Comics – Part 1

Published October 10, 2016 by helentastic67

comic-speech-bubbles-of-explosions Comics

And I’m excited to announce I actually finished reading a comic yesterday! A comic!! I know right? Comics not much reading involved because the pictures tell so much of the story.

It might surprise people to know, I used to read a lot! I always had a book on my bedside table and would go to bed at night to read a few chapters before sleep.

bedside-table-1

I’ve always been an avid reader, crime novels, murder mysteries and when my favourite authors have slacked off (in between) I would collect a pile of bodice-rippers from the library.

I guess, this leads me to what is the last thing I have lost and I hope it is the last thing I do to lose.

I find myself standing in shops and on streets looking for something or someone and who or what I’m looking for will be in my blind spots.

I actually will do some isles in the supermarket twice so that I don’t miss stuff.

I find I squint a lot in general. While sitting in a parked car or café, or I have a grumpy look on my face. I refer to that facial expression as my ‘Default face!’ Others refer to it as my “Resting Bitch Face!” Charming.

resting-bitch-face

When I’m out with young Janus, shopping and maybe when we get to the checkout he will ask what’s wrong.

Normally I banter all the way around the supermarket and if I’m quiet he is concerned I’m not well. I usually respond with ‘I’ve powered down’. Or have gone into ‘sleep mode’ and if he’s particularly concerned I’ll just tell him ‘I’m Okay! I’m not having a stroke!’

Oh, good times…………….

Smashed it!

Published October 6, 2016 by helentastic67

messy-kitchen

Smashed it

Totally smashed it!

There are times I really hope my Carer doesn’t turn up in the morning, take one look at the state of my kitchen and walk out claiming stress leave.

I do know when some of my Carers look at the state of the kitchen and grumble a little at the mess, but I also know they inhale as they walk in the door and inquire as to the aroma.

coffee-pot

I’m generally grateful if it’s incense or essential oils and not kitty litter.

But tonight I completely smashed it in the kitchen. For a one-handed numpty I have big ideas and I’m lazy for days but then put some music on and get lots of ingredients out until there’s not much space to work with and about 2 hours later, I’ve achieved brilliance. Or at least I think so.

Tonight, while drinking my coffee while standing, I smashed out some pancakes, mushrooms baskets and a cauliflower and white sauce bake…

making-pancakes

And the dishwasher is currently on and possibly going on again later.

I didn’t get to the simple Napoli sauce or the “whatever the other thing I intended to make” but I’m sure I can do that tomorrow night!

napoli-sauce

It’s not quite 8.30pm and I’m still eating dinner tonight earlier than last 4 nights.

SMASHED IT!

Advise

Published October 4, 2016 by helentastic67

advice

Advice

Some people have great advice for me on what I can and should be able to do. I appreciate they’ve given it some thought. However, their advice is based on them NOT HAVING TO DO IT ONE HANDED!

Wonder if I made my point? Wonder if anyone’s still reading this post? It’s hard to tell.

Last night, Easter Sunday my neighbour bought me down some cake (Yum) and 6 prawns. (I don’t get it) We have a thing. I introduce her to foody goodness and she brings me treats, soups, I have given to neighbours and friends over the years in the hopes that it will express to people who I am and what I’m about. I finally have a neighbour who thinks to return the favour. Love her!

Anyway, the prawns, I know she meant well and I realise it didn’t occur to her I’d struggle to take the shells off. I wasn’t thinking of Megi (yes that’s her name – love her) so the prawns I gave it a go. But after all the effort I had a nibble and understood this rubbery concept even less. And then I gave them to the cat! No one can say she isn’t looked after.

Here are some pictures, before and after.

Whole Prawns attempt prawns final result

I do like a good challenge.

Jamima and prawns

Dumb Down

Published September 30, 2016 by helentastic67

ambulance

Dumb Down

There have been three occasions I’ve been in an Ambulance in the middle of the night to go to hospital and a third where my mum took me to hospital in her racing car, but that led to an aeroplane ride but that can wait!

Generally, anytime I have to go to hospital when it’s an emergency, I am feeling beyond ‘seedy’. My head generally hurts so much I’ve already taken every pain killer I can that should work and maybe a sleeping pill so I can try to sleep it off.

migraine-pain

If that fails and because I live alone, I might go to hospital so I don’t wake up dead the next morning, if it’s more than I think it is.

Once at the hospital and the customary poking and prodding and interrogation, I’m usually given a few more pills, oxygen and a warm blanket.

They usually let me sleep and the next day when the staff are in and before they release me they will do a C.T. scan to confirm their suspicions. And that is that, I just have some brain swelling/I did too much/I need to rest and sleep.

I love when they go to do the C.T. scan and to remind me (as if they have to) the difference between a CT and an MRI.

In case you don’t know,

“The CT scan is when you get rolled into the big donut or as I see it (lifesaver) and the MRI is the BIG TUNNEL!

ct-scanner mricutaway

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!

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

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