What the staycation is to the traveler, these are to the hobbyist: activities that can occupy anyone with a lot of ambition and not so much money.
By Clare Willson
Have you noticed that aside from medical expenses, being disabled doesn’t come cheap? Certainly everyday activities that are within my physical capabilities always seem to cost a boatload of money. My partner jokes that his wallet comes home a hundred dollars lighter every time we go out!
Things that I can do—going to a movie or play, eating out, or visiting the mall—are possible, but they always involve some financial outlay. For most of us, prescription co-pays, hospital stays, and doctor visits take a big bite out of our budget, forcing us to be thrifty with our remaining dollars.
Just dropping by a neighbor’s house is tricky as all my friend’s homes have a mountain of imposing steps leading to their front doors. (Jolly inconsiderate of them!) A portable ramp can cope with a couple of steps, but you’d need a mighty long one for six steps or more. If I want to see them, they know they have to come to my house!
As a hemiplegic in a power chair, it has taken a lot of head scratching to find just what types of entertainment and hobbies I can pursue that do not cost an arm and a leg (I only have one of each to spare anyway). Here are some of my freebie hobbies:
Board (and Other) Games
I am the self-proclaimed queen of the Scrabble board, and I find it quite entertaining, especially as I am British. This leads to many good-natured disagreements over spelling. (I am not merely trying to get rid of my u’s: flavour and colour really are spelled that way—just ask the Queen!)
I have also revived my interest in playing chess; although to date I am a pretty appalling player. Board games have the added benefit of involving friends. Activities that require mental strategy are an excellent workout for my multiple sclerosis-taxed brain. I believe “a crossword a day keeps degenerating neurons at bay” as does Sudoku and any type of brain-teasing puzzle.
Electronic Enlightenment
My trusty laptop computer is invaluable for e-mailing and perusing social networking sites to seek out those in a similar situation.
Websites such as pogo.com or candystand.com have a diverse array of free online games, but beware: some can be very addictive! I also enjoy uploading photos from my digital camera, which I carry in my purse wherever I go. I love the immediacy of viewing my pictures on the computer.
Another economical way to keep your mind sharp is to register for a free online course. I enrolled in a six week forensic science course which was enjoyable and informative. Check out distancelearn.about.com. You may have to buy a book or two, but can purchase used books on eBay.com or Amazon.com.
Hand(s)-On Activities
I have experimented with oil painting, sketching and embroidery projects. With one good hand, I won’t deny it’s a challenge. Those who like to cook, but fi nd it impossible or unsafe to use a stove could have fun researching tasty recipes that can be made easily in the microwave oven.
When I was ambulatory, I was Vice President of my local garden club. My love of plants remains, but wielding a garden spade one-handed results in me tipping out of my chair, landing facedown in the flower bed. Added to this my chair gets stuck on wet grass, with wheels spinning wildly going nowhere fast. My safer alternative is to plant spring bulbs, annuals and vegetables in large containers on my patio. They are reachable from my wheelchair and can be watered easily. My collection of house plants brings greenery indoors and gives me a lot of pleasure too.
Books and Book Talk
I am an avid reader and have been a book club member for many years. Our weekly meetings involve only the cost of the book, and we meet in an accessible building. Our stimulating sessions unfailingly lead to lively (sometimes heated) discussion.
I download books to my Kindle electronic reader which is easier for my one hand to hold as there are no pages to do battle with.
Volunteering
Until recently I volunteered a few hours a week for a crisis hotline. Volunteering can be anything from reading to pre-schoolers at your local library to mailing donation envelopes for (in my case), the National MS Society.
The bottom line is to experiment. Minimize activities that are costly and try using different approaches to new hobbies and interests. Involve your friends as much as possible to avoid feeling isolated. Perhaps you could start your own club? This will keep your mind stimulated and your bank account happy and healthy also.
Clare Willson is moving to Syracuse, New York, this summer. Her last piece for Action, “Hemiplegia: A One- Sided Life,” appeared in January-February 2010.
