Walking Poles for the Active Wheelchair (WC) Pusher

Apr 27th, 2007

A colleague of mine sent me a link to a fascinating story about a woman who in my view is a champion.  She does more physical activity in her wheelchair than most of us do on two feet.  We could take a lesson from her.

Pushing my chair for exercise has never been an appealing option for me in these last 15+ years of living with a SCI. I am an active WC user. I play tennis, kayak, and swim, walk the dogs, XC-ski, water ski, hand-cycle, stretch, strengthen and look for opportunities to get my endorphin lift.  Recently I tried a pair of Exerstrider® adjustable length walking poles.  Now this may sound a little weird for someone who does not walk for exercise given my above list of regular activities but it’s true, walking poles can be adapted for use by WC users……

….the rest of the story here

Wanna-be vs. Pain Free – What's the Difference?

Apr 27th, 2007

In my many years of talking with people about their various health challenges, I’ve discovered that some people want to take charge of their health and well-being, and some people don’t. 

I thought you’d enjoy this article by Jesse Cannone, CFT, CPRS MFT, The Healthy Back Institute, 328 Main Street Suite 300, Gaithersburg, MD 20878.

There are two types of people: Wanna-be’s and Achievers

And in working with thousands of back pain sufferers I’ve found that what type of person you are plays a BIG role in how long it takes for you to get relief.

Here are a bunch of differences:

• Wanna-be’s obsess about their condition – Achievers obsess about trying anything and everything until they are pain free!
• Wanna-be’s expect someone else to solve their problem – Achievers take full responsibility.
• Wanna-be’s do what they are told – Achievers think for themselves.
• Wanna-be’s tell everyone about what is wrong – Achievers talk about what they are doing to improve.
• Wanna-be’s wait for their pain to go away – Achievers do the work necessary to get rid of the pain.
• Wanna-be’s always have a reason why it can’t be done – Achiever’s know there is always a way and they find it.
• Wanna-be’s “can’t afford” to try different treatments (yet they can buy cigarettes, coffee, fast food, cable TV, etc.) – Achievers do what it takes to make it happen.
• Wanna-be’s believe their case is different – Achievers know others have done and that they can to.
• Wanna-be’s think in terms of COULD and SHOULD – Achievers think in terms of IS and CAN BE!

So which type are you?  Tell us your your type in the comment box below.

Try the TV-Turn Off Week Challenge!

Apr 26th, 2007

April 23-29 is National TV Turn-Off Week.  I bet the very thought of turning off your TV for a week scares you to death – especially if you have children!  But hey, the week is almost over so why not finish out the week with no TV?  Interesting challenge. 

Want more info?  http://www.tvturnoff.org/

Do you use antibacterial hand products?

Apr 14th, 2007

PRODUCT PLUNDER OF THE WEEK:  ANTIBACTERIAL HAND CLEANSERS

A new study published on the Environmental Science & Technology research website found that triclosan, a widely used ingredient in antibacterial hand sterilization products, combines with chlorine in tap water to make the toxin chloroform. The researchers found that people using these products would be exposed to chloroform levels 40 percent higher than that found in tap water. Chloroform is a toxic chemical and a probable carcinogen.

Previous studies have shown that the overuse of antibacterial soaps produces “super bacteria” that are able to survive exposure to antibacterial products. It is recommended that such products be used on limited and minimal levels.

source:  Organic Consumers