Dinner

Published September 26, 2016 by helentastic67

preparing-dinner

Dinner

Okay, here’s a picture of my dinner! Let’s start with that.

Please be mindful, while it looks huge, it’s full of salad. I’m a big multi-tasker, especially in the kitchen.

Sometimes, I set several things out of the fridge and prepare (chop, peel etc) for days in advance, so some parts of meals I can add to other meals up to a week later.

salad-1

Here’s what I had for dinner tonight.

Lettuce, cucumber and carrot (both peeled) salad with dressing of salt, oregano, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, 3 veg stir-fry (usually had with BBQ chicken) Moroccan cous cous salad (yes bought that) and finished with BBQ chicken chopped up and fried lightly with Portuguese chicken spices and a small serve of BBQ chicken stuffing, heated.

bbq-salad

Happy!

And have leftovers for a second meal.

Botox

Published September 23, 2016 by helentastic67

botoks_allergan_ilac

Botox

I’ve had Botox! Four times for free! Ask me how!

Okay, this is how I like to break the news to people because the only thing people have heard of Botox being used for, is to pump in the lines on their faces to get rid of the wrinkles.

But people get it for other things.

They might get it injected into their scalp, armpits or even a woman’s bladder. http://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/news/20150515/botox-overactive-bladder

sweat-glands

The bladder, I’ve not heard much about, but the first two I hear it helps with perspiration problems.

Keep in mind, in no way, shape or form am I doing a sales pitch for Botox (botulinum Toxin)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botulinum_toxin

Hear me when I say this; it is the MOST TOXIC THING YOU CAN PUT IN YOUR BODY.

But anyway, I haven’t been lucky enough to want/need it for vanities sake!

I’ve had it out of necessities sake.

Twice in my arm and twice in my calf for what’s called Spasticity!

bent-wrist

People who suffer ‘stroke’ or ‘stroke like symptoms’ like myself will have an arm that won’t relax and straighten. In extreme cases, some people will have a hand that will not open.

Imagine what happens if you can’t wash or dry your hand. It can lead to other problems, like a stroke is not enough. Broken skin conditions don’t help.

They are very careful with where and how to inject exactly the right muscle for the best effect…

In the correct muscle in the arm, it relaxes other muscles lower down in the arm and ideally the hand. It’s ideal to have a good STRETCH OF THE hand to be able to work on the hand.

It’s every important to do a lot of OT at this time to maximise the benefits of the Botox.

Because after 3-4 months the Botox wears off and hopefully when the muscles that were ‘relaxed’ by the Botox wake-up there is a better balance between those muscles and the ones exercise have been working on.

You generally don’t have Botox all the time because you can build up an immunity to it.

I always like to use the example that one day all those faces in Hollywood will simultaneously drop. Sad face?

I might do a You tube demo to show what Botox in the calf is for…………………………….

injection-sites

injection-calf-muscle

First World Problem

Published September 19, 2016 by helentastic67

first-world-problem-1

First World Problems

You ask anyone with a disability what they encounter on a day to day basis, they will take most things in their stride after a while.

Early last year, someone I knew was banging-on Social Media about having some elective surgery to a sports injury (OK, elective is debatable).

sports-injury

But, he had surgery, a short stint in hospital, then inpatient rehab for a few weeks, then home to continue rehab as an out-patient with a boot, what-not.

Where normal life of work, study, family would continue pretty close to normal.

Really, what annoyed me about this was he really wanted sympathy and I didn’t have it for him because at the same time I was upstairs in the same rehab facility.

And in my room of 4 beds, I was the Neuro (Neurology) patient in the room. And I was there because I’d had Botox in my calf and my leg put in a cast!

attitude-quote

Have you ever heard of such a thing?

And no, Botox. Not just for young and old to make them look younger!

I will explain Botox in my next post.

Guess, I’m writing that one now too!

VATT/Commodity!

Published September 16, 2016 by helentastic67

vatt-2

VATT!/Commodity!

Seriously, I didn’t make up this acronym! It stands for Voice At the Table Training. For which I’ve only been able to attend 2 of the 6 days. Don’t worry, people’s lives will not be at risk for not attending the other 4 days and there is no competency needed. The training is about how to be a useful “voice” when on an Executive Committee or a member of a board and NOT A TOKEN MEMBER!

I find I have great idea’s but no one wants to hear them. Anyway, more of that another day.

vatt-1

More important points to make right now. While at this training I was informed an American company (who shall remain unnamed because conveniently I can’t remember) is going to be getting in on making money from the NDIS and offering services etc, in Australia.

This company currently runs Prisons and Detention Centres in the States.

prison

WHAT THE FUCK!

Sorry, had to swear! You have to give me that one!

Can they get their current businesses running properly first?
Why are foreign businesses tendering for our services?

And then I recall Australian Government has already sold off land to foreign countries to grow crops!

And then (not in this order) they sold Australian Government owned companies like Telstra!

Yeah! That’s really paying off now isn’t it?

Which government party do we blame that on? I don’t know enough about Australian political parties to continue really.

So in the middle of my rant. I hope you get that I don’t want to be a commodity just because I’m a minority in the disability sector.

I am single.

I do not have family close by.

I cannot live with my family members.

At this rate, I will never be a homeowner.

We already worked out I will never have kids, right?

I will never drive again? That one is not in doubt…………………

But I care about the environment, I care about the elderly. Since, I will soon be expected to live in an Aged Care Facility!

Oh yeah! And while people with disabilities are no longer institutionalized these days in Australia. You knew, these ‘places’ known to house people with severe Autism or Mental Health issues that rather than deal with the behaviour of the ‘tenants’ (seems the wrong word) Too soft somehow, they put bike helmets on them so when they bash their heads against walls/floors, they no longer hurt themselves.

https://www.myskills.gov.au/courses/details?Code=UEE20711

SO, NO! THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO HEAR ME ROAR!

I WILL NOT BE A COMMODITY TO BE SOLD!

Group homes exist for people with some disabilities.

group-home-1

And of one I’ve heard of, it houses 11 people who will attest to it sounding exactly like a prison or institution.

Recreational space under lock and key. The office not open to tenants to enter and lights on the outside all night.

Advocacy

Published September 12, 2016 by helentastic67

advocacy-2

Advocacy

People don’t realise how much self-advocacy is involved in having a disability and remaining independent.

People would think I have everything in the whole damn world thrown at me because I have a disability.

However, in reality, I’m forever pushing about 5 different issues and at any given time.

You probably wouldn’t believe me but on my limited income I live in private rental. Yes this means I qualify for Rent Assistance, but it hasn’t increased since 2007 when I first qualified for my pension and while rent has continued to increase, Rent Assistance has never increased in line with the market.

The reality? THREE times I’ve moved since 2007, I’ve had to move further from my supports and comfort zone, further from the city. Let’s not forget, I have to compromise, quality of my home and size.

advocacy

(I went to an open for inspection on Saturday as I’m having to contemplate moving) and the kitchen was crappy 70’s! Not even nice or retro 70’s! We’re talking three kinds of BROWN TILE where there was already BROWN CUPBOARDS! In a really small space, I can’t do it!

I grew up in a brown 70’s house (my dad still lives there) and a BROWN SCHOOL UNIFORM. I’ve suffered enough!

NUMBER 2! My second issue I’m dealing with right now , I’m dealing with the Government and my 2^nd appeal so my pension is not reduced every fortnight for the rest of my natural born life!

I’m not being melodramatic, they really want to reduce my allowance at a small amount per fortnight for the next 24 years!

Keep in mind, they harass me every 3 months threatening to take a significantly larger portion that would see me not pay my rent or eat!

Also keep in mind, I’ve previously stated eat Salami to shorten my life and if this keeps up I won’t be able to afford Salami either.

Perhaps, if I’m feeling a Part 2 to this, so stay tuned….. NEXT!!!!

advocacy-1

How Stress Affects Your Brain

Published September 11, 2016 by helentastic67

Feeling stressed?

Broken Brain - Brilliant Mind

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From Ken Collins: Adapt, Improvise, Overcome and Move On!

Published September 9, 2016 by helentastic67

Basics are often the best!

Broken Brain - Brilliant Mind

Namibia Desert It can feel like you’re slogging through a desert, sometimes. But there’s an oasis in the distance… for sure.

Ken Collins shares his wisdom with us. Great stuff!

Some of the lessons I have learned after 39 years of living with a brain injury.

There are four major areas to work on during the brain injury recovery process:

Adapt, Improvise, Overcome and Move On!

Move on and try not to be critical of mistakes you make because in the early years of your recovery there will be too many to count.

Learn from these experiences and move on.

Keep stress and anxiety to a minimum everyday!

Stress and anxiety triggers the fight or flight response in the mid-brain. You don’t have any control of this response because it is part of the Emotional Nervous System.

When the fight or flight response is activated it will increase confusion and make it…

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12.30am

Published September 9, 2016 by helentastic67

Night Owl

12.30am

Wow, look at that! Got motivated early. I seem to get very creative after midnight and that is of course bedtime for most normal people. But we already all realize I’m not normal.

I don’t know when I started being a night owl. Probably in my late teens. Mum recently reminded me, I would come home from High School and go to bed for a nap. After dinner I would get stuck into my artwork and stick at it for hours.

night-owl-quote

When I was 16, I worked at a Supermarket part time, as well as High School on top of babysitting my baby sister. I moved away to study when I was 19. Continued to work also and started going to clubs in Melbourne. This became my social outlet.

And I guess the bad sleeping pattern continued. These days I’m lucky if I can skip the pre-dinner kip, but by 10pm I hit my second wind and become very productive, even if I’m just glued to the couch sorting admin and doing a little drawing.

night_owl-1

It is really hard for me to switch off.

I have a very busy brain, but I’ll get to that another day.

busy-brain

In the meantime, I’ve always got plenty of stuff that needs doing and I might be one handed but if I don’t do it, it doesn’t get done.

So I do it…

Black Dog

Published September 5, 2016 by helentastic67

depression-negative-feelings

Black Dog

There is a thing that happens consistently, I think its DEPRESSION related where everything gets too hard and shit is stacked on top of shit and we get overwhelmed.

So, when if you broke things down to one problem at a time and someone give you some contacts or solutions you would generally think they could move/motivate themselves to take that first step, but what really happens is by then they can’t see beyond the overwhelming DEPRESSION to help themselves.

Poem depression

But they can’t!

I think it’s okay to be DEPRESSED. It happens. It’s OK to admit you are and definitely to ask for help.

RU OK

It’s not okay to sit and wallow too long and when given the tools to wait to be rescued.

There is a great sense of achievement to take the first step and make a call.

It’s hard to make decisions when you are DEPRESSED. But when you do, it makes it easier to do the next thing.

I highly recommend not just the method of putting out ‘spot-fires’ but picking the quickest and easiest solution to help boost morale.

I know I make it sound so easy. And it’s not, but onward and upwards.

Grumpy Cat

2.10am

Published September 2, 2016 by helentastic67

night writing 2.10am!

Let’s do a little experiment! Let’s see if I can successfully substitute the F Bomb! (Helen’s favourite word!) With a substitute. Also starts with ‘F’!

Keep in mind my GP will gauge how I am mentally by now many times I drop the Fudge word! When I’m frustrated I use the Fudge word a lot and when I see my GP I debrief him on all the things incompetent people aren’t doing. We kind of case manage my care together which works well.

People with an ABI need a lot of sleep. I can’t recall when I last had a night of 8 hours undisturbed! Seriously, maybe never!

I go to bed late (or early) I think you can tell. Tonight I managed not to have my pre-dinner kip. It’s a miracle! And surprising considering the start to my day.

Went to sleep at 2 am.

Stupid neighbours think it’s OK to run their washer/dryer all night long disturbing my sleep!

So already on bad start!

Fudging asshat! Parks his Bogan car outside my bedroom window. Insists on warming his motor like it’s the 70’s and his car is vintage – it’s not! At 6.30am – Fudge!!!

Asshat! Goes back inside and comes back 5 minutes later.

Can’t believe I’ve put up with this 3 and a bit years!

Get back to sleep!

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8.30am – there is a chainsaw!

What the Fudge???

But wait! Then a wood chipper!

FUDGE!!!

30 minutes and it’s done.

Bet back to sleep after hitting the MEPACS ALARM!
(Diverting a 9.30 wake up)

Had put on my washing machine so again, disturbed sleep.

10.45am – my carer arrives early!

FUDGE!!!

Discussed today with my GP the lack of follow-up by a hospital Orthotists to get funding application for a 2^nd pair of shoes.

shoes for afo 1

For say. If these ones get wet, get sweaty or die because they are my only shoes to wear with my AFO (Ankle Foot Orthotic)

“FUDGE ME!” I tell my GP when he asks how hard it is for the Orthotists to do it?

He smiles and I try to look a little repentant.

We already have a backup plan.

I have an appointment with a private Orthotists I’ve seen previously. He won’t have a problem doing the forms to get me the funding for both an AFO and a pair of shoes.

ankle+foot+orthotic+modification