Life Keeps Rolling

Who doesn’t love a good tattoo? I’ve always had a creative mind and no problems inventing new ideas for drawings and tattoos. Better to not trust my drawings when it comes to permanently putting art on my skin though, especially now with my paralyzed hands. I’ve always seen my body as a blank canvas and loved the idea of expressing my thoughts and experiences through art. All of my ink has important self meaning and I am in no way close to being finished but I wanted to describe my experiences getting tattoos pre and post injury in case someone who is paralyzed and on the fence with getting one... or many.  First things first, if you like any of my ink, please don’t copy it. If you like any of the ideas or concepts then run with that and make them personal to you. I just really love the work and passion that has been put into my tattoos and would hate to know that someone is running around with the same custom ink without understanding the meaning. I want to start by giving shoutou...

Summer is finally here. The pollen has settled. The rain has chilled out (kinda). The sun is out in full swing. Days floating around at the lake or sun bathing at the beach have returned. Social media is once again full of outdoor fun and smiles. But this is a tough season for me. Each season brings its difficulties. Each season has its highs and lows. The fall is an okay time for me. It’s a comfortable temperature at first but there isn’t much going on. The winter is tough strictly because of accessibility issues. It’s hard to get to places in the snow and I can’t get through yards to visit people. I am always chilled to the bone and then I settle in for the winter like a bear, only leaving my den and heated blanket once the snow and ice thaws. Then comes the spring. Pretty much the bane of my existence. Am I comfortable in a hoodie? T-shirt weather today? Cold mornings, hot afternoons and cold evenings make for some wardrobe confusions. No biggie, but pollen... oh yes, the pollen. On...

Last Friday I had the opportunity and honor to speak with a small group of men and women living at the local assisted living in town. I am a firm believer that we should pick the brains of our community of elders from past generations. We have a lot to learn from them. It felt odd to be telling my story and speaking about my experiences to a group that has had so much more life lived than I have. I felt the same way when I spoke to the local police department because I had grown up idolizing them and I got to sit there and explain what it felt like to get shot. It’s just an odd and humbling feeling to have an experience that not many people have had.  Alright, let me backtrack here. When Kass and I first started dating long distance, she was volunteering once a week at the assisted living. She would go in with the activities director, Carolyn and Kass would play Boggle with everyone. I remember telling Kass that my family loves Boggle and that I would have to tag along next time ...