Spinal Cord Injury Month This September

This month is about Spinal Cord Injury Awareness, by the US Senate in an effort to raise awareness about SCI, the need for better treatments and education on prevention, which can be really important in more ways than one. We need to work together, and all of us see, and reject the stereotype that confines people to those wheelchairs.

For myself, I have always felt sympathy for those stuck in the wheelchairs, because I thought they just needed them. It wasn’t until I did a little more digging, and tried to see those eyes, what it really means, and I’m still having to work on that. The people with those injuries may not walk like a lot of us, and they have a lot of other things to consider and deal with, but they are able to have a lot more independence then any one can think of if they have the right tools.

Wheelchairs can help them move freely, and even stop them from being in pain. Exercise can help them stay strong, and they can move in and out of the chair and do a lot of other activities. Those with types of spinal cord injuries, a lot of the time, learn how to be quite self-sufficient, even with others there to help them. There are also a number of activities that one can do, with or without the chair.

People can adapt when they have the knowledge, and are able to learn through their own, or other’s experiences. Organizations like Triumph Foundation are working getting others to be aware that everything that goes with SCI. I believe it’s very important to place yourself in those positions in order to understand.

Different Types of Art and Artists

Every artist has their own story. Not everyone starts off in a fine college, and ends in a sophisticated art gallery, which sells for quite a lot. Some start out in the streets, or urban neighborhoods, some start in the playground, kindergarten glass with chalk, as well as paint.

I have been working on a couple of interesting pieces. Something that has always fascinated me is the subject of street art. One of the main ways I have been discovering different artist is through the brands that promote them, mostly with Spray Planet, an online store for spray paint, and other materials and tools, either their website or on Instagram.

One of the first artists that I read about was Maya Hayuk. She didn’t always have it easy, and she used to be misunderstood when she was younger. Now a days though, she is known for her amazing murals, and other works of street art.
On Instagram, one can find a lot of other amazing artists, not just street/urban ones are using spray paint, here are some other incredible people, and their works.

Working Progress So Far

Lately, I've been work on how to make by blog better and trying to figure out what to write has been a lot harder. These last couple of months, some stuff has happened some good, some bad. Working through what life throws at you can be a challenge, especially when it's something you never thought would be tossed at you.

Among the main staples that have keeping me sane these last few months is Instagram. I like seeing the stories, and videos, and reading the post. Seeing the different perspectives has been interesting, and I like to see new things, and learn. Sometimes we see and hear things that make us uncomfortable, but we need to be able to face them because they are happening, and to people just like us.

One of the other things that has been part of my routine is General Hospital. This serial drama has been pushing me forward and has been giving some time frame throughout the days and weeks in the month. A lot of the time, I can get so caught up in the storyline, that everything else flies by, so that is something I need to work on.

With all that has been going on, I’m trying to keep a steady routine, not easy, but necessary. I’m going to continue writing, and hopefully post more frequently to my blog on what’s been going on the last couple of weeks.

General Hospital Resumes Production

For some time, we heard that GH had held up production of new episode due to coronavirus, but they did say they would begin soon. When they finally started spreading news of resuming in August, we knew that things would be different, there would be a lot of safety precautions, and probably a lot less interaction in certain scenes.

Today was the first new episode since, they ran out. It was somewhat epic. And the scenes with one of prominent partners, wasn’t terrible awkward either. I feel it shows a great deal of success in the future episodes despite all the extra work.

Going Forward this Summer

This month has been crazy, at the same time it's been streaming along. With everything that keeps happening, I've just been working on staying busy, looking forward to a lot of new series, and planning for the future.

Between keeping the home from becoming less of a disaster, and getting loss in old series on the computer, I've been hoping for something new to hope, and look forward to. Starting with some interesting Netflix series, and the resuming production of General Hospital, which should be the beginning of August. I'm eager to work on some new videos, to go with what I've been writing.

These last couple of days some interesting new, and promo videos have been popping up. I'm especially excited about the new season of High Seas, a Spanish whodunnit. It takes place on an old steamer, with a woman helping a spy.

I'm hoping to be able share a lot more of my favorite moments from these cool series, on my blog and social media. I know some google accounts have had trouble lately, but I hope to work on keeping up with my blog and keep everything in sync.

Misadventure Turns to Perspective

Some of us had to visit the University of Iowa Hospital, and is was a unique experience to say the least. I thought businesses in Burlington were cautious, even a little strict at times, but over there, it was insane the screening and protocol. 

First, the place in so complex, it is exceedingly difficult to find the right parking lot, and then, to make it to any appointment is even more challenging. Entering the building, you must get screened to see if you might have the virus, and if don’t have an appointment, they will not let you wait inside. We were lucky that outside, there was a soda machine that took debit cards, and that there was Wi-Fi accessible to us.

Later, our friend was able to get something for us to eat at the cafeteria, but we could not go through the building, so we had to the LONG way around. It had stopped raining, so that was good, but it seemed a lot harder at the time. When we finally made to the entrance, we were able to outside, and they even let us go in to use the bathroom, and go into the cafeteria, where they had two machines that made Starbuck’s coffee. I was surprised, and so happy! Walking back to the parking lot wasn’t so bad after, it gave me time to think of everything that has happened, and how we all have had to adjust with the COVID-19 sticking around.

After all that, we took a short drive to this awesome store, even better than Goodwill, and we found some amazing clothes, and houseware. Downstairs, there were incredible clearance items, I am definitely saving so I can go back. The drive home was peaceful, and I got to think about how the university and the hospital, were working within the new laws, and protocol.

Even though I understand why, it is still challenging when you must adjust to the way things are set up, when you cannot go through buildings to make things easier for example. We all need to examine how things are going to work, and everyone included. That goes for those of us you need to be more patient with healthcare as well.

Keep Talking About Change

Now, we need to get a handle all the other stuff that is handed to us. People have not always dealt with our differences the best way. All of this has come to a boiling point, which has been building over the years. People have been getting hurt, people we may not know, but who are still human beings, fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, and children. Whether their black, or Latino, or some other race entirely, everyone needs to be accountable for how we treat each other. We all live on this planet.

With all this going on, we need to stay connected, even from home, and keep talking about how to stay safe, that means keeping healthy, and working to fight injustice and racism. These are my thoughts, on what I have heard, read, and learned. This is my way to speak up, and I hope others do as well.

Spring Turns to Summer 2020

Getting into this time of year, most of us were hoping that the virus would die out, and we could find out way back to normal, or what could pass for it. The weather is warmer, some places are opening again, but we have other things going on we need to take care of. Our health, not just our looks and fashion styles for one.

We need to remember to take care and watch out for ourselves and others. That does not mean we cannot have fun though. Many of us have designed or bought cloth masks for when we need to go out. Speaking of places that are reopening, the YMCA in Burlington, Iowa has opened its swimming pool, as well as other areas for small groups. We go to the pool, and we need to be mindful of large groups, no one crowding. Time to work out and enjoying fitness again. To be able to go exploring when it is this warm out is great, and we get to see nature, and watch the scenery change.

So now, we can keep up with these regulations we have been doing, maybe this pandemic will not hold our lives in death grip, and that will be our new normal.