In many of my writings I have been encouraging people to
empower themselves by developing a positive attitude and
taking control of the situation in which they find themselves.                        
My wife pointed out two articles in our local newspaper
discussing two families; one was the Giffords / Kelly family,
who recently encountered major trauma in their lives and how
they were approaching it. I think a lot of people believe that
their options in handling life's misfortunes are limited. I believe
it's a big mistake to make either this assumption or to assume
that life is safe. At best, life is unpredictable and full of challenges
BUT anyone can effectively deal with life's challenges if they are
willing to make the effort. How then do we begin to embark on
such a course? Do you realize the strength to handle life’s
adversities already lies within you? Let me assure you of its
existence that becomes most obvious when you look at people who
have faced major challenges in their lives. Notable among those
individuals are former presidential candidate John McCain who
suffered through five years of torture in a North Vietnamese prison
camp, Lance Armstrong who returned from a near death experience
with cancer to win seven consecutive Tours de France, a physically
demanding bicycle race which lasts 21 days and covers over 2200
miles. Elizabeth Edwards who recently passed away after losing her
struggle with breast cancer and Eric Weihenmeyer who although
blind climbed Mount Everest in 2001 are others to mention only a
few. More recently Kevin Everett (Buffalo Bills) and Bob Woodruff
(ABC News Anchor) both were seriously injured but found the ability
to face and overcome their adversity; and most recently Gabrielle
Giffords who continues to show the effects of having a positive
attitude and determination. Currently, medical research indicates
positive attitude of those injured aids in recovery. To be successful
in the short run and in the long run one needs to face life’s
challenges directly and with a positive attitude. The sooner you
begin, the more successful you will be. Believing you have no
control, giving less than your best effort, cutting corners and taking
shortcuts now will only make it more difficult in the future. Later
when you face a serious challenge you may not believe you have
the strength or ability to deal with it. As Beverly Sills stated “There
are no shortcuts to any place worth going”. Instead, the opposite
is true. Positive attitude, commitment, and dedication will help in
your effort to succeed in dealing with life’s adversities.

Included here are eleven suggestions by psychologist Irma Johnston for staying positive
in the face of a major challenge.

Once I mastered picking up flat objects I turned my attention to trying to create something that would allow me to pick up round or cylindrical shaped items. This is a great example of what I mean by keeping it simple and inexpensive. Again, it was a matter of trial, error and frustration. What I ended up with is simple and performs many different functions. All you need is a length of strong rope and an "S" hook. The rope I use is called Spectra Cord and can be purchased in most stores which sell outdoor equipment. The "S" hook I took off one of my wife's hanging plants. By pure luck the opening of the hook fits securely around the neck of a soda bottle so I can easily pick up a bottle I drop. The "S" hook could also be bent to achieve a desired opening. If you feed the hook through the loop in the handle you can use it to pick up objects with a greater diameter such as the four battery flashlight in the picture. In making the handle it is best to use a knot called a bowline which can never get any tighter, so you do not have to worry about the rope tightening on your hand. The knot on the other end is a double half hitch. That knot is one that never loosens once it is tight. The rope can be fastened directly to the "S" hook but I found it more functional to make the connection with a rapid link, also available in any outdoor store. In the photos you can see pictures of how to tie the 2 knots. You also can place a magnet on the hook to pick up pieces of metal that you have dropped and a Velcro loop to the handle Will let you pick up some types of material.

Once you start using the rope and hook you will find many other things to do with it. Re: Closing doors, picking up most things that have a loop on it (which is why I put a loop on most everything I use).
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWndfJbRcxg

I have become convinced over the last twelve years that attitude is much more important to individuals who are physically challenged than ability. To look on a new situation not as a problem but as a challenge needing to be met, may actually set one’s mind free of the mental restraints which prevent one from finding a solution.

Attitude towards the future will play a great role in how one adapts to any new lifestyle. I am sure there are many people who would look at me confined to a wheelchair and think that it is probably one of the worst things that could happen to anyone. It doesn't matter what other people think, what is important is what I think. I had little control over what happened to me but I have almost complete control over how I deal with my situation, and feeling in control is critical to progress and recovery. What I believe and how I handle the results of my accident will determine how I live and enjoy the rest of my life. I have good days and bad days but ultimately the control of my situation and attitude rests within me.

I know I have the ability to cope with what has happened to me, and I can decide how I will handle this and subsequent challenges I will face. The strength to deal positively with any challenge is in every one of us. I do not see myself as a person with a disability I see myself as being challenged. Christopher Reeve said "I refuse to allow a disability to determine how I will live my life. I don't mean to be reckless, but setting a goal that seems a bit daunting actually is very helpful toward recovery."