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  • man with white hair sits in wheelchair in front of a red car. Another man, with "volunteer" written on his T-shirt is pushing the chair.
    Increasing your independence | Strategizing for success

    Traveling with a disability: car travel

    ByAlison Hayes June 25, 2021May 12, 2022

    While some health conditions prevent disabled people from driving, many others don’t. What disabilities prevent driving and which don’t can be surprising. There are many accessibility features available today to allow wheelchair users and people with other mobility limits to drive despite their presumed inability to do so. There also are many advances in automated…

    Read More Traveling with a disability: car travelContinue

  • The picture is taken looking down at my arm and hand. Nigel is on the couch beside me, his paws touching the blanket I'm under. His tail is firmly wrapped around my wrist.
    Strategizing for success | Taking care of yourself

    Planning in recovery time after losing last summer to Covid-19

    ByAlison Hayes June 18, 2021July 12, 2021

    2020 was a rough year, and I’m recognizing the different pressures I’ve had, many of which were caused or magnified by Covid-19. I’m recognizing that while I’ve managed to do a fair bit this past year, I’m now a bit fatigued and low on energy for self-care as well as resistant to following the routines…

    Read More Planning in recovery time after losing last summer to Covid-19Continue

  • A Third Reconstruction: How this House Resolution should help the disabled community
    Social connections | Strategizing for success

    A Third Reconstruction: How this House Resolution should help the disabled community

    ByAlison Hayes June 11, 2021May 9, 2022

    As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I’m an active participant in the New Jersey Poor People’s Campaign. I want to share with you the most recent activity of the campaign and explain both its significance and how it helps us, the disabled community. The Poor People’s Campaign along with House Representatives Barbara Lee and Pramila…

    Read More A Third Reconstruction: How this House Resolution should help the disabled communityContinue

  • train rounding a curve. Perspective is onboard train. A person is visible a car down, leaning their head out and smiling.
    Increasing your independence | Strategizing for success

    Traveling by train with a disability

    ByAlison Hayes June 4, 2021June 8, 2021

    I think trains are probably my favorite way to travel. The world goes by at a brisk pace (usually) but you can still see it all. I frequently take a commuter rail to New York City, and we live a short drive from the nearest train station. I also will often take the train down…

    Read More Traveling by train with a disabilityContinue

  • view through the window of a plane. The wing is central to the image, and colored pink, reflecting the early-morning light
    Increasing your independence | Strategizing for success

    Flying with a disability

    ByAlison Hayes May 28, 2021July 12, 2021

    You absolutely can fly while managing your condition! While there aren’t generally travel discounts (airlines are private companies), there are rules to help you travel safely, referred to as the Air Carrier Access Act. Your carrier’s services should provide you with supports for your trip, but it is your responsibility to let them know that…

    Read More Flying with a disabilityContinue

  • wheelchair user at a subway station with their back to the photographer.
    Increasing your independence | Strategizing for success

    Traveling with a disability: Save yourself spoons and money!

    ByAlison Hayes May 21, 2021July 12, 2021

    Traveling in any way can be a relatively large expense, and for those of us with disabilities, it can also take up a disproportionate amount of energy. There are some things you can do now to help you have an easier time when you travel later, whether you’re traveling across town or across the country….

    Read More Traveling with a disability: Save yourself spoons and money!Continue

  • woman looks up through a car window as rain falls down. She has a thoughtful expression on her face
    Getting Government assistance | Overcoming Obstacles

    Should I apply for disability?

    ByAlison Hayes May 14, 2021September 9, 2022

    It can be a hard decision to make. There are actually two different programs that are often referred to as disability, and while you don’t need to choose which to apply for (they share the same application and are both run by the Social Security Administration), it is important to understand what they are and…

    Read More Should I apply for disability?Continue

  • A doctor smiles at the camera while holding a clipboard. She appears to be in a waiting room, with patients behind her
    Strategizing for success | Taking care of yourself

    Managing doctor care during this lull in Covid-19

    ByAlison Hayes May 7, 2021July 12, 2021

    I don’t know about where you live, but here in New Jersey, we’re experiencing a decrease in Covid-19 spread. With everybody (over 16) willing to get vaccinated able to get shots, the numbers are going down a bit and it’s becoming time to think about catching back up with Al and my medical care. I’m…

    Read More Managing doctor care during this lull in Covid-19Continue

  • a manicured back yard stands on the bank of a tidal creek. Clumps of dead fish lie at the waterline
    Strategizing for success | Taking care of yourself

    This isn’t normal: why we often ignore early symptoms of our condition(s)

    ByAlison Hayes April 30, 2021May 26, 2021

    In late March, I went out for a walk on the nature trail by my house. As I crossed one of the several bridges along the route, I noticed something unusual—a flash of silver as a fish (specifically, a bunker) surfaced, gasping, and then rolled back over into the water. This is not normal fish…

    Read More This isn’t normal: why we often ignore early symptoms of our condition(s)Continue

  • Alison smiles into the camera.
    Functional Neurological Disorder(FND) | Strategizing for success | Taking care of yourself

    Functional Neurological Disorder treatment programs are worth the effort!

    ByAlison Hayes April 23, 2021September 29, 2022

    I participated in the MoRe—Motor Reprogramming—program in Louisville, Kentucky, in 2016. It was the single most helpful treatment I have ever had, and may ever have, for my Functional Neurological Disorder(FND). In this post, I want to go over why this is a treatment option, how it works, and how you can find a similar…

    Read More Functional Neurological Disorder treatment programs are worth the effort!Continue

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Meet The Author

Picture of Alison Hayes

Alison Hayes

As a person with a sometimes-invisible illness that straddles neurology and psychiatry (Functional Neurological Disorder), I've dealt with a lot of the stigma surrounding physical and mental illnesses and both visible and invisible illnesses. I want to help other people with disabilities to regain perspective and control over their lives through manageable steps and make their lives better, one step at a time.

Photography courtesy of Terry Manning(terrymakes.com)

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Disclaimer

I am not a doctor, lawyer, or therapist.  I am a person with a disability who has learned a lot about many aspects of living life with a disabling condition.  My posts are intended as jumping off points connected to the best knowledge I could find.  I cannot be held responsible for the decisions you make or the actions you take.  

For your reading pleasure

  • Functional Neurological Disorder(FND) (13)
  • Overcoming Obstacles (83)
    • Dealing with Doctors (31)
    • Getting Government assistance (36)
  • Strategizing for success (137)
    • Fabulous food (4)
    • Increasing your independence (13)
    • Social connections (33)
    • Taking care of yourself (76)
  • Uncategorized (3)

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