All posts by JamieJordan

Life is a journey I’m glad I have wheels

It's Your move
It’s Your move

 

 

 My life isn’t what I want it to be right now. I get frustrated some days because I live with my parents, and have been struggling to accomplish my goals in this life – like finishing this book. I have to remind myself that most people are in this same situation.

People have been asking me what my goal is with using the standing frame. I don’t know what the “goal” is, it just seems like a step in the right direction. It’s not been an easy step. It’s been really hard. As a matter of fact it’s been the most painful and mentally challenging things I’ve ever done. Painful to the point that more than once I’ve thought that I might black out because my body didn’t want to do what I wanted. People have asked what the benefits to this kind of training are. If you asked me if getting up in the standing frame twice a week was something I wanted to do, the answer would be, “no”.

But there are some things that we do because it makes us a better person. I’ve taken a lot of physical pain during this training. It may make me mentally stronger, it may make me physically stronger, but either way it will make me stronger, and that is worth the pain.

A lot of people in this day in age get hung up on their struggles. They look at their own situation and say, “Look at how tough MY life is!” They are willing to tell anyone who will listen about their personal struggles. Someone is always complaining about their childhood or their bad day from last week or how their cat threw up on the carpet this morning, which ruined their whole day, etc etc.. We all have stuff that’s happened. There’s nothing wrong with sharing your personal stories with others. Personal stories help to connect us and open us up to others emotionally, but the people that are constantly complaining about woes on a day to day basis need to re-evaluate what is happening in the life around them and either make some positive changes or look at things in a different way, so that the positive can be found no matter what the situation.

So when I’m in that standing frame suffering pain just from standing that most people would feel after running 10 miles or so, I get pissed off upset too.

My physical therapist says I am much harder on myself than he is on me. He deals with a lot of people who come in complaining of pain and if they have to endure pain to make the pain better, he says most people aren’t willing to do that. Most people aren’t willing to deal with pain management or soreness to self-improve.

I didn’t get to the point I wanted to get to in the standing frame this week. I was still too sore to sleep last night because of my efforts, but I wanted more success still.

There are a lot of people willing to complain, but are they willing to make the changes and do what they need to do in order to make their lives better?

The standing frame is not going to allow me to get a job or magically allow me to become more independent, but it is something I can do to make my life better. I feel that if I do this, there are other doors that will open if I take the initiative. This is something available to me and within my power that I can do as I wait for those opportunities to open up. I have no clue what those opportunities are and I still spend too much time on a daily basis worrying about where I need to be, but I can’t just dwell on that. I have to be doing something to improve myself. 

Update

Most of this was written a couple years ago and I still feel the same way. If you are not happy with the direction of your life, then you have to do something to change it. I’m not saying quit your job, or leave your spouse. I’m saying that every small step in the direction that you want to go gets you closer to your desired destination. I’m not ashamed to admit that there is a donate button on this blog. It’s there because I’d like to be able to pay Evie what she’s worth, as well as get myself in a better financial situation.

 

I don’t expect, millions of dollars. The donate button is really an illustration of what I’m talking about here. I’d like to get paid for motivating and entertaining you, so I’ve put up a donate button. It’s a small step but it gets me closer to what I want. I’ve also decided that I want to speak more often professionally. To help with that process, I’ve started working on getting an agent. Again, it’s a small step toward getting me closer to my ultimate goal. Are you ready to take a step?

More About the standing frame

Image can be found here

Someone truly inspiring sacrifices for all of us

When I’m writing for this blog, I try and find a cool picture to go along with it. I learned long ago people pay much better attention when there are pictures. I was looking for a picture of a wheelchair that the Terminator might use, and I found this.

Yes please
Yes please

I talk about  inspiration a lot.  Things like this are what inspire me,  Do me a favor and check out the full story right here. It is well worth your time.

I would also like to thank Corporal Joshua Hoffman for his service to the United States.  You earned that ride sir. That’s true inspiration folks.

When I lived on Sesame Street Mondays never sucked

I’m old enough to admit that when I was a little kid I watched Sesame Street almost every day.. We had three channels, and characters like Dora and little Einsteins didn’t exist. Even today sesame Street still affects me. I found this and decided it was great for a Monday Post. Monday sucks for a lot of people, I thought this video might start you off on the right foot I’ll talk about my love of all things Dave Matthews in a future post. For now happy Monday everybody.

If you run into me it doesn’t count

I’ve noticed every time I’m out in public that people seem to have a real fear that I’m going to run them down. Parents discreetly guard their children when I’m around. The kid has absolutely no fear of me, but the parent apparently sees me as death on wheels. As a person in a wheelchair you learn at a very young age that if you want to be well-liked, it’s probably a good idea to refrain for mowing people down.

I’ll admit, I’ve met some people that probably deserved it. I may have even wanted to, but I never have, (on purpose anyway). Driving a wheelchair is kind of like driving a car. I have had serval people back to me because they didn’t realize I was behind them. I can’t be held responsible for that right? If I were a bit more hard core as a person I might be able to make my chair into a money making machine. How would this? By renting myself out for hire. I talk more about it right here

I’d probably make a million

Life is hardcore but you are the Terminator

Let’s get right to the truth. There are aspects of your life that are going to suck. You wake up, and your teeth are all grungy and your breath stinks. Everybody’s breath stinks when they get up. Everybody has to brush their stinky teeth. It sucks. Nobody likes to spend time doing this little task, but we all have to. And this is just one of the 15 million little things about your life that is going to suck.

Personally, the suckiest thing in my life is that I have to brush my teeth. Just kidding. My sucky thing is the obvious one.

Yeah.... all this...
Yeah…. all this…

 

Image curtsy of https://ldnk.wordpress.com/2013/11/19/wc-part-management/

But really, we all have bad days but you can’t allow it to take over and own you. Life also has really awesome things too. Like when your teeth are freshly brushed and you can sweep your tongue along them and not taste grimy-ness. Many people look to their children as the most joyful part of their life. (Maybe your kids can also bring you stress, but see how you can use the love of your kids to uplift your spirit?) Maybe you have a good job that provides for you and despite the stress that it brings you can be happy about the security of employment.

Bills: Another Sucky Part of Life

Everybody has bills. I have bills and I don’t even have a job! Well, not a conventional one where I know when I’ll be paid and how much. Is it stressful? Not really.

I feel like people get too wrapped up in stress about money. We want to live beyond our means. We want the newest technology with the white ear buds. We want the phone with the bazillion available apps. We want the designer clothes and the nice shoes and the nice handbags and the cool cars with the GPS built in and the electric everything, but we can’t always afford it. I’m not an accountant or a specialist about finance, and I’m not going to lecture you about getting your finances in order, but if I can say one thing about responsible spending I would say live below your means.

When the new iPad tablet came out, I really really wanted one. I couldn’t afford one with my income, so I didn’t get one. I waited. A couple of years passed, and I was telling a friend of mine about how I still wanted this gadget. He happened to have a Samsung Galaxy Tablet that he wasn’t using, and sold it to me for $150, a price within my means. I had to settle for something that was different than what I had in mind, and I had to wait for 2 years to get it, but I’m happy that I didn’t use a credit card or some other type of loan to put myself in debt and amount more stress.

Maybe you’re already in debt, as many people are, and it’s wreaking havoc in your life already. I read a report from 2012 that stated that 70% of married people have money problems. Money is also cited as one of the top problems that couples argue about. There’s no doubt that money can bring on a great deal of stress.

 

Can I get an Amen?
Can I get an Amen?

Image Curtsy of http://www.slideshare.net/

 

If you’re swimming in debt, it’s a problem that you can’t ignore. If you are stressed because you’re not pretty enough, smart enough, or tall enough, you should ignore that, and focus on your positive traits. But if you are stressing about bills, you have to address the problem. Begin fixing the problem areas where you can, but remember that you can’t change what’s been done in the past. This may help you to release some of the guilt and stress so that you can enjoy your life.

 

I have two Little minions that love to ride on my chair

I recently took my two nieces to see the minions movie. I love the movies in the despicable me franchise, I’m not ashamed to admit it. If you really want to enjoy them you have to take kids. I’m so thankful for my two nieces every day. They have changed every aspect of my life. They even changed what I consider a dirty word.

I Love having my own minions. That said, it’s nice to send them home to their parents after I’ve had a little fun with them.

I’m smart most of the time

Confession time

I play  the lottery. Most of you are like yeah what’s the big deal?”

I consider myself to be really smart with my money.  I have to be since I’ve  never had a 9-to-5 job. I talked about that in a previous post Here I have been reading a book the deals a lot with positive energy and managing your moods  on a daily basis. When I’m holding that ticket in my hand, it truly affects my moods until the drawing. I daydream more and think, what if. We must all do that or the lottery would make any money.

 

Yeah....I know better
Yeah….I know better

The truth is it’s one of the worst things you can do with your money. The odds of winning are astronomical. Every time I Play I tell myself “someone has to win, it might as well be me.” I suppose people do win. Thing is I’ve never met anyone that has. That what if feeling is very powerful. Now that I’ve become an adult, I don’t have that feeling as often as I did as a kid. That’s very sad to me. I honestly believe the most people have stopped dreaming and it takes every ounce of energy they have just to get through the day. That’s an awful way to live your life I’m pretty sure it’s not what God intended. If you have something that allows you to dream, I Say keep doing it, as long as it’s not a harmful to you or those around you. I’ll probably never win. I have Dave Ramsey yelling in my head as I type this, and I submit that he’s right. It’s a waste of money. I say if spending a couple bucks every so often helps improve your positive thinking it’s worth wasting the money. Just don’t tell Dave.

 

Thanks to http://giphy.com/search/finger-wag for the use of their graphic

Not quitting is hard stand up and fight for yourself

Dear Diary: January 3, 2013

Like millions of Americans out there who are struggling to better themselves because of the New Year’s Resolutions that they vowed to follow for this year, I too am starting my own strict physical training. By this time next year, I will be known as Super Wheelchair Man.

What would YOUR Super Hero name be?
What would YOUR Super Hero name be?

Seriously though, I bought myself a standing frame. Actually, my insurance bought it, or Santa Claus for all you believers out there. He was a few days late, but I won’t hold it against him. I think I referred to this as a “standing box” in previous chapters. This one is much more sophisticated and modern. Here’s a picture of the box:

Yes i'm standing and yes it hurts
Yes i’m standing and yes it hurts

        Makes you stronger! Tougher! More Amazing! More Inspiring! Funnier! You may even learn to walk! Comes with Best Friend! Comes with table to put all your crap on while you stand! Apple Flavored *Not Approved by the FDA)

This is me, opening my EZ Stand box:

My ghost writer, who is not a ghost and barely qualifies as a writer, asked me why I would want to torture myself in this way. She even asked me if I was hoping to learn how to walk with this device. I’m guessing she will be the one on the sidelines screaming, “Run, Forrest! Run!”

Most people’s Resolutions:

1. Lose Weight

2. Get Rich

My Resolutions:

1. Learn how to walk. (Not really, just standing would be fine)

All joking aside, I bought the standing frame so that I could improve my overall body strength. This should allow me to be more helpful when I am being lifted into my chair and with the daily tasks of moving my body around. Wow, I sure sound helpless when I say it like that. Thank goodness the EZ Stand comes with a best friend. It doesn’t really. I was kidding.

So I started my writing session today feeling really sore from using the EZ Stand. It is far from easy. Whoever named this chair was obviously someone that can already stand, because if standing isn’t a problem for you then yes, it’s super easy. This device is also entirely unnecessary for you if you can stand, unless you just need an excuse to feel successful and good about yourself by showing how well you can do this piece of exercise equipment. If you are struggling with all of the exercise equipment in your local gym, this might be just the thing for you! EZ Stand!

(I’m really sore today from exercising.) What kind of exercises? (Standing.)

Like I mentioned before, some people find me inspiring. I guess I can add this to my “list of reasons why Jamie is inspiring”.

INSPIRING!

  • Has a chair with WHEELS!
  • Sometimes says funny things
  • Can almost stand with assistance!

Are you inspired yet?

 

Update

I wrote most of this  almost 2 years ago  as part of a book  that has now been moved to this blog. I’m still standing three days a week. Most of those days I would rather not do it. I think with most exercising it gets easier the longer you do it. This has not been my experience.  I’ve made progress, I now stand fully upright more often than not. The pain has not gotten better, in fact I take a physical beating every time I get in the frame. Now it’s more of a mental test. I know it’s going to be awful every time I do it, and I have to find ways just to get it done.

I’m still doing it because I refuse to let the pain beat me and have control over me. Sometimes there’s no easy way to do something, and you just have to have the will not to quit no matter how hard something may be it’s that simple.

 

 

Will Jamie Jordan please stand up

I've been through med school I know more than you I just forgot to look at your chart
I’ve been through med school I know more than you I just forgot to look at your chart 

Thanks to http://agenesiscorpuscallosum.blogspot.com/2009/06/diagnosing-agenesis-corpus-callosum.html for the use of the image

 

I remember going to a doctor’s appointment when my doctor took a sick day and there was a fill-in working in his place. I roll into the doctor’s office in my wheelchair, and the doctor has my chart and all of my past information. The doctor decided that I need a cortisone shot. The doctor asked “We’re going to have to give you this cortisone shot in your hip. Can you stand up?” Ummm….no, I can’t stand up. Yeah, I’m lazy. I wanted to be able to ride the elevator without guilt. 

 

I’m probably being a little hard on this guy. After all he was just subbing in for my doctor. This guy had one crucial piece of information that a normal person I meet who ask me if I can walk. doesn’t have, He had my medical chart. I don’t even know how those things work, but I would think ‘has cerebral palsy ,does not walk” should be right at the top of the Jamie Jordan medical chart, don’t you? If it doesn’t have that information, somebody tell me what’s the point of a medical chart?

See you guys tomorrow

 

It’s hard work being a man on wheels

It's hard work that feels like play
It’s hard work that feels like play

I have never had a 9-to-5 job, I’ll give you a few seconds to let that sink in. I love to work. I’m doing something all day everyday. I truly believe it’s what keeps me sharp. So you can imagine my confusion at 13 when I told my parents I wanted to get a job and they made a very simple point. “how are you going to get there?” I don’t drive, I never have. I don’t have the vision or the reflexes for it. Me out on the highway in the driver seat of a car, would do more damage then Mr. Magoo after getting his latest pair of eyeglasses. Yes my parents could have gotten me there, but that’s a lot to ask someone on a daily basis when you already ask so much.

I love sitting around, playing video games and watching TV more than I should, but at some point in every kids life, you have bills to pay and they kind of sneak up on you. you wake up one day and realize that stuff. like video games, costs money and most of it costs more than you have. So you start trying to find ways to make some. In a previous post I talked about sweeping out the Junior high by pulling a Broom behind my chair. That was my first job at the age of about 13 I made a dollar a day. I have had a job ever since.

I’ve done video editing, audio editing, band management, social media management for a Company. I’ve been a standup comedian in virtual worlds, I promoted indie music. That’s a few jobs that I’ve had. I didn’t get rich doing any of them . I did them because I had to do something. As you probably gathered from this blog, I’m not a big fan of sitting around just glad to be alive.

I started this blog/media experience as a way to share my book. I wanted something ever-expanding that readers could come back to. I want to make this my new job. The lady that built this site goes by the name of Evie Marie. Honestly this whole thing was her idea. She works from home as well, for reasons she may explain in a post of her own later, hint hint.

You may be reading this thinking, “man I would love to work from home, that sounds awesome” it is awesome, but it’s also very hard. There is no structure, if I want to take the day off, I can but that means I won’t make money today that I may need for bills tomorrow.

Legitimate work-at-home jobs are hard to find. Do a quick Google search. Now, how many results pop up that don’t look like a scam. If you’re using the same Google I am, the answer is, not many.

The main reason for this is simple. Most companies want their employees to actually come into a building for work because they want to make sure said employee is actually doing work. The people who are successful working at home are those who started their own business and don’t answer to anyone.

That’s what Evie and I are trying to do with this blog. We’d like to make a business out of inspiring and making you laugh every day. It’s a blast, and we love doing it. That said, it takes a serious amount of time and effort. I’m using speech recognition to do this post, and it works okay but I’m having to stop and correct every third word, to the computer I must sound like the teacher from the Peanuts cartoons.

I say something like ” I am here to inspire you” and the computer hears” I am here to rewire you”. I type using one finger, so speech recognition is still faster than typing, but not by much. From start to finish this single post will take me about an hour to write, I’m not complaining just saying I desperately need a secretary. When we blow up and take over the Internet, I’m going to hire one of you to type. The job might also have the added benefit of getting to ride around on my wheelchair. Before we get there we need your support. It’s not mandatory but if you like what you see and don’t mind chipping in we certainly appreciate it. New rims on my wheelchair ain’t cheap. If you can’t donate that’s cool to. You can help us spread the word. Help us become the new sensation on Facebook and twitter. if a YouTube video of a piano playing cat can you get 50 million views, so can we, but only with your help. This blog has to be at least as cool as a piano playing cat. If it’s not, leave us a comment or an email and tell us what you’d like to see. Whatever it is I’ll do my best to make it happen. unless off course you want to see the piano playing cat, in which case, I give up.

Happy reading everybody 🙂