Life on Wheels by Gary Karp – a book summary
I’ve read a few books about living with a disability, and some of my blogs will share a summary of each book. If you like the summary, please buy the book and read it. This review is for Life on Wheels by Gary Karp.
Kindle edition on Amazon.com.au
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I remember back to my non-disabled life, I hated the thought of being disabled and having to use a wheelchair for the rest of my life. How could I ever be happy about losing the ability to walk? I didn’t know about all the other things relating to paraplegia. A wheelchair isn’t something bad, it’s something great, that makes life easier
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Have a good relationship with a family doctor. Local GPs don’t always deal with disability all the time, so have to educate them
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Must work harder to maintain overall well-being, and less prone you will be to secondary conditions pertaining to your disability
- Pain is hard to diagnose
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Shoulder tendonitis is the most common tissue pain in longtime chair users. In SCI populations, studies have found rates of shoulder tendonitis as high as 31%. Another study equated shoulder pain to years of disability; it found 52% reporting pain after five years, 62% at 10 years, 72% at 15 years, and 100% at 20 years.
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Measures to keep your body flexible and strong. Be active, design exercises that do not stress tissues; adjust the wheelchair for optimal propulsion, and keep tires inflated
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Neuropathic pain – pain signals can result from sensory confusion in the body
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The least invasive approach to managing pain is always preferred
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Emotions have a great impact on pain
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Fostering friendships, having satisfying activities, and getting out into the world can play important roles in your health. They help keep you out of pain.
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The last resort to treating pain is surgery. Dorsal Rhizotomy is a procedure to cut nerves to simply turn off the pain impulse. 65% success rate.
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The more strength your shoulders have, the more they can weather the demands placed on them by full-time wheeling
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Our muscles tighten with overuse, so stretching to help them maintain this elasticity is another factor component of proactive safety for your shoulders
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Pressures sores can be serious enough to kill, if not cared for properly
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At its worst, a severe sore can progress into the tendon, muscle, and even bone issues. Such sores are likely to require surgery
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A long nursing facility stay will be necessary to allow the skin to integrate itself into the new location and for the wound where the flap was take taken to heal
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Prevention with skincare – you can prevent pressure sores with vigilant skincare every day 1) regularly inspect areas that receive pressure 2)use the appropriate wheelchair cushion, and maintain it well 3) do push-ups often in your wheelchair for pressure relief
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Use a tilt or recline system with your wheelchair
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Do not use rough or irritating undergarments
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Do not wear loose undergarments – wrinkles can cause increased pressure in small areas
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Keep your buttocks clean
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If your skin is dry, use moisturisers in areas of regular contact
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If your skin is wet, bacteria and fungi can grow. Moist is different from wet
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Eat a balanced diet rich in nutrients needed for skin health
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Rashes – look in the narrow places that don’t get much light or air. Dry these areas well, even using a hairdryer on a cool setting if needed
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