~ LINKS ~

~ RESOURCES FOR QUADS ~

Resources for Quadriplegics (medical supply shopping, assistive equipment, peer support, etc):

http://www.unite2fightparalysis.org/ - Our mission is to unite and empower those physically disabled by paralysis, their families, and their supporters.  We commit our skills to provide resources, tools, information and activities to strengthen the cure movement, with a particular focus on helping those physically disabled by paralysis to advocate for themselves.  We further pledge to support the efforts of other organizations committed to the same objectives. We are committed to a “fight to the finish” that will bring full recovery to victims of paralysis.

How and Where I Shop for Medical Supplies: There are about 7 medical product websites (Allegro Medical, Colonial Medical, Express Medical, Quality Medical, Emergency Medical Products, Jansen Medical, and Great Medical Supplies) that are all pretty similar, yet some have products that others don't.  I've purchased products from the first 2 listed above either because they had the best product or price (I always try to find a quality product at the best price). Anyway, if you need medical or wellness supplies, chances are you can find it at the above websites.  Do yourself a favor and check them out for any supply that you aren't certain that you're currently getting a good deal on, but don't buy the first acceptable product you see. The above websites compete with each other (and others) and some have the same product at a better price. Also, shipping costs affect product costs, which might influence where you buy as well. Once I find a quality product and I'm almost ready to buy, I check Froogle.com to make sure I'm getting the best price (Froogle checks multiple places, including eBay.)

http://www.dontheglove.com/ - Don The Glove - BUY GLOVES HERE!  All of the 7 websites I mentioned (see "How and Where I Shop for Medical Supplies" above) have exam gloves, however they don't have the best prices.  A good target price for powder-free latex gloves is about $4 (for a box of 100).  If you can beat that price (show me:) you're doing well.  If you can get them tax-free with FREE SHIPPING for about $4, you're doing extremely well. I haven't seen anyone beat "Don The Glove" for overall price and flexibility - they don't insist you purchase 20 boxes at a time; they have a good individual price and also have a "buy 9 get 1 free" policy to encourage customers to purchase by the case of 10 (use promo code "buy9" for that deal).

http://www.allegromedical.com/ - Allegro Medical - one of my  favorites. Many quads use Magic Bullet suppositories and Allegro has the best price I've seen. They also have the best price on Surgilube (a KY substitute; KY has been discontinued) with 4 oz. Flip Top Tubes, $14 for 12 tubes. My only "complaint" is there shipping is a little high ($8.95, several of the other 7 have less expensive shipping) but, even if all you buy here is Surgilube, with the entire shipping cost added to and divided by the 12 tubes, the per tube price is $1.91. That's not too bad, since it's delivered, and if you buy other things here also, the shipping (I think) stays at $8.95 up until $99, at which point shipping is FREE!

http://www.colonialmedical.com/ - Colonial Medical - they have some different things (checkout their aids to daily living category) and a good selection of certain categories, for example checkout their heel protection category and see numerous choices.

http://www.exmed.net/ - Express Medical Supply  -  A very cool website with a large variety and usually good (sometimes great) prices, but not on everything (check around before buying:).  One excellent product they have at a great price is individually wrapped antiseptic towelettes which are great for caregiver "hand cleaning" when away from home.  Overall, it's an extremely well designed & maintained website; discreet packaging is an option at no extra charge, and they have FREE SHIPPING for orders over $95.00. 

http://www.qualitymedicalsupplies.com/ - Quality Medical Supplies- a VERY WIDE assortment of medical products, often at very good prices. The only "drawback" for individuals shopping here is some of the least-expensive items that are sold individually, have purchase quantity requirements (e.g. buy 5 to get this price) but that can also work in your favor (just not if you only want one). That said, FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $100 which does give incentive to purchase more than you need right now (assuming it's something that won't expire and you'll use eventually:). 

http://www.buyemp.com/ - Emergency Medical Products - designed for paramedics & EMTs, they don't have too many things a quad needs to purchase regularly, but they have good prices on ambu bags (something I think every quad should have - for about $20, it could save your life) and a good price on a neat little finger pulse-oxymeter (although check Froogle.com for pulse-oxymeters)...

http://www.jansenmedical.net/ - Jansen Medical - a decent store with perhaps some variety not found in the above stores.  I haven't bought anything here yet, but it's another possibility for your supplies.

http://www.greatmedicalsupplies.com/ - Great Medical Supplies- they have an AMAZING SELECTION - not necessarily the best prices (some good, some average) but the selection is HUGE (hint, click on "manufacturers" from their homepage and see an amazingly long list of medical supply makers). If you haven't found what you need from the above websites, or if you're looking for a "hard to find" item from a specific manufacturer, this could be the place.

http://www.carecure.org/ - "Welcome to the CareCure Community.  Our forums provide latest information on spinal cord injury and related conditions.  Register to post messages.  Read our Forum Rules.  Vote in our featured polls.  Visit http://sciwire.org/ to read articles about spinal cord injury.  See our member pictures.  Meet our newest members.  Check our latest Community Statistics and the State of Our Community.  Enter our Chat Room.  See new posts since your last visit and today's active topics.  Read instructions on how to use this site and ask questions in the Feedback Forum."

http://www.paralysis.org/ - The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation (a merger between the American Paralysis Association and the Christopher Reeve Foundation -- click here for their resource center, located at http://www.paralysis.org/, from which you can e-mail an information specialist)...

http://www.passy-muir.com/ - for info on speaking valves, the key to ventilator speech (I used this speaking valve for about 8 weeks when I first became injured, but was fortunate enough to completely wean off the ventilator)... (for Bill Miller's speaking valve epiphany story, click here)... it's a major quality-of-life improvement for ventilator users, the ability to speak well and virtually without pausing...

http://www.jhemerson.com/ - home of the in-exsufflator, now called "Cough Assist," the alternative to suctioning and the key to clear lungs for ventilator users (for Bill Miller's testimonial, click here)...

http://www.multimediadesigns.com/ - home of Multimedia Max, my computer "Max" - (Voc. Rehab often pays for this computer - see below)...

http://www.enablinginc.com/ - [New link!] - This website features a product that enables low level quads (who have good arm function and some hand function) and paraplegics to transfer to the ground or floor and back to his or her chair, more easily than ever before.  A wheelchair user, Thom DeLilla, invented it.  It's called the "Bottoms Up Bars" and is now available at the above website.

http://www.quadcontrol.com/joystick.htm - are you a quad looking for home-based entertainment, possibly by playing video games on a device like Playstation 2 or X-Box?  This link has a joystick/controller which is designed for quadriplegics to be able to play video games (if you try this and like it, I would appreciate the feedback, thanks:)...

http://www.needymeds.com/ - looking for financial help with purchasing prescription meds, possibly low-cost or no-cost medicines?  This link appears to be a helpful resource for people who are eligibile (if you use that website and it proves to be beneficial, please send me a quick e-mail, so I'll know if it really can be a big help, or at least some help:)...

http://www.vocrehab.com/index.htm - nation wide assistance and vocational rehabilitation links (see the links page on their website for your state) - Voc. Rehab services are designed to help a disabled/injured individual... "prepare for, enter, engage in, or retain gainful employment."  This means helping with transportation, possible van modifications, possible home modifications, job placement and/or job site modifications, often a voice-activated computer for quads, assistance for going back to school and/or continuing education, etc.  (They helped me with apartment modifications 15 years ago.)

http://www.rehabworks.org/ - Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation... 

http://www.guldmann.com/ - the lift people (they have different types of lift systems)...

http://www.surehands.com/ - another transferring solutions company, for transferring people with limited mobility...

http://www.shepherd.org/ - THE place to be if you have a spinal cord injury...

http://www.travisroyfoundation.org/ - The Travis Roy Foundation was established in 1997 to help spinal cord injury survivors and to fund research into a cure.  Inspired by Travis' own story.  This generosity has made an immediate impact on the lives of many individuals.  The individual grant funds have been used to modify vans and to purchase wheelchairs, computers, ramps, shower chairs, and other adaptive equipment to help paraplegics and quadriplegics live their lives. 

http://www.makoa.org/ - THE most complete website for disABILITY Information and Resources...

http://www.survivingparalysis.com/ - a resource for SCI quads...

http://www.heatherhill.com/forum3/index.html - ventilator weaning discussion forum...

http://www.perspectivesinnursing.org/v1n3/dixon.html - great article on tracheostomy care and the transition from hospital to home with family caregivers...

http://promini.medscape.com/drugdb/search.asp - look up info on any & every drug a doctor may prescribe; patient handouts, precautions, usage & doses - inform yourself!

http://www.orthopoint.de/englisch/sci.htm - an International SCI support & connection resource...

http://www.disableddealer.com/ - an AWESOME disability resource and place for buying & selling adaptive equipment (accessible vans, scooters, wheelchairs, even homes and RV's)...

http://tankchair.com/ - TANK CHAIR!  This is awesome!

http://www.wheelchair-van.com/ - a good site for accessible vans... try voc rehab first (see above links) and BE PERSISTENT (they often help with transportation) before purchasing on your own...

http://www.amsvans.com/ - Handicapped Vans, Wheelchair Ramps and Wheelchair Lifts: AMSVans

http://www.hdsvans.com/ - a decent site for accessible vans... try voc rehab first (see above links) and BE PERSISTENT (they often help with transportation) before purchasing on your own...

http://www.loweredfloorminivan.net/ - a decent site for accessible vans... try voc rehab first (see above links) and BE PERSISTENT (they often help with transportation) before purchasing on your own...

http://www.drink-aide.com/ - staying well-hydrated is CRUCIAL for quads - being hydrated helps all of your body systems - and kidney failure is our number one killer.  I use a Camelbak Classic (70 oz. - it's available at sporting goods & outdoor equipment stores for a little less than $40) which we attach to my sip 'n' puff, but if you don't have a sip 'n' puff, the Drink-aide is an option - and it's good for bed (attaching to bed rails) too!

These next two featured items are a DEFINITE must read!

- MGT Corp. - Home of the IKAN Bowler®! - [WEBSITE UPDATED 7/5/06!] The below wheelchair bowling story has evolved into something that will hopefully help improve the quality-of-life for thousands of wheelchair users, especially quadriplegics.  IKAN comes from the Greek word ikano, which means enable.  They wish to enable wheelchair users to say "I CAN BOWL!"  Or "I KAN Bowl" with the IKAN Bowler® wheelchair bowling system.  :-)  MGT now has the best Power Soccer Guard available anywhere as well.  Checkout their "IKAN User Reward and Give Back Program" (a must read!) and more on their website, http://www.mgtcorp.com/, and the story of how they got started is below. 

- Wheelchair Bowling - Wouldn't it be GREAT if there were a device or devices that would enable almost all wheelchair users to bowl?  Well, read this story of how MGT got started - and see videos (although the best video is at the MGT website above:)...

~ COMPUTER TOOLS ~

Tools for All Computer Users (search engines, news, research):

http://www.google.com/ - probably the BEST search engine on the ENTIRE PLANET - be specific with your entries, google searches and cross-references all the terms you enter...

http://www.froogle.com/ - Google's new shopping search engine - a GREAT start for finding the best available prices on whatever you need (I think they even check http://www.ebay.com/ - another good place for careful shoppers to find bargains - it's an auction website)

http://www.edmunds.com/ - the ULTIMATE resource for car buying!  Check it out, and if you disagree, please show me a better website/resource for car buying, and I'll add it too!

http://www.epinions.com/ - a good shopping website for comparing prices and empowering yourself with "unbiased consumer reviews"...

http://www.consumersearch.com/ - "Reviewing the Reviewers" - a good place for research on virtually everything... supposed to be the best site for "expert" reviews...

http://www.ask.com/ - "Ask Jeeves" search engine: "where can I find inspirational quotes?"  Ask Jeeves!

http://www.whitepages.com/ - need a phone number, or mailing address for a person or business?

http://www.mappoint.com/ - get maps & directions to and from anywhere...

http://www.mapquest.com/ - get maps & directions to and from anywhere...

http://www.gomez.com/ - a service that rates e-businesses, a valuable tool when trying to determine which company or service to use...

http://www.consumerreports.org/ - the online version of the popular shopping guide...

http://www.mysimon.com/ - a good website for comparison-shopping, i.e. finding the best deals (on a wide range of products)...

http://www.pricescan.com/ - another good website for comparison-shopping (wide range of products)...

http://www.bizrate.com/ - another good website for comparison-shopping (wide range of products)...

http://www.shopper.com/ - good website for comparison-shopping (computer electronics & accessories)...

http://www.expedia.com/ - a good travel website (searches many providers)...

http://www.travelocity.com/ - a good travel website (searches many providers)...

http://www.priceline.com/ - a good travel website similar to the two above, but you can also "Name Your Own Price" - click here to find out how...

http://www.southwestairlines.com/ - occasionally fantastic airline prices (especially if shopped online more than two weeks ahead of time).

http://www.snopes2.com/ - will debunk just about all urban legends & virus hoaxes...

www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html - for virus hoaxes, from the makers of "Norton AntiVirus"

www.symantec.com/avcenter/ - for info on real viruses, from the makers of "Norton AntiVirus"

http://www.webhelp.com/ - if you're having trouble locating something on the world wide web, this site has real, live human help (you basically "instant message" them what you're looking for and they'll reply)

http://www.yahoo.com/ - great all around site, especially for people new to the web (all writing in blue is a link - just click and go!).  The best free online card games, free e-mail accessible from anywhere in the world, and more - do you Yahoo!?

http://www.hotmail.com/ - another free, popular, web-based e-mail service accessible from any computer that has Internet access...

http://www.cnn.com/ - for news and current domestic & global happenings; yahoo is also a great news site, with links to Reuters and all the nooks & crannies of Internet information...

http://www.about.com/ - Want to know "about" something?  Another good information resource...

http://www.medscape.com/ - for all things medical including research, drug information, patient handouts, and much more...

http://www.imdb.com/ - THE Internet Movie Database - anything and everything you ever wanted to know about who's in what and what else - movies, actors, directors, and more...

http://www.azlyrics.com/ - A to Z Lyrics Universe - Can't catch the words to a catchy song?  Here you go!  (If you don't know the artist or title, type the chorus or a lyric line into google and see if you can find your song - I've had success solving a few song mysteries that way:)...

http://www.tvguide.com/ - Want to know what's on today, tomorrow, or the next day?  Links to local listings!  (Sports fans can use this to find out in advance which games will be broadcast locally - put in your area code, then choose the time and day for advance listings).

~ CHARITABLE WEBSITES ~

Charitable Websites, just click for a free, sponsor-paid donation (please visit often/daily):

http://www.thehungersite.com/ - the hunger site, donate 1.1 cups of staple food with your click...

http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/ - the breast cancer site, click daily to help fund free mammograms...

http://www.thechildhealthsite.com/ - the child health site, click daily to help children in need...

http://www.theliteracysite.com/ - the literacy site, click daily to help give free books...

http://www.therainforestsite.com/ - the rain forest site, save 11.4 sq. feet of land with your click...

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/ - the animal rescue site, click daily to help feed rescued animals...

http://www.chunky.com/click_for_cans.asp - Campbell's Chunky soup has teamed up with the NFL to tackle hunger.  Visit daily and click the helmet of your favorite team and Campbell's will donate a can of soup to a needy person...

~ SPORTS ~

SPORTS (The University of Florida Gators, and ALL your sports needs!):

http://www.ufl.edu/ - University of Florida...

http://www.gatorcountry.com/ - Gator Country - THE number one Gator site for the Gator fan that simply can't get enough Gator football, basketball, baseball, etc - and recruiting - at your leisure, or year-round.  On the message boards, find passionate Gator fans and some truly connected insiders who share appropriate information.  The free version of GatorCountry is good, the full membership yields info for serious fans -

http://www.gatorbait.net/ - Gator Bait - the chief rival of Gator Country.  Similar content, similar info available.  A good fan site. 

http://www.alligator.org/ - the UF student newspaper online...

http://www.gatorsports.com/ - the Gainesville Sun's Gator Sports page...

http://www.espn.com/ - for ALL your sports needs!

http://cbs.sportsline.com/ - also a good all-sports site...

http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegefootball/polls - the major polls (AP, Coaches and BCS) polls offered in an organized fashion with clickable links to details...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/ - also a good all-sports site...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/college/tv_sked/ - college football's TV schedule, from now through the bowl games...

~ LOCAL MISC. STUFF ~

For locals to Florida, Central Florida, Lake County, and/or the Leesburg area:

http://www3.fdle.state.fl.us/sexual_predators/search.asp?sopu=true&PSessionId=1071717919& - Especially important for parents with younger children, check to see if sexual predators are living in your neighborhood.  Simply put in your zip code at that link - and likely be shocked at the PAGES of disturbing people who come up.

http://www.judgedonnamiller.com/ - Lake County Judge Donna Miller's website.  She's been "delivering justice since 1995..." 

http://www.lake-real-estate.com/ - Jim Miller's website.  If you have commercial real estate needs in central Florida, and Lake County especially, call him!)

http://www.lakecountygatorclub.com/ - The Lake County Gator Club®...

http://www.lovextension.com/ - "We'll be there when you can't!"...

http://www.dailycommercial.com/ - The Daily Commercial, the local newspaper serving Lake & Sumter Counties since 1875...

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/lake/ - Lake County news via the Orlando Sentinel...

http://www.lake.k12.fl.us/school-lhs/ - Leesburg High School (my alma mater)...

http://www.lakegovernment.com/ - Lake County, Florida, government - excellent resource site...

http://www.leesburgchamber.com/ - city info, business members, events calendar, and more...

http://www.tvguide.com/listings/index.asp?view=grid&width=635&I=61768&ad= - current and advance cable listings for your area, just put in your zip code and select your cable service...

http://www.weather.com/weather/local/USFL0277 - Leesburg, FL, current weather with links to detailed forecasts and current Doppler radar, etc...

http://www.movietickets.com/house_detail.asp?house_id=3508&house_name=AMC+Lake+Square+12+%2D+Leesburg - Check the showtimes for what's playing at AMC Lakesquare 12 Theatres and you can even purchase tickets online and pick them up at the theater's box office before the show!

~ MISCELLANEOUS SITES ~

Miscellaneous sites (government, weather, time, etc):

http://www.congress.org/ - links to the happenings of our U.S. Congress, and to e-mail/write your elected officials (put in your zip code, and they'll link you to your representatives)...

http://www.donotcall.gov/ - The National DO NOT CALL Registry gives you a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls.  Most telemarketers should not call your number once it has been on the registry for 31 days.  If they do, you can file a complaint at this Website.  You can register your home or mobile/cellular phone for free.  Your registration will be effective for five years.

http://www.weather.com/ - The Weather Channel online... a source of detailed weather related data, which can be specific to your zip code, can give an hourly forecast for the immediate near future, and can also project weather 10 days in advance (although much can change in a week:)...

http://www.accuweather.com/ - A very cool weather website (no pun intended:) they have cool radars...

http://www.noaa.org/ - the website of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration.  When hurricane's approach, this website will give the latest projected path, official details, and vivid pictures of the hurricane...

http://centralflorida.redcross.org/home.php - The American Red Cross of Central Florida's site (if you aren't in central Florida, find a chapter near you from here: http://www.redcross.org/).  There is a wealth of information as to how to prepare for something like a hurricane, as well as disaster assistance information...

http://nist.time.gov/ - What time is it?  The official U.S. time (clock) for all time zones...

http://travel.state.gov/ - Everything you need to know about getting or renewing a passport...

http://www.census.gov/ - U.S. Census Bureau - has some very interesting facts & figures, including a population "finder" for any city or town in the United States!

http://www.petitiononline.com/ - for legitimate, grass roots petitions...

http://www.classmates.com/ - connect with your high school classmates...

~ SPECIAL PEOPLE ~

Some of my favorite people (with disABILITIES):

http://www.lookmomnohands.net/ - my friend and fellow quad, Bill Miller.  Bill gets the top spot here ONLY because he's the new addition to this short list (no big head, Bill :-).  Actually, Bill gets the top spot because if not for him, this "links" page would not be this helpful and informative.  I acquired most of these sites and information from Bill's own links page.  (With Bill's permission of course :-)  CHECKOUT his website, it's AWESOME! 

http://www.kylelen.com/ - my friend and fellow quad, Kyle Len.  Like my friends below, Kyle has been very active since becoming a quad... he's an impressive young man, but website wise, he's like my friends below & myself, in that it isn't updated with everything he does.  But the above link offers a glimpse into his life...

http://hometown.aol.com/immisha/extreme/index.htm - My friend, Michelle Hlavek Carston, a person who will impress and inspire you...

http://www.murgallery.com/ - Mike Murach, he's an artist who happens to paint by mouth...

http://www.threefeetdeep.net/ -  my friend Jennifer, a college student who became a quad the summer before her freshmen year...

http://www.wonderaboutjesus.com/ - Jennifer's new site which ponders... "was he a God?  Is there a God?"