Michael
Junior Member
Hi, my name is Michael, looking to chat...
Posts: 99
Gender: Male
Dev Status: Disabled Male
Relationship Status: Single
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Post by Michael on Jul 14, 2016 11:09:32 GMT -5
Yes, I totally agree! I find devs and their interests and thoughts extremely fascinating. I'm very keen to dig deeper, learn more and discover as much as possible. Devs are so knowledgeable and I wish to share my disability with you and other devs alike x whew talk about an invitation... lol don't say those things to a quad dev... lol she gets all flustered and friendly Oh now you have a C6 Quad who has rosy red cheeks , blushing like I'm a teenager! Better watch my tongue! Temperature rising, I need an ice cold drink to cool myself down x
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Michael
Junior Member
Hi, my name is Michael, looking to chat...
Posts: 99
Gender: Male
Dev Status: Disabled Male
Relationship Status: Single
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Post by Michael on Jul 14, 2016 10:57:52 GMT -5
This is one I've been pondering over lately... For those of you who have PCA's who get you into bed and then out again in the morning - what do you do inbetween times? If for instance - you need a drink, you have an itch or a pain, you need to turn over, your covers slip off etc., etc., I'm sure you can think of a million other things that drive you to distraction during the night too. If you need help with these things, does your PCA generally live in, do you have a call button or something to contact them with? How do you get hold of someone if you need them? Also, how do you avoid feeling 'trapped' in your own body when you are out of your wheelchair? I would be inclined to panic knowing I couldn't move, even if I wanted to, but that's just my mindset. Have you got coping strategies for dealing with the mental side of things as well as the physical? A lot of questions there. Don't feel like you have to answer them all! Yours, Nosy as ever, Inky xx If I need a drink I usually have it on a table next to me. Its in a 64oz jug so it will last me through the night. The only problems I have when alone is if I drop my phone, im screwed. If its close enough to reach, I'll lean over the edge of the bed and reach with my long ass arms until I'm able to flip it and grasp it. It can take a good 15minutes or so. I also need a fan throwing air to my upper back because I get hot under my skin. I think my nerves are all jacked up. So if that fan gives out which has happened before on other fans, I will burn up! So then I'll have to call someone for help. As for turning on my side, I use to do it when I followed the rules. In therapy I would get rolled twice in the night. Got home and rolled once in the night. Now I just lay on my back throughout the night. I havent had any pressure sores like many get from not rolling over. Hey, I know the feeling of dropping something like your phone can be damn frustrating. I've done that a couple of times and I've been unable to reach it until my PCA comes through to turn me. I've dropped the TV remote before and it's always when I was attempting to turn it off or change channels - end up being stuck with some crap program on all night GRRRRR!
We're all individuals and our bodies are different. If sleeping on your back all night works for you then fabulous = result, saves disruption of sleep in the middle of the night. I just can't sleep on my back - fancy swapping bodies? haha!
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Michael
Junior Member
Hi, my name is Michael, looking to chat...
Posts: 99
Gender: Male
Dev Status: Disabled Male
Relationship Status: Single
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Post by Michael on Jul 14, 2016 10:47:07 GMT -5
I think the terminology may be throwing you Betty. It's a piece of equipment about 1.5 Meters in height. It is positioned at the head of the bed with it's base going under the bed for stability. A single bar is attached to the sturdy base situated behind my head and loops over the top of my chest area. A triangle shaped grip dangles above my head and is there for me to put my arm through and lift my upper half / chest & shoulders off the bed to help me twist my upper body. Also ideal to lift up to relieve pressure off my shoulders.
It's quite basic but very practicable. It can swing over the side of the bed near to a positioned wheelchair to which some para's use as an aid for lifting themselves in / out of bed then grab their legs. It is called such as you could imagine a monkey swinging on it as if it were a trees branch.
I hope this helps?
Michael x
Thanks for the detailed description. I can picture what you described, but never knew what it was called. I've no idea what we call it in the US, but monkey pole sounds like a perfect term! You're very welcome Betty. In England, the majority of Spinal Units had 'monkey poles' at the head of patients bed to assist in turning and ease the strain on nursing staff who may have dozens of patients to turn. However, they have all been removed - not sure what the reason is for this though x
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Michael
Junior Member
Hi, my name is Michael, looking to chat...
Posts: 99
Gender: Male
Dev Status: Disabled Male
Relationship Status: Single
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Post by Michael on Jul 13, 2016 14:25:18 GMT -5
Thank you very much, hello to you. The 'wide world of devs....' sounds intriguing, may I add? x Well its exciting if nothing else... A whole new world of thought and consideration. much to learn Yes, I totally agree! I find devs and their interests and thoughts extremely fascinating. I'm very keen to dig deeper, learn more and discover as much as possible. Devs are so knowledgeable and I wish to share my disability with you and other devs alike x
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Michael
Junior Member
Hi, my name is Michael, looking to chat...
Posts: 99
Gender: Male
Dev Status: Disabled Male
Relationship Status: Single
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Post by Michael on Jul 13, 2016 14:15:40 GMT -5
Pardon my ignorance Michael , but what is a monkey pole? I think the terminology may be throwing you Betty. It's a piece of equipment about 1.5 Meters in height. It is positioned at the head of the bed with it's base going under the bed for stability. A single bar is attached to the sturdy base situated behind my head and loops over the top of my chest area. A triangle shaped grip dangles above my head and is there for me to put my arm through and lift my upper half / chest & shoulders off the bed to help me twist my upper body. Also ideal to lift up to relieve pressure off my shoulders.
It's quite basic but very practicable. It can swing over the side of the bed near to a positioned wheelchair to which some para's use as an aid for lifting themselves in / out of bed then grab their legs. It is called such as you could imagine a monkey swinging on it as if it were a trees branch.
I hope this helps?
Michael x
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Michael
Junior Member
Hi, my name is Michael, looking to chat...
Posts: 99
Gender: Male
Dev Status: Disabled Male
Relationship Status: Single
|
Post by Michael on Jul 13, 2016 13:53:27 GMT -5
Welcome to the wide world of devs! Thank you very much, hello to you. The 'wide world of devs....' sounds intriguing, may I add? x
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Michael
Junior Member
Hi, my name is Michael, looking to chat...
Posts: 99
Gender: Male
Dev Status: Disabled Male
Relationship Status: Single
|
Post by Michael on Jul 13, 2016 12:30:04 GMT -5
Very welcome from another European dev. Hey Alexa, thank you so much. There are so many lovely caring devs and PWD's on PD x
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Michael
Junior Member
Hi, my name is Michael, looking to chat...
Posts: 99
Gender: Male
Dev Status: Disabled Male
Relationship Status: Single
|
Post by Michael on Jul 13, 2016 12:18:56 GMT -5
This is one I've been pondering over lately... For those of you who have PCA's who get you into bed and then out again in the morning - what do you do inbetween times? If for instance - you need a drink, you have an itch or a pain, you need to turn over, your covers slip off etc., etc., I'm sure you can think of a million other things that drive you to distraction during the night too. If you need help with these things, does your PCA generally live in, do you have a call button or something to contact them with? How do you get hold of someone if you need them? Also, how do you avoid feeling 'trapped' in your own body when you are out of your wheelchair? I would be inclined to panic knowing I couldn't move, even if I wanted to, but that's just my mindset. Have you got coping strategies for dealing with the mental side of things as well as the physical? A lot of questions there. Don't feel like you have to answer them all! Yours, Nosy as ever, Inky xx Great thread Inky, you've raised some interesting points. Being a Quad, I have a PCA, she sleeps in the spare bedroom, next door. She puts me into bed at night and makes me comfy with drinks and the TV remotes on the bedside table, and my mobile phone beside my pillow. I lie on my side / side and usually wake up with discomfort after about 4/5 hours. I have to ring her mobile to mobile and she comes through to turn me over. I have a 'monkey pole' to assist my top half and she moves my legs and positions my pillows etc.
It's not nice to lie awake unable to do anything other than lie there waiting for time to be turned over! There is a sense of feeling trapped that comes over me, the feeling of being paralysed! The worst thing to do is clock watch GRRRRR!
It's a great feeling when my PCA comes through in the morning to get me up!
You're not nosy Inky, perhaps inquisitive, with very valid questions. Ask away if more info / details required.
Michael x
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Michael
Junior Member
Hi, my name is Michael, looking to chat...
Posts: 99
Gender: Male
Dev Status: Disabled Male
Relationship Status: Single
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Post by Michael on Jul 13, 2016 11:48:19 GMT -5
Thank you very much Julia x
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Michael
Junior Member
Hi, my name is Michael, looking to chat...
Posts: 99
Gender: Male
Dev Status: Disabled Male
Relationship Status: Single
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Post by Michael on Jul 13, 2016 10:53:44 GMT -5
Welcome Jaymie
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Michael
Junior Member
Hi, my name is Michael, looking to chat...
Posts: 99
Gender: Male
Dev Status: Disabled Male
Relationship Status: Single
|
Post by Michael on Jul 13, 2016 10:39:55 GMT -5
Welcome Michael, I hope you enjoy your time here and make many friends. I'm a tetraplegic C4/5 complete, been in the chair now 38 years. Take care, Jon Hi Jon, thank you for the welcome, I am very grateful. You beat me, I'm 31 years post injury!
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Michael
Junior Member
Hi, my name is Michael, looking to chat...
Posts: 99
Gender: Male
Dev Status: Disabled Male
Relationship Status: Single
|
Post by Michael on Jul 13, 2016 10:27:51 GMT -5
Welcome from one quad to another! Im sure you'll enjoy it here. Hey, another Quad, thank you for the welcome, pleased to meet you. I'm already enjoying my time on PD. Everyone is so easy to talk to.
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Michael
Junior Member
Hi, my name is Michael, looking to chat...
Posts: 99
Gender: Male
Dev Status: Disabled Male
Relationship Status: Single
|
Post by Michael on Jul 13, 2016 9:56:21 GMT -5
Hi Michael, Welcome from a fellow UK Quad! :-)
Spurs 2000 - hey, a fellow UK Quad, pleased to meet you!
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Michael
Junior Member
Hi, my name is Michael, looking to chat...
Posts: 99
Gender: Male
Dev Status: Disabled Male
Relationship Status: Single
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Post by Michael on Jul 13, 2016 9:44:41 GMT -5
Thank you Betty, pleased to meet you x
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Michael
Junior Member
Hi, my name is Michael, looking to chat...
Posts: 99
Gender: Male
Dev Status: Disabled Male
Relationship Status: Single
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Post by Michael on Jul 13, 2016 9:43:31 GMT -5
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