Tips to open jars when your hands may not work the way you want:

Tips to open jars when your hands may not work the way you want:

to open sealed jars - IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO USE THEM AGAIN COMPLETELY SEALED - use a bottle opener to pop the seal, then the lid will open easily.

To open one you have to have sealed again, run REALLY hot water over the lid for a minute or so. USING A (Silicone is best) POT HOLDER SO YOU DON'T BURN YOUR HAND, twist the lid. Metal expands faster than glass so the heat loosens the lid.

If you don't have a bottle opener, pound a nail into the top of the lid to break the seal. Be careful to use a clean nail, and not to hit the lid so you don't break the glass.

IEP helpful hints/suggestions.

http://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2012/01/19/top-ten-most-ridiculous-comments-heard-at-an-iep-meeting/

For all parents who need to know more about IEPs in order to successfully advocate for their children.

RE: IEPs versus Response to Interventions
http://www.specialeducationadvisor.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/RTI-Memo-OSEP.pdf

Resource for Disability Hearings - Help with knowing what to log and tips on how to talk about it all

http://www.bothwellhamill.com/index.php/site/hearing_prep_video/



Resource for Disability Hearings - Help with knowing what to log and tips on how to talk about it all.

What it means to be a help object - by Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg.

http://www.disabilityandrepresentation.com/2013/09/03/what-it-means-to-be-a-help-object/

by Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg

This is very much important to read - especially if you are able-bodied.  And if you are not able-bodied, this is also important because it puts to words what is often unspoken.

It is my hope that all who read this look for ways to even out the experience of privilege and to make the world a bit fairer to all!

Laura

Fibro Colors: What is Fibromyalgia Awareness to you? -- something that is important for everyone to read!!

• This was posted by Fibro Colors on Facebook.  It is worth reading and certainly something essential for all people who have chronic illness or care for someone who has chronic illnesses - regardless of type of illness.

  
  

  https://www.facebook.com/FibroColors/posts/617816111596541

  What is Fibromyalgia Awareness to you?
  
  I believe Awareness is anything that is put out for others to see.
  Whether it be a poster, questions, pictures, articles or stories. I find all information useful.
  
  I am not one to complain, I get up and do what I can each and every day of my life. I have some days I can do a lot, some days I can do a little, and some days I can't do anything.
  I do not get to decide my days.
  I find there are days when I think I can do something and my body changes everything for me. Living with Fibromyalgia is not a easy thing to do for anybody. One thing I will never understand is the judgement we deal with from others who live with Fibromyalgia.
  
  Every single one of us that live with Fibromyalgia have had to learn to endure and do the best we can with every moment we have. Some of us are able to do more and some of us are not able to. I do not understand the judgement if somebody says they can't do something that is their choice. We have people who have lived with Fibromyalgia nearly their whole life and they have learned through time what they can and can't do. We also have newbies that are just learning what Fibromyalgia is and they are overwhelmed and scared beyond belief. I think if we were all honest each and every one of us has been through these emotions and some of us still are going through them. Living with Fibromyalgia is not a choice.
  
  I made FibroColors to spread awareness plus to also get to all those people out there who think they are alone and show them they are not. I also made FibroColors for others to share their experiences and how it is for them living with Fibromyalgia.
  
  There is no need for judgement!
  There is no need for rudeness!
  
  There is a need from each and every one of us to take a moment and pause when we think others are just complainers. Not one of us is in the others shoes. We are in our own. Each day we have our own battle to endure. If you see somebody and they are down and not doing good please remember one day that was you. Some of our members do not have family or friends for support. Some of our members are losing losing their homes due to not being able to work. I do not believe for one minute they made the choice to sit at home and lose everything.
  
  If you take time to read this and this page is not for you I understand. This page is LIKED by choice. We all get choices each and every single day of our lives. We get choices from the minute we wake up to the minute we go to sleep. Fibromyalgia is not a choice and we can't wish it away. If somebody is to say they can't do something it does not make them any less than who you are.
  Maybe you are able to do more and you find the strength to push yourself hard. Only you know how much you pay for this decision. Others who push themselves because there is no other choices are suffering just as much as those who can't do anything due to health issues. NOBODY owns the entitlement of greatest sufferer to Fibromyalgia to have ever lived. Our days are hard and each and every one of us does the best we can. Some days we accomplish something and other days we do not.
  
  We get enough judgement from others we surely do not need to give judgement to others who suffer Fibromyalgia.
  
  I live each and every day of my life to the best I can. I do not complain. I push myself as hard as I choose to do. Some days I push myself too hard and I pay dearly for quite a period of time.
  Other days I try to remember if I do this the outcome might not be good. Every day is a challenge for me. I wake up each day to be surprised of how I get to feel and then my greatest challenge is to do my best with what I can. I am beyond thankful for each and every day I get to be here. I am grateful for anything I can do to make another persons life easier. Some days I can give information that helps other days I can only listen.
  
  I believe each and every one of us has something to offer another person who is dealing with Fibromyalgia, chronic pain or any other health issue. We all suffer just in different ways at different moments each and every single day of our lives.
  
  If you see somebody saying their "life sucks" maybe right now it does and they need support for strength and this is where the others in the group can shine. We each have been in that spot.
  It takes time to learn to adapt to Fibromyalgia.
  
  I do not see this page as anything but awareness!
  Truth is truth no matter how pretty of a picture I can put on this page. There are days that are hard and it takes strength to push onward. My inner strength is GOD, my family and me! I push myself because I need to push myself because if I don't I am giving up on me.
  
  I post questions by others not for a venting session.
  I post questions by others so newbies and oldbies can see all kinds of responses to what the question is about. Some of us are right there beside the person with the issue and some of us have found ways to deal with that issue. Again, it takes time to learn. There is no book to acceptance. We all have to do our time.
  
  If you are new and need information please understand life is not over. This is hard and each and every single person living with Fibromyalgia can attest to this no matter what stage they are in now. You will learn things by reading what others do and you will find things to try that might just help you out. There is no right or wrong way about anything you try to do. I could tell you to do what I do and it might not help you or it might just be the answer. If one thing doesn't work move on to the next thing.
  You will have times of great disappointment and it will take all your strength to push forward. I want you to remember you have the strength! Remember these are moments and moments do pass. I just don't have the answer for when and how the moments will be or when they will be good. Do your best to learn anything you can do. Do not let others discourage you!
  Every single one of us has been there.
  
  If you have lived with Fibromyalgia a long time you are more aware of how hard this is for newbies. Please take a moment and pause and remember they are scared.
  
  At the end of the day each and every one of us has to be accountable for who we are. We do not need more judgement.
  Fibromyalgia is not a choice!
  
  If you feel you have positive information that could help others please message me the information. If you have found ways to make life easier please message me the information. If you do not like this page please don't take time to message me just unlike the page and move on. Every one of these pages on Facebook is full of information in many different ways.
  
  Again, I made FibroColors to get Fibromyalgia awareness out there. I also made this page to let others know they are not alone.
  I believe each and every single one of us can offer something to somebody else to help them. This of course comes with a choice to do it. I want to thank all of you that are here with me and helping make this page grow by LIKING, SHARING or COMMENTING.
  
  Alone we are small but together we are MIGHTY!
  Blessings!
  
   Cindy
  Fibro Colors

how to make mashed potatoes for when your hands are numb or achy:

Dump a bag of taters into the sink.  run cool (or slightly warm) water into the sink.  Soak the taters for a couple of minutes (this is a good time to drink a cup of hot tea or coffee).  Put two socks over your hands, rub the taters a little to get rid of dirt.  Drain the water.  Let the taters sit a minute or two to dry some.

Put a big cookie sheet into the oven shelf.  put the taters on the cookie sheet - big taters on the edge, little taters on the inside.  Bake at 400 for an hour or so.

When taters are soft to a push, turn off the oven.  Take the taters out (if you need to not pick up the sheet, just take them out one at a time).  Put on a towel and roll them a little with another towel on top.  Slice the taters and squeeze the insides out into a large bowl (If you cannot squeeze them, put them in a bowl, use another bowl and squish them.  Then, use a big spoon to separate the potato from the skin.  Save the skins (more about that later).

With a stand mixer, start mixing the taters on low.  Add butter (chunk up the stick if you are using real butter).  Add water (hot) so things start to smooth down.  Add some milk, sour cream, and/or some cheese.  keep mixing until at a consistency you like.  Add salt to taste.

Now - those skins - On the cookie sheet you baked the taters, layer out the skins.  Sprinkle with spices of your choice and then sprinkle on shredded cheese.  Put them back into the oven at 450 until crispy looking.

So, now you have mashed potatoes (without having to peel, cut, boil, drain, etc.).  You have potato skins.  And, there are very few dishes to do.  YAY!