How to Not Get Overheated in the Summer

This is probably overdue- for most of you school has probably already started or is about to start. However, it is still hot, and for people who have trouble staying cool in the summer heat (Mito affects the body's ability to regulate temperature, making the person tired), or anyone at all, here are some ways to not overheat.

1. Stay hydrated. Whatever outdoor thing you're doing, make sure you bring plenty of water. The longer you'll be outside, the more water you should bring. Even if you're swimming and it doesn't feel like you need to drink water, you do.

2. Find shade/air conditioning whenever possible. This is more for people who have something like Mito and get overheated easily, but it's still probably a good idea for anyone. A sunhat with a wide brim can provide shade, and they come in some cute, summer-y colors!

3. If you're at an amusement park, look for mist things and fans. People who build amusement parks usually plan ahead for keeping people cool. There will probably be mists and fans around at a standard amusement park, so keep an eye out for them.

I hope these are helpful! Do you have any ideas? What do you do to stay cool?

Until next time,

Semper Fidelis

DISNEY WORLD!!!! And School...

My school will start one week from today, but for now I'm one last vacation- I'm with my dad and my brother in Florida! We got here yesterday afternoon and went to Downtown Disney. Today we went to Animal Kingdom. On Sunday we're going to Magic Kingdom.

I discovered these cute little figurines called Vinylmation (which is apparently pronounced VINE-l-mation instead of VIN-l-mation). They're all Disney characters, and all of them are shaped so they have Mickey Mouse ears. I found three- a Minnie Mouse with a nerd/back-to-school outfit, a mystery Beauty and the Beast one that turned out to be Belle's horse, and one that was plain white with autographs of different characters on it. They're really cute!

I'm having fun at Disney World, but Disney movies in general are awesome! Aren't those songs great? I get them stuck in my head often!

I am excited for school to be back in. I'm looking forward to having a normal routine again and being a little more organized. My online Chemistry class has already started, and it seems like that won't be too much work. Has your school started yet? I'd like to hear about it!

Until next time,

Semper Fidelis

More About Cane Training

Hi everyone! I thought I'd tell you more about the cane training I had last Tuesday and Thursday. Having a cane is making me feel much more confident in getting around on my own.

First, let me clarify: my cane isn't to help me walk, it's the kind of cane that blind and almost-blind people use to "see" what's on the ground to avoid tripping over things. There are a few different ways I can move the cane when I walk with it. You may have seen a blind person using the "two-point contact" method. That is basically tapping the cane on the left when you step with your right foot, and tapping the cane on the right when you step with your left foot.

Some kinds of cane tips roll, so instead of this method I can use the "constant contact" method, where I roll the cane from side to side as I walk, still keeping it on the right when I step with my left foot and on the left when I step with my right foot.

The other method is less complicated, but I'm only supposed to use it in areas I'm very familiar with and that have few or no obstacles. It's called the "diagonal" method because I hold the top of the cane on my right side and put the bottom of the cane on the ground to the left a little distance in front of my feet.

I also learned the methods for navigating stairs and curbs. Once I get good at those, I won't even have to look down when going up and down stairs!

Like I said in my last post, I got my own cane yesterday! I've been using it pretty much everywhere to get the hang of it. I feel so much more confident getting around on my own now that I don't have to worry about looking down whenever I walk.

Also, I'd like to give a shout-out to my mobility trainer, Sean. Thanks for giving me all this awesome advice and boosting my confidence!

Until next time,

Semper Fidelis

Back to School, Duck Tape, and a New Cane!

I haven't blogged in awhile because I have been trying to finish the last of my summer homework so I'll be done by the time school starts on the 16th. I got some spiral notebooks for some of my classes, and I duck taped one of them this afternoon. Also, my new low-vision cane arrived today! On Tuesday and Thursday I was getting Orientation and Mobility training to learn how to use a cane, and now today mine is here! I'm excited to test it on my own!

The start of the school year is a pretty crazy time, so I probably won't be posting very often until I get back into the swing of things. How are you preparing for the school year? Any exciting new school supplies (duck tape spiral notebooks or a cane, for example)?

Until next time,

Semper Fidelis