I'm finally fully vaccinated! Now what do I do?
It's finally here. I am officially a couple of weeks out of becoming fully vaccinated with my coronavirus vaccine. For those who read my previous post, trying to obtain a vaccine as a person with a disability has been a long, difficult road.
You've heard me talk about all the issues those with disabilities were having to try to get a vaccine early on in the vaccination process. But unfortunately, the vaccination was virtually impossible to obtain in places across the country.
It's finally here. I am officially a couple of weeks out of becoming fully vaccinated with my coronavirus vaccine. For those who read my previous post, trying to obtain a vaccine as a person with a disability has been a long, difficult road.
You've heard me talk about all the issues those with disabilities were having to try to get a vaccine early on in the vaccination process. But unfortunately, the vaccination was virtually impossible to obtain in places across the country.
After successfully navigating the past year and trying to avoid exposure to the coronavirus, I was eager to try and get the vaccine as soon as possible because with my current health condition, contracting the coronavirus could prove fatal if I were to test positive for it.
Testing positive for COVID-19 weighed heavily on my mind over the past year as we dealt with quarantines and closures. So when I heard about the vaccine, I spent a lot of time trying to see if I could get a vaccine for myself.
But due to supply issues and state government procedures, those with disabilities were put towards the end of the line and had to wait our turn. Eventually, my time did come and I welcomed the opportunity with open arms, even if I had a little trouble lifting my arms on my own.
Now that I am fully vaccinated, I do feel more secure and confident that my chances of contracting COVID-19 are slim, but that does not mean I am fully comfortable being in public. I am very much still hesitant to be in large groups and spend little time in public places. But I feel it’s safe enough to venture out to places with appropriate safeguards and social distancing measures.
The vaccine is a signal that we are moving back towards normal, and we are now starting to return to public life. But we must still maintain caution and try to avoid any future outbreaks.
The vaccine has given me the insurance I need to help me fight against the possible chance of getting COVID-19, and I strongly urge those with compromised health conditions to get the vaccine as soon as possible.
Yes, I'm disabled and still waiting for my COVID-19 vaccine.
In 1997, I was fighting to survive. A severe cold and asthma complications left me paralyzed with a collapsed lung. I spent eight months in the hospital and relied on a ventilator to breathe.
It was a frightening time for me and my family and a day doesn’t go by without me thinking of that ordeal.
More than 20 years later, I have adjusted to life as a person with a disability and the fear of being so close to death has subsided. But with the rise of COVID-19 and the current uncertainty of getting access to a vaccine, the possibility of me being hospitalized is a very real possibility.
In 1997, I was fighting to survive. A severe cold and asthma complications left me paralyzed with a collapsed lung. I spent eight months in the hospital and relied on a ventilator to breathe.
It was a frightening time for me and my family and a day doesn’t go by without me thinking of that ordeal.
More than 20 years later, I have adjusted to life as a person with a disability and the fear of being so close to death has subsided. But with the rise of COVID-19 and the current uncertainty of getting access to a vaccine, the possibility of me being hospitalized is a very real possibility.
Even worse, it could all be avoided.
Coronavirus vaccines are making their way into the arms of seniors and essential workers across the country. While that is a welcome sign, those with disabilities and high-risk medical conditions appear to be forgotten by officials and are still not prioritized in many states, including Arizona.
If you happen to have a medical condition or disability in Arizona but still are under the eligible age of 55, you are still waiting for your opportunity to get vaccinated. This is the current predicament I find myself in.
As I wait, I limit my trips out in public. Any exposure to COVID-19 could prove deadly. With my asthma, diminished lung capacity and compromised immune system, I could find myself back in the hospital fighting for my life. It’s an experience I never hope to never have again.
But thanks to officials at the Arizona Department of Health Services, people like me are left to fend for themselves as we wait for our opportunity.
In a recent article in the Washington Post, a startling statistic caught my eye. Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities are two to three times as likely to die of COVID-19, according to the article. Many across the country like me are still waiting to get the shot. With a stat like that, you would think that those with disabilities and medical conditions of any age would have been moved to the front of the line.
The decisions regarding vaccine eligibility are supported by the Arizona Vaccine and Antiviral Prioritization Advisory Committee (VAPAC). This group, comprised of state, local, and tribal experts, and health care partners, provides recommendations for the state’s eligibility requirements. In a recent post on the ADHS website, VAPAC recommended expanding eligibility to those aged 55 and higher. Its reasoning was described as “to protect those who are most at risk for severe outcomes due to COVID-19, such as hospitalization and death.”
But those with disabilities and high-risk conditions under the age requirements are still not eligible. And that is simply and equivocally wrong.
We deserve better. We should not be seen as an afterthought in mainstream society. Yes, our lives require additional support and care from others. But that doesn’t make our lives any less of a priority or importance than our normally-abled counterparts. We deserve to live our lives the way we want to, without fear or confinement, held up in our homes, away from public life.
How can ADHS say their decisions are intended to protect those at the most-risk from COVID-19 when they are deprioritizing one of the most at-risk populations? How can a relatively-healthy 65-year-old man be considered higher risk than a 37-year-old quadriplegic with asthma and 1 and a half lungs? Or even a 20-year-old person with Down Syndrome?
There are numerous articles online asking this question with no answers from any officials. Here are just a few:
The silence from them is deafening and that ignorance could result in deaths that could be prevented with early access to the vaccine.
For now, I continue to scroll through my social media feeds and see photos of people getting their shots. Many of them are of various ages, occupations and ethnicities. Most appear relatively healthy and a few have high-risk conditions. It gives me a severe case of a “fear of missing out” as I see many who are less at-risk of COVID-19 than I get access to the coronavirus vaccine. Unfortunately, my current case of FOMO is accompanied by a very real fear and a risk of hospitalization and death.
WATCH: ADHS speaks about COVID-19 vaccinations for high-risk conditions
Fans have a new way to meet celebrities during the pandemic
While the convention floors may be empty for a while, COVID-19 has given fans a new way to meet their favorite celebrities: virtual meet-and-greets.
I’m a self-proclaimed nerd. It all started as a young kid collecting “Spawn” comics and watching “The X-Files.” in the 90s. Even today, I still proudly wave my nerd flag into my 30s as several original drawings of “Daredevil” and “Batman” adorn my office walls while a custom “Gundam” model keeps me company near my desk.
There are many rites of passage in “nerdom,” but perhaps one of the biggest is attending conventions. I have been lucky enough to attend many local comic book conventions and even attended the great San Diego Comic-Con a few times.
I’m a self-proclaimed nerd. It all started as a young kid collecting “Spawn” comics and watching “The X-Files.” in the 90s. Even today, I still proudly wave my nerd flag into my 30s as several original drawings of “Daredevil” and “Batman” adorn my office walls while a custom “Gundam” model keeps me company near my desk.
There are many rites of passage in “nerdom,” but perhaps one of the biggest is attending conventions. I have been lucky enough to attend many local comic book conventions and even attended the great San Diego Comic-Con a few times.
But due to the pandemic, it may be a while before we are able to return to large gatherings like conventions. While the convention floors may be empty for now, COVID-19 has given fans a new way to meet their favorite celebrities: virtual meet-and-greets.
Zach and I briefly chatted about his role as NFL Hall of Famer Kurt Warner.
With the help of video conferencing technology, fans are now able to meet stars of their favorite movies, TV shows and video games without ever having to leave their home.
My first experience with this new virtual interaction was with “Chuck” and “Shazam” star Zachary Levi. An online convention was offering a virtual one-on-one hangout with Levi. I decided to participate in the event. And I was pleasantly surprised with the whole process. I enjoyed it so much, I did another meet-and-greet at a different virtual convention to meet “Shooter” and “The Flash” star Shantel VanSanten.
Yes, Shantel was a pleasure to chat with.
Overall, both video chats were great. Before the session, I sat in an online waiting room. A counter then lets you know your place in line. On average, the chats lasted between 3-5 minutes. I was able to ask a couple of questions in each video and converse with the stars for a few minutes. You normally are able to do a quick chat when you meet celebrities during autograph sessions at conventions, but these video sessions feel a little more personable with the one-on-one chats.
After the chat is over, I was able to download a video of the meeting to watch later. I like this feature. It’s a neat memento that I wouldn’t normally have if I met these stars in person.
As a nerd and lover of all things pop culture, I can appreciate this new opportunity for fans. It’s a unique experience and having the chance to meet and interact with some of my favorite celebrities is something I thoroughly enjoyed.
Experiences like this cost anywhere from $60-$300, based on my quick online research. I definitely recommend this for anyone out there who would like to say hello and chat with some amazing personalities.
RELATED: DON'T LET FEAR DRIVE AWAY YOUR HOPE
AN OLDIE BUT GOODIE: 10 THINGS TO KNOW WHEN MEETING SOMEONE IN A WHEELCHAIR
This is the word I will remember most from Biden’s victory speech
On Nov. 7, 2020, the world learned the news about Joe Biden becoming president-elect. Many people took to the streets across the country to celebrate after a long week of counting ballots and analyzing voter turnout.
As day turned to night Saturday, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris addressed the nation and spoke about what the next four years in office would look like.
For those who watched, there were plenty of memorable moments. From Biden proclaiming his priority to unify the country, to Harris talking about her historic moment becoming the first woman to be elected Vice President.
On Nov. 7, 2020, the world learned the news about Joe Biden becoming president-elect. Many people took to the streets across the country to celebrate after a long week of counting ballots and analyzing voter turnout.
As day turned to night Saturday, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris addressed the nation and spoke about what the next four years in office would look like.
For those who watched, there were plenty of memorable moments. From Biden proclaiming his priority to unify the country, to Harris talking about her historic moment becoming the first woman to be elected Vice President.
But for me, one word in Biden’s speech will always resonate with me.
“Disability.”
During his victory speech in Wilmington, Delaware, Biden mentioned the disabled community, and I was left speechless. And I wasn’t alone. Just do a quick Twitter search for the hashtag #CripTheVote.
““We must make the promise of the country real for everybody — no matter their race, their ethnicity, their faith, their identity or their DISABILITY,” the president-elect said Saturday night. ”
That was the first time I ever heard the President of the United States mention those with disabilities in a victory speech. At that moment, it didn’t feel like I was part of a segregated population. At that moment, I felt like an equal citizen.
It was only a small word for most people watching that night. But for me and others in the disabled community, it was so much more. It was a defining moment. After that mention, I finally felt heard, and it felt good.
A president, albeit a president-elect, openly acknowledged the disability. And he did it in his victory speech.
His acknowledgment for me was seen as a rallying cry for those in the disabled community. That our issues and needs may finally be heard and true change could be on the horizon. That opportunities for those with disabilities will increase and give us a chance to lead more meaningful, successful and enjoyable lives, just like our able-bodied counterparts.
People with disabilities make up “the nation’s largest minority,” with nearly 50 million Americans, according to the Department of Labor. So I believe our voice will only grow louder.
It may only be one word now, but hopefully, it will turn my cautious optimism into meaningful change for those living with a disability.
Don't let fear drive away your hope
September has been a strange month for me over the past few decades. Along with the significance of the 9/11 attacks in 2001, the day after also holds a special meaning for me. On Sept. 12, 1997, I became a quadriplegic and lost the ability to use my arms and legs.
Each September years after that fateful illness brought a wide range of emotions, but this year, one emotion stood out more than most. Fear.
As I look back on my experience with my illness, Hopkins Syndrome, I vividly remember how I felt initially as I woke from my coma in the intensive care unit at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Once I gained my bearings, I could feel the fear wash over me. I was covered in tubes as I.V. bags and monitors towered over my bedside. I was a scared 14-year-old boy stuck in a life-changing moment.
September has been a strange month for me over the past few decades. Along with the significance of the 9/11 attacks in 2001, the day after also holds a special meaning for me. On Sept. 12, 1997, I became a quadriplegic and lost the ability to use my arms and legs.
Each September years after that fateful illness brought a wide range of emotions, but this year, one emotion stood out more than most. Fear.
As I look back on my experience with my illness, Hopkins Syndrome, I vividly remember how I felt initially as I woke from my coma in the intensive care unit at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Once I gained my bearings, I could feel the fear wash over me. I was covered in tubes as I.V. bags and monitors towered over my bedside. I was a scared 14-year-old boy stuck in a life-changing moment.
At the time, I was just trying to survive. Determining how the rest of my life would turn out was pretty low on my to-do list. It’s completely understandable for me to be afraid and fearful about what was happening. My life was changing right before me.
But as the days turned to weeks, and weeks into months, the fear slowly receded. With each physical therapy session and child life appointment, I began to understand my new reality and adjust to my life as a person with a disability.
WATCH: Have A Seat vlog on YouTube
Now don’t get me wrong, 23 years later the fear is still very much there. But it’s not driving me away from my hope for a great life.
I may be scared of not being able to accomplish or experience all I wanted in life, but I’m hopeful of what my future holds. Uncertainty feeds my fear of what could be, but unwavering optimism strengthens my resolve to live life to the best of my abilities, even if I can’t move my arms and legs.
In today’s world, fear seems to be unending at times. From the coronavirus to the current political landscape, there’s a wide supply of things to be afraid of. But just as I have learned over the years, I wish those reading this will continue to find strength in their own hope and not let their fears overcome their ability to find happiness.
No matter how big or small.
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Take a listen to my Spotify playlist
As I continue my work from home, I have been reintroduced to the joy of listening to music throughout the workday.
In my previous jobs, I was able to freely listen to my favorite bands, but the hustle and bustle of the newsroom makes that difficult nowadays. But with our new normal of social distancing and the coronavirus, I remember just how enjoyable and useful music can be in my workflow.
As I continue my work from home, I have been reintroduced to the joy of listening to music throughout the workday.
In my previous jobs, I was able to freely listen to my favorite bands, but the hustle and bustle of the newsroom makes that difficult nowadays. But with our new normal of social distancing and the coronavirus, I remember just how enjoyable and useful music can be in my workflow.
Now that I’m working at home for the foreseeable future, I created my own Spotify playlist. I added songs from my favorite bands like Death Cab for Cutie, Bon Iver and Explosions in the Sky. You can take a look at the full list in the embed below.
What songs would you include in your playlist? Let me know in the comments below.
What it's like covering the coronavirus
COVID-19. Coronavirus. Social distancing. Welcome to the new normal (for now). I and many others across the state of Arizona are transitioning to a new way of life. Living rooms are now offices, solitary walks around the neighborhood are daily workouts and Zoom meetings are a popular tool for social interaction.
The pandemic has taken hold of the globe's attention and the world watches and scrolls for updates on the fight against COVID-19.
And I am one of those who have the privilege to provide an essential service as a journalist to help keep my community informed during this tumultuous time.
COVID-19. Coronavirus. Social distancing. Welcome to the new normal (for now). I and many others across the state of Arizona are transitioning to a new way of life. Living rooms are now offices, solitary walks around the neighborhood are daily workouts and Zoom meetings are a popular tool for social interaction.
The pandemic has taken hold of the globe's attention and the world watches and scrolls for updates on the fight against COVID-19.
And I am one of those who have the privilege to provide an essential service as a journalist to help keep my community informed during this tumultuous time.
It's an honor to be able to be of service during this time and I will remember this moment for as long as I live. We transitioned to a work-from-home environment and the dynamic of news gathering is adapting to our new environment. Many newsrooms are relatively empty, but the news is far from gone. People like me get up every morning and roll up to our computers and begin checking for updates. My day is filled with checking emails, interacting with co-workers on Zoom, speaking with sources and developing content.
It comes in many forms in today's news-consumption landscape. From articles and videos to social graphics and tweets, I help share information on the coronavirus and tell the story of those affected by the outbreak, Not all of it is bad; for every article about the rising case numbers or updated social distancing requirements, there are those moments of hope. Stories about neighbors helping neighbors and kids sharing positive chalk-written messages help balance the intense reality we're currently living.
So for now, I’ll continue to cover this unprecedented event with pride and a great sense of duty. For as long as it takes.
And for everyone reading this, be sure to continue to wash your hands, keep your (social) distance and stay positive. As the great Harvey Dent said, “It’s always darkest before the dawn."
That photo of a kid admiring a model in a wheelchair is more important than you think
If you've been on the internet lately you've undoubtedly seen the viral photo of a young boy in a wheelchair at Target. In the photo, the boy is seen starting admirably at a photo display featuring another young boy in a wheelchair.
“He’s never seen a kid in a wheelchair before,” Demi Porter Garza-Pena, the boy’s mom said during a 12 News interview. “So for him to stop and notice that out of the blue was really heartwarming for me.”
Since its posting on Facebook, the viral photo has been received more than 49,000 likes and 34,000 shares. And the picture has brought up an important discussion online.
If you've been on the internet lately you've undoubtedly seen the viral photo of a young boy in a wheelchair at Target. In the photo, the boy is seen starting admirably at a photo display featuring another young boy in a wheelchair.
“He’s never seen a kid in a wheelchair before,” Demi Porter Garza-Pena, the boy’s mom said during a 12 News interview. “So for him to stop and notice that out of the blue was really heartwarming for me.”
Since its posting on Facebook, the viral photo has been received more than 49,000 likes and 34,000 shares. And the picture has brought up an important discussion online.
While many of us see a cute and heartwarming photo, it is so much more. It symbolizes the importance of disability representation in mainstream society.
As the disabled community continues to grow, there continues to be a push and need to get more accurate and frequent portrayals of people with disabilities in media. Everything from movies to television, advertisements to news stories.
In a recent report titled the “Road Map for Inclusion,” we see just how few disabled people are seen in movies and on TV. Along with the stats, the report calls for proportional representation moving forward; meaning 1 in 4 people “both in front of and behind the camera” should be a person with a disability. This proportion would match the 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. who live with a disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
So when you see this boy looking at a picture of someone who looks like him, it's more than just a cute story and I can certainly relate.
As a 36-year-old who is a person with a disability, I still get excited every time I see an ad with a person in a wheelchair or a movie that features a disabled character that is more than just an extra in the background. Not seeing people who look like you makes it very easy to feel invisible and not important to those around you. Seeing ads like the one at Target help shine a light on the growing disabled community and the importance of equal representation in society.
While this story has gone viral and has been viewed across the globe, my hope is that people who see this photo remember the reason for its importance. A kid in a wheelchair was happy to see a kid who looks like him out in public. It brought him a sense of belonging. A sense of acceptance. A sense that it's okay to be different.
Here's hoping that this story will show others with disabilities that you matter and the fight for inclusion is worth fighting for.
My biggest regret after becoming disabled
Last year, I was asked to speak to a group of physical therapy students to talk about my life as a person with a disability. I was asked plenty of great questions, but one in particular really caught me off guard.
“What is the biggest regret in your life?”
I was thrown for a loop. It was a question I’ve never been asked before and, to be honest, I never really thought about.
But after doing a quick scrub through my 36-year history in my mind, one theme kept popping up.
Last year, I was asked to speak to a group of physical therapy students to talk about my life as a person with a disability. I was asked plenty of great questions, but one in particular really caught me off guard.
“What is the biggest regret in your life?”
I was thrown for a loop. It was a question I’ve never been asked before and, to be honest, I never really thought about.
But after doing a quick scrub through my 36-year history in my mind, one theme kept popping up.
“I wish I was more outgoing,” I replied.
Shyness has been an enemy of mine since childhood and I’ve been fighting it ever since. I was always afraid of talking to people, and it was even worse when I became a quadriplegic. Most of my high school days, I kept to myself and didn’t really try to make new friends. Looking back at that time now, I know that I missed so many opportunities.
For me, there were no Friday hangouts, no all-night house parties or dates with that cute girl from English class. Every time I thought about my social life outside of school, logistical questions flooded my mind.
Who would drive me to the party? Who will help me eat? What if my asthma acts up? What if the house doesn’t have a wheelchair ramp?
So many questions with no real answers. So I just avoided them altogether. If I could give any advice to 14-year-old me, it would be to be brave and have the courage to put yourself out there. Trust yourself and the goodness of others.
I’m not a hermit by any stretch of the imagination, but not being more outgoing when I first became a person with a disability will always be my biggest regret. I missed out on so many things because I was afraid. Afraid of what people thought. Afraid of asking others for help. Afraid of things going bad.
I would like to say I’ve fully overcome my fear, but I’m not quite there yet.
There was this girl I’ve had a crush on for a while, and I was finally going to let her know how I felt on Valentine’s Day. But my fear got the best of me. I may never know if she will be a chapter in my love story, but I know she is destined to find the happy ending she’s looking for.
One day I will overcome this fear, and who knows, maybe one day I’ll even take my own advice.
I talk more about my biggest regret in my latest Have A Seat vlog on YouTube. You can watch the video below.
Rolling into the 2020s with new resolutions
2019 has come to an end and it's time for the beginning of a new decade. Turning the calendar to 2020 means taking stock of what things I've learned and experienced in 2019 and examining what goals and expectations I have for the new year.
A.K.A. what are my new year's resolutions?
2019 has come to an end and it's time for the beginning of a new decade. Turning the calendar to 2020 means taking stock of what things I've learned and experienced in 2019 and examining what goals and expectations I have for the new year.
A.K.A. what are my new year's resolutions?
Sticking to and finishing resolutions should be a resolution in and of itself. Many, including myself, often fall off the resolution wagon early in the year, so hopefully my aspirations for achievement don't fall by the wayside.
For 2020, I'm going with two resolutions. Maybe keeping it short and sweet will help me stick to my resolutions longer, maybe even all year.
First, I want to try and create more digital content for my website and YouTube channel. Aside from building my video production and writing skills, I think these mediums are a great way to share my story and experiences as a person with a disability. I feel reinvigorated to produce more content after helping with so many cool projects at work.
Second, I want to be more social. It seems kind of strange with me working in the world of SOCIAL media, but being social in real life versus a computer or phone screen is completely different. Ever since I was a kid, making friends was always difficult. And that was made even more difficult after I became a quadriplegic (Stay tuned for a future vlog on this topic). Maybe 2020 will be the year I have a legitimate social life and even go on my very first date!
Better late than never...
What are your resolutions? Are you even making any? Let me know in the comments.