IM AN OPEN BOOK, BUT BOOKS DON’T READ ITSELF.
— Chad Jason.
This is the first of many post to come on my new blog. I’m just getting this new blog going, so stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates. Lets see if I’m any good at this blogger life and lets learn about disability, friedreich’s ataxia, work and all things lifestyle related.
Prevention is better than cure
For a long time, it’s been known that it takes 21 days to pick up or break an addiction or habit. South Africa, we have 21 days given to us for picking up or breaking, the choice is yours to make, will you be picking up a great habit that will prolong or increase the quality of your life or picking up an addiction that is going to do the opposite
I felt that I was spending way too much time on my phone, due to this pandemic and the 21-day lockdown, everyone has more time to do anything they please to do at home and not knowingly social media has become the number one thing to do from Whatsapp, Instagram, Twitter or TikTok. Saturday day 2 I felt I was on my phone all day I remember telling myself Friday night I need to prepare everything for the braai on Saturday evening, Saturday time seemed so fast and the next thing I know it was 8 pm watching a movie and I did not braai.
I immediately noticed that this could be a problem if every day was like day 2, I decided that Sunday day 3 would be a no phone day for me luckily I don’t have an addictive personality and I notice this issue a and immediately did the evaluation.
You may have other potential issues or want to develop good habits; I think these 21 days are a great way to make changes break bad habit or addictions. But we need to evaluate our lives and constantly brainstorm think about the consequences of the choices or habits we make or have.
Lets keep it positive and comment with, what good changes you have made?
So this morning was an early one waking up after a very restless sleep not much rest. Knowing that tonight at 00:00 our country goes on lockdown, had almost a Christmas Eve effect not knowing what lockdown would be like and knowing we need to get those last-minute things from the shops.
Driving to the shops was again just like Christmas Eve roads full of cars people doing their last bit of shopping some people kitted out with a face mask and gloves some with that holiday look of relaxation. Not knowing what to expect or how this historical moment would change our lives is very much like opening that gift that you were not expecting and it brings a few questions to mind.
When the clock hits 00:00 do we celebrate because our government has made a good decision?
Are we going to be upset that we have gone on lockdown because our government should have protected our country from this virus?
Do you feel secure?
Are the press conferences giving you enough information are they giving you too much info?
Are you worried?
Are you going to stay at home or maybe take a chance of visiting friends and family?
Do you have enough alcohol and cigarettes?
These are just some silly questions I thought of, what questions are running through your mind? Comment below.
A person with Friedreich’s ataxia should be scared of Covid-19 as the symptoms of Covid-19 would most likely hospitalize or even kill a weak FA diagnosed person with a weaker heart and respiratory issues this virus would not be a good experience for anyone with FA.
As a Christian and thank God I am, I have learnt that I have no worries God has provided for me, I don’t have to panic, I just need to look after myself as God has provided all I need to look after myself and God will do the rest now don’t get me wrong, faith or belief is not a promise that I won’t get the virus or death will not come my way but rather a promise that whatever happens, God will be going through with the plan that is set for my life. And God will provide if I get C19, with whatever is needed for healing or God will provide a spot in heaven if I were to die.
So NO I’m not scared and if you are a Christian, Believer or Christ-follower God has provided for you stop worrying and just use what has been provided.
Disclaimer: I’m not a pastor this is my personal opinion.
If you are scared let me know why in the comment section.
So South Africa will officially be locked down from Thursday 26th March 2020.
Could this be the time.
I think of how many people have already died due to covid19, I can’t help but think what is my purpose, why am I still alive, what am I supposed to be doing on this earth. Questions that we should always be asking ourselves but obviously the question mark is bigger and bold however now that we are in this crises, this might seem funny but it such a great feeling.
For some of us knowing there is something potentially threatening our lives we decide to better ourselves make better decisions, fix relationships and eventually find the big plan for our future and when the threat goes away and you can carry on making a great future.
Unfortunately or fortunately for some people, it will be the end of the road whether or not you have found the big plan or purpose for your life but I always say your purpose or success is defined by yourself and your creator if you feel you have succeeded or fulfilled you purpose you have.
I don’t know yet if it’s a good or bad thing that I feel that I have not yet found my big plan but as I said that between myself and my creator.
Great feeling
Yes, it seems crazy but I am one of those people that need to be challenged. And it’s a great feeling to reflect on the past and plan and work on yourself, for the future challenges and find the big plan.
BUT. Once this is over and life goes back to normal we need to realize that the decisions we have made should still be in place to benefit ourselves and our purpose.
Find out how scared i am of Covid19 in my next blog.
To be continued ……….
Scary cool times
I’m almost 30 and starting from scratch. 02 December 2019 was officially my last day working for a boss and travel to and form work hopefully, I will never have to do that to myself again.
Living and working
Living and working in Cape Town is great if you don’t have to travel to work or if you live five minutes from work. I live about 60km from Cape Town City center which would take about an hour and a half on a good day with my car, two hours with public transport if everything is running according to schedule (rarely happens) so you chose, pay for the car fuel and insurance or take that public transport that is most likely going to make you late for work three times a week.
My short career
I worked for a facilities management company doing Environmental Health and Safety. I get asked often how I found myself doing EHS so here we go. I studied electrical and gave up on that career choice due to the physical challenges working with my hands and being on my feet all day just was not working out for me. After a few contract jobs in after my studies, June 2014, I got a permanent job as a Facilities Administrator now adapting my from physical to mental (desk-bound) was quiet interesting in fact in my interview I told my manager at that time “I think I’m a bit scared of an admin job” never the less Mr. positive had to make a change and move forward. A few months later the position for an Environmental Health and Safety administrator was created and my boss approached me with this offer I took the job my next challenge began and I thought I knew nothing about EHS but my electrical background real benefited me as I had the practical knowledge of how unsafe technical employees work and how to mitigate unsafe acts. I enjoyed my experience and learning how important the administration part of a business is. I did some training and courses to close the gaps in understanding EHS. Eventually ending my career as an EHS Coordinator for Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KZN and Bloemfontein for my company and client.
Why I left that cool job
To be honest, this is a whole blog on its own, so subscribe and stay tuned, but leading up to leaving my job, the work environment became a very negative area in my life.
Negativity leads to sickness
I started feeling sick more often I remember back in November, December 2018 I couldn’t keep any food down I felt weak and moody but as soon as I went on December holidays I no longer felt sick, weak and moody however returning to work January 2019 that sick feeling came back I knew if I didn’t live my positive lifestyle that would be the gateway to a sad and sick lifestyle, I started looking after myself and making myself happy introducing humor to my situation as Actor Will Smith said you are responsible for your happiness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Smith
Focus
I started focusing on my sideline business, putting in a little more time and effort looking for more opportunities. Doing things I wanted to do. I started an adventure, travel and car page on Facebook and Instagram called @sundaydrive.za I drove more because that’s my happy place, open roads the sound of my car exhaust and the feeling of being in control of a powerful machine. https://www.facebook.com/sundaydrive.za/
My new start
I started a company, focusing on Servicing and procurement of laboratory equipment and government procurement, i will defiantly have a blog on working for myself and more details of what in doing and how i got there. Once again subscribe below.
Career Success
In the end in my opinion career success is not what you have how much money you make or having all the nice to haves, It’s just being truly happy with what you are doing, whether you are CEO or the cleaner and believe me happiness attracts all kind of good things.
F WORD (Friedreich’s ataxia)
There are so many ways of becoming disabled, through an accident, genetic disease or non-genetic disease; we need more awareness and less worry, more self-education and less asking what’s wrong with that guy.
I don’t know a lot about Friedreich’s ataxia for two reasons there isn’t a lot of research on Friedreich’s ataxia and second I don’t want this disease to define who I am as a person I’m always going to be Chad Jason not, the guy with FA.
Symptoms of Friedreich’s ataxia
Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA or FA) is an autosomal recessive genetic disease that causes difficulty walking, a loss of sensation in the arms and legs and impaired speech that worsens over time. Symptoms can start between 5 and 15 years of age. Many develop hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and will require a mobility aid such as a cane, walker or wheelchair in their teens. As the disease progresses, people lose their sight and hearing. Other complications include scoliosis and diabetes mellitus. (Taken from Wikipedia)
I’m 29 years old this year 2020, I was diagnosed with FA in 2011 at 20 years old my symptoms only really started or became noticeable in 2010 at 19 years old when I saw myself as a very clumsy guy. 9 years after diagnoses, I’m still walking without aid speaking and I can hear without aid, however, I do think I’m a little deaf but I pass my hearing test every year sight and sugar levels seem to be good.
The disease
The condition is caused by mutations in the FXN gene on chromosome 9. The FXN gene makes a protein called frataxin. Degeneration of nerve tissue in the spinal cord causes the ataxia; particularly affected are the sensory neurons essential for directing muscle movement of the arms and legs through connections with the cerebellum. The spinal cord becomes thinner and nerve cells lose some myelin sheath. (Taken from Wikipedia)
Both of my parents are carriers of the FXNgene which came together and made me. Lucky son of a gun lol. This disease has affected my legs more than my arms at this stage.
No effective treatment exists, but there are several therapies in trials. FRDA shortens life expectancy due to heart disease and some people can live into their sixties or older. (Taken from Wikipedia)
FRDA affects 1 in 50,000 people in the United States and is the most common inherited ataxia. Rates are highest in people of Western European descent. The condition is named after the German physician Nikolaus Friedreich, who first described it in the 1860s. (Taken from Wikipedia)
Side note
Many People confuse FA with (Joost van der Westhuizen and Professor Stephen Hawking) motor neurone disease, it has similar symptoms but motor neurone disease affects the muscles in the body FA affects the nervous system or the cerebellum.
How it’s affected me
FA has affected many people but every individual is affected differently some may be mobile and able to live normally after ten years of having symptoms and others may be affected so badly they can’t do anything for themselves after two years of having symptoms. I’m one lucky chap I can still do all normal day to day things, sit informs of a laptop and write this blog and even drive my manual car.
Now don’t get me wrong I live a more or less normal life but there are a few things I avoid doing or would need assistance doing, jumping, bending down to long, stairs without railings, walking long distance or walking on uneven ground flooring or even standing for too long or doing things that require fine coordination.
Never the less I’m very optimistic, I love doing things for myself as I would like to do as much as possible without assistance even if I struggle a little bit. A challenge failed will only make you stronger.
Positivity will always win
I believe a person should never say “I can’t do it” as our brain will believe those words and your ability would to taken away like an unwanted gift. Professor Stephen Hawking could not physically speak so he created a program to talk for him.
Make a way, live a positive lifestyle.
More info via links.
Friedreich’s ataxia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedreich%27s_ataxia
Joost van der Westhuizen
Stephen Hawking
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking
Cerebellum
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/313265
Nikolaus Friedreich
I’m just a South African Dude/bra born and raised in one of the most culturally shelters areas of the Mother City (Simon’s Town)
So by now you know where I’m from and you probably assuming that i have friedreich’s ataxia, whats that you are asking (well this is a whole post on itself but you can jump on the wagon a go google that if you want to, post to come.)
Why start a blog?
So as I said earlier born and raised in Simon’s Town Cape Town, Went school in Simon’s Town, studied Electrical and did a leadership, I then tried to get out of the electrical industry due to physical challenges did some contract work here and there. Eventually I got a permanent job (company name will not be mentioned) as a facilities administrator 6 months down the line promoted to Environmental Health and Safety administrator for Western Cape after doing some studies promoted to Environment Health and Safety Coordinator Southern Region and now jobless trying out my own hustle, but the future is looking good.
To help you get started, here are a few questions: Answers
Lifestyle and friedreich's ataxia by Chad