods as i do now, I might go days at a time, or would need to use suppositories or laxatives regularly.

I still don't go everyday, but I do manage at least 5 days a week, and many weeks, I will have a bowel movement all seven days of the week - although I will sometimes practice DS, but this practice, too is uncommon for me nowadays.

This seems to be a common problem with people who have sustained spinal cord injury.  A change in diet to include more fiber has benefited me greatly.  But, remember to drink more water when consuming more fiber.

Inspirational Story: Zachary Pickett

It's been so long I've numbered an inspirational story that I will officially stop numbering them.

Here is a story I read during a summer,but had forgotten about until now.

For some reason, I was remembering an episode of Get Smart - the KAOS agent was in a wheelchair, so CONTROL was on the lookout for a man in a wheelchair.

When Max sees this, he says to the man, "I thought you couldn't walk."

The KAOS agent replied, "I can't, but I can run."

Just because one cannot walk doesn't mean participation in sports is eliminated from one's life.  We see wheelchair basketball and para-olympics.  However, in almost all these cases, adaptations are made for the participant.  There are very few stories in which someone who lost the ability to walk compete athletically with those who have the ability to walk - without any adaptive gears.

Zachary Pickett is a young man who was a water polo player at his high school.  He injured his spinal cord in a diving accident.

He's inspirational in at least two fronts - 1. He walked at his graduation.  2. He continued to play water polo after his injury.

This specific article appeared on the website Purpose 2 Play, but many media outlets covered his story.

Zachary Pickett's story

Music good for well-being

I have written about using music as an inspiration.  Here is an article that was one of the headlines on the MSN homepage.  It is 10 ways music is good for your well-being.

For me, during the course of my recovery, I have used different songs as anthems to get me through certain stages of the recovery.  "You Raise Me Up," by Josh Groban when I was in the Cardiac Care Unit,  and "Carry On," by Fun. when I was walking again "well enough," but improvements had slowed down, but I knew I had the capability to improve/recover even more. 

Here is the article:  10 Ways Music is Good for well-being

New Facebook Page

I started a Facebook Page that shares the same name as this blog and my book.

I wanted a page for my book, but also wanted to share SCI stories on Facebook.

Toe Up to 10K page on Facebook

Tristan's Road to Recovery

I have written about Tristan before. He is the young man who injured his spinal cord as a result of a diving accident.

The expenses associated with spinal cord injury, as with any other major medical condition is staggering.  Not only is there a lot of medical follow-ups, but the costs of rehab, the non-medical adaptive devices, etc. etc.

If you would like to help, a page has been set up at GoFundMe.com

Finding Inspiration - A Guest blog post onthe Zen Reader

Recently, I did a series of posts about where i find inspiration.

I compiled a list and wrote a guest blogpost that appeared in the blog, the Zen Reader.

The Zen Reader

Gratitude - on Zensanity Blog

As part of my publicity tour, I have been asked to guest blog.

The first two I did are based on topics I've covered here, but more organized.

Here is a guest blogpost on gratitude, which appeared on the blog, "Zensanity."

Gratitude - Zensanity blog

Irony of Spinal Cord Injury and Fitness #fitfam

Yesterday, I tweeted When recovering from spinal cord injury, every day is leg day, and core day, and arm day and ____ day. #fitfam whatever your day, be great

I follow, and have quite a few followers who are fitness oriented.  Certain days are designated for certain types of workouts. These days are called, "Leg Day," "Chest Day," etc.   And this is generally done to maintain the fitness of these areas.  I'm also sure the exercises for these days are customized to the needs of that area - whether these areas only need maintenance, or some extra work. 

For those of us who have regained some mobility and strength, it's important to do work on all areas each day, but go through weeks/months with the emphasis on a particular area.  For many people, including me, that would be the legs - but depending on my situation, exercises were changed to emphasize different parts of the leg.

And I walk - I try to walk at least 10 blocks each day, sometimes two miles or more. I have noticed that when I don't go out for a walk for a couple of days, my muscles stiffen and I cannot walk as well as long.  

Here's where my tweet comes in.  As much as I can on a daily basis (and sometimes the muscles just need to rest, but something everyday - doesn't have to be excruciating every day) - not only do I work on my legs, but I also work on my core and arms.  I work with a kettlebell and plank each day - in addition to my walks.

I was working with a kettlebell even while in a wheelchair, and at the hospital, my occupational therapist always had me on weight training exercises.  This is because the stronger the upper body is, the less pressure it puts on the legs.  Also, once I was walking quite competently, my balance was still suffering. This is when a physical therapist had me start planking to strengthen my core.  I'm convinced that planking has helped me regain my balance tremendously, but being above the legs, I'm convinced that it has also helped me with my walking by placing even less pressure on the legs to do the work. 

Spinal cord injury also wrecks havoc on bowel functions.  I'm very fortunate that my bowel functions returned enough that I no longer need to be on a bowel maintenance program/routine.  However, this is also due to a change in diet.  I consume much more fiber now than before I got sick.  So, I am eating healthier now than before I got sick. 

I still have mobility issues - my legs are stiff; I still have occassional spinal cord related bowel issues; I still can't run "full speed" for more than the distance to cross a street.

What's the irony?  I think I am more fit now than before I got sick.  I wasn't out of shape before, but now, I eat better, and have more targeted workouts.  And when I was in the hospital, I lost over 20 pounds.  I've gained about 7 pounds back, but an increase in waist size has not accompanied the pounds back. So the weight gain is probably due to muscle gain. 

Finding Inspiration: Visualization

While in high school, I read the book, The Silva Mind Control Method, by Jose Silva.  The book introduced me to the concept of visualization.  Visualization helped me perform better on tests, and I used visualization alot until I graduated from college.  Then I stopped, until I read Antyhony Robbins, book Unlimited Power. 

I still read and listen to motivational speakers, but I generally do a half-hearted job of the using the techniques, now days, except when I was recovering from spinal cord injury.  But even then, I concentrated on the walking part, and not on other issues. 

When you set a goal, then visualize you acheiving the goal, it is like a premonition, and then your sub-conscious starts working to acheive it.  When you see yourself acheiving your goal, it motivates and inspires you. Give it a try. 

Finding Inspiration: Motivational Speakers, esp. Tony Robbins

I've been listening to motivational speakers since high school.  Before Tony Robbins came on the scene, I think they were called self-help authors/speakers.

I had read books by others, such as Dennis Waitley, but the book that put everything together was Unlimited Power by Antrhony Robbins.  I had seen Robbins on tv, and liked what he was saying, but I couldn't afford to attend his seminars.  One day, I picked up this book, and all the stuff that I had been reading the last few years all came together.  I found out that one of the first authors re: self improvement was Jose Silva.  Silva's book, The Silva Mind Control Method, happened to be the book that got me interested in the art of visualization.

Anyway, it doesn't matter who you listen to, and there are many, but motivational speakers, do just that - they motivate you.

When I was recovering, I started listeing to some old Anthony Robbins CDs. Granted, I didn't do the exercises - although I had done them years ago, and it wouldn't have hurt to do them again - but listening to these motivational talks inspired me, and I believed they helped me get better, faster.

October Book Tour Schedule for Toe Up to 10K

Taking a break today from the Finding Inspiration set of blogposts.  I started a virtual book tour for Toe Up to 10K  last week, and will last until December 5, 2014. 

A big Shout Out to PumpUpYourBook.com for arranging this tour.

The tour is not exclusive, I will still be doing interviews and stuff on my own, but this will be a big help.   

So, I've got only a couple more topics on the Finding Inspiration set of blogposts,but today, I wanted to post my first stop.    

It'll be a mixture of interviews, me guest blogging and blog mentions.  The good thing about this is that it is virtual, and I get to do the work from home.   

Here is my first "stop."  

Review From Here Interview

Finding Inspiration: Humor

When I was released from the hospital, I spent four months rehabilitating at my parents' home.  During this time, whenever possible, I watched episode after episode of comedies, such as I Love Lucy, Mork and Mindy, the Andy Griffith Show, Get Smart, and several short film of the Three Stooges.

I believe laughter is a great benefit to recovery.  It improves your mood and attitude, both of which I believe are beneficial to health.

When I was in college, my roommate and I discussed who is funnier, The Three Stooges, or the Marx Brothers.  During this debate, he mentioned Norman Cousins, a university professor who maintained that humor was a vehicle to defeat illness.

It's not too hard.  After all, smiling takes up less effort than a frown.

41D Man of Valor - Book Review

Generally, I focus stories on individuals who overcame or are overcoming spinal cord injuries, but thought I'd share a book review I wrote about a LAPD SWAT officer who was killed in the line of duty in 2008.  His wife wrote a book after his death. My connection is that his wife's sister is a friend of mine from work.

Normally, I wouldn't have picked this book up, but for my connection with my friend.  And boy am I glad I did because it was a really good read.

If you want to check out the book, here is the link to the Amazon page:  41D Man of Valor

Here is my take on the book:

Disclosure: I know the author’s sister, but have never met the author, or had I ever met Randy Simmons. Disclosures are to inform the reader of the review of any chance of bias.  And it’s a good practice because it’s hard to be unbiased when you are only two degrees of separation from the author.

That said, it doesn’t matter how many degrees of separation are between me and the author, Lisa Simmons – whether zero or a hundred, the book is a WOW! It is categorized as a biography/autobiography/memoir.  It is mostly a biography of Randy Simmons and a memoir of Lisa’s life she had with Randy.  Lisa’s autobiographical narrative blends in with her memoirs. 

Randy Simmons was a SWAT officer in the Los Angeles Police Department.  On February 8, 2008, he became the first LAPD SWAT officer killed in the line of duty.  41D Man of Valor, is his story.

The book starts off as a biography of Randy Simmons, from his childhood in New York, high school in California, college in Washington, and back to California, from his interest in football to religion, and his parents’ influence.  Once he meets Lisa, the book shifts slightly to a memoir/biography, but the focus is clearly on Randy.  But now, instead of his parents’ influence on him, it is Randy’s influence with the community he served, both on and off duty, and the family he loved. Simmons ends the book with the aftermath of Randy’s death, and her quest to live a “new normal.”  Although Lisa and the children are the clear focus on this part of the book, Randy still has a big presence in their lives, and it is obvious, always will.

No doubt, Randy Simmons was an inspirational man.  That in itself would make this book worth reading.  What makes this book special is the love that permeates from the pages of the book to your fingers to your heart. Lisa Simmons does a great job in conveying this - not in any specific sentence, or paragraph, or any one incident – but in the totality of the writing.

So, even though a biography an autobiography/memoir are mutually exclusive terms, in this case, it is an accurate categorization.  However, there is one more word that adds to the description:  Tribute.  It’s a tribute to a man dedicated to his profession; it is a tribute to a man who gave his life to the community he served; it is a tribute to a man who inspired others. Most of all, it is a tribute to a loving husband, father, son and brother. Let’s make that a heart-warming tribute.

Finding Inspiration: Gratitude and Attitude

In 2013, once I had moved back into my own home, and was somewhat mobile, I was having lunch with a friend of mine, and he said, "If you didn't keep your frustrations in check, you would have found that no one would have been visiting you by the time you left the hospital,...or even asking about you after you left."

I would be lying if I said I never experience bitterness over this ordeal I went through, but for the most part, I feel gratitude.  I am grateful that I recovered as well as I did, for the support I received, and for the opportunity to write about it.  Perhaps my experiences will help someone else who find him/herself in a similar situation.

There is a tweeter I follow on Twitter. His name is Steven Webb, and he maintains blog, and is writing a book about his experiences living with spinal cord injury, called Lots of Downs, But No Outs.  

He talks about attitude a lot. And the way I interpret many of his posts and tweets is that life hands you a certain hand, but what you do with that hand is up to you.  He has a really good saying about attitude, and now, as I write this post, I cannot find it, but I would like to share a blogpost he did about gratitude.  It is titled, Practising Gratitude, and I love this post.    

Finding Inspiration: Affirmations

I love affirmations.  Problem is, I don't do a good job of sticking to them anymore.

When I was a teen-ager and young adult, I used to recite affirmations a lot.  Not that they'd always get me what I wanted, but they were usually useful when  me achieving a certain test score.  I think that is because I worked to complement the affirmation.

One affirmation I came across, recently, was a familiar one that I used to recite a lot.  It seems to be a standard one among self help advocates: It goes like this:  "Everyday, in every way, I am better and better."  You just keep repeating it over and over, so it settles into your sub-conscious.

I think reciting affirmations is a very good way to inspire yourself.

Finding Inspiration through kaizen

This is probably my last post for the next seven days.  The topic for the day is Kaizen, and I embrace it more as each day passes.

Kaizen is a Japanese term which has no exact English translation, but loosely translated, it means continuous improvement over time.  In practical terms, small steps forward lead to noticeable improvements.

It was  the concept Toyota used to rise from being a non-threat to the U.S. auto companies to becoming the number 1 selling car company.

It is also the name of my friend's karate dojo.

So, I had been familiar with the term, but never really gave it a serious thought as to how it applied to my life.

But around a year ago, September 2013, I decided to try walking without a cane, for the most part, and to walk a long distance of around four or five miles.  I succeeded.  But from that point on, for several months, I didn't notice any improvements, until around springtime of 2014, when I seemed to have made sudden significant improvement in my abilities.  What happened was that I decided to time myself on certain tasks, such as going to the supermarket. Although I didn't feel like I was walking faster since the last time i had timed myself, I was walking considerably faster.

This did not happen by itself.  It was the result of small unnoticeable improvements I had been making the previous six months.

I tried a way to think of about this improvement, and realized is the term, "Kaizen."  To know that every little improvement does its part to manifest into a big noticeable change did a lot to motivate and inspire me to work harder at my recovery.

I thought this term was so significant, that I named a chapter in my book, "Kaizen," to describe this period of my recovery.