by Ned Stoller Ned Stoller

The Confusion of Having a Disability

Cartoon of a country vet looking at a cow's foot and commenting "Its hard to find spare parts for these!"Having a disability can be confusing.  It is not as easy as replacing parts on a broken machine.  Some disabling injuries are more straightforward.  The injury happens, a new normal develops, and life goes on in a different direction with different tools in the toolbox.  However, most disabling conditions are far more confusing.  Abilities to work fluctuate from day to day (or even hour by hour).  Today a medication works great, and tomorrow it may cause severe side affects that are more complicated than the condition being treated.  No wonder it is such a challenge to work in spite of a disabling illness or injury!

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by Ned Stoller Ned Stoller

Cherry Land and Karate Kid for Arthritis

Picture of Lake Michigan shore at Traverse City, MI.Traverse City, Michigan is a beautiful place to visit, positioned at the base of the scenic Leelanau peninsula in the heart of cherry growing country.  On May 31 you can join the 2014 Walk to Cure Arthritis and stroll along the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline!  It seems appropriate to take a walk in support of arthritis research, since research shows that moving the joints is one of the best treatments for arthritis.  So what does this have to do with Karate Kid?

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by Ned Stoller Ned Stoller

Arthritis Month In The Workshop

Magnetic pick up tool for collecting small items instead of pinching them between two fingers.May is Arthritis month because arthritis has to be taken seriously. It’s America’s primary cause of disability and can be painful, debilitating and costly.  Disability Work Tools and the Arthritis Foundation have parallel goals of improving daily life for people with arthritis.  There are many ways to adapt tools and work methods for mechanics, welders and fabricators to do their work with less pain in spite of arthritic hands and arms.

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by Ned Stoller Ned Stoller

Thanksgiving

Lev 22:29  And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer it at your own will.

Today is a day of thanksgiving.  Give thanks of your own free will!
Jesus on the cross

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by Ned Stoller Ned Stoller

Tools of the Trade For a New Normal

It is a common misconception that after a disabling injury or illness, the only trade a person is suited for involves sitting behind a desk typing on a computer all day, every day. This is NOT true. People with disabilities can thrive in a physical occupation they love. Every day, people with missing limbs, back pain, or chronic illnesses go to work at their skilled jobs. All it takes is a burning desire to work and the tools to adapt to the new normal.

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by Ned Stoller Ned Stoller

Fall Chores!

Fall is here.  Temperatures have fallen (although the leaves are still here)  Thoughts of fall projects are beginning to fill your mind.  This begins a series of posts on fall type projects.  The first of these is for anyone who has beef cattle.

Typically, late September is the time when you think about fall round up.  Those calves are ready to be separated from their moms, and it is time.  Dehorning, vaccinating, castrating, deworming

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by Ned Stoller Ned Stoller

Creepers: In a word, useful!

Look Out! Creeper! 

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘creeper’?  Do you automatically think of a flat 4 or 6 wheel cart that you can lie on to work underneath a car?   (Unless, of course, you have heard of the currently very popular game ‘Minecraft’ (my son’s favorite game), but I digress.)   

 

Standard CreeperWhen people talk about a piece of equipment as a creeper, the small flat cart is what is pictured.  Creepers are awfully useful items

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by Ned Stoller Ned Stoller

Lawn Care & Arthritis

Lawnmower maintenance lift.Regular lawncare and landscape maintenance is a great way to spend time on balmy summer days.  Some say that Americans have a love affair going with landscaping and pretty lawns!  Retired folks in particular have more time to spend on their yards and gardens.  It is a common way to keep active and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation at the same time.  Arthritis can be a major opponent to older people who would like to continue such activity, but there are ways to combat it.

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