Life with Quantum

My Top Places to Visit in Washington D.C.

Washington, D.C. is one of my favorite cities. I really love the history, the food, and all of the accessible outdoor spaces that D.C. has to offer. I think it’s one place that everyone should visit at least once. If you’re planning a visit to D.C., here’s some of my favorite places that you should consider checking out.

World War II Memorial

While there are a ton of memorials in D.C., this one is my all-time favorite, especially at night. It is beautifully located right between the Washington Monument and the Reflecting Pool. There are fountains that flow April through November and the whole monument is lit up at night. It is wheelchair accessible and very serene. You can get there by Metro (which is wheelchair accessible!) and the Smithsonian stop is the closest!

Ice Cream Jubilee

person holding ice cream with cone — Photo by Jean Balzan on Pexels.com

I am a sucker for sweets and Ice Cream Jubilee gets me every time! This woman-owned business makes some of the best ice cream out there, with creative flavors like Thai Iced Tea, Passionfruit Guava Sorbet, Espresso Colada, coffee and doughnuts, and more! There are three locations throughout the D.C. area, and my favorite location is in Navy Yard.

National Archives Museum

Washington, D.C. has many museums to choose from and lots of them are free, so it’s difficult to prioritize which ones to visit during a short trip, but the National Archives is always high on my list. I love historical documents and the National Archives has a ton of them! Not only are the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution at the National Archives, but they also have different exhibits each time I go, so I can learn about different periods of history! I have read letters to and from presidents, listened to historic phone calls and more! There’s so much to learn at the National Archives!

About Stephanie Woodward: Stephanie is a brand ambassador advisor for Quantum Rehab® and works as a disability rights activist. She has received many awards for helping communities become more accessible, as well as for her actions in fighting for the rights of disabled individuals as it relates to Medicaid and other support services. Click here to learn more about Stephanie.

For more great blogs from our brand ambassadors and Q Roll Models, visit lifeatilevel.com today!

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Why the ADA is Important for Wheelchair Users

This month, we celebrate the 32nd anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act! I appreciate this monumental shift for so much of what it’s done that I tend to take it for granted. I’ve never known the U.S. without the ADA laws, as they passed just before I was born. As easy as it is to complain about the shortcomings and loopholes, or the moments when it’s treated like a bare minimum checklist, It becomes easy to forget the alternatives if we didn’t have this law.

An Example of Why We Need the ADA

I traveled to Montreal, Canada, last month for a friend’s wedding. My husband and I arrived at our hotel late one evening. We brought our bags in, tired and ready to get to our room. We made it through the entire process of checking in, until the hotel employee cheerily handed us a room key. She said we were on the second floor and the stairs were just behind us. Clearly thinking this was a common, goofy mix-up of her not thinking or us not hearing something correctly, we afforded her some cautious laughter. Then, politely asked her to steer us to the elevator. Equally cheerily, she replied: “We don’t have one here. You never specified you needed one.”

staircase with red carpet in stylish house — Photo by furkanfdemir on Pexels.com

My husband, also a full-time wheelchair user, was confused as to how we could possibly be expected to do this. He asked her to clarify if our room was accessible. To which she stated: “All of our rooms are accessible! We just don’t have an elevator.” This meant we’d be crawling upstairs to our room and it was all considered our fault. The hotel refused to change us to a room on the first floor that late in the evening. The staff repeatedly reiterated that we didn’t tell anyone we were in wheelchairs, so it was our fault for not asking or clarifying. Despite being a hotel built in 2018, with all the modern comforts except an elevator, there was nothing dictating that the hotel needed one, not even the line of thought that having an elevator was common practice.

Grateful for What We Have

Weeks later from this trip, I still find myself surprised. Sure, we have a long way to go and plenty of things we can do to make an environment more inclusive and accessible, but I’m certainly grateful for the progress we have. I’m happy that during renovations to our home, our contractors knew comfortable doorway widths and implemented them. I’m happy they had guidelines to build our ramp with a comfortable slope and knew what sort of turnaround area was needed.

There’s plenty to learn, but I so appreciate what’s becoming engrained in our society.

About Jill Moore White: Jill is an inclusive play specialist, bringing accessible playgrounds to local communities. She volunteers with disability organizations, including the Disability EmpowHER Network. Jill enjoys music, sketching and playing video games. Click here to learn more about Jill.

For more great blogs from our brand ambassadors and Q Roll Models, visit lifeatilevel.com today!

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Going Viral: Man Fakes Disability and Abuses Accessibility Services

photo of airplane wing — Photo by Matt Hardy on Pexels.com

Recently in the news, there has been a story circulating of a man who skipped an airline queue by using a wheelchair and obtaining assistance from staff. The only thing wrong with this is that he was not actually injured or disabled. This man made a TikTok video in which he documented his visit to an airport and his on-camera journey of faking an injury so that he could “skip the long queues so I don’t miss my flight.” In the video, he acquires a wheelchair and then is assisted by staff through an accessible entrance and onto the plane. He was given a whole row to himself due to his feigned injury. I would like to talk about why this is wrong.

Why Faking a Disability is Wrong

My first issue with the video should be a given. As a wheelchair user who does need extra help at an airport and requires accessible spaces, seeing an able bodied person feign an injury is an abuse of an already stretched thin resource that many of us need. Airlines do not like to treat disabled people and our equipment nicely. This guy was lucky enough to have been at an airport that had great accessibility. It saddens me to see someone blatantly abuse these services.

The Video Went Viral

My second issue comes from the fact that this video went viral. Everyone in the comments section applauded this guy for his “amazing idea” and many are saying that they may try it themselves. I cannot stress this enough: do not take up accessible spaces when you do not need them. It isn’t as simple as wanting to skip the lines. For many of us, these are the only ways that we can safely navigate through airports and board planes.

The Double Standards for People with Disabilities

The third issue I found is more personal but equally important: the double standards. In my online friend circle, some of my buds deal with harsh harassment from people who demand proof that they are truly disabled. Apparently, you can’t exist online if you are disabled. Apparently, we don’t have the capability to be on the Internet. Sarcasm aside, what bothers me is seeing my friends suffer from this kind of behavior. Meanwhile, there are people actively and admittedly abusing accessible services and systems without consequence. Plus, they receive a big gold star for doing so.

How Will This Affect Those Who are Truly Disabled

Feigning injury or a disability and taking up accessible spaces when you don’t need them is wrong. The services and accessibility at airports are there for a reason: to help those who are actually injured or disabled to safely get to their destination. Instances where airline services and accessibility that actually treat someone who is disabled decently are very hard to come by. The fact that someone is actively encouraging others on social media to go out and abuse these services is very wrong. I wonder how many people will be negatively affected due to this viral video and news coverage.

About Chrysanthemum: Chrysanthemum is an award-winning cosplayer and Quantum brand ambassador. She enjoys fashion, cosplay and music and has a TikTok channel with over 380,000 followers. Click here to learn more about Chrysanthemum.

For more great blogs from our brand ambassadors and Q Roll Models, visit lifeatilevel.com today!

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The Great Benefits of My Wheelchair at Medical Appointments

Going to the doctor for annual healthcare checkups is a normal occurrence for most individuals. Making these appointments so that they don’t interfere with work or school schedules takes some thought. Once the appointment is booked, you just wait for the day to arrive. For someone with a physical disability who uses a wheelchair, however, there are many logistics that still need to be worked out. There are many questions that run through my head every time I consider going for annual healthcare checkup. Here are just a few of the questions I think about and plan for.

Questions I Ask Myself Before Medical Appointments

Will I be able to open the door to access the building?
Will the check-in counter be too high for me to reach the sign in sheet?
Will the exam room be large enough to accommodate my power wheelchair?
Will I have to transfer to an exam chair or table?
Will I have to ask for assistance with any of the above tasks?

If my doctors require any additional tests, procedures, or lab work, then that list of questions continues to grow. While I realize these healthcare checkups are necessary, they sure can be a major pain for wheelchair users to deal with. Honestly, I used to dread having to schedule and plan for medical visits. All that changed, however, when I started using my Stretto Power Wheelchair with tilt, recline, leg lift, and iLevel (power adjustable seat height).

Opening Doors and Reaching the Check-In Counter

Because of iLevel technology, I no longer depend on the kindness of strangers to open doors for me. Instead, I can adjust my seat height which allows me to open doors for myself and return the favor for others. iLevel also allows me to sign myself in at the check-in counter for my appointments. Thanks to my Stretto Power Wheelchair, I can mark two questions off my list of logistical concerns.

Maneuvering My Wheelchair into the Exam Room

The Stretto is a super narrow power wheelchair. The narrow base allows me to navigate in the smallest of medical exam rooms. I no longer worry about my wheelchair being too large. This checks another question off my list!

Using Tilt, Recline and iLevel During the Exam

The tilt, recline, leg lift, and iLevel features allow me to remain in my power wheelchair for routine visits to my dentist, optometrist, gynecologist, general practitioner and rheumatologist. There is no longer a need for me to transfer to an exam chair or table because the features on my motorized wheelchair can put me in the positions needed for each healthcare checkup. This marks another question off my list.

My life is greatly enhanced because of the design and features on my Stretto Motorized Wheelchair. I can now schedule my annual healthcare checkups with no worries!

About Bliss Welch: Bliss is a Quantum® brand ambassador and Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee 2013. Bliss is actively involved in the disability community. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her daughter. Click here to learn more about Bliss.

For more great blogs from our brand ambassadors and Q Roll Models, visit lifeatilevel.com today!

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Why Roll on Capitol Hill in D.C. is Important

In early June, I attended United Spinal’s Roll on Capitol Hill, a three day conference in D.C. where people with spinal cord disabilities learn about the most current policy issues and advocate with Congress to make positive changes. Because of the pandemic, this was the first time the Roll in Capitol Hill was held in person in over two years. It felt really great to be back. There were many familiar faces and lots of new ones too, which was wonderful for connecting with each other and advocating on Capitol Hill. While we there, were many policy issues that impact wheelchair users. Here are three that I really felt compelled to focus on.

Coverage for Seat Elevation and Standing Devices

First, we’re urging Congress to make sure that CMS holds to its commitment of opening the National Coverage Decision for wheelchair seat elevation and standing device coverage no later than August. Both seat elevation and standing are critical wheelchair features to enable wheelchair users to have their medical necessity and functional mobility needs met, both in the home and in the community. CMS has been telling the community that they would hold a National Coverage Decision on this issue for years, but they still have not. Most recently, CMS said they would do this in August of 2022 and we want to make sure that CMS stays true to their word!

Passing New Legislation for Air Carrier Access

We’re asking members of Congress to co-sponsor and pass S. 642/H.R. 1696, the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2021. This bill was introduced by Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Representative Jim Langevin (D-RI-2). It provides consumer protections and assistance in air travel for passengers with disabilities.

Removing the “In the Home” Rule

We want to eliminate the unnecessary and restrictive “in the home” rule from Medicare. Currently, Medicare will only cover the cost of medical equipment that it deems necessary for a person “in the home.” This means that if a person needs a wheelchair with features that will help them in the community, Medicare does not believe these features are necessary and don’t fall under “in the home.” So, Medicare does not cover them. For example, if a manual wheelchair user needs an ultra lightweight manual wheelchair to be able to lift it in and out of their car to get to work, Medicare may deny them coverage because they do not need an ultra lightweight wheelchair “in the home.” Even though the person clearly needs it for very functional reasons (to get to work), because they do not need it “in the home,” it would be denied.

About Stephanie Woodward: Stephanie is a brand ambassador advisor for Quantum Rehab® and works as a disability rights activist. She has received many awards for helping communities become more accessible, as well as for her actions in fighting for the rights of disabled individuals as it relates to Medicaid and other support services. Click here to learn more about Stephanie.

For more great blogs from our brand ambassadors and Q Roll Models, visit lifeatilevel.com today!

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June is Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC) Month

I was born with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita. It is a rare, non-progressive muscle disorder, characterized by multiple joint contractures at birth. It is an umbrella diagnosis. This means there are many types of Arthrogryposis. There are over 400 different types and some who are diagnosed never had their type identified. I am one of those people! I don’t know what kind I have, but I know that I have been in a wheelchair my whole life.

I lack strength in my legs and have a limited range of motion in my shoulders. In total, I have had 17 surgeries, 14 of which are due to my condition. I had several surgeries to straighten my legs, to help my clubbed feet and even a few muscle transplants to see if I could be able to walk. All of this with an allergy to most pain medicine. I learned how to push through the pain of recovery in hopes that the surgery would have a positive outcome. I feel very fortunate that most of my surgeries were a success.

I now live a very high functioning adult life. I am a mother to an amazing daughter. I travel a lot and I have lot of outdoor adventures. When I was born, they told my parents I wouldn’t be more than a vegetable and I have spent my whole life proving them wrong. I have learned that while I may do things differently and I may need two wheelchairs to do the things I want to do, I am grateful that I have such amazing resources. The most important thing I have learned in my life is that with the right attitude, anything is possible. Things may not look the same as everyone else. But the world is ours to discover. So, get out and go!

About Kerri Knudson: Kerri lives in Utah with her daughter. She uses a 4Front® 2 Power Wheelchair and loves exploring the outdoors. Click here to learn more about Kerri.

Concerts, Ice Cream and More! My Summer Bucket List

Can you believe it is already summer? I know summer does not officially until June 20 but in my book, summer starts June 1. Fall may be my favorite season, but summer has some of my favorite things to do. Due to the pandemic over the last two years, summers have not been the same. I compiled a list of things I would like to do now that things are opening back up. Here is my bucket list for summer 2022.

Concerts

I am always up for a concert, but outdoor concerts are my favorite. I love the music, the atmosphere, and the people. And of course, having iLevel on my power wheelchair makes concerts even better. I can elevate to see the stage and hear the music better. There is something about a group of people being in the same place to share their mutual enjoyment of an artist. In snowy Michigan, an outdoor concert is the number one sign that summer has arrived.

Bonfires and Swimming

During summer nights, bonfires are my go-to activity. I love being with friends and having late night chats around the fire. Bonfires are good for being with large groups or being by myself while cozying up with a good book. Also, who does not love a perfectly cooked s’more?

If I have learned anything in the past year, it is that I LOVE being in the water. When I am in the pool, I feel a sense of freedom. I can move freely in the water and take several independent steps. When I get the chance to swim, I am in the pool for hours and if I could swim every day, I would swim like a fish.

Carnival and Fireworks

low angle photo of fireworks — Photo by rovenimages.com on Pexels.com

Another thing on my to do list this summer is go to a carnival that has fireworks. In Michigan, it is not uncommon to see a fireworks show on the last day of the carnival. It is like getting a two-for-one deal. You can enjoy yummy food, games, and rides during the day and see pretty fireworks at night.

Ice Cream Dates

On a hot summer day, what better way to cool off than with a scoop of ice cream? I do not need it to be summer for to enjoy ice cream but having it in the summer is a nice perk.

About Isabella Bullock: Isabella, or Izzie for short, is an employment specialist for the Center of Independent Living. She is an iced coffee enthusiast who enjoys getting lost in a good book. Click here to learn more about Isabella.

For more great blogs from our brand ambassadors and Q Roll Models, visit lifeatilevel.com today!

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New Rule to Address Lack of Accessible Bathrooms on Airplanes

During the early part of my career, I was very blessed and fortunate to travel across the country. Typically, I was on the road for over 250 days out of the year. It was very strenuous and taxing, especially with having a disability and everything involved with traveling. One of the things I was always mindful of was my flight schedule. I had to watch what I ate before going on a flight, from 12 to 24 hours beforehand. The reason for this is because airplanes do not have wheelchair-accessible bathrooms.

New Rule from the Department of Transportation

Recently, the Department of Transportation announced that a proposed rule that would improve the accessibility of laboratories for people with disabilities traveling on single aisle aircraft. The proposed rule states that airlines must make at least one lavatory on new, single-aisle aircraft accessible so that a passenger with a disability can approach, enter and maneuver inside the lavatory. It would be a huge game changer for the disability community and wheelchair users.

silhouette of airplane in golden hour — Photo by Marina Hinic on Pexels.com

The Challenges of Flying with a Disability

When I fly, there are two things I worry about: damage to my power wheelchair and whether I will need to use the bathroom during the flight, especially when flying between New York and California. Five hours is a very long time to not eat, drink or go to the bathroom. This law would really put the disability community at ease when flying.

Positive Change on the Horizon

Although flying with a power wheelchair will never be fully risk free, this law is definitely a step in the right direction. Personally, I would resume going on flights if I knew I didn’t have to worry about using the bathroom on an aircraft. Not only does this law benefit individuals with disabilities, it benefits the airlines as well, as more people will travel.

About Josh McDermott: Josh is a brand ambassador for Quantum Rehab®. He is a public speaker and has served as a goodwill ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Josh lives in New York and loves to travel. Click here to learn more about Josh.

For more great blogs from our brand ambassadors and Q Roll Models, visit lifeatilevel.com today!

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Using iLevel Technology in My Herb Garden

One of the things I enjoy doing is gardening. My mom has a very big flower garden in our backyard with a water fountain and a gazebo. There’s even a special area with a couple of birdfeeders where you can sit and watch the birds. For the past five years, I have been tending a little area where I grow herbs. My elevated herb garden is raised off the ground so it’s fully accessible to me in my power wheelchair.

Growing Herbs in my Elevated Garden

close up photo of assorted herbs — Photo by alleksana on Pexels.com

When I first started my herb garden, I just grew mint, so that I could make mint tea. Then, I branched out with parsley, thyme and oregano. With each new year, I try to add a new herb to my garden. I ended up adding basil and rosemary. To be honest, the basil was the best thing to grow. If you eat a lot of Italian food like chicken parmesan or spaghetti and meatballs, I highly recommend growing basil. Just take one or two fresh basil leaves and add it to a jar of regular tomato sauce. It really is a complete game changer.

The most challenging part about the herb garden is knowing when to pick the herbs, especially the mint. If you wait too long to pick the mint, it goes bad on you and then you can’t use it once it turns. The only good thing is that mint grows quickly. I can pick a few leaves and make tea with them. Within a week or two weeks, the mint grows back to its full capacity.

Using My iLevel Power Wheelchair

When I need to water my herbs, it’s great to have iLevel® technology on my Edge® 3 Power Wheelchair. I can elevate my power wheelchair seat 12 inches so I am above the plants, which watering and harvesting super easy. It also helps when I need to trim the herbs too.

I definitely recommend getting an elevated garden, as it keeps the critters out of my plants, although I occasionally have to contend with some bugs or spiders. Still, it’s nice!

For more great blogs from our brand ambassadors and Q Roll Models, visit lifeatilevel.com today!

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Exploring the Beautiful Outdoors in My 4Front 2 Wheelchair

The air is different in the mountains. It’s crisper. It’s fresher. I love that I live so close to a place with so much beauty! From a young age, I always felt so much peace when I was in nature. Getting out was hard though. I was born with a muscle disorder called Arthrogryposis. It is a rare condition that has caused me to be in a wheelchair my whole life. It causes lack of strength in my legs and some in my shoulders. For a long time, I felt like I was missing out because I couldn’t get into the wilderness like I wanted to. As I have gotten older, I realized that I can get much farther than I thought. The outdoors may not be the most wheelchair friendly, but it’s not impossible. It’s all about perspective.

Visiting Ogden Canyon

One of my favorite places to go is Ogden Canyon in Northern Utah. It’s a quick 30-minute drive from my house. You can camp right along the river. It’s surrounded by trees. It’s heaven! Recently, I went up for a quick overnight trip. There is no cell service and it’s a perfect escape. I got some new gear and I wanted to try it out. Setting up everything takes a lot of time for me. It’s an interesting process when I am in a power wheelchair but it is super rewarding!

Setting Up Camp Using My Power Wheelchair

white camping tent — Photo by Vlad Bagacian on Pexels.com

My tent is pretty big. So, I try to use the law of gravity in my favor and utilize safe seat elevation on my 4Front® 2 Power Wheelchair. The tent only has three poles so it is quite easy to assemble. Plus, it has a separate area that I refer to as the living room, which allows me to park my dirty, dusty wheelchair and then transfer to my cot.

I love that once I have my tent, hammock and camp kitchen set up, I can roll back and feel proud that I have figured out how to do it. Once I set up, I can relax. Swaying in my hammock is truly the most relaxing thing. I either read my book or drink my tea and look up through the trees at the sky. Pure joy!

About Kerri Knudson: Kerri lives in Utah with her daughter. She uses a 4Front® 2 Power Wheelchair and loves exploring the outdoors. Click here to learn more about Kerri.

For more great blogs from our brand ambassadors and Q Roll Models, visit lifeatilevel.com today!

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