Dealing with a disability is always hard in some ways. But surviving winter seems to take it all to another plain of misery (partially saying that for dramatic flair, but partially serious).
First off, the cold exasperates achy joints. Cold AND rainy? Ugh! My seven-year-old knee injury isn’t letting go of her grudge any time soon. UN-limber limbs and balance issues go together like peanut butter and mustard.

Using a wheelchair obviously means I get less blood circulation throughout my body. While most people walk and stand frequently, my doing so is restricted to transfers (like getting out of my chair and pivoting to sit on the toilet seat) and the 3ish (give or take) times a week I work out and/or squeeze in some assisted walking practice. So, whether I’m freezing my butt off outside or sitting inside, still colder than I’d prefer to be (don’t wanna make the electricity bill too high), I’m lacking the warmth that comes with full-body movement. If I’m sitting outside in the winter while the wind is blowing hard, I’m done. Thank goodness my fiancee’s mom gave me a space heater for Christmas so I can now get more toasty when I’m relaxing at home.
Due to what I mentioned above, and my nerve/blood/etc.’s general inability to travel efficiently to the furthest corners of my body, my calves are literally always cold. Even on a hot summer day, I’ll reach down to touch them, and they’re moist and clammy…yet still cool! But their perpetual iciness reaches new heights in the winter. The coldness in my calves seems to actually radiate and spread into my bones; I wonder at times if they might, on some chilly day, shrivel up and detach from my body.

Sometimes lately, I have this fun, new FA symptom where I’ll be so cold while climbing in bed that my leg muscles tense up uncontrollably. I have to pull on the covers and wait a few seconds for my body to warm up before my muscles relax–then, I can adjust myself into a comfortable position.
And let’s not forget the dreaded shower. It feels sooo nice inside, but opening the door/curtain and feeling that blast of chilly air collide with my damp, warm skin…it’s just cruel.
Needless to say, my plants and I are anxiously awaiting Spring!
What’s your attitude towards and experience with cold weather? Let me know in the comments, and thanks for reading!
P.S. Here’s my latest vid. Please watch if you’re intrigued by the title/thumbnail; like (helps with the algorithm) and subscribe if you enjoy it. Thank you so much for your support! โฅ
Brrrr! It is cold, but the days are getting a little longer. And, we have had some beautiful winter days with clear blue skies and bright sunshine. Hang in there! Spring is coming !
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That must be so frustrating. I like the winter but do find it very difficult to keep warm anytime I can’t move around. Have you tried a using a warm wheat pillow in your bed? I use them when I’m ill and need extra heat in bed. It is just a pillow full of whole wheat grains that is carefully warmed in the oven or microwave.
On a less practical note I just, as in a few minutes ago, happened to see a youtube lecture on how to dress for an Arctic climate. I doubt that it is very useful for you but it was such a coincidence that I felt I had to share it… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zciLe41jdM
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I’ll have to give your idea a try; that sounds pretty cool! And thanks for the video suggestion.
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There are some clothes with internal battery-driven heating, often aimed at hunters who are also sitting still in the cold, and for indoor use there are heating blankets which can be connected to a power outlet. Staying warm is rather a priority in Scandinavia… Although a warm wheat pillow, or even the traditional hot water bottle, does almost the same job to much less cost. Any non-leaking bottle will work as a hot water-bottle (nice for cold feet in bed) and I made my wheat pillow myself by sewing a small pillowcase and filling it with wheat grains (just read up on the heating instructions before using so they don’t start to burn…)
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Cold weather sounds very hard for you. I hope for your sake it warms up soon! Iโm a fan of warmer weather, too๐
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Thanks, Deborah! ๐
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We are reaching the negatives here in Colorado. I, too, am ready for Spring!
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That sounds awful! Hope you’re staying inside!
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I can understand what you are saying because I have a daughter who is chronically ill with many rare and autoimmune diseases and the cold weather is very hard on her. My prayers are with you
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Thank you, sister!
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My pleasure
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Iโve been thinking about this difficulty with circulation. My daughter has actually developed chilblains on her fingers and toes that can occur even during warmer weather now. Doing the usual of insulating yourself with layers is protective of course, but it isnโt enough if your circulation is compromised. The warmth HAS to come from the outside, but that is expensive if you live in a cold damp place. Thanks for writing about this. Itโs good to learn from the experience of others!
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Thank you for dropping by and sharing your own experience!
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Oh my goodness, sweet family pictureโค๏ธ
I want warm weather for your sake!! Makes me feel guilty for whining about it myself!
Needless to say, Iโm ready for spring as well!!
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Thank yoou, Alicia! And oh my goodness, yes!!
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I can relate with what you are saying. Iโm always cold too and my arthritis is constantly acting up when it is about to rain. I canโt wait for spring!
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Thank you for dropping by and sharing!
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We live in Florida, and with hubbyโs chronic illnesses, he canโt get warm. His legs cramp up all the time, and very little circulation from his neuropathy.
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Glad you guys are down in the sunshine state! Thanks for dropping by and sharing!
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Hahah yes, sometimes the shower is the only way I can warm up from the inside, but getting out of it is just evil! I hang the towel on the shower door so I don’t have to get out of the steam to get dry, so that’s one blessing. I’m glad you wrote this because I struggle with the cold a lot and it’s frustrating when someone says that yes, it is cold, ‘but it’s not that bad’, or that it is really cold and they’re miserable. Try it when your immune system is shot, Raynaud’s makes your fingers like brittle painful icicles, your bones and joints hurt like hell, your nerve endings are on fire and you feel sicker than hell. Very well said written lovely.
Caz xx
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Yes, people without our extra issues just don’t understand how miserable it can get! Thank you for your thorough comment, Caz. Hope you’re staying warm! โฅโฅ
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PS. Love the photo. Try to stay as warm as humanly possible, and I hope you have a restful Sunday xxxx
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God bless you as you navigate traveling in the cold, showering, etc. I so enjoyed your video! It was a joy to see you and Iโve been riveted by Ecclesiastes for many years. Stay warm and healthy as winter slugs on…โ๏ธโ๏ธ
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Thanks so much for your encouragement and for watching the video, Mama Duck! Hope you and your family are doing well! โฅ
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My circulation wasnโt that great when I was real young, so I do remember being cold. Sometime around puberty I got warmer and didnโt like wearing long sleeves or coats except outside. In the last decade as Iโm also diabetic, I do notice the cold more and will wear long sleeves but can get hot unexpectedly and adjust my clothes and the heat/air inside my house.
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Thanks for sharing, Ryan! Unexpected temp swings are annoying. Just last night, I slept badly because I felt super hot for no apparent reason and had to turn on the fan for the first time in a while along with getting up and out of the covers to cool down repeatedly.
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