Thursday, January 26, 2017

parallel parking



       Ah the experience of returning to driving. So I went on Monday to practice  parallel parking and to do 3-point turns. Complexly expecting to take the test tomorrow. After parallel parking, I had to go back to Shepherd Center to make sure I had completed all of the forms. There was in fact one form that was missing. It was the medical form that the Department of Driving services had to have. So my doctor is out of town until the 30th of January. So she was not able to fill out that form.
       So hopefully next week or the week after I will be able to take my test. It is kind-of disappointing, but in the big scheme of things I have not drove in 9 years. What’s two weeks going to hurt?
       Now not having the use of one arm and one leg makes parallel parking and 3-point turns vary hard. Now I found that I can do it, but I have to follow direct instructions from the driving instructor. I am hoping I can remember exactly what he says`  

cliff bars



         I was in Alpine Bakery the other day and the manager came up to me and was telling me about the long/late hours he had to work at his job. He said he could not do it without cliff bars and energy drinks. That got me thinking.  I eat cliff bars nearly every day at work and on my way to Shepherd Center. They are a great mid-morning snack because they are filling and taste good. So I decided to research them and here is what I found:
    I found that although they are high in calories they help fuel your muscles and replenish your glycogen! The  carbohydrates, healthy fats and fiber give you an energy boost.

           Cliff bars are created for those who need a quick energy fix. It usually works for me because I don’t usually need more than 6 hours of energy. If you’re just sitting on the couch a cliff bar is probably not the greatest idea. They are normally taken before or after workouts. It also works for me because EVERYTHING is difficult for me. Standing, walking, writing, getting dressed etc.
         So cliff bars are a  great idea for those who want/need to have energy for a short time!
           Nutrition is very important for not only me, but everyone! Now energy is something I definitely need. Unfortunately, I usually resort to  grab and go. So, for energy I might grab a quick container of cold coffee or a bag of chips. After reading I discovered ways of increasing energy may not stem from what you eat.
  Working out is probably the last thing you want to do when you’re tired, but it’s very important. Working out improves the heart, lungs, muscles and it also gives you self- confidence, drinking lots of water and not becoming dehydrated.
      Getting to bad early is extremely important for decreasing fatigue.  If you are feeling that you can’t get enough sleep try short naps.
        So working out, drinking water, and getting enough sleep are just a few ways you can stay awake. Along with the consumption of cliff bars.  

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

MS



                       Over at Shepherd Center there are many different patients that come in. For example there are, those who have experienced brain injury and spinal cord injury. A third group that comes to Shepherd are those who have MS, or multiple sclerosis.
MS is where the body’s immune system is directed against the body’s central nervous system. The central nervous system is made up of the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. The immune system then attacks the body’s myelin, which is the fatty substance surrounding the nerve fibers. The disease is thought to be triggered by environmental factors in MS susceptible patients.
                Fatigue is probably the number one problem for people who have this disease. There are other problems like balance, pain, swallowing problems, vision, speech, etc.  Remember that every wire in the brain or spinal cord has insulation.
                It’s a lot like brain injury in which every story or occurrence is very unique. The course of the disease may also be very different. With MS, the brain’s connections with other organs are lost .  
    It’s a disease that is just  terrifying to me. The exact cause of it is unknown and there is currently no cure.