Anything But Ordinary

Peer Mentoring with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation

Kristi — Tue, 15 May 2012 04:37:00 GMT

Think back to when you were first injured and how you felt. No doubt you were overwhelmed, scared, and probably a little lost among thoughts of life in a wheelchair. Now consider how you might have felt if someone with a similar injury had come in and answered your questions. Surely it would have helped you cope and reduce those overwhelming feelings.

At the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation we are trying to make sure someone who has shared the experience with injury -- a peer -- will be there to help those dealing with spinal cord trauma. The national Peer and Family Support Program (PFSP) is just getting rolling and my new job is regional coordinator for six states; there are five other regional coordinators around the country. We are currently recruiting peer mentors, men and women of all ages and locations with various injury levels/spinal diseases (cerebral palsy, MS, spina bifida, etc.).

The idea is to provide one-on-one support to anyone, new injury or old, who would like to talk to a mentor. Being able to talk to someone who shares your circumstance can open the mind and body to so many things. Also, talking to someone experienced with his or her injury can help you get to know what works and what doesn’t.

We are also looking for family and caregiver mentors because, let’s face it, a disabling disease or injury affects everyone involved. If a caregiver needs a mentor one will be provided, in addition to one for the person who has the disability.

The peer mentoring program certifies all peer mentor volunteers at a training provided by the Reeve Foundation. We want our mentors to be the elite of the elite; you need to pass a test on basic knowledge, and you must pass a background check.

Peer mentoring is not commonly available if you don’t get admitted to one of the big spinal cord injury hospitals. I think back 17 years ago when I got paralyzed and how it would have been nice to see anyone my age in a wheelchair. During my three months in rehab I was surrounded by elderly people who had strokes or broken hips. It was a few years before I saw another woman in a wheelchair. Teenage years are incredibly hard anyway, and then to be one of the only girls in a wheelchair in my high school, it was difficult. I would have loved to talk to someone my age, my injury level, and asked her the million questions I had going on in my head. I didn’t really know how to ask someone who was able bodied because all the schooling and medical knowledge doesn’t help if one doesn’t deal with paralysis on a daily basis.

I finally started to get peer support through online means years after I was hurt. Whether it was a spinal cord injury message boards, joining the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation website, etc. it helped talking to people like me. I got a wealth of information, a lot of laughs and formed new friendships. I’ve met many people from these websites when I have traveled. Through this I have been able to talk about things that I just can’t talk about with my abled bodied friends -- there are some things that need to be discussed with another wheeler friend.

This is what we are hoping to gain from the PFSP. Someone you can talk to, someone who understands what you are going through, there to listen and answer any questions, totally confidential.

I have been mentoring for a few years now and it is one of the most rewarding experiences I have had. Sometimes a person just needs someone to talk to, to forget about therapy for the day. Whatever it may be I m available, there to listen and to help when I can.

If peer mentoring is something you would be interested in doing, fill out the form on the Peer and Family Support Program page. If you would like more information one of the regional coordinators in your area would be pleased to help. I’m here to answer any questions you may have too, just drop me a line in my inbox. I hope some of you will consider becoming mentors and share your experience and your knowledge.

What Happened To Airlines?

Kristi — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 23:28:00 GMT

I recently got back from a work training trip to Jacksonville, FL and have to say, my flight experience was anything but fun. My tickets were booked for me but had specific instructions on what I needed to get on and off a plane, including an aisle chair. I brought my dad along to help with transfers because quite frankly, I have never trusted the people that operate the aisle chair. Read More

It’s Coming Off

Kristi — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 05:52:00 GMT

I thought I would update you all on my weight loss journey as I have hit a few big milestones since June. I joined Weight Watchers back then, believing they would have a wheelchair scale (that’s what the lady on the phone told me). But when I arrived for my first meeting there was no scale – not until October when I officially started to get weighed. Weight Watcher’s costumer service was wonderful – I received two free months and some free snacks for my patience – but I wasn’t following the plan as well as I am now that I am getting weighed. Read More

That Went By Fast – So Long 2011

Kristi — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:31:00 GMT

Here we are in 2012 and I am thinking, where on earth did 2011 go? The year went by so incredibly fast. It just seems like yesterday it was Halloween and now we are starting a new year.

2011 started out bad for me, with my broken femur, again. Then I was stuck in bed or the recliner for two months waiting for the swelling to go down. A year later it’s almost 100 percent healed. I’m on Forteo now and I hope that increases bone density and I don’t have any more breaks. Read More

Budgeting for the Holidays

Kristi — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:22:00 GMT

Like a lot of folks these days, I live on a budget and can’t afford to buy the gifts I’d like to around this time of year for my loved ones. That’s why I lean towards giving a gift that is made with my very own two hands. One of my hobbies is crafting and one of my favorite things to make are customized photo frames. I started making these a few years ago and they are a huge hit with my friends -- so much so they want me to sell them. They are fairly simple to make, budget friendly, and the sky is the limit and what you can pick for a pattern for the frame when it comes to scrapbook paper. And who doesn’t love a gift from the heart? Read More

A Bittersweet Halloween

Kristi — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:42:00 GMT

Halloween is my most favorite holiday. If I had it my way Halloween would occur once a month. I start prepping my costume months ahead of time. Read More

Tis the Season to...Fall

Kristi — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 06:14:00 GMT

Some say we only have two seasons here in South Dakota – winter and road construction But one thing I love about living here is that we get seasons. All four of them. Read More

A Dream Come True

Kristi — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 18:22:00 GMT

It was a dream come true. I met the Dallas Cowboys a couple of weeks ago. I have been a fan of this team since I was 10 years old; I do not miss a game on TV and I try and get to see them play live at least once year. Read More

New Things

Kristi — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 20:21:00 GMT

I am the type of person who embraces change when it comes to just about anything. I think life without change is rather boring. At the same time, I am also hesitant to try new things. I've made it a goal this summer to try new things, more importantly, to try new food things -- I am one of the pickiest eaters in the world. Read More

Lazy People

Kristi — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 05:06:00 GMT

One of my biggest pet peeves is encountering a shopping cart left in or near an accessible parking spot. I know these lazy people don't believe that the access isle and the handicap sign are places for shopping carts, but this doesn't stop them from putting them there. What really ticks me off about these people is that the door and the cart cartels are within a very minimal walking distance. They have to walk to and from their vehicle, to and from the store, why not walk your cart back to one of these designated areas. It will only take a few moments of their time, yet seems like such a chore to do for some people. Read More

Gone Fishing

Kristi — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 04:20:00 GMT

I just got back from the annual Paralyzed Veterans of America North Central Chapter fishing trip in Chamberlain, SD, on the Missouri River. This is my second year and won't be my last. It’s great that PVA opens allows anyone in a wheelchair to attend this fishing event. Read More

Volunteering That Just Warms Your Heart

Kristi — Sat, 28 May 2011 16:51:00 GMT

I dusted off my crown and sash this past weekend and did an appearance as Ms. Wheelchair South Dakota for the 2011 Special Olympic Summer Games. Last year I appeared on the last day; this made such an impression on me that I just had to be there again this year. Read More

I Love Rock in Roll

Kristi — Tue, 17 May 2011 04:52:00 GMT

There is nothing like the rush of a rock concert, live and in person. This is one of my favorite things to do. If I am not sitting at a Dallas Cowboys game, I want to be in the presence of my favorite bands. Listening to your favorite artists on an iPod doesn't compare to seeing them live. I have been to well over 250 shows in my 31 years. I was born to rock! I have memories to last me a life time of all the fun I have had backstage, at VIP parties, and even onstage in front of 100,000 people at Music Midtown in Atlanta -- possible because I’ve met some amazing musicians who have taken me under their wing. Read More

A Farewell to an Amazing Year as Ms. Wheelchair South Dakota 2010

Kristi — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:21:00 GMT

My reign as Ms. Wheelchair South Dakota has come to an end and I have bittersweet emotions about this. I am going to miss being the one representative for the wonderful state of South Dakota and I am saddened that I am not passing the crown and opportunity onto another woman this year. After numerous attempts by many to find two candidates to run for this year’s South Dakota pageant, we were unsuccessful in finding anyone to compete. In this small state it is hard to find enough candidates; it is my hope we will have contestants next year. It is too great of an opportunity for women to pass up. Read More

Being Proactive in Your Hospital Care

Kristi — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 04:32:00 GMT

I was hospitalized twice this year at two different hospitals and the care couldn't have been more different. One was very good. The other one, I hope to never set foot in as an inpatient ever again. A stay in the hospital is never fun, but as I have learned, it is up to each of us to determine how we are treated during a stay. Read More