First, there are vitamins, minerals, supplements and herbs you take orally and use topically for healthier, more radiant, clearer and younger looking skin. I buy mine online all from one website called “Puritan’s Pride”. They have great prices and always offer buy one get one free on every product they sell. Once a year they even have a super sale where they have buy one get TWO free.

       Vitamin A 1000mcg taken orally is especially helpful for fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin E 100mg not only combats sun damage but smoothes the skin and fights wrinkles. Vitamin C 40-90mg topically and 500mg orally helps to make over 30 skin more even toned from sun damage and aids in erasing deep wrinkles.

       Collagen is an important supplement in the anti-aging routine. It is the body’s own building block in many internal bodily systems and will actually strengthen and tighten the skin and strengthen the hair and nails. You can use it topically in creams and orally at 1000mg 2-4 times a day. It is very effective in firming the skin.

       Selenium is a super antioxidant and destroys free radicals in your body which play a large part in sickness and aging. So it only stands to reason if you’re slowing free radical damage you’re also slowing the aging process. Besides selenium has skin building properties of it’s own. Alpha lipoic acid is another super antioxidant with skin resurfacers and rejuvenators.

       There are two supplements that help heal and control acne and breakouts. One is an amino acid L-lysine which actually is healthy for all skin types but especially calms and heals breakouts. The other is zinc and one should take 50mg a day for less scarring, breakouts and blackheads.

(to be continued)

       Skin care is something that is crucial for the spinal cord injured and a subject I have discussed in the past. However, I would like to detail my skin tips for beautiful, healthy, younger looking and clear skin for anyone who desires it.

       I will be talking about topical treatments as well as supplements, vitamins, minerals and healthy eating and living habits. I’ll give you my favorite picks of over the counter beauty products, a special recipe for best body moisturizer ever, step by step instructions on how do neck and facial exercises and my own beauty secrets for shrinking pores, smoothing skin and safe sun practices.

       Not only is this information from years and years personal practical use, but also weeks of exhaustive research. Just so I give you the best skin care advice on the internet today.

       I rarely tell people my age but they always guess at least 15 years younger. And when I do tell them, they very surprised and always comment that I appear many years younger. Getting older is part of life but you don’t have to look your age and many women would rather appear more youthful. I can tell you how to just that.

       Many folks, men and women suffer from acne and breakout well into their adult years. There are also just as many things you can do to have clearer skin with less scars. I can share my knowledge on this subject as well. As with anti- aging regime, there are topical as well as supplements and vitamins you can take, lifestyle changes and many other of same methods previously discussed that will change your skin’s behavior thereby clearing it, calming it and helping heal old scars. I’ve been through this as well in my late 20’s and early to mid 30’s until I found the right combination of treatments.

       So as this series of blogs continues, you may want to take notes or keep your printer ready. No matter your skin type, there is an answer for you! So get ready, get set, better more vibrant skin is just a few blogs away!

(to be continued)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Feeling Depressed

          I’ve been feeling depressed and anxious lately and I’m having a hard time taking my own advice by feeling grateful for things I have, not procrastinating and letting go of worry.

          I know very well the things I should be doing but I can’t seem to quiet my brain enough to think straight let alone meditate or pray. The best I can do to get through the din in my head is “Dear God, please help me!” I’m not sleeping at night, I force myself to eat, I’m feeling physically sick all the time and I’ve been in more pain.

          I see these words and think how disgusting, I’m actually whining! When I read them back to myself I’m reminded of every word I’ve written on the subject on the overcoming depression, anxiety and procrastination and I know what have to do. I’m going to go back through my blogs and read every sentence of advice and firsthand knowledge I’ve written about the subject AND I’m going to buckle down, swallow my pride and pray. Also, I don’t care what I have to do, short of taking too many meds, and getting some sleep.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Addiction and Alcoholism in the SCI The End

         The bottom line is you CAN get clean and/or sober if you’re willing and ready to take the step to do so. No one just happens to stumble upon the chance. Yes, addiction to drugs and/or alcohol is a disease and it’s not your fault that you have been stricken by it but it is your responsibility to choose recovery. I realize it’s a hard choice to make but there are only three ends to addiction: jails, institutions and death. But I could add a fourth and perhaps so could some of you…paralysis.

         So I if anyone out there has a problem, please get help. Call your local chapter of AA/NA today. Don’t wait one more day…PLEASE.

GOOD LUCK and God bless you and your journey.                                                                                               

Reply To Comment

         First, have you even bothered to read “My Story” which starts at the beginning of this lists of blogs back in 2010? It details everything I’ve been through since I became injured on March 26^th, 2005, including two major affairs Eric had while I lay helpless paralyzed from the chest down with both hands paralyzed which used to take photos for magazines and create paintings that I sold all over the country? Before you step into God’s shoes and start judging a person who you don’t even know, you should at least get the most background information you possibly can. Even then what kind of person would encourage ANYONE to commit suicide? It is obvious to me that you have many unresolved issues of your own to lash out so viciously and violently at a fellow human being (and in my suspicion another woman) in the manner in which you did. I feel sorry for you if reading my blog is how you entertain yourself.

         As far as modeling goes, I do this with special adaptive clothing made specifically for the handicapped. I want other women with SCI’s to know they too can still be alluring, sensual and special to their significant other and don’t have to wear moo moos and flannel pajamas if they don’t want to, that their injury has NOT diminished their ability to desirable. Besides, in my last photo shoot I wore a full length evening gown and in my next I’ll be wearing a little black dress and I’ll be changing into a specially made pair of jeans and my own design of a lovely long sleeve blouse with reinforced sleeves for added warmth because quadriplegics get cold easily. I work with a designer named Liz Callahan.

         And another reader expressed concern about my internet relationship. Well, I’d like them to know it no longer exists. I stopped chatting with all strangers on the internet. I have neither time nor patience to meet people that way. Even though I don’t get out at all, I’d rather stay at home with Eric for the rest of my life than take my chances on someone that could be a serial killer. Although Eric has made it clear that he’ll never see me in an intimate way, there’s probably no chance we’ll ever make love again, he doesn’t even sleep next to me at night, or give me a deep kiss, I know he’s completely dedicated to me and loves me in a way that transcends sex.

         Even though I’m lonely and long for his touch and I’m not ready to give up that part of life and die an old woman who gave up making love in her 40’s, I suppose there are more important in life; like dedication, friendship, sacrifice and caring.

         Now, as far as me being a “junkie” and a “whore” when you throw around words like that you definitely have problems of your own. If I say I was an alcoholic for 20 years and finally got sober but now I take pain meds because I broke my neck and use them as prescribed, that’s a fact. I have no reason write a blog with the mission to help others and waste my time making up lies. As far as I’m concerned a person that would leave that kind scathing comment is not only mentally and emotionally disturbed but just plain jealous. Which is ridiculous because if you’d rather be paralyzed from the chest down then by all means go for it. You, my dear, are the miserable one, dissatisfied with your own life. I published your comment just to see what my other readers would think but I won’t publish anymore hate mail so don’t bother.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Addiction and Alcoholism in the SCI 7

If you can’t decide to whether or not to go to a meeting consider the last time you went through withdrawal. If you’ve never been experienced the hellish nightmare of withdrawal I can tell you firsthand it’s a process you want to avoid.

        First, comes the panic of the realization that you’ve run out. Despite the promises you made to yourself that THIS time you would use less and make it to end of your prescription or until your next paycheck. Whatever reasonable excuse you have for running short doesn’t matter now because now you can look forward to at least a week of a running nose, sneezing, itching, craving, shaking, hot and cold sweats, nausea, vomiting and the worse diarrhea you can think of. I hate to get too graphic but on or about third day your bowels will turn to water. it won’t matter what you take, nothing will stop it. You’ll want to sleep but sleep won’t come.

(to be continued)