Any Disabled Members?

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Crazy1

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:howdy I was wondering if there are any Detail City Members or if you know somebody with a disability .Reason I ask is because i have a disability was told by my neurologist I had (spinocerebellar ataxia) and I have lost the desire to detail my cars and I don't want that to happen it's not like I can't detail my cars it is just more work from my part. I guess I'm in a slump anyways I just wanted to know how you guys/gals keep on detailing your cars or trucks .I can still walk with the assitance of a walker and do everything I need to detail my cars just at a slower speed.
If you guys /gals want to know about my disability visit www.ataxia.org/​
 
Re: Any Disabeld Members

Hi crazy,
Sorry to hear you have to live with a disability. I'm sure it takes a lot of "getup and go" out of you. I really don't know what to say other than, keep looking up, be strong, spend time with those you love, and stay as busy with living your life as you can.
Last year I bought a car that I had only dreamed of owning, but I was finely able to make my dream come true. Just having this car in the garage is great, I catch myself going out just to look it over now and then. Makes me smile:) .
I've always enjoyed washing and waxing my cars, but I really wasn't an autopian. Matter of fact, my cars didn't get nearly as much attention as they should have, but I did enjoy washing and waxing when I did get to do it. Well, when I bought this car, I wanted to be very involved with it. I wanted to drive it, do as much work on it as I was capable of, such as oil and filter changes and minor repair stuff when needed...........and hey, I could spend a lot of quality time working with the car by learning too, and then doing really fine detailing, making the car look as perfect as I thought is was.
DC and other forums, that have to remain nameless, have not only help teach me the art of detailing, but have made it interesting and fun. It's nice to know others enjoy, at this level, taking care of their automobiles.
I find detailing a time of relaxation for me and I get a great deal of satisfaction with the finished product of my labor (as if one ever gets done, always something else:)).
I do hope with the problems you have to deal with that you can get some enjoyment out of, not only detailing, but also the comradery we have here on DC. It's good to know your doing what you can........Keep smiling,.......Tom

PS:My former sister-in-law has Cerebral Palsy. She has for her entire life been bound to a wheel chair, needs help to the bathroom, getting dressed, etc., etc.. She never took her disability as an excuse to not do her best. She finished high school in a pubic school, went on to USF and got her Masters Degree in Sociology, bought her own house when she got out of college and then bought many more properties and became a landlord. She raised Collies and showed them all over the east coast. She's done all this from a wheel chair. Brave girl..........
 
Re: Any Disabeld Members

A good friend of mine was one of the last victims of Polio. It hit him when he was 16 years old and left him paralyzed from the waist down.
He wears leg braces and walks with a crutch or crutches depending on the circumstances.
What he uses is a different type of crutch than what you usually think of. It is almost like a cane that has a stainless steel cuff at the top that goes around the lower part of his arm.
He actually can walk with only one by swinging one leg at a time. It requires a tremendous amount of strength in the upper body and puts unbeliveable loads on his braces. He literally wears out a set of braces in a year or two.
He is now in his late 50's and often uses both crutches since he now tires more easily.
Anyway, this guy has built a 1935 Dodge coupe street-rod, restored a 1969 Chevelle hard-top and is just finishing a custom restoration of a 1965(?) Dodge powered by a 440 six-pack. He has done almost all the work except painting and upholstery himself. He uses a creeper and a creeper seat to get around his garage and will sometimes just drag himself across the floor to get somewhere. It's easier for him that getting up and getting the crutch.
The 1935 Dodge is really something else. The body is all stock and original. It has aftermarket wire wheels with big rubber. The tires and wheels give it away immediately so it isn't a sleeper. It has a custom interior with buckets, tilt wheel, air conditioning, automatic tranny, cruise control, all the comforts. The engine is a built Mopar small block, but I don't remember the displacement. If I remember correctly, it has a Mustang II front end and a Corvette rear end with disc brakes all around.
He hunts, mows his own yard, (with a tractor/mower), plows his own snow, (with a blade on the tractor) and has gotten himself into some situations, but it doesn't slow him down much. Like getting the tractor stuck and having to drag himself about 100' to the house to get his crutches.
He drives without special controls by lifting his leg from the accelerator to the brake when needed. It's not as scary as it sounds since he does it quite well.
He does his own washing, polishing/waxing although it is rather slow going.
He really doesn't expect or want any special consideration and I think I'm about the only one he ever lets help him. I think it's because I alway ask him what to do so it doesn't look like I'm helping. I don't hold a door for him, I just swing it open hard enough that he can catch it with his crutch. When he gets up from a table, I support it with a knee under the table so it won't tip while he uses it to push himself up. That type of thing.
PM me if you would like for me to ask him about talking to you. He can be quite an inspiration.

Charles
 
Re: Any Disabeld Members

Hello
Yes I have parkensons,and still keep going. Just takes me alittle longer to do things now.
I just finished makeing a mobile unit so I can work almost anywhere. I have to keep moveing or my body starts to jump,and ache.
Just keep going and do what you can. keep as fit as you can.
 
Re: Any Disabeld Members

Hi. I'm sorry this happened.
Our province offers an initial subsidy to hire poeple with physical or mental disabilities. I would hire someone in a wheelchair in a second if it would put him or her on the right career path (detailing as a career, management opportunity). There are only a handful of things in my shop that he or she couldn't do when we got a system set up.
 
Re: Any Disabeld Members

I am in a wheelchair with one good arm. I have multiple sclerocis and all I can say is do what you can and if you enjoy it and can do it go for it.
It is alot more work I know but things happen and we must move forward and enjoy what we have and what we can still do.:)
 
Re: Any Disabeld Members

Great advice from everyone. I am also disabled and although detailing kicks my rear when i do it. I still do it because i enjoy a good looking vehicle. I went through the whole pitty process many many years ago as most do when they hear this kind of news. It does no good to you or your family. I was pretty depressed for about 1-2 years about he whole thing but that did me no good and actually made things worse. So i finally decided hey this is what God has handed me and i have to dealwith it and accept it and move on. I live in pain everyday of my life and in fact take Morphine daily to help control the pain. I have taken on a car/truck hobby and have been building my truck up over the last few years whihc has given me a great sense of accomplishment. Do what you can and be happy with that. I know when i have to detail my truck becasue it is so big i have to do it in sections.
Keep you head up and let the detailing be your escape.

Here is a little bit on both of the diseases i have.

http://www.spondylitis.org/about/as.aspx

http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/osteonecrosis/index.htm

RIchard
 
Re: Any Disabeld Members

Although I am not disabled my Grandmother has polio so I have been around someone in that situation all my life. It never stopped her though. I look at her and am just in awe at times. I commend you all for not letting your "disability" (God I hate that phrase, they make it sound like there is something wrong with you) get in the way of anything.
 
Re: Any Disabeld Members

Thanks for the advice everybody!! like (97F1504x4) mentioned he went through the pitty process .I'm going through the pitty process also I'm depressed and I don't enjoy detailing like I use to .But I see if I let my self get down I won't enjoy life you are all great inspirations some of you are worse than me and your still living your life to the fullest.Thanks Again!!
 
Re: Any Disabeld Members

Crazy1 said:
Thanks for the advice everybody!! like (97F1504x4) mentioned he went through the pitty process .I'm going through the pitty process also I'm depressed and I don't enjoy detailing like I use to .But I see if I let my self get down I won't enjoy life you are all great inspirations some of you are worse than me and your still living your life to the fullest.Thanks Again!!
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When I get down (and I am a lot these days as I just lost my job) I try to think of things this way.

At my last job I worked on the second floor of a 15 story building and out of my office window there was a person that I noticed sleeping under a parking ramp. At first I did not pay a whole lot of attention to this person. Then after about 2 weeks my curiosity got the best of me and on a rainy cold night as I was leaving I saw this person come back to their spot. I thought I would go talk to them. So here I am in my office attire wearing a $700 cashmere wool coat and I approach this person. I felt like a total a$$ trying to talk to the person and relate to them. Well this person turned out to be Michelle, she was 25 and homeless. Had no money, had been living on the streets since her daughter died. I sat down under the ramp with her and talk to her for about 20 mins and offered to buy her dinner. After she declined I offered to take her home with me for the weekend and she again declined. I ended up taking her to a motel for the weekend and paid for her room from Friday to Sunday to get her out of the cold. I wanted to get her some good food and some supplies but all she wanted was White Castle.

I went home that night and just cried in my fiancés arms feeling so sorry for her. We went and bought her clothing and got her food that she could keep with her on the street and a big military duffle bag and some cash. My fiancé and I went to her hotel room that Saturday night and spent about 3 hours with her chatting and trying to find out how we could help. She had my # and we left. I ran into her one other time in the skyways and bought her and her friend lunch and gave her $10 for smokes.

What’s the point of the story? Whenever I get down I think, "Where is Michelle tonight?" I’m out of a job and lost making some good money at a place I poured everything into for over 2 years, but I have a home, clothing on my back, food in my fridge, a loving family and I am engaged to a woman that would die for me. I think I am pretty lucky, as are all of you.

So next time you get down, think to yourself, I wonder what bridge Michelle is sleeping under tonight? I wonder what garbage can Michelle is eating out of tonight. I wonder how many men Michelle had to fend off tonight being female and homeless. Just think about that and realize how blessed you really are.

-KGB-
 
Re: Any Disabeld Members

hey crazy, i think richard and glen are a great example for us all. their attitudes are positive and upbeat. i can't stand the term disability as i think it says "i'm useless". no one is ever useless or a burden. everyone in life has times when they feel down, or in a slump and that is o.k. when i was 18 my mom died and i thought the world was over, three years later my dad died and i was totally lost. thankfully, my wife(fiance at the time) taught me how to be positive again. it will come back to you, one small step at a time. the best therapy i find is when i feel down, i think of the great things in my life. i think everyone can honestly the good outways the bad when they really think about it. you may be abit slower but your heart will get you through what you love doing. and when you are down, you got your d.c. family to chat with :howdy
 
Re: Any Disabeld Members

maximv1 said:
hey crazy, i think richard and glen are a great example for us all. their attitudes are positive and upbeat. That is true I just don't know how to be positive and upbeat with something like this .
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Re: Any Disabeld Members

Crazy1, you might find a community helps. I played wheelchair basketball as an able bodied teen and it was great for the para & quad players, as well as for us. My church has been really supportive through a tough time this year, and twice I've found great community playing poker with one group and playing Settlers of Catan weekly with another.

Just an idea.
 
Re: Any Disabeld Members

PEI Detail said:
Crazy1, you might find a community helps. I played wheelchair basketball as an able bodied teen and it was great for the para & quad players, as well as for us. My church has been really supportive through a tough time this year, and twice I've found great community playing poker with one group and playing Settlers of Catan weekly with another.

Just an idea.
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That is a great thing as well as a great idea. I would suggest talking with someone about it. Coming here and talking like this is also a good thing. I know at one point i became very pissed off about the whole thing and that is when i kind of turned the whole pitty party into a positive spin. I figure God made me this way so I could stay home and raise my kids the proper way and not be a typical two parent at work household like so many are today and that this was simply his way to make sure my kids grew up right.

Crazy are you married? Have kids? Family is a great support system for most use them. Also do not be afraid to cry about this you have to go throw the pitty process it is actually part of the healing to accept it. Like PEI said I suggest finding a church or even and online support group. I am certain you can find a forum like this that is for and about your disease. Another thing this is a bad time of year for feeling sad with all the dark skies and rain is maybe once the Sun comes out you will start to turn. I myself hate winter as it puts me in a funk and you may be experiencing that right now as well.

Richard
 
Thanks for the advice everbody I did not realize there was so many places that help people with disaibilitys .I guess I have been holding my self back because of my disability even when I'm able to do so many things.And yes (97F1504x4) this is a good place to talk I have been in a slump for 3-4 months now an I'm tired I need to start enjoying life again . Thanks again for all the advice and support.
 
Re: Any Disabeld Members

97F1504x4 said:
Great advice from everyone. I am also disabled and although detailing kicks my rear when i do it.
Here is a little bit on both of the diseases i have.

http://www.spondylitis.org/about/as.aspx

http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/osteonecrosis/index.htm

RIchard
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We are in a similar situation with the health problems you've listed, I'm going in for a spinal fusion on the 13th. I too have advanced arthritis in my back. I'm also told by multiple surgeons that nothing further can be done with my knees short of replacement (read nothing left to work with). Both shoulders and one elbow follows suit. It's kind of funny this thread has come up. I've been feeling pretty sorry for myself lately not to mention I can't feel my left leg. (lol) :) I've apparently done some damage to the nerve root.

I'm familiar with the saying and KNOW it to be correct: be kind to everyone, for each person that you pass is struggling with a problem greater than your own. Sometimes it just doesn't feel that way.

I really like detailing as a hobby but each vehicle I finish is a labor of love. I truly pay for each one of them. The doctor says I qualify for a handicapped license plate. I didn't ever think I could see myself doing this. Then I stopped and thought about it, nice wide parking space, no dings, hmmm.......
 
Re: Any Disabeld Members

97F1504x4 said:
Another thing this is a bad time of year for feeling sad with all the dark skies and rain is maybe once the Sun comes out you will start to turn. I myself hate winter as it puts me in a funk and you may be experiencing that right now as well.

Richard
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Man, that's sure the truth.
Other than being an old coot, I'm in pretty good shape and the winter weather not only depresses me, it seems to make me more moody.
Things that I would just ignore or accept get me a lot more upset than they should.
Billy Packer for instance.:D

Charles
 
winters suck and being a person who has to stay busy I find it very hard to do so. This site has helped so much and all that you can learn from it is great. Being in the sun or getting a certain amount of sun on a regulare basis is healthy thats for sure. I am outside more than inside working in my yard and such ,but having detailing in my life gives me something to do in my garage .
Having limitations is always a challenge but there is good in every new day and we just have to find it and enjoy what we have. "it can always be worse"
This site is great and the members are awsome!I am truely glad I found it.
 
Re: Any Disabeld Members

GearHead_1 said:
We are in a similar situation with the health problems you've listed, I'm going in for a spinal fusion on the 13th. I too have advanced arthritis in my back. I'm also told by multiple surgeons that nothing further can be done with my knees short of replacement (read nothing left to work with). Both shoulders and one elbow follows suit. It's kind of funny this thread has come up. I've been feeling pretty sorry for myself lately not to mention I can't feel my left leg. (lol) :) I've apparently done some damage to the nerve root.

I'm familiar with the saying and KNOW it to be correct: be kind to everyone, for each person that you pass is struggling with a problem greater than your own. Sometimes it just doesn't feel that way.

I really like detailing as a hobby but each vehicle I finish is a labor of love. I truly pay for each one of them. The doctor says I qualify for a handicapped license plate. I didn't ever think I could see myself doing this. Then I stopped and thought about it, nice wide parking space, no dings, hmmm.......
Click to expand...

Yeah i actually need both knees,hips and shoulders replaced but will not have that done until the pain is to the point i simply cannot control it at all any more. Doctor also told me i could possibly end up having to get the new joints replaced every 10 years depending on how they wear. So i said screw that let me know when they last longer. Just so all of you understand I am only 43 and was told all this news about 16 years ago. Being a man and having to have your wife go out and be the major bread winner is also something else that screws with your head. Society is a large part of the blame for that. In society the Man is suppose to be the financial support for the family well sometimes things happen. I also struggled with the whole Disabled plate thing and got to a point where i said screw it i need it and that is the bottom line. Do not be ashamed to have one or use it. I happen to have a bit of a temper and have cussed a few people out for there looks when i park in a handicapped spot especially since i drive a big lifted truck. I have no patience for stupid people who think they know me and that i should not be parking there. I have had a few people say things to me under the breath and o boy does that set me off. I have asked a few of those people if they Know me and when they say NO I then reply with " Then maybe you should STFUp and mind your own business" Anyway enough with all that. Keep your head up life is ot over and you have people that care for you. Find something you like and dive into it. I have been working on my truck for tha past few years and it has given me a great sense of accomplishment even though working on it has kicked my rear at times nad had be bed ridden for a few days.

Richard
 
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