To those people who are challenged physically the debate continues to rage over the power wheelchair versus the manual wheelchairs. Although the point is not they type of wheelchair that the person has chosen but rather the fact that the chairs are available. Since wheelchair now come in such diverse selection of styles it has become exceedingly difficult for a person to select one that properly fits their lifestyle. With such a diverse amount of information readily available on the net, a person can easily do all their necessary research on both manual and electric wheelchairs prior to purchasing one.

An interesting note is that manual wheelchairs do in fact have benefits over their electric counterparts that one may not imagine. They are lightweight whereas the electric ones are heavy. This may be a significant selling point for those people who lack body strength necessary for some chairs. They are simpler to maneuver and even though the electric power chairs can move by themselves there is the chance that perhaps the battery may die. One of the major advantages of the manual chair is that it can go virtually anywhere. A person in the wheelchair should not be concerned with whether the terrain is uneven or bumpy as they would if they had a power chair.

The major disadvantages of the manual wheelchairs have to do with ones upper body. Although the exercise may be good for the people who push themselves over a period of time the same motion continually can eventually lead to injury. Another disadvantage of a manual chair is that the tires will need to be inflated regularly. A variety of factors must be properly considered prior to a person choosing between a power chair and a manual version.

The manual chairs may not come with all the fancy accessories that the power wheelchairs tend to offer for the handicapped individuals however they can be cheaper and a bit more efficient than their bulky power chairs alternatives. Some insurance providers may not cover the motorized chair and if that is the case it makes the selection all the simpler. It doesn’t matter that a person has to choose between the motorized or manual chair the fact of importance is that they do have the choose. Wheelchairs have tended to move toward greater machines when compared with the original three wheelers of past years and as the choices broaden so much for the better.

Directions

Makes 3 servings

1 8-ounce package Japanese somen noodles
vegetable oil spray
1 12.3-ounce package firm low-fat silken tofu, sliced
2 cups sliced brown mushrooms
2 cups shredded napa cabbage
1 zucchini, sliced
3 green onions, chopped
water or vegetable broth (if needed)
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
2 tablespoons agave nectar

Cook noodles according to package instructions. Drain, rinse, and set aside in a large bowl.

Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. Mist pan with a little vegetable oil spray and add tofu. Cook until golden on both sides. Remove tofu and set aside. In the same skillet, sauté mushrooms, cabbage, zucchini, and green onions until tender. Add a little water or vegetable broth to prevent sticking, if needed. Add tofu and veggies to noodles.

In a small bowl, combine vinegar, soy sauce or tamari, and agave nectar. Pour over noodles and toss.

Nutrition Information

Per serving (1/3 of recipe):

Calories: 457
Fat: 3.2 g
Saturated Fat: 0.6 g
Calories from Fat: 6%
Cholesterol: 0 mg

Protein: 22.4 g
Carbohydrates: 84.3 g
Sugar: 11.7 g
Fiber: 6.6 g

Sodium: 713 mg
Calcium: 122 mg
Iron: 5.4 mg
Vitamin C: 16.6 mg
Beta-Carotene: 528 mcg
Vitamin E: 0.4 mg

From Isis Israel, Cancer Project Educational Alliance Partner, Saladmaster Senior Dealer

“That’s what they’re supposed to do because we’re family”.

Does merely being related offer a guarantee that members of a biological unit should expect kindness without being thankful?

Never.

Family isn’t a family without a special tie, and those ties are created by the loving interactions, whether physical or verbal, that we embrace them with every day. To take advantage of someone because we believe our relationship with them is one in which exceptions are OK is extremely hurtful. I’ve seen people treat their friends better then their parents, brothers or sisters.

How can this be?

Connected by genes somehow makes many think that they deserve special treatment outside of those they are only familiar with. As if somehow, due to no fault or choice of their own, they are required to give without appreciation just because they are tied to one another by the force of nature.

Family needs to stick together, should they not? Indeed they should. However, there are no set of written rules that lists the duties of what is required by each member of a family to another. If we are lucky enough to be born into a life where we are blessed with others in a close knit relationship, shouldn’t we appreciate those people even more?

Appreciation seems to have somehow gotten lost under the words expected and neglected.

What we do for members of our family is normally out of the love or bonding we feel toward them. Should it also mean that because we normally feel stronger toward these people that we feel they need not hear words of praise or thankfulness? Should we expect them to do what we may not feel like doing ourselves, then turn around and neglect to thank them for it. Does being part of a family give you a “free pass” to take advantage of the same people who’d never take advantage of you?

In many families, it happens on a daily basis.

This possibly occurs because as members of a family, we don’t verbally spell out rules or requirements. We may loan our neighbor some money, and both the giver and receiver know it’s a mutual contract to repay in the future. In a family, it’s just what families do.

That’s entirely incorrect. The fact that someone so dear to us is willing to help (the very reason they’re dear to us begin with) should never go unnoticed or be taken advantage of. In fact, the selflessness they bestow on us is a gift that should never be forgotten.

Family members take advantage of one another’s kindness because they think they have the right too. The ties that bind them make it seem OK. What soon happens, is the ties unravel into strings of animosity and pain that can never be woven again.

When a family member comes through for you, consider it a wonderful thing. They are never required to act just because of their biological relation to you; they do so because they are special people.

Learn from them.

If you continue to take advantage of their kindness, you may find yourself empty handed with a family who has given up, solely because they know what they do for you doesn’t matter.

Always let them know it does.

You’ll never know when you’ll need their kindness again.