From my good friend Sam McClung:
Welcome To My World
By
Samuel McClung, Ed. D.
Lockdown. Quarantine. Social distancing. We hear these words frequently with the COVID-19 pandemic.
What have I been doing while managing my Parkinson’s Disease symptoms? I spend my time mostly at home because my symptoms of poor balance, slow and unsteady gait, drooling, and poor speech makes it difficult for me in the “real world.” The bradykinesia is especially challenging as it makes me feel that the world around me is in a speeded-up motion. I also tire very easily, and going out means extra effort. I certainly am not working,
For the last year, most of the Parkinson’s Disease lectures I have “attended” via Zoom webinars, the most often group communication COViD-19 communication app I have encountered. Schools and businesses across the United States are using Zoom for group communication: classes and meetings.
In addition, my psychologist and physical therapist “meet” with me on the phone every week. These phone conferences are a change in Medicare coverage that came about because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Therefore, maybe for over a year, I have done very little out of the house on my own. I am in my own self, inflicted Parkinson’s Disease lockdown. I have socially distanced myself.
So as all of you try to cope with a new reality brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, you are coping with sudden changes to your lives and daily routine in some ways similar to what I am going through. You have my sympathy. It’s not fun. But if you maintain your health through this crisis, hopefully, your future is worth today’s sacrifices.
*
Sam McClung has been in the education business for 32 years. He enjoyed a wide range of challenges:
He
• taught vocational skills to disabled adults;
• taught middle and high school math and science.
• was the lead teacher in two different alternative programs.
• helped to open a brand new middle school.
• was the assistant principal at a college prep high school.
• was principal of a new high school and taught college graduate courses.
In addition, he coached high school and middle school cross country and track and served as an Arizona High School Track Association Board Member and was editor and publisher of the Arizona High School Track newsletter. He Founded the Girls Track Meet of Champions, coached an undefeated cross-country state championship team.
Upon retiring, he was elected president of his neighborhood association, president of a 1000 member hiking club, and commissioner on a local historic preservation committee.
04.21.2020: 0815: Here’s what we saw at Udall on our walk. There wasn’t enough breeze.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/WUFTKPFCzhKN6kz87
1000: After breakfast and I’m back at the keyboard, loading pictures.
This Ladderback Woodpecker is becoming a frequent visitor (as long as there is a seed cylinder). She’s smaller than the Gila. Female woodpeckers don’t have red top-knots.
A garden shot looking south between our west wall and the neighbor’s east wall.
1230: ALOHA ZOOM MEETING at 1300. Once again, I ran into problems just logging onto the site. But, I finally got in. ALOHA has about six or seven in the meeting. Pat (the Host) got it started.
It’s convenient to be able to turn off my video and eat my lunch while “attending” the meeting with audio. I can still participate and see everyone else, but they can’t see me eating the rolled beef sandwich.
I left early by 1345, so I could attend the PDA meeting that began at 1400. By now, I had no trouble attending the meetings. Aloha had focused on not having captioning, something that PJ and I need. They are working on it. The Parkinson’s meeting covered more specific thoughts about taking care of ourselves during the virus. Also, communication methods for Zoom and the group as a whole. We are still getting used to this form of communication. It will grow. Is this the wave of the future?
No archery this afternoon – too windy. Tomorrow morning will be better as the wind should be calm then. We won’t be walking since PJ has a PT meeting at 1000. I should be up and shooting by 0700.
Finally, working on my PROOF copy – short story.
1700: We had a light dinner with Quinoa & Brown Rice with garlic and spaghetti squash and rolled ham, while we watched the news. We must have been so tired Monday evening that we didn’t remember the final scene of THE VOICE. Fortunately, we record the programs. Checking it tonight, we realized that we had viewed it. We just had to play it to remember.
We continued by watching THE CROWN. They are moving up in history. The scene opens with the first Moon landing and the impression it made upon Prince Charles.
04.22.2020: 0730-0815: Practicing archery. I shot 30 arrows (Ten Ends) with many 20s but only one 30. I’m glad this was a practice.
I talked with Al and Dexter Dog this morning. 0920: Breakfast with Swombo. 1000: PJ has PT, and I’m in the waiting room with a mask on, reading Harvey’s book: For the Good of the Galaxy. 1600: Reading and typing. 1700: PJ helped me take down the winter bed comforter from the clothesline. We now have as summer comforter on the bed with clean sheets, of course. It’s so good to remember to take it down before 2100! I didn’t finish For the Good of the Galaxy, yet and I haven’t finished working on my PROOF copy. I did get some shooting this morning when it was calm. Tomorrow, we’ll walk again. And I’ll shoot for a score while Swombo keeps score. DRAGON is suddenly working. Good thing, now that I’m this far along without it. We have seen the end of Season Three of THE CROWN. Season four may start in November 2020.
04.23.2020: Up by 0530, filling the birdbath and spreading seeds out for out morning breakfast crowd of finches, towhees, woodpeckers, goldfinches, and curved bill threshes. We have this to look forward to each morning. Once in a while, I even manage to take their pictures.
0700: Time to wake Swombo for our walk.
Petition Seeks Free Captions for People with Hearing Loss on Video Conferencing Platforms
by HHTM
Hearing loss advocate, Shari Eberts, has launched a petition on Change.org, seeking free automatic speech recognition (ASR) captioning for people with hearing loss on video conference platforms such as Zoom and Google. […
0815: Left or Right? This question is asked by either PJ or me as we step out on the circle around Udall Park. Sometimes, we split the loop and go straight across from the far south circle, where we usually park because of the solar shade roof. We split the circle this morning, got to the middle section, and PJ said turn left. Coming toward us was Virginia!
Earlier this morning, long before Virginia was up, I had emailed her wanting to know when and where she and Larry went for walks. My suggestion was that maybe we could meet up somewhere and walk together. I have not seen them for probably two months. We couldn’t walk our talk long because she and Larry were on a schedule. He was on the north side of the circle in his car, talking with a doctor. Had we turned right, we would have missed her.
Did I take a picture? Of course not. Why would I remember to open up my cell holder on my belt, which I specifically bought so that I would have easy access to the camera for situations like this morning? As a backup, I expect PJ to remind me to take a picture. Next time I’ll do it. Maybe with four of us, someone will remind each other to take a picture.
We get Letters:
This, from Marilyn H.
Glad you are still keeping busy. The flowers are gorgeous…thanks. My first husband loved jigsaw puzzles….they have never made sense to me. He received a huge one from my brother one year. Took him about a year to complete it. He used glue, or whatever holds them together, and my son, Chip, has the puzzle in his home today 28 years after his Dad’s passing. Give me a crossword, and I’m happy.
Have a blessed day…Hugs
Thanks, Marilyn: When our kids were growing up, puzzles kept us occupied. We did many of them. I’ve heard of families completing and hanging (framed) Christmas puzzles each year. PJ does Words with Friends. That’s similar to a crossword, I think. SET