The Vitaglide has arrived!

The long awaited vitaglide has finally arrived to Beth Abraham! It's still waiting on the pallet to be evaluated and assembled, but hopefully by next week it will be in full swing. I hope it will be utilized as negotiated: that all residents whether on or off therapy can use the machine as long as they have medical clearance.

Quadriplegics are quickly cut off from therapy and do not get the cardiovascular or physical training they need to maintain pushing off the wheelchair. The Vitaglide does this while it enables all users, even those with limited hand function, to use the machine with minimal to no assistance!

Beth Abraham therapists have much to learn in the realm of transferring. This is why many quadriplegics fail to get any mat time to practice trunk and balance control, bed mobility. I hope to maybe bring in someone to do an inservice in this arena.

ADLs are also put on the back burner: cathing, bowel programs, dressing. But let's deal with one thing at a time!

There's other exciting things going on for the SCI support group this summer. We've been invited to this years health fair along with NYCSCIA--more info to come! We've also been having individual meetings with our coordinator, Dan Tratt, to discuss our goals and how to meet them. Since I did so well with the vitaglide proposal, I decided to take an online course in grant writing. So far it's going well and I look forward to writing proposals for Wheels of Progress and support the work they do.

Get your salsa on!

Nicky's Favorite salsa mixes...

While searching for funky seventy compilations at my favorite Ithaca record shop, I spotted a CD with Latin Funk that I might like to add to my collection. It was Playtime Latin Soul Boogaloo. I was hooked. I was already starting to play bass and Ray Baretto's 'Tin tin deo' was right up my alley. My ears just perked and tuned into each instrument.

There's nothing like listening to salsa in the summertime. Growing up in New York City, men would bust out the congas when the sun was hot enough, and we'd gather and listen, while eating piraguas (snow cones). Their rhythms seeped into my skin so that even I am able to pick up a drum and beat out the african bu bu clap sound and everything else in between. Another one of my favorite tracks is 'amor y paz' by Ralphy Leavitt. Heartfelt lyrics and an on point band. Punto. What about 'Tin Marin?' It seems the older generation always knows about this song. This album is a rarity so download it or buy it if you can!!!

Track list:

1. Benitez - Latin Thing

2. Ralfi Pagan - Latin Soul

3. The Tnt Band - Meditation

4. Eddie Palmieri - Tema Del Apollo

5. Orchestra Harlow & Ismael - Grazin’ In The Grass

6. Joey Pastrani - Sincerely

7. Johnny Colon & Orchestra - Mira Ven Aca

8. Ray Baretto - El Bantu

9. The Innovator - Contract Back

10. Ricardo Ray & Bobby Cruz - Tin Marin

11. Raphael Cortuo - Sorongo

12. Ray Baretto - Tin Tin Deo

13. Johnny Pacheco - Raisins & Almonds

14. The Lebron Brothers & Orchestra - Dance, Dance, Dance

15. Frankie Dante & Orchestra Flamboyan - Dame Un Tipi

16. Joe Sataan - I’m Satisfied

17. Ralphy Leavitt - Amor Y Paz

http://rapidshare.com/files/393850353/playtimebugaloo.rar.html

WAH HOO WAH!

That is a Tau term I had to shout because I succeeded in getting the Vitaglide to Beth Abraham! I'm so proud of the hard work I put into it and the few that supported me. I honestly started to think that it wasn't going to happen and was going for a plan B. But as long as this institution exists, the residents are going to need good equipment! There will be a ribbon cutting and plaque presented during the health fair in May or June.

Today's workout was especially good on the core. We worked with the ball again, squeezing the ball to myself focusing on my core. It also worked my biceps because the motion of my arms is like a sideways curl. Every quad should try this! I'll try to get Monica to video some of this so people can see, it really is helpful information.

I'm also hoping to start hand cycling soon. There is a spin cycle program at Mt. Sinai which is great just to get the feel of it from people who really know what they're doing and there's Achilles heel which meets in Central Park on saturdays. I'll post more on this as the weeks progress. Yay spring!

Training

I've been training at Asphalt Green and I really enjoy it. It's fully accessible and everyone is very helpful and considerate. It's also not just for jocks or gym rats. It's the next YMCA with a full line of gym classes, camps and training programs. Located at 91st and York ave, there are beautiful skyline views and it's just a great way to get out out of here. I'll bring my ipod or my Barnes and Noble eReader, the "nook" and read in the cafe until a few minutes before my accesaride is due.

My trainer leslie and I, have been working on a myriad of different things. Most notably, my hand dexterity. We do hand shakes to stimulate sensation and muscle movement. It feels great to use my right hand again and Leslie uses massage to get the nerves "reminded" again too. I'm not sure how much it will stick long term, but I know it is therapeutic and it makes my hands feel alive, more normal!

We've also been hitting the triceps and the rear deltoids hardcore. These muscles aid in lifting, transferring and pushing. She resists me only using her hands which is enough and I do flies on the cables. Then I'm ready to push in the chair a bit, concentrating on keeping my posture; shoulders down and back, tightening the core. It helps with keeping straight as I've been leaning to the right side. Speaking of the the core, our core exercises include pressing large balls to concentrate using the core muscles, and slowly lifting/transferring medicine balls for the same purpose. It's very tiring!

My transferring is slowly becoming easier over time. I'm still fighting for the vitaglide for Beth Abraham. It's so hard to keep physically motivated after they cut you from therapy! But quads especially need something that can help keep them moving, pushing, so they can have better bed mobility, transferring skills. It also feels good to be able to go out and manage the urban jungle or participate in a handcycling! My hope is that this will be the beginning of quads supporting each other in physical maintenance because unfortunately, there will be more quads at Beth abe.

Son of Hamas

I downloaded the ebook, "Son of Hamas" by Mosab Hassan Yousef and it is an eye opening testimony to God's truth and mercy and prophecy regarding Israel and Palestine. Born in Israel occupancy, Mosab grew up as a devout Muslim whose father was involved with Hamas. Hamas is an Islamic organization that fights for palestinian freedom from Israeli occupancy. They are religious zealots that view the land as belonging to Allah and that it is their duty to vanquish the Israelis according to the Qur'an. Initially when I saw this story on youtube, many muslims were offended and said muslims were not like that. I was intrigued and had to look further into it and sure enough, in his book, Mosab describes his father has being a loving, compassionate man, incapable of committing terrorist acts:

"Once," he answered, "I left the house and there was an insect outside. I thought twice about whether to kill it or not. And I could it." That indirect answer was his his way of saying that he could never personally participate in that kind of wanton killing. But the Israeli civilians were not insects. No, my father did not build the bombs, strap them onto the bombers, or select the targets. But years later I would think of my father's answer when I encountered a Christian Bible that describes a young innocent named Stephen. It said, "Saul was there, giving approval to his death" (Acts 8:1) I loved my father so deeply, and I admired so much about who he was and what he stood for. But for a man who could not bring himself to harm an insecct, he had obviously found a way to rationalize the idea that it was fine for somebody else to explode people into scraps of meat, as long as he didn't personally bloody his hands. (Hassan pp. 133-134)

This really put things in perspective for me. Sure there are peaceful muslims who give and are kind. And there are Jews of the like and Christians. What makes one "true" ? Can we rely on evidence? Yes The Lord says we should love him with all our heart, soul and mind (Matt 22:37) and although we cannot transmit faith, we can see evidence and Mosab presents it well.

I urge anyone curious about what Islam is and what the state of Israel and Palestine is and read his book. For more info go to sonofhamas.com

If you think living in a nursing home is hell, listen to his story! you will thank God for his mercy! Pray for Mosab's continual growth in the faith and mental healing from all of that mess. I know I will once I break free from here.

If you don't know Jesus, I'm praying for you. It's not easy finding Jesus. Often times, we're so busy being prideful, doing our own thing that He needs to break us to get our attention and then we need to depend on Him to get us through. It is those times we grow close to the Lord.

"I'm slowly learning how to let go of the fact that I'm not in control and it gives me a lot of freedom. I don't get too bent out of shape when people are vehement unbelievers. I will present a video presentation or interview and they will say "where are the facts!?" after Jesus has declared himself God, fulfilled prophecies, done miracles and rose from the dead. 9 times out of 10 the person knows nothing of the Bible and is not even worth responding. It doesn't shake my faith because bottom line is the only person who can break through to some people is Jesus himself. I grew up Christian and He literally had to break me to get through to me! But I rather be walking in paradise than burning for eternity later. I rather be in a chair now, living for Gods glory." (Alamo, March '10)

I played guitar!

Nothin fancy, but it felt good to pluck strings again. I had the music therapist put one of those dunlop thumb pics on me and she gave me her acoustic. It's hard to keep the pic straight and sturdy for a solid sound but it's a start! I can even press the high E and B strings with my middle finger! I didn't give much reaction as to not get any hopes up but I gave input as to how I wanted to proceed from there. "Maybe you'll get more return..." she said. I had to stop her right there. "Listen, I'm here to play music and feel good. That's it. I don't like when people add in hopes of me gaining this or that. That, does not feel good. I also don't like you playing therapist with me."

Lately she had been rubbing me raw, trying to get into a psychologist role, asking about my feelings every time she screwed up on the recording process. I would just stop and need to take a breather, but she would nudge me to "let it out."

So hopefully she got the message and I can move forward and even play with her out of the room. Wow I've really grown to dislike her!

I played guitar! I won't call myself a guitarist again but I can dabble at least. We'll see where it goes.

Sopa de gran pena

I had a busy day, starting with training which went well except for my accessaride transport. My CNA also somehow convinced me to over dress because it was "bitah cohl" and I took a coat that was hard to push the chair in. It may seem minor but those details really can screw with my day. By the time I got back, I was ready for a good dose of neurontin and percocet.

I got a nice visit from an old friend later and she got me buzzed up on coffee! It was great catching up and it's just begun!

Now the strange part of my day happened afterward when I ran into another resident from the floor. He is from El Salvador and doesn't speak much English so mostly we converse in spanish (mine is limited to present tense) He introduced me to a friend of his, a younger Mexican kid, named Angel, and they were obviously bored. He wanted to show me a band on youtube but beth abe has a block on youtube so I offered to have him use my laptop. Pedro shared a chef salad that Angel fed me but I felt uncomfortable with it. I told him to eat it. He asked me if I had a boyfriend and if I liked him. I told him no and no, I was not interested any relationship right now. He asked if I wanted to kiss and I said no. He asked, why not? It's nice, and proceeded to dedicate a cheesy bachata love song to me. Then I just had to say plainly that he just met me, he's been drinking, and already he wants to kiss me and God knows what else and that's not what I want in a person. "Just one kiss?" I had enough. "Get out of my room and go cry in Pedro's room." He really did look heart broken! But I didn't care. His eyes weren't right and this was by no means a relationship!

I thought that was the end of it. My CNA got me in bed and about an hour later Pedro and Angel came back, bearing yellow roses. "No quiero un novio!" I said again. "He knows, pedro says. This is for friendship!" I figured he felt bad and wanted to do right. "Please, put them in water." "The nurse may have a vase," I said. He left to get a vase and Angel came and said he would visit every day...? He sat on my bed and told me he loved me and kissed my hand! This was a nightmare! Luckily, the nurse then came and I told her I did not want him near me, that he was drunk and harassing me. She was livid and quickly called the supervisor. Angel understood when Pedro told him to leave. They are banning him from the premises. My father has yet to hear but when he does, he will be very upset and protective.

Luckily, I'm not a waif and got settled in to watch Grey's anatomy and Private practice. I've also been enjoying reading with my new Barnes and Noble nook eReader. I just need something to read in bed. When I get out of here, I can invest in the ipad, but for now, this beats holding books in bed and I'm out of space!

Vitaglide update

Got word that admin are having another meeting regarding the funding of the vitaglide on the 26th. I spoke to a gentleman from another facility with a vitaglide and he had a mediocre review of it but I value the accessibility of it for quads and it will generate attention for beth abe. I have more time to gather signatures for the petition.