Month: March 2014

Guest-Post: Why Visitability is Necessary

The following is a guest post authored by Melissa theSeed. Find her at https://theseed9811.blogspot.com/ or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/9811.

I vividly remember a point in time where I wished desperately that the whole world was in a wheelchair, so that everyone could know what my daughter had to go through just to go to someone’s home. Now, it looks like the city of Austin, Texas is creating that world. Well, kind of.

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Whose Financial Burden Will You Become

The following is guest post from Amanda Dean of Silver Living.

I think many of us fear the notion of being elderly, infirm, and helpless. We are afraid to imagine that we could be alone or reliant on others for care, with no hope for better days before we pass. It is a future that no one wants to consider might befall them. Unfortunately, this means that many Americans are not preparing for the possibility of needing long term care in their senior years.

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Tips for Traveling with your Wheelchair

Traveling by wheelchair can strike a nerve if you do not plan ahead, conduct research, or consider possible setbacks and delays because of handicap restrictions. For instance, not every hotel or motel has wheelchair accessibility, which may pose problems if traveling alone. Be sure to inquire about wheelchair accessibility while scheduling hotel reservations in order to stave off potential headaches. Those with mobile challenges rely on wheelchair assistance wherever they travel, which includes airline services, boating or cruise accommodations, and other transportation mediums, such as taxis, buses, shuttles, and amusement park rides. Consider inquiring with these services about possible airlift assistance, elevators, and ramps. Additionally, inquire with these services about medicinal and special equipment restrictions, such as designated areas for defibrillators and oxygen tanks. Finding out this information ahead of time can really save you time and money.

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Understanding Autism

Autism is a disorder that affects one in every one-hundred children born today. Children who lack social, communicative and behavioral skills are likely to be placed on the Autism Spectrum. This scale defines various forms of autism from Asperger’s Syndrome to the “standard” autism that is explored in the following passages. Regardless of the disorder’s severity in a particular case, autism is a serious disability and should be treated as early as possible. Consult the following paragraphs to discover more about the symptoms of autism, the hypothesized causes of the disorder as well as some information about treatment. There are also links to some other helpful websites for your convenience.

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How To Exercise if You Are Wheelchair User

The prospect of full-time wheelchair use can be very difficult to adapt to. Important to both psychical and mental health is an active life which includes excise. Exercise helps to ensure that the body is fit and the muscle tone is retained. A lack of exercise can lead to an increase in blood clots and also higher chances of contracting illness. Sitting in the same position can cause body sores which are painful and difficult to alleviate. Note: always check with your physician before starting any exercise regime.

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Legal Resources for the Elderly

This article is brought to you by 1800wheelchair – The Wheelchair & Walker and Scooter Store.

The aging population may find that as they grow older, there are many age specific legal issues that can arise. Elder law is an area of legal practice that places emphasis on legal topics that affect the elderly. This field of practice covers a wide range of issues facing the elderly and it is often recommended that senior citizens seek counseling and advice from lawyers certified in elder law.

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Wheelchair Resources – Disability and Discrimination

Individuals that are coping with a disability face a multitude of challenges in their everyday lives. Depending upon the severity and type of disability, the challenges can range from accessibility issues to workplace adaptability problems. However, one of the most troubling problems is that of discrimination of the disabled.

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What’s the Best Thing to Do About Bullies?

Bullying affects everyone involved and no one comes out the winner. Even the bully is a victim. Anyone can be a bully and may not even realize it. Bullying can be physical or mental and can occur over the Internet, when the bully and the victim are not even in the same place. By creating an environment that promotes respect and acceptance, bullying can stop.

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Wheelchair Resources – The Disabled Travel Guide

For travelers around the world, they face a number of challenges. Decisions such as what mode of transportation to choose, how long to stay, where to stay and what to do when traveling are just a few of the common questions that travelers need to face. These are questions which can have an impact on the quality of the business or pleasure travel.

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Wisdom From A Wheelchair: An FDR Resource Guide

Despite his numerous health issues, including being paralyzed from the waist down, Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) is considered, by a large majority, one of the greatest Presidents in American history. Believing that his health issues would make him appear weak to outsiders and worry the American public, FDR rarely allowed himself to be photographed in his wheelchair, and went to great lengths to hid his other ailments. Even in his poorest condition, President Roosevelt changed the social policies of America, and helped conceive of the single largest peace keeping organization in the world – the United Nations. The following links will provide biographical information, lesson plans, study guides and information on FDR’s legacy, as well as suggested readings.

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Autism: On The Spectrum

Autism In Our Culture

Autism is defined as a neural developmental disorder that is most often characterized by communication difficulties and impaired interaction with others. Symptoms may include, avoiding eye contact and a lack of perceivable empathy. Many people with autism display repetitive behaviors, such as rocking and hand flapping. Some behaviors may be self abusive like head banging and biting. The amount of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders or ASD is unclear. It is estimated that, in America, approximately one out of 110 children have ASD of one severity or another. Boys are more likely than girls to be diagnosed by a ratio of four to five, according to current data. Racial and socioeconomic factors seem to have no bearing on the rate of occurrence of ASD in children and adults. Most cases of autism manifest observable symptoms very early and are diagnosed with ASD before the age of three.

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