Supply Hunt and Overload

In late high school, I took over ordering my medical supplies I use every month. I have a few times that certain items are hard to get, but a little research and brand change has resolved the problem. Since the start of 2026, I have had trouble getting one item, sterile gloves. In nearly 30 years of ordering supplies, this has been the hardest challenge, and I'm not sure about the solution.

When I came home from the hospital in 1985, I was one of the first home vent patients in central Iowa. The small company that serviced my vents also supplied my equipment. They have changed names and size over the decades, but I have stayed with them. There was a long period of time when I just said "Hello" and the person taking calls knew all my information and made ordering easy. It isn't quite that friendly any more, but close.

Several studies have tried to say there are no differences in using a "clean" glove vs. a sterile one for the procedures I use them for. However, these same researchers also believe multiple infections per year is normal. I tend to decrease that number quite a bit and therefore will always recommend, and use, sterile gloves.

My supply agency said they were trying to find a way to get gloves, and have insurance cover them. However, all of January and most of February produced no results. Therefore, I started calling at least once a week to "check on progress." I learned years ago that you sometimes need to be more annoying to get anything accomplished.

This routine produced results in that the agency found they could get kits that contained gloves. Depending on the procedure intended, these kits also include many superfluous items I don't need. However, this was the only solution they could found. One of the procedures I do that uses sterile gloves is performed four times a day, or an average of 120 times a month. The supplier would send that many per month as well as 30 more for other needs.

On Tuesday, my day caregiver was sick, so dad and I took off in the afternoon to visit his mother. When we returned, we were greeted with six large boxes on the driveway. They were moved into the garage, but this was one shipment of new kits. Not only are they a lot of bulk to ship, finding storage in my supply closet is another issue.

Looking online, I easily found the gloves I need in a convenient box of 100 through multiple retailers. I ordered one, but insurance only pays through designated suppliers. Therefore, a few solutions have been found, but it's a question of which is worse. Do I pay out-of-pocket for convenience, or have a multitude of boxes every month?

Living the quad life does indeed make for interesting challenges. I can only imagine a "normal" life of a 44-year-old bachelor would be much less exciting. Whatever the case or form, I'm thankful for God's blessings and the ability to even have such issues. 

Vacation Illness

After a six-year break, I took a week-long trip from June 16-20. It started out as a fun time, but ended in a way that we hadn't planned.

For most of my life, vacation has primarily consisted of going to CHAMP Camp. I had seven years as a camper and then volunteered for 16 years as a counselor. I still maintain their website and promote camp whenever possible, but I can no longer endure the physical needs to be a counselor. This year was CHAMP Camp's 35th anniversary and alumni campers and counselors were invited to come on June 17.

Dad wasn't certain the van could handle the trip, but my parents, night caregiver, and I were eventually on familiar roads to Martinsville, IN. The night before we left, I noticed a green creep across my face any time I considered out destination. After allowing my caregiver to sleep a few hours, we drove 15 minutes from the hotel to join everyone for lunch.

I wasn't sure how many people would still be around that I knew, but it felt like returning home. Most of the campers were new, but familiar faces were everywhere. It soon became routine to hear "Joel!" followed by a hug and story telling. It felt very good to generally be welcomed and missed by so many. Mom concluded by the end of Tuesday that I had received more hugs in one day than I had in years. It's a shame more places aren't as excited to have you come.

We stayed as long as we could Tuesday evening before returning to the hotel. About mid-morning Wednesday, the four of us drove further east to the Creation Museum in Petersburg, KY. My first visit to the museum was during Father's Day in 2015. I was excited to see what had changed in ten years, as well as what remained the same. An entirely new entrance had been made that was a fair distance from the main building. It was fine on a clear day like we had, but it would have been a long stroll through rain or snow if weather was different.

Watching weekly updates from the museum, I knew what exhibit changes has been made. I was thankful to see a large section on the sanctity of human life and how a baby develops in the womb. As society continues to advocate for the murder of the unborn, more such displays are needed. The other changes were also fun to see, but the core message stayed the same. Unfortunately, I didn't research enough and we missed the new butterfly house by 15 minutes. However, the multitude of plants in the new greenhouses were fun.

Our final day with activity was Thursday, June 19. Our hotel in Kentucky was between the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter and made for a short morning commute. My first visit to the Ark was in 2018 and I knew a lot had changed. Just like the Museum, a new welcome area greeted us before entering the main attractions. Several buildings have also been added to include a virtual reality tour of the flood and other displays. The displays in the Ark itself were mainly the same, as I assumed they would be, but I almost felt like I missed some of the information I had seen the first time. However, we did get to tour the zoo this time and see the much anticipated zorse and zonkey. Before leaving, our group watched a live show in the new auditorium. Seeing it in person for the first time, I had dreams of serving God by getting to be a speaker and teaching from the stage.

In order for my night caregiver to get rest, we left the hotel late in the morning and returned a little earlier than we would otherwise. However, I think we saw mostly everything and missed out on just a few shows. Thursday night, laying in the hotel room, my lungs started to feel sore and congested. It turned into a souvenir I didn't purchase, but definitely won't forget. That will be on the next entry as it has been a story of its own. 

Who Will Remember?

It is Memorial Day weekend, the time of remembering those who have fought and died for our country and honoring loved ones. Friday evening, I went with my parents to place flowers on my grandparents' graves. Sitting in the van, several thoughts came to mind.

In the first cemetery we visited, it has several grave markers from well over 100 years ago. This wasn't my first visit, but I noticed a change in a few of them. Markers that had been tilting, were now fallen over and a few sat in a pile in one corner. As I read a large, modern stone, I was surprised to see the couple listed died in 1895 and 1908. The children of these two have likely also died years ago, but someone obviously replaced their original monument.

On our second stop outside of small town Iowa, the cemetery was a flurry of activity and seemed to be the town gathering spot. Families were out dispersing flowers and small groups were huddled around talking. This memorial area does not have any century-old markers, that I noticed, but also had many more flowers and recognition.

Unless God has major changes for my future, I am the end of my family line. At some point in time, be it near or far, both my parents and I will be gone from this earth. As I noticed the old stones left unnoticed and degrading at the first cemetery, it will likely be the case for my marker after a few decades. While our bodies may decay and be forgotten, everyone will be living forever.

God knows every person that has lived, is living, and will be born. It's hard to conceive knowing billions of people, but He is present for each. After departing this life, we will spend eternity in either heaven or hell. We need to be sure to born again by repenting of sin and turning to Jesus alone for forgiveness. As we reflect on those gone before us, let us remember our time is approaching and to spend it serving God and His will.

Mother's Day 2025

Today is the day set aside to celebrate mothers. Both parents have the important task of raising children in the knowledge of the Lord, but it especially falls to moms. God gave men and women complimentary traits and women tend to be more gentle and able to help children, just as God designed. My mother especially uses her God given talents.

For the last two nights, I have not had any help at night. We knew this was coming, but it still means 53 hours straight without outside help. Dad goes to bed around 9:00 in the evening and it's just mom and I until he gets up again at 1:30 in the morning. During this time, I go up and down in bed and start some of my night routine.

Despite being tired and having pain from a day of activity, mom still does what's needed. I wish I could make the time easier for her, but don't have another way to help. Mom also keeps track of everything for the house as well as helping with our family.

Above all, I'm thankful for the Godly instruction mom gave me. As a young boy, I remember sitting on mom's lap, vent tubes and all, as she read to me from a children's Bible. She also always encouraged me to keep up in school and not run over classmates.

We never know how long I will be able to continue living at home. However, mom has worked very hard for 40 years to allow me to live at home and be active. All the decades have accumulated much stress and many long nights, and I'm thankful for everything God has done through my mother.

Remember to cherish parents and look for their guidance while you can. We never know when life will change and someone will be taken from us. Let us celebrate mothers not only today, but every day.

Looking Back at 40 Years

February is always a month of transition for me. The last major, long-lasting, storms of winter and cold air usually subside and start to give way to spring. As I write this week's entry, a long stretch of sub-zero temperatures has ended and the thermostat is above freezing. February 20 is also the anniversary of entering the quad life. This years marked the 40th anniversary of that journey that started on a cold winter evening.

The last few days, I posted an entry on my Facebook page and a video on my YouTube channel to mark the date. Seeing the comments has relived support from so many over the decades, and memories of all that has happened.

As a three-year-old, I didn't fully realize what was going on with my body. I don't remember waking up to a realization one day, but just gradual acceptance of this was just my life. My parents were told I would be walking by the time I was ten, which was also about how long I would live. More than four times than that has passed, and I'm still here, but not walking.

When my parents won the battle to bring me home again and live a "regular" life, they were warned I would constantly be sick. I went through grade school, high school, and college without any major illness. Pressure sores were, and are, a problem, but that wasn't due to classmates.

Technology has also vastly improved with now using the diaphragm pacemaker, FES bike, and general antibiotics. I greatly miss having uninterrupted speech on the vent, but enjoy having natural breathing.

Unfortunately, I've lost many quad friends that have not been given this many years. I sometimes wonder why God chose to bless me this way, but I try to work for Him however I can. What this next year, and new decade, will bring, I don't know. Whatever it is, I trust God and His lead in everything.

Giving Thanks in 2024

Once again, we have reached the week of Thanksgiving. All month, I have seen a couple friends posting an item of thanks every day. I liked the idea, but inevitably forgot to do it and only posted a few times. Despite my forgetfulness, or distraction, I try to find reasons for thanks in any situation.

This year was my first in several years that I had serious medical issues. I am thankful to have been home for over a month and feel back to normal again. Throughout the process, I was thankful for first responders that were available when needed. Also, God's care was evident with providing caregivers that would listen to my family and I and learn my needs. My parents continue to be a large blessing in all that they do for me, including staying multiple nights in the hospital.

In August, my grandmother passed away at the age of 94. I am thankful for all the years God gave me with my grandmother and everything she and grandpa did throughout my life. I know many people never got to meet their grand parents, let alone have decades with them. Their memories continue to live in all of their family.

Most of all, I'm thankful for God's gift of salvation and sacrifice of His Son. As I grow older and continue studying God's Word, I increasingly realize my depravity of sin and need for forgiveness. I know there isn't anything I can do to pay for my sin debt. As Paul wrote, where sin abounds, grace abounds more (Romans 5:20).

When I see friends, and family, continue to reject God's gift and live in rebellion, it hurts my heart in knowing the fate that awaits them. However, I'm thankful I can continue to be a witness to them and pray that they come to Christ while they can.

Thank you to my readers for continuing to follow my random musings in the quad life. I pray that you have a great week and day of thanks!

Losing Another Friend

Living the quad life means you're generally living alone. Yes, I'm surrounded by family and caregivers at all times, but I rarely see any other high-level quadriplegics. There are a few other wheelchair users in my small town, other than elderly, but none have the same health needs like me. Therefore, I have learned to advocate for my needs and how to teach medical professionals.

When I was a kid, and adult, I enjoyed spending time at CHAMP Camp every summer. It was a fun week, but also a time to be around other people like myself. Thankfully, social media has allowed much easier contact for all kinds of social groups, including quadriplegics. I have posted about friends I have met this way before, and one of them was Chuck Foss.

I was introduced to Chuck through a quad friend's wife. Through initial introduction, I learned Chuck lived in Maine and received his spinal cord injury four years before me. That makes him the longest living quadriplegic I have met. For most of Chuck's SCI years, he also used a diaphragm pacemaker similar to mine. Chuck's advice was very helpful when I was transitioning off the vent and it helped me get on the pacemaker faster.

Chuck and I communicated a few times by email and video chat, but never met in person. Our most recent collaboration was helping with a Christian outreach packet he was working on. I was thankful to see his good grasp of the Christian faith and doing more evangelism than many others do.

Tuesday afternoon, I was checking Facebook, and saw a notice that Chuck had passed away a few days earlier. He was 58 years old and lived 43 years after receiving his injury at age 15. Messaging Chuck's sister, I learned he died after a major bowel surgery that did not heal properly. This post is now one month after I was hospitalized for digestive problems.

I have seen many quad friends pass away, but Chuck is the first to have more injured years than me. That means I now move up to the second longest living quadriplegic I know. I don't know if God will give me another four years, but I do pray to live it for His glory. Chuck will be missed by all who knew him, but I'm thankful that he is now free of earthly trouble and has entered eternity with a new body in the presence of God.

Completed Book Project

Over the years, I've had many different projects. In school, I always had assignments that increased in complexity as the years progressed. After college and starting work, I had new projects of web development that continue through today. I also have continuous work of sermon preparation (such as today) and life needs. However, one that has taken a lifetime of research is now complete.

I don't exactly remember when I started my autobiography, but I believe it was around 2018. Since then, I have been writing as I had time and jogging my memory through pictures, interviews, journals, and just thinking back. Some memories have been pleasant to recall, but others were very hard and I struggled to even write them. However, I thought my times of extreme struggle and wondering why I was still around may help others.

Since January, I have been working with an editor to make text changes as well as various suggestions to keep interest. As it progressed, we worked on cover design, wording for different aspects, and interior design. Each step also required approval along with adjustments of pictures and other points.

After nearly five year's of work, it is finally finished. This past Friday, it went available on Amazon for purchase. The paperback version came first, followed by electronic, and hard cover will be coming soon. I like that I can make small text edits any time I want and they can be uploaded to correct future purchases.

Part of me is excited to be finished, but I'm also unsure. I keep questioning if it was worth the effort or if only a few family and friends will find it interesting. Time will tell how it will go and promotion is completely up to me. After all versions are available, I may promote it further, but not sure.

My new question is; now what? I don't want to waste free time on superfluous activities like games or YouTube. I have had another writing project in mind, but not sure if I want to start it immediately. I'm thankful for the quad life God has given me and that I will continue to live remembering to trust in Him.

Surprise Speed Bump Visit

Almost annually, I talk about a visit from my best friend John. We have been friends since his dad came to be pastor at our church, which included through high school, and I know his family well. During my senior year of high school, John and I were both in journalism class together. One class period early in the year, we were bored and looking to fill time after our assignment was complete (maybe complete anyway).

John's oldest sister was a freshman that year. John and I schemed a little, and came up with a sign reading, "To me, all freshman are speed bumps." I hung it on the back of my chair during lunch that day and it resided in my locker all year. John's sister of course was the primary source of our thinking and she earned the nickname Speed Bump.

It has been more than twenty years since I graduated high school. The last time I saw all of John's family was at his wedding in 2005. I have followed his sisters on Facebook and interact with them, but that has been the only contact for many years. However, Speed Bump messaged me late last week to see if I was busy and if she and her boys could visit.

Speed Bump's husband couldn't get off work for spring break, but she wanted to come and see the new church facility, tour town with her sons, and see the old building before it (possibly) gets torn down. Tuesday was cold and cloudy and meant no possibility of walking to the park. Therefore, our group stayed at home playing Jenga and I got to practice my grade school routine of writing with mouth and feet. 

I loved getting to meet her boys and catching up on life for the past several years. The short two hour visit went quickly, but I've heard the kids want to come in summer and go to the park with "Joel in the wheelie chair." I have also been thinking that offspring of a speed bump would be small, but still noticeable when getting ran over. I may have to call the kids my rumble strip, but not sure of it yet.

Whatever fun names we make, it was a great visit to get caught up with friends again and meet her family. I always enjoy being with kids and teach the quad life is just a unique way of living. April should be busy with school visits and other activities, but I hope it won't be another decade before the next visit.

Remembering Friends

The more years God gives a person, the more people you encounter and may get to know well. With social media, the circle of friends with similar interests can get even larger. I have written before about meeting others with spinal cord injuries (SCI) in this manner and getting to know them well. One such friend was William (Bill) Miller from Florida.

Bill was a fellow vent-dependent quadriplegic due to an accident in college. He and I initially connected through an online forum for people with SCI. When I started researching about the diaphragm pacemaker, Bill looked into it for himself as well. We had similar lists of pros and cons for switching, but concluded it would be good to try. I had successful surgery for it in November 2010, but Bill's implant procedure a few months later didn't work.

While we had similar physical needs, it wasn't all we shared in common. I don't remember the exact year, but Bill and I did an annual Bible reading plan together. It was the first time he had read the Bible completely from front to back and I enjoyed helping answer his questions. It was the first time I had the opportunity to do such a study with anyone and it helped form my thoughts for helping others.

For the last few years, Bill and I have been comparing notes on writing our own books. I let him approve the portion where he is mentioned in mine and I read where he talked about me in his. I have known many fellow quads over the years, but Bill was the one I probably talked with the most frequently. Scrolling through Facebook this past Thursday, I saw that Bill died on March 22. It was a surprise to see, especially since we had last talked in late February and he was doing well.

In August, Bill would have been 25 years post injury, I'm 37. For the past few years, several of my quad friends have died. It's part of living the quad life, but it still doesn't get easier. I'm thankful for all the years God has given me, but I still always wonder why I have been blessed with so many more than others. When my time does come, I also wonder if the friends I have made, but never met in person, will know that I'm gone.

No matter what the future holds, however long we're given, be sure to live according to God's will. We never know what tomorrow will bring, or if it will even come, and we need to always keep this in mind and be prepared.

Where is that passage?

In January 2021, I started reading the first two chapters of Matthew. My goal was to read two chapters, every day, for a month and then move on to the next two chapters. I am very familiar with the early chapters of Genesis and can reference where events can be found, but not as well in the New Testament. I hoped that constant review of the same passage would help retain where to find different items in the gospels.

I kept the practice going all through 2021 and at the end of February, I finished reading all 28 chapters of Matthew. On March 1, I moved on to read Mark 1-2 and plan to continue going through the New Testament with constant review. However, I can't say I have achieved the results I hoped to get.

Sometime around March of 2021, I watched a movie that only read the text from Matthew while actors somewhat portrayed the events. At that point, I knew when they got to a new chapter, what to expect next, and recognized when the movie progressed beyond where I had read so far in the year. If I went back to watch it again, I know I wouldn't do well in clearly knowing where they were at in the book.

Like everything new, we get excited to start a project and look forward to learning. In 14 months, I have only missed reviewing a few days. However, my mind wonders off into whatever else I have going on and I remember things I forgot to do. By the time my head catches up to my eyes, I have already gone several lines, or paragraphs, without comprehending the text.

After completing one book, I can point out key areas such as the sermon on the mount in Matthew 5-7 and the trial and crucifixion of Jesus in Matthew 26-27. However, that's not much better than what I already knee before starting. If I was asked where a certain parable or miracle was recorded, I would still need to look up the reference.

Comprehension or not, I think it's a good practice to continue. If God let's me live long enough to go completely through the New Testament at two chapters a month, I'll see what I can remember for my next time through. Until next time, I'm off to read through the opening of Mark.

What's a Church?

When someone drives past certain buildings, they may say "that's a church." While it's commonly said, and thought, it isn't necessarily accurate.

The Christian church is made up of people that are spread across the globe. Groups, or congregations, from small to large form local congregations that often meet in a certain building. The structure could be a shack with a dirt floor, a house, or an ornate cathedral that is hundreds of years old. Many congregations grow attached to the place they meet as it is used, hopefully, many times a week for worship, praise, and studying God.

For my entire life, I have been part of one congregation that has used one structure for most activities. I remember for many years dad pulled me in my manual wheelchair up the long flight of stairs into the sanctuary, twice every Sunday. Around junior high, an elevator was installed that allowed me to get in with my power wheelchair and easily access the main floor and basement. It was small, but it worked for me as well as elderly members using walkers or other mobility aides.

Subsequent wheelchairs were a challenge to get though as many were too large for the church elevator. The current chair I now use took eight years to get partly due to difficulty in getting one small enough for church. Some weeks, the elevator wasn't working and I couldn't attend. I even got stuck in the building once due to an elevator problem and had to be carried out, chair and all.

Even with its challenges, I grew to love our church building, the choir singing in the sanctuary, and my designated bench. For several years, a waiting line has existed by the elevator for people waiting to leave. This has been a time I talked with people regularly and got to fellowship.

Last week Sunday was our final week in our facility, today my congregation met for the first time in our new building. I preached for another church and wasn't in attendance, but will have to work on new routines. I will no longer have an end of a pew that has been my spot for 36 years and can sit anywhere. I also won't have my regular group of people milling around for the elevator to catch-up with every week.

I have already given my thoughts on building types, but will see how the change adjusts the congregation. This week ahead will be interesting, but that will be another post.

Fourth Visit in 28 Years

In June 1993, I went to my first week of CHAMP Camp. It has been 28 years since my first encounter with what would become a life-long commitment. I attended camp for seven years as a camper and have been a counselor 15 years in person and this year virtually. In 2018, I also went to the Louisville area to preach for a camp friend and a few others came to hear me. The summers I was not active at camp, I have visited at least twice and promote camp any chance I get.

With nearly three decades of involvement, I have made several friends of fellow long-term counselors as well as current and alumni campers. However, camp is based in Indianapolis and many of the people involved are from that area or further east. Therefore, I normally only see camp friends in person during camp week. However, that does change on some rare occasions.

This past Tuesday, a counselor friend came to visit for the day. Cayla and I had talked about her visiting a few years ago at camp. She would stop over during a trip she had planned to Nebraska with her family. However, this pandemic thing kind of changed plans. Therefore, we got it worked to reschedule before winter arrived and another year has passed.

Cayla's visit makes the fourth time someone from camp has come to visit me, with two of them during my camper years. It was fun getting to show her my little town and areas I like to go for entertainment. Camp also gets very busy with many people around and it's hard to find time to just talk with friends and get caught up. I enjoyed getting to just talk and actually get caught up with her, even with my parents or caregiver also with us.

She started driving early Tuesday morning from the Indianapolis area and arrived around noon. By 9:00 that evening, Cayla was ready to head to the hotel and then returned home Wednesday. Therefore, she drove about 14 hours and had an overnight stay for a nine-hour visit. I have done the same drive and stay for a three-hour visit to camp. I'm thankful it worked out and that I was able to spend time with friends twice in September.

As changes in the country and my physical needs continue, I doubt I will be returning to volunteer at CHAMP Camp. I hope this won't be the last time I see any of my camp friends in person, but I enjoyed this one as a rare treat.

Have Friends, Will Experiment

Over Labor Day weekend, my best friend John came to visit, along with his two boys. Due to last year having travel restrictions, I haven't seen them in person since summer of 2019. In two years, children change quite a lot. It was fun seeing how the kids had grown and having an active house for a few days. John and I have not qualified as children for a few decades now, and some things never change.

On Saturday, the two of us were talking, watching the boys play, and just hanging out in the house. Mom was also talking with us and said she remembered when we were in high school and she would come home to find us grinning with computer parts strewn around my room. That reminded me that my parents found my old Toshiba laptop early last year and I kept it for just such an occasion.

Digging through my collection of outdated computers, we soon found the machine that I  received around 1991. At that time, it was very useful and I utilized it in the last years of grade and junior high school. Now, it is completely useless and unable to do anything modern technology does. I always wanted to see what was inside, and that's what we did.

It took some searching, but John kept finding screws hidden in various locations. Removing them slowly pealed the plastic case away from the electronics. After a few pops that sounded curious, we were soon inside. One of the first items removed from the interior was a long, thin, battery pack. Originally, it would have helped to turn the machine on. Now, corrosion had claimed the power cell, meaning the computer could not start if we wanted it to.

Through the next several minutes, John continued to take out screws and unplug wires until the kitchen counter was covered with what used to be cutting edge technology. The keyboard and screen would not yield to further destruction. However, John's oldest son quickly latched onto the bones of the computer. The screen worked well to prop his iPad and the keyboard functioned as a tool to help with typing practice. He didn't seem to mind that punching the keys had no results, it was fine for his imagined document.

Our previous computer escapades always resulted in an upgraded, functioning machine. This time, the parts went to the curb and the bones went home with a happy boy. Living the quad life often means few close friends, but I'm thankful for when we can get to be together and enjoy mutual destruction, I mean exploring.

Day of Remembrance

Twenty years ago today, terrorists hijacked four planes. Two of them were flown into the Twin Towers of New York, one into the Pentagon, and one crashed in Pennsylvania. Anyone over thirty very likely remembers where they were on that day and can play out the day's activities by heart.

Photo by Olga Subach on Unsplash

The following days, everyone was glued to their television to not miss any updates. American flags were up on houses all over the country and we vowed never to forget the heroes who died trying to help save others. Not long after the attack, President George W. Bush declared war on terrorism and sent troops to Afghanistan. Unfortunately, much of America has forgotten and gone full circle.

A few weeks ago, President Biden declared that American troops would be completely pulled out of Afghanistan and set a date. Unfortunately, many have said it was the worst possible way to remove our troops. Thirteen were killed trying to protect the airport so people could evacuate. Many civilians that helped the U.S. soldiers were left behind, as well as $85 billion worth of military equipment.

In less than two days, the Taliban took over the country and have been killing those who helped the army as well as any Christians. The terrorist organization now has more black hawk helicopters and equipment than many countries. While this happens, the leaders of the U.S. have been promoting social issues in places like Vietnam, where we also had horrible war results. Watching news from countries like Australia, America has become the laughing stock of the world with allies unsure if they would receive military aid if, or when, needed.

For the last several days, my morning reading has been in the book of Ezekiel. The prophet warned of coming disaster due to Israel forsaking God. In many ways, it echoes what I see happening in much of the developed world.

Today, remember those that died twenty years ago in the attacks as well as soldiers who have been killed fighting for freedom. Also pray the past is not repeated and the country will return to Christ before it's too late.

Construction Day

The street in front of my house has been slowly deteriorating the last few years and had become rough to drive on. Two weeks ago, equipment started appearing outside tearing up the concrete. A day after work started, a notice was put on the front door advising on street repair beginning in a few days.

Judging by other road work around town, I imagined it would take all summer for the project to be finished. However, watching out the front windows on my bike trips, I have watched concrete get broken up and loaded into dump trucks. The last few days, new cement was laid, cut, and now looks complete. I'm guessing within a day or maybe two, it will be open again.

Watching the work literally outside my front door has been interesting. However, an excavator swinging cement chunks over our yard left a few deposits. Cutting new cement also bathed the yard and sidewalk with a layer of dust. Dad has been diligently cleaning everything so mom and I don't get dirty wheels and he doesn't hit rocks with the lawn mower.

This is the second year in a row dad and I have been home for Father's Day and not out at CHAMP Camp. I would like to be able to give him a day off, but it's not really possible. With no day help on weekends, he is the only one that can do my cares and the day feels pretty similar to any other.

Through all the years, I am thankful for all the blessings God has given me through dad. We have one Father, in heaven, who uses people He has placed in our lives just for the right purpose. Many of the campers, and now adults, with severe medical needs like mine have only one parent that stays around, if any do stay. Most often, it is the dad that leaves and mom gets the full responsibility of caregiver and provider.

On this day designated for dads, I'm thankful for the example mine has given. I know I can depend on him as a one-person mechanic for the van, bed, wheelchair, and pretty well everything I use. However, he also looks to God first and lets me drag him along to different churches I'm asked to preach at and hears some of my recycled sermons I use for first-time visits. I don't know what the week ahead will bring, but I can be sure dad will come home after 10-12 hours at work and continue to be someone mom and I can depend on.

Successful Year

Today marks the last Sunday for 2020. The next regular entry for the quad life will be next year, just a week from now. I have heard many people say they are looking forward to this year being over, along with all the changes. I can understand the feeling, but it has also been a year of success.

It started unintentionally, but I made a goal of including a picture with every post this year. With this final message, I did make my goal. Some of the topics were a little challenging to find an appropriate graphic, but I think it worked well. Looking back on older posts this year, seeing the image helped me remember what I wrote, even before reading anything. I don't plan to continue the goal for next year, but I do want to aim for at least one picture for every 2-3 updates.

With not much work, and no place to go, I have made a lot of progress in writing my autobiography. I don't remember where I was at in January, but I am now to the end of 2017. Originally, I planned to stop with the end of 2015. However, I decided to add one more chapter as a short summary from 2015 to maybe 2019. The problem with an autobiography is that it is always developing as the writer lives. Therefore, I will definitely stop in early 2020 with the 35th anniversary of the accident. If anyone wants to read further, I still plan to keep writing here. Maybe at some point it will have a second edition, but I'll focus on completing this one first.

Nobody planned to have lock downs this year, but it is what happened all over the world. As a result, many schools, and doctors, quickly adapted to virtual classes and visits. I wrote a few months ago about having an opportunity to work with another college as a result. In January, I am planning to try and contact a few colleges and offer to help virtually. I have no idea if it will be a failure or a success, but I'll do what God allows.

Finally, this year taught many people how quickly life can change. It has been a reminder to not wait to repent of sins and turn to Jesus for salvation. The next day, or hour, isn't guaranteed and we need to always be ready. I don't know what will happen from now until the end of 2021, but God is in control and I trust in Him alone.

Transportation

For most people, getting from one location to another doesn't take much thought. In the house, walking around is an easy task and longer distances can be traversed by any car, bus, train, or some combination. Living the quad life, it isn't as simple.

Just getting out of bed takes a lot of work with me either getting picked up by hand or with a lift. Finding a wheelchair that works well for me takes years of planning followed by continued maintenance. Just to go from bed to the opposite end of the house takes 15-20 minutes. Then the challenge gets increased with leaving the house.

I can't simply hop in any vehicle, it has to have a lift for my wheelchair and be big enough for me to fit. Getting in and secured with straps to the van takes about 4-5 minutes. It's fine on nice days, but cold, wind, and rain can make it seem like an eternity.

To my standards, I have a new wheelchair with it being less than four-years-old. The van I use is about 25 years old, but works pretty well. I am very thankful that I have been blessed with these devices that allow me the freedom to get out and be active. I know this is not the case for everyone.

After giving thanks to God for these gifts, I also thank my dad for all he does. Over the years, he has become an expert at working on my wheelchairs. Some maintenance has required working with micro-switches in my chin control so I can keep moving. When I cracked the frame of my chair, he completely took everything apart so the frame could be brought to a weld shop. In less than two days, he had disassembled it, welded, and reassembled so I didn't miss a day of class.

God has also given dad skill in vehicle mechanics. Maintaining the van's motor, chair lift, and everything else to keep it working. He has also helped with my physical needs ever since birth and continues to work to earn an income for our family and provide medical insurance.

On this Father's Day, I give thanks to my Father in heaven and for the multitude of blessings He has given me through family. I pray that you can do the same this, and every, day.

Rainbow

This week, I have been seeing a lot of rainbow decorations in the news and on social media. They serve as a good reminder of the past and the future.

Genesis 9:13 says, "I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth." God had destroyed the entire earth, all land-dwelling, air-breathing animals, and mankind in a worldwide flood. He saved one family, Noah, and representative animal kinds aboard the ark. The rainbow promise was that God would never send such a flood again.

I've seen some people claim that Noah's flood was only a local event and didn't encompass the entire planet. However, if that's the case, then God's promise to never send such a flood again has been broken many times. Just in my lifetime in central Iowa I have seen devastating local floods, including this year. Catastrophic local floods have happened many times in history throughout the world. One in more recent times was caused by Mount St. Helens and carved out a canyon 25% the size of the grand canyon. God promised to never again send a global flood, not local.

In Noah's flood, everyone who was saved had to go through the door of the ark. Jesus compared Himself as a door that if we enter by Him, we will be saved (John 10:9). Peter also said that as the world was once destroyed by the flood, it will again be destroyed, but by fire. It will also be a global judgment, not just a local event.

The rainbows I have seen recently were meant to promote a particular lifestyle choice. However, that was not the rainbow's original sign, and that meaning still holds very true today. No matter what life choices someone has made, they are not beyond God's saving grace. Whether they are lies, theft, adultery, or even murder, they can all be forgiven. Just as their was a judgment during the flood, it will come again for everyone.

I pray that whenever the rainbow is seen, in any context, that it will serve as a reminder of what is to come.

Expired Discoveries

Every year, Medicaid requires me to fill out multiple pages of information to see if I still qualify. It's not like my condition will improve or I'll win the lottery, but I comply anyway.

My caregiver went to retrieve some paperwork from my closet and doing so caused a minor avalanche of stuff to fall off the shelf. I was laying on my side and had a perfect view as I attempted to stifle laughter while she retrieved my squirting flower amongst fallen items. My curiosity took hold and I asked, "What is some of that?" This started a distraction from our actual task that continued for over 30 minutes.

One of the binders on the shelf contained transcripts from college and final grade results. It confirmed why I did not continue with my degree in accounting and instead graduated with a degree in Information Technology. I hardly use it now, but it seemed like a better decision at the time. Further digging uncovered bags of school work.

Labels indicated they were from 2007 and earlier during my work on getting a B.A. in Computer Science. Since that quest never finished, the recycle pile was started. Continuing to navigate the shelf of historical finding, a few bags of granola bars and candy were found.

Finding a date, one of the bars said it was best eaten by December 2015. The discard pile continued as I halfway waited for a bug or two to crawl away. The bag of sweets contained a few Starburst pieces that I was tempted to try (not like I have stomach trouble). Tapping one on a table made for a good gavel, so I opted to skip it.

The final result ended up with a good discard pile and a cleaner shelf. We did finish the paperwork a few days later and get it sent. Hopefully this year will go smoother than last year when I got denied coverage. I'm thankful for the experiences God has given me in the quad life and it's fun to be reminded of them. I think I'll need to be more careful with old snacks though and wonder what will be found on more shelves.