OH HOYER LIFT, OH HOYER LIFT

Oh, Hoyer Lift.

Oh, Hoyer Lift.

You scare the crap out of me.

Hence, the need for adult undergarments.

Which are not chic at all.

You may be right for some, but not for me.

Bring back my sit-and-stand ASAP.

 

SH*T HAPPENS

 

If you think wearing an adult undergarment would be convenient.

I can assure you they are not.

Why do you think they are delivered discreetly? \

In an unmarked box?

Under the cover of darkness?

Because...

SH*T HAPPENS.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

'

 Today, I learned what the phrase 'it takes a village' means. I am grateful for mine.

ASSISTED LIVING

I am grateful to be living in an ISL rather than a long-term care facility. However, that doesn't stop me from wondering what it would be like living in assisted living. Remember the Senior Swifties in Sedalia, Missouri? I still want to be one. 

 A lady in assisted living was on TikTok baking KC Chiefs cookies for the other residents to enjoy. Her dream is to meet Patrick Mahomes.

FRIENDS UNTIL THE END

I was invited to a bridal shower; I was honored to be asked. I always think that because I don't hear from my friends that often, they have forgotten about me. How wrong I was.  

FRIENDSHIP

A photo booth.\

Sushi.

Dietary Bingo.

Laughing until mt stomach hurts.

A drinking straw paper in my hair.

Advice.

Support and encouragement

Fake balls of snot thrown in my room.

Fairytales

Friendship.

Name That Tune Bingo

Staff Karaoke.

Happy Hour with Sterling.

Margaritas.

A Mexican Sea Breeze

Frida Kahlo Day.

Pineapple Pizza.

Friendship.

 

JUNE 14rh and 15th 2025

No king

America's not a monarchy

It is a democracy.

/June 14, 2025

No king protests thrived.

Americans united.

Not divided.

One goal.

Save democracy

Take our country back from a dictator.

A tiny king for a small-minded man

 

Father's Day.

A silly Bitmoji.

With a message that's still true.

Dad, I love you.

All my accomplishments.

You missed them.

I was a teacher, a volunteer, and a writer, too.

A blogger, vlogger, and influencer, to name a few.

I hope that you saw it all.

I love and miss you, Dad/

I always will.

HEY, REMEMBER ME?

 

Hey, it would have been nice to have been included. 

"Socialize with your peers," I am told.

Yeah, I tried/

But no more.

Remember me?

I am the square peg.

Trying to fit.

It is not working/

I fear my peers are able-bodied.

They remember me.

They accept me

I know I am weird.

I like art, writing, and making videos.

My able-bodied friends encourage my weirdness.

Remember me?

THE WORRY TREE

Caregivers please.

Leave your worries on the worry tree outside your client's door.'

Be present.

Be patient.

That's all your clients ask for.

Feeling overwhelmed?

Take a break.

Go outside.

They know you have lives.

But don't toss your clients aside.

Your worries are not theirs.

They count on you to interact with them.

With kindness and a sprinkling of love.

Find your worry tree.

Put your worries on its branches.

Then you and your clients will have an awesome day.

 

GRATITUDE AND KETCHUP CHIPS

. 

 They deserve a break today. Show your caregiver some love.  Their job is hard. (And thankless)

Avril Lavigne impressed me on the NGL with Kylie podcast. Am I too old to go punk? When I can, I am ordering Ketchup chips. They are imported from Canada and can be purchased on Amazon.

LOVE IS LOVE

Be yourself.

Love who you choose

Follow your heart.

And you'll never lose

#Loveislove

 

GRIEF IS LOVE THAT HAS OVERFLOWED

 

I can't put my grief in a box with a bow

Where will all the love go?

I grieve for people.

I grieve for pets.

I grieve for my old life.

The house that was home for 57 years.

The house that was home for 6 years.

Where will all the love go?

I grieve for the fun in LTC

Okay, so it wasn't all peachy.

Where will all the love go?

I grieve for relationships that are no longer.

I wish they could have been stronger

Where will all the love go?

I grieve for things that can never be,

That's just me/

If I put my grief in a box with a lock and a bow.

Where will all the love go?

My grief is a sign that the things I hold dear are still near.

Where will all the love go? 

THANK YOU FOR OUR FREEDOM

Thank you for fighting and paying the ultimate price so that Americans can be free 

This is a beautiful song. It makes me cry. God Bless the USA. I am embarrassed by our president, but I love my country.

 

THE UNRAVELING OF OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

I am afraid for all Americans. But especially the elderly and people with disabilities, most of all.

SOLD OUT IN THE LOU

Found on Printblur.com

 Yes, it is sad but true. Matt Rife's Stay Golden Tour is sold out in the Lou. I was bummed. I am bummed/ Then I made this second video just for fun. 

I WAS TOO CHICKEN

Take Risks.

Live your life.

Don't wimp out.

 

SOME GET IT, OTHERS DON'T

 

I lack sitting or standing balance. If I am not supported, I will fall like a ton of bricks.

THANKS FOR INVITIMG ME

Being included in events is so important to someone with a disability.

 

THANK YOU, MOM

This is how Mom and I spent hot summer afternoons when I was young. 

Forgive my hair. 

It was 1976.

The movie A Star Is Born was out.

I was obsessed with Barbra Streisand,

My perm was just like hers.

I thought I looked so cool.

It never gets easier.

My mom did everything she could to make happy.

Trips, concerts, and soap opera weekends.

We did it all.

Because she knew that there'd come a day when I might not be able to,

She crammed all the fun. All the memories into five decades.

Thank you, Mom

It never gets easier.

 

3 IN 3 (THE MATT RIFE EDTION)

If this is a hit, it could become a column.  Picture it. (Thank you, Sophia.) Me, the next Katie Couric, or at least Carrie Bradshaw/ (Yes, I know Carrie Bradshaw is fictional. Work with me here, people.)

Hmm... Is Mrs. Obama available?

.

TRUST

Trust between a client and their caregiver is essential. I have had caregivers since 2005. Trusting a new caregiver is always difficult for   me, I have failed so many times, I keep trying.

 

SUNDAY RAMBLE

RFK Jr is cruel to want to cut services like Meals on Wheels. This service's meal might be the only meal the person gets for the day. How does he sleep at night?  People depend on this service. And his erroneous beliefs concerning people who are autistic.  Again, how does he sleep at night? Our country needs to build people up. Do not tear them down by destroying their dignity.

 Do not allow nursing homes to become a dumping ground for the mentally ill. Those who struggle with mental illness are often put in nursing homes by their guardians/family. As a consequence, these individuals do not get proper placement and treatment. Nor are they given a say as to their treatment,

TO ALL MISSOURI LEGISLATORS

Please don't forget about the elderly in long-term-care communities. Please don't forget the disabled community in Missouri.  We vote. We contribute to our community. We are of value. 

 

A STAYCATION AND GRIEF'S EXPERATION DATE

I'd love to visit a winery. Good food, beautiful scenery, and let's not forget the wine. I want to feel free for a day.
 

There is no expiration to grieving. That being said, I also think that taking time to grieve and reflect shows respect to the person who has passed.

ALL KINDS OF TOPICS

 

I think these two posts cover everything. What do you think?

SIXTY-EIGHT TRIPS AROUND THE SUN

My maternal grandmother was seventy when I was born. Just two years older than I will be in a few days.  When I was a child, seventy seemed an ancient age. It doesn't seem old at all now. Funny how that works, isn't it?

 

CAREGIVING IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART

Caregivers. Your job is an important one. Your job is not about you. It is about making the lives of those you care for better. Happier. Caregiving is about communication and respect for both caregiver and client.  Without that, the relationship is destined to fail.

Never tell your client you are a caregiver for the money, even if that's true.  Clients sense things, even non-verbal clients. Care is the first part of the word caregiver, so it's assumed.

Caregiving is messy, intrusive, and downright gross, but without caregivers, millions of people could not live full and productive lives.

Caregiving is the most difficult but rewarding job a person can have.

It's not for the faint of heart.

 

MATT RIFE'S COMEDY BRINGS INCLUSION TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL

Gallery Books

Matt Rife's comedy is vulgar and peppered with tons of profanity. No one is safe from being roasted by him, not even people with disabilities. I have watched all of his specials on Netflix and YouTube. His remarks come from a place of love and acceptance. He wants to make people happy.  People with disabilities love to be roasted by him. I call his humor filth with a heart. He talks to his audience in a way that makes them feel as though they are talking to a friend.  He doesn't see a disability, just a person.

Thank you, Matt, for including everyone. And I mean everyone.

I BET YOU CAN'T TOP THIS

 The comments people have made to me. The things that have happened to me are sometimes unbelievable . 

WHAT'S THE DEAL?

I am so tired of race, religion, and ethnicity being factors in acceptance.  Wake up, everyone. There are many times I am embarrassed to be white. The white race is no better than any other race. 

This administration has made being white something to be ashamed of.  I am a woman with a disability. According to our administration, I am not worth much. 

 #handsoff #resist Take our country back.

LOVE ON THE SPECTRUM AND MORE

April is Autism Awareness Month. In this video, I discuss my experience teaching a young adult with autism and share more insights. 

 

IT"S NOT CHRISTMAS BUT...

 Indulge me. I wondered what my mom was thinking as she knitted my Christmas stocking.  What emotions was she feeling?  She had no way of knowing I would have a disability. On my first Christmas, I was a fat, happy baby. What were her hopes for me that Christmas?

CAN SOMEONE WHO NEEDS CARE PROVIDE CARE?

 

I hope I made my mom's last months on this Earth comfortable and happy. I wanted her free from pain. Rest in Peace, Mom. I would give anything for one more day with you. I love you.

 

A LONG ROAD, BUT I DID IT

The road to achieving my goals of getting an undergrad and a master's degree was bumpy, filled with potholes and naysayers. I was on the verge of quitting, but my career took a different path. I did not become a social worker, graduate school in the 80s is not something I'd wish to repeat. I can say with pride that I got through it. I did not let the naysayers stop me.

 

MELVYN WAS A GREAT MAN

 I learned so much from Melvyn. Your life can still be meaningful despite being in an LTC.  He did not demand respect; his presence commanded it. 

MY WACKY STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS ON A MONDAY

This video has a little bit of everything. From my favorite bands and books to Insta. Check it out.

 

I'M A SQUARE PEG TRYING TO FIT IN

I am a square peg (square being the operative word) trying to fit into a world that was not made for people with disabilities. Trying to adapt. Trying to be seen and heard, If I go out to dinner, I expect to be included in the conversation of those I'm dining with. Not to just eat my food while the others in the group chatter away. I try to break into the conversation, but I am ignored. I am the only person with a disability. I was good for a smiling photo op of the group. I was invited; not included. This was not my first time. It won't be the last. 

I am grateful to friends and family who accept and include me for me. 

 

A BABY BEAR IS BORN

Illustrations by Gerrie Brinker

My book would not have become a reality without my family's unwavering support.

SHE WAS THE BEST

JoAnn took this photo of me with Paulette

 So many memories. JoAnn was like a sister to me. 

GOSSIP GIRL IN A THNUNDERSTORM

 

I loved Rona Barrett, her magazines, and TV specials.  As a teen, she was my idol.

Tornado sirens, hail, and wind. Every storm my mind\ goes back to the storm on Good Friday, April 22, 2011

My favorite magazine

   Thunder and lightning yikes.

I AM NOT MY LABEL

The first time I realized how disabled I really was. It was sobering  

 

Read this post for more on this topic: https://confessionsofadisableddiva.blogspot.com/2020/03/see-me_46.html 

TO ALL THE CHAIRS I'VE LOVED BEFORE

A manual wheelchair was okay, getting a power wheelchair expanded my world by allowing me the freedom to explore it on my own. Freedom.

 

IT'S BACKWARD

 

Billionaires do not have a cap on how much they can earn. Those of us with disabilities do We are the largest minority group in this country. What is wrong with this picture?

THESE DREAMS

 

Thanks to Julie Boyer for the photo

I have many dreams. Most of them you'd laugh at.    Living where there are palm trees and warm weather is one, Oh, and a sparkling blue sky.\