Deafblind Awareness week is almost over and I hope you're learning new things about the Deafblind community. If you want to read more, check out the #DeafblindAwarenessWeek hashtag on social media.

Now if you have been following my website or know me - you'll know I'm always expressing that Deafblind people can be independent and live fulfilling lives on their own.

​But, there are still barriers to our independence and I'll list a few:

Support Service Providers (SSPs) are trained individuals that accompany the Deafblind person and be their eyes and ears to access their environments and make informed decisions. SSPs provide them with visual and environmental information, sighted guide services, and communication accessibility.

Understand that SSPs do not do anything FOR the Deafblind person, for example - in the grocery store, the Deafblind client wants to get apples, the SSP will guide them to the apples, and the client holds up an apple and the SSP describes it (no bruises, spots, etc.) and the client bags it. SSPs are not Interpreters either - they can interpret small verbal exchanges but not for important events such as medical visits, signing a rental lease, and the like - a professional interpreter would need to be hired.
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As I said in the title, there is a lack of SSPs available nationwide. A study done in 2006 estimates there are about 1.2 million people that have combined vision and hearing losses. I couldn't find any current data but in 2006 only 28% of states ahd any level of SSP services. I'm sure this number is larger (Oklahoma just passed a SSP funding law), but I doubt it's enough to cover a million Deafblind clients.

Now, SSPs are not exclusive to Deafblind people, they can be used for Senior Citizens who cannot drive anymore due to sight and hearing loss, Blind hearing clients can benefit from SSPs to guide them around unfamiliar places as well as get audio information on their environment.

So, the solution:

• Become an SSP (paid or volunteer) and attend training at your local agency.
• Write your legislators for their attention on this problem.
• Show up at People with Disabilities Day and any other public event.
• Sign this Petition.

Many Deaflbind have limited access to quality Healthcare for a variety of reasons. This is a very long list so I'm going to bullet point them:

• Medical Professionals don't have the sensitivity or awareness for proper access for the Deafblind patient. Many don't want to take them in as a patient either.
• Lack of communication access results in limited or erroneous information relayed to them. Many need to rely on family members and friends for this.
• Because of the Deafblindness, many are isolated and have limited access to "the outside world" and as a result have depression or other mental health needs - and there are rarely any mental health providers that can address this unique situation.
• Lack of interpreters - Period. This is a large problem in the Deaf community so it is compounded for the Deafblind community. Many hospitals push for using VRI (Video Relay Interpreting) which is an interpreter on a video monitor - I won't go into why this is such a hated method in the Deaf community, but you can obviously see why this is a barrier for the Deafblind, especially those relying on tactile sign language.
• Lack of Insurance - many insurance don't cover hearing aids or glasses and also may not be able to see an accessible doctor or specialist because they're not "in network". 
• Because of this lack of access to proper healthcare - some Deafblind avoid going to the doctor, a clinic, or even the ER at all.

The solution? Provide better sensitivity training throughout the hospital and medical service community. Provide a Medical School course in the various disabilities and their preferred communication and interaction methods. Have more ASL interpreters and tactile interpreters on contract in hospitals. And finally - stop being stuck up jerks. (My personal opinion). Read more in my article.

There's a huge lack of access for Deafblind people in every part and stage of their lives. I believe the number one cause of this is the public's view of Deafblindness.

As soon as a person finds out someone is Deafblind the majority of the time they instantly think of Helen Keller and "total deafness and total blindness" and forget that Deafblindness has a wide and varied range. The other thought that often occurs too is low expectations - they're hellpless and can't do anything for themselves. I once showed up at a doctor's appointment alone and they asked where my caretaker was. Yeah, I wasn't happy with them.

So because of this attitude, many barriers happen:

• Employment - a huge number of Deafblind are unemployed - 74.8% according to the recent World Federation of the Deafblind. Full time employment is 9.9% (but usually are underemployed too), 8.9% are working part-time, and 6.3% are self employed.
• Housing - many establishments don't want the risk of having a Deafblind tenant. Finding affordable living close to public transit is another factor. Lack of accessible equipment found in housing too.
• Lack of braille in many places - menus, brochures, information packets, and so on - though this is slowly changing due to technology access instead.
• Lack of Education opportunities - this starts in High School where the Deafblind are ushered towards simple vocational training instead of aiming for higher education. Lack of accessible services in Colleges and Universities limit the choices in education goals.
• Lack of socializing opportunities - lack of SSPs to help facilitate socializing and community activities such as sports, recreational activities, meetings, and the like.
• And the list goes on and on. All because people have low expectations, lack of communication skills, and understanding.

One sad fact about all this lack of access and socialization for the Deafblind is that it leads to depression and other mental health issues. It's hard staying positive when there is limited contact with the outside world, and when there is interaction - those people are treating you as if you're incapable of anything.

If you suspect a Deafblind person, or anyone with a disability, of having depression or any other mental health issues, please read these helpful articles

More awareness and training is the best solution. But this takes time, effort and monies that are usually not there. But I believe it starts with the Deafblind people themselves - they need training on empowerment, self-reliance, and how to speak for themselves. Only then can we educate one person at a time, or as a group and wake the public up.

Another solution - stop the "hero" mentality and quench the need to rush to someone's aid (and filming it) for your own self satisfaction or gain. People with disabilities are not your pawns, we are people too and deserve (and should demand) respect. If you see them, simply ask "everything alright?" and if they say it's fine - leave it alone. If they do need help, ask how and help with the one request. Do not assume because they had trouble with one thing that they'll need help with everything else.

​I saw this post on Facebook the other day that sums this up perfectly:

I hope I gave everyone food for thought and a change in attitudes.

Today marks three years since I got a kidney transplant.

June 24, 2015

So, I wanted to post the Facebook interactions before, during and after to show the progress:

* January 7, 2013 - Nephrology Appointment - Kidney Function slipped to 16%

* August 6, 2013 - Registered on the Kidney Transplant list in
Tulsa (it's closer)

* May 13, 2014 - Nephrology Appointment - Kidney Function slipped to 15%, Creatinine is at 2.6 (Normal is 0.7-1.5)

* June 23, 2015 - They found a Kidney! Off to Tulsa

* June 24, 2015 - Surgery day 5am. Was told it will be 2 days in the ICU and then 4 - 5 days in a regular room for recovery

* June 25, 2015 - Moved out of ICU

* June 29, 2015 - Discharged from hospital

​* July 15, 2015 - Wrote a Blog post on the experience

* July 27, 2015 - Kidney Biopsy done after Creatinine jumped to 1.8 after weeks of being at 1.6 (Results - no sign of rejection). (Have had 4 biopsies done to date.)

* July 29, 2016 - Signs of cellular rejection - first of 3 Antibodies I.V. transfusion - 8 hours to complete

* June 24, 2018 - Labwork every 3 months & Clinic visits every 6 months now.

Please think about being a donor.

* Check off the donor option on your Driver's Licence

* Sign up at the Organ Donor Registry

* Volunteer to be a living donor at the American Transplant Foundation

* Share information

* Support the Organ Donation Network

Thank you.

Hey y'all! Sorry this is late, I actually thought it was Saturday - yeah it's been that kind of week.

Since I will be starting on the big de-cluttering jobs over the next few weeks, I wanted to prepare with the right mindset.

Earlier this week I showed you the list of questions to ask yourself when you're cleaning up, but now I'm going to tell you how to prepare mentally for a de-clutter challenge.

Think these things over and over again while cleaning things out. If you just "can't part" with something, that's okay, set it aside and try again another time. If this becomes serious, please seek out help and advice for the "root" problem.

1. I have what I need in my life. Some hold on to extra items for fear of poverty, loss and sometimes regrets. They were once without, now they have the means to own things so they start stockpiling. The point you miss is that it doesn't help with the financial gain. You fear going poor again, yet you're spending all this money on things. Just think of things you need for the present, not for "just in case" or "I wanted this when I couldn't before" and so on and on.

2. Think of the present.  We've all said "I'll use it someday", but that someday never arrives and we have stashes of stuff for "future projects", and "I'll fix it later" and it just sits collecting dust. Sell them or toss - you could use the money for something you want today.

3. I have the memories. Some people have sentimental and emotional attachment to things, which is fine if you ask me, but as long as those are happy reasons. Anything that stirs up negativity should be tossed - no ifs, ands, or buts.

But really, you have the memories, you don't need to keep a teddy bear from the 1984 State Fair 'cuz that' where you got your first kiss. Remember the kiss - toss the bear.

4. I have room. Sure, you may have room to store stuff, but try this, take a before picture, de-clutter the room, then take an after picture. See the space? Neatness? Feel less stressful?

​As the video below shows - less stuff = more happiness.

5. I will follow through. How many times over the years have we collected clothes or old toys to donate and those bags and boxes sit in our garage or car for months before actually going out? Yeah, so schedule donation drop offs, classified listings, and dump visits regularly throughout your de-clutter challenge.

6. I'll reward myself. After cleaning a large room and actually getting rid of the stuff - give yourself a small reward: a meal out, a treat, or a move. Don't go shopping and get more stuff to fill in "the new space".

I hope these pointers help prepare you mentally for the big de-clutter challenge coming ahead!

Today's topic is close to home - I lived with Chronic Kidney Failure for many, many years until my transplant nearly 3 years ago. Even though there I am a lot better than I was before, I still have some days, or periods, of fatigue, nagging pain, or prolonged insomnia.

Here's some ideas how to keep our lives moving froward even when our bodies don't want to.

Even if you don't have chronic illness or pain, we all have periods of being sick but cannot take a break because we're a parent, caretaker, or boss. 

1. Remember you're not a burden
This was a hard one for me to accept, being sick and unable to do anything wears you down mentally too. You didn't cause the disease or illness, so don't blame yourself, or allow others to blame you as well.

If others believe that you are and have been outspoken about this - that's on them, not you (and you need to call them out on it too).

So, relax and recover and allow others to pick up the slack.

2. Give yourself time
Give yourself extra time to accomplish things. I do this in my freelancing work, I add a day to the deadline to allow for "down time".

We're so focused on what others have accomplished that we forget to look "behind the scenes" and see how long did it actually take them to accomplish it. Who knows maybe it took them much longer than you could do the same job, Eh?

Stop comparing and go at your own pace.

3. Make 2 "To-Do" lists
Many people create to-do lists for everything in their lives. I've suggested creating them on Day 6. We feel an urge to complete everything on these lists before we're satisfied.

I suggest you create two to-do lists - one for the good days and one for the "flare up" days. Maybe on the bad days do things that can be done from a bed or desk?

Even if the only thing on your to-do list is "take a shower" - you've done something.

4. Work with your Body
Remember I talked about working with your body's schedule on Day 15? Use this same method with your chronic illness. Work around the times your body is "uncooperative" and work during the good moments.

In my experience, sometimes I just cannot get up in the mornings, so I sleep in, waaay in. Then I putter around with coffee and food and then get some work in (like right now). Other days I can be up early, work all morning, but will need a short nap in the afternoons to recharge. When I was working outside the home full-time, I usually crashed in bed shortly after dinner - adrenaline and coffee was my subsistence through the days.

So, schedule around your illness.

5. Have a support system
​If you've already delegated some of your work out (Day 9), maybe have them take on more on the bad days. Nevertheless, have a support system in place - friends and family who can come take the wee ones for a while, someone who can bring over a meal, take you to appointments, etc.

These supporters don't think you're a burden and are happy to help you out. Cherish this group.

6. Relax
Relax, the world keeps moving without you. It's perfectly okay to do absolutely nothing but recover.

That's it, take it easy, do some things you're able to, delegate the rest and stay positive.

​It's been such a long, dreadful winter. Then suddenly we skip Springtime and went straight to Summer in most areas across the United States.

Now the temperature is rising quickly and it's predicted to be a long, hot summer. One sure way to stay cool and be healthy is to include plenty of summer fruit in our daily diet.
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Here are 7 of them:

Of course, we all think of watermelon as a fun summer fruit. We eat them at picnics, outdoor BBQs and holiday celebrations.
Watermelon is in season from May to September (depending on where you live) and can be bought with or without seeds.

The nutritional benefits include:

• Lycopene - An antioxidant that repairs and protects against disease improve prostate health, improves skin tone among others.
• L-citrulline - helps with muscle pain
• Cucurbitacin E - helps with metabolism issues and obesity

Another well-known fruit we eat, sometimes year round but more popularly in the summertime. We make fruit salads with it, make desserts and even drinks with this popular fruit. Pineapple is grown year around but its peak season is from March to July. 

​Eating pineapple helps us:

• A high amount of Vitamin C and Manganese - helps with building bones and improving metabolism
• Fat-free, cholesterol-free, low sodium and only have 82 calories per Cup.
• Reduce risk of Macular Degeneration (an eye disease).

Another highly popular summer fruit we see in stores and farmer markets around June, but late-bearers can produce as late as Fall. 

​Nutrients in Strawberries include:

• High level of B9 and Potassium
• Antioxidants to help heart health
• Helps control blood sugar

Mangoes are as popular as the others mentioned above, but they're a great summer fruit to include. Mangos in the United States are mainly grown in Hawaii and are harvested from May until September. 

​Eating Mangoes will give you:

• High dose of fiber - great for digestive health
• High dose of Vitamin B6, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C
• Help lower blood pressure

These are actually the most popular melon in the United States. They're related to Watermelon and Honeydew melons. 

​Eating a cup of Cantaloupe gives our body:

• A full daily dose of Vitamin A
• Half of your daily dose of Vitamin C
• Great source of Potassium

We see blueberries popping up in farmers markets and in the wild around May to August. Again it depends on where you live.

​Adding blueberries to your daily summer diet can be beneficial as they contain:

• Anthocyanin - helps fight cancers
• A high level of Vitamin B6 and folate - helps improve heart health
• A high level of Vitamin K - helps with blood clotting

I'm not talking about the maraschino cherry on top of your ice cream sundaes. I mean the whole fruit, especially the tart ones.

​Not only do they have similar benefits to all the other fruits mentioned but they're unique in that:

• the tart ones can lower inflammation and help with Gout
• contain Melatonin and can help you sleep
• help with arthritis pain

As you can see, they don't just taste good but they have many different health benefits.

You might get tired of eating them raw daily, so here are some fun alternatives to try:

Also check out these awesome recipe books!

If you have recently decided to purchase a hot tub, there is no doubt that your entire family is excited and anticipating the day it arrives. There is no experience quite like being able to just relax and enjoy the bubbling, soothing water in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

​Not only that, a hot tub can significantly increase the amount of quality time that your family spends together. Below, we will take a look at some of the ways it can make your family time extra enjoyable. 

Gathering Point for Fun 

Your hot tub will quickly become a focal point for family gatherings, BBQ’s and celebrations. To maximize your enjoyment, create a comfortable and functional outdoor living area and accessorize with patio furniture, a fire pit or even an outdoor kitchen. Whether it is a sunny summer day or cool winter evening, your family time can be enjoyed together outdoors while breathing in the fresh air.
 
Love having a family game night? Invest in one of the many hot tub friendly waterproof board games or card decks available. The fun of enjoying a game together while soaking in the warm water makes for a memorable evening without even having to leave the house.
 
Stay Healthy and Active 

A hot tub is a perfect place to introduce your children to water and teach them how to swim. This in turn also will encourage them to stay active and exercise regularly. Swimming is an ideal way to stay active and a number of fun exercises can be performed in a hot tub to help your entire family maintain a healthy lifestyle. Even just batting around a beach ball will keep everyone active while having a blast. For children, regular exercise is a must for developing a strong body and immune system and for adults, physical activity helps maintain a healthy weight as well as reduces the risk for a number of illnesses and diseases.

Socializing
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Today, so many kids and adults alike are glued to electronics, phones, and technology. Owning a family hot tub provides the perfect environment to set aside time and unplug. Spending quality time together in the hot tub is something that everyone in the family can look forward to and will enjoy catching up on each others news. If you have teenagers at home that can be difficult to pry away from their phones or computers, water and electronics do not mix so it is the perfect excuse for them to put their smartphone down and relax!
 
Immune Support 

The warm water in a hot tub helps to increase blood flow, improve circulation and assists our body in detoxing naturally. This, in turn, boosts our immune system and helps us ward of colds and other viruses. With a stronger immune system, the whole family is happier and healthier!
 
If you have been looking for a way to invest in your home and the quality of your family time, purchasing a hot tub is an excellent choice. Even the shopping process is a family event - get the kids involved in picking out their favorite features and participating in testing out the different models that you are considering. 

About the Author
Scott Bland has been in the leisure industry for nearly 20 years.  As a sales manager in the leisure industry he knows hot tubs inside and out.  Right now he works sales while writing about consumer goods on the side.  If you want to contact him, you can do so at his LinkedIn.