As we are nearing the third year of the pandemic, I am beginning to understand the need to let my fears diminish and find wellness via my own dimensions, whatever that may be. As always, getting out of the door can be the hardest part of doing something that is uncomfortable for me and many other autistic individuals, but once we know we are OK, we excel at what we are doing.
Since being in the new environment over a year and a half ago after being absent from the community that I love for several months, I keep putting off in many cases many of the things that I once did for my personal freedom. It continues to be a conversation in the course of my weekly treatment and as things continue to advance, I keep deflecting from the real initiative of just getting out and doing the things that I love.
Recently, some warmer and much more enjoyable weather has been brought upon us in Western Pennsylvania. I am setting a personal goal that in 2022, I am going to make a better attempt to leave my home more and come off the regression that COVID has brought on me because of instilled fear of the virus.
As I continue down the journey of my personal self-discovery. One of the things that has helped me refrain myself from the process is the ability to make connections with others with similar challenges so the world that I was living in didn’t seem so small although it was physically, it made me be more of a friend that I ever have been.
We are getting closer to the two year mark of when the world here shut down. Case numbers have decreased some and while we cannot put the thought of COVID away just yet, we must continue to be vigilant, however we must now live in a world with COVID instead of a world scared of… Continue reading Concentrating On COVID: Trying to Normalize
Vlogs from the past week.
As much as we have learned about COVID as the virus has evolved over the near past two years, it also taught me alot about myself. While the world shut down and regenerated itself, it taught me the need to practice actual self-care and that mental health is OK to think about and to invest in more than I had previously.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Over the past two years, the effects of the coronavirus have been compounded for children with special needs. Dependent upon routine and predictable environments, battling sensory issues and cognitive impairment that make mask-wearing a near impossibility for some, those with disabilities are challenged daily simply by taking a trip to the store or other indoor setting.
As I enter 2022, I do so with less worry as I did in 2021. Becoming faithfully grounded and spiritually abundant that I will be OK in a world that is going through some pretty wild stuff right now is a big thing. I am not ignoring that it isn’t there, rather I am living life as I should do, because that is the only way we will get out of the fear mongering state I have been in last year.
For almost two years I have lived in a continual state of fear of doing things outside of my safe space. I have taken each and every precaution that was made available to me. I believed the words of our government leaders. And while I do believe there is some merit to the information that is being delivered to us, I have to live a little and start 2022 by not living in total fear of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
While this COVID-19 Pandemic continues on nearing the two-year anniversary of what is known as the Pandemic. When COVID-19 was established as a pandemic back then, it was suggested it would be over in just two weeks, then they needed a month more, then another month before things got somewhat normal. However, nearing year two, it seems with the advancement of vaccines and such, the numbers are not as emphasized or hyped about as much.
By the title of this weeks’ Concentrating On COVID Post, you can determine that I got my COVID booster (third shot). While I had some hesitations about whether or not to get it or having to “bank” time to have symptoms, I know I did the right thing by having extra armor that I need to remain safe around others.
Just spending today reading the 72-hour case count of COVID cases in my county in the 400s has me being extra careful. I have been very precocious over the past week due to those not in close contact but those I know being “breakthrough” cases. As when the vaccines first came out we were uncertain of its effectiveness in the long term, we are learning new things everyday and is likely the reason why the FDA has approved booster doses for certain populations and the elderly.
As we progress in this ever-looming Coronavirus pandemic, thoughts of what to do become confusing and exhausting for some. Others adhere to what they are recommended to do to stay safe. Honoring one request while having to accept another’s belief system can cause a divide between two parties, even if they are very close. However, we must do our best to honor everyone’s wishes while staying safe.
by Michelle Diament, Disability Scoop | September 13, 2021 President Joe Biden speaks about new COVID-19 vaccination requirements at the White House. (Yuri Gripas/Abaca Press/TNS) A sweeping new Biden administration plan to require many workers across the nation to receive COVID-19 vaccinations could have implications for individuals with disabilities and the people who support them. With the resurgent… Continue reading COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates Could Impact Services For Those With IDD
As we are in the year of the vaccines, the country is struggling with the facts of health and safety over personal choice. As the COVID-19 vaccines are slowly becoming approved and the needs for boosters approaches. Also approaching is the time of the year for the influenza vaccine. I was one to avoid vaccines for several years out of fear, but over time that has diminished.
With the recent changes in the COVID masking order, it has been confusing to say the least. Especially if you are vaccinated, it can be more cumbersome as to where you are mandated to wear your mask. To further compound this issue, it can be challenging because it is on the honor system and you just can’t go up to someone and ask if they are vaccinated because of privacy laws. To further compound these issues, in my state next week, all COVID-related restrictions will be lifted.
Well, we are in that homestretch where I promised where the services delivered to me would gravitate to a more in-person approach rather than being hybrid or virtually delivered as they mostly have been the past 13 months or so.
Having received my second dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine and while I am not completely certain that the end is in sight, although there is a glimpse in the eyes of many of an end being there. As being independent again for almost six months, mostly under a heightened state of staying at home and remaining idle. While it is recommended to wait the two weeks to assure Immunity, I need to gradually work at getting out of the little burrow that I have dug myself into.
Today marks one year since many, including myself entered a world of unknown..However, as we hit the one-year anniversary as the world we live in change dramatically, mental health in everyone is declining, not just in the autistics and individuals diagnosed with mental, intellectual or developmental dragonesses, but those who wouldn’t have any issue at all.
Dustin's Dynasty 