Introduction

Hi!

Welcome to Fox's UPS N downs. You see, not only does life have it's little challenges, the ups and downs of any particular day, but I sell elevators. No, not the 1oo feet per minute glass and steel rocket ships flying up dozens of stories. I sell residential elevators, small commercial elevators and barrier-free lifts, like the kind that lift a wheelchair up to a porch or the stairway chairlifts (like the one that shot the old lady through the roof in the movie "Gremlins").

My job is one of dealing with architects trying to fit square elevators into round holes, builders who build angled elevator shafts instead of plumb and straight, and individuals who have physical disabilities and require mechanical help to access their homes.

Many times these individuals pass away relatively soon after getting this accessibility. Those are the real downers. Sometimes you get a chance in a short time to develop relationships with people whose spirits are beyond belief. You know, the people who make lemons out of lemonade. These are people who have terminal neuro-muscular diseases, such as ALS, people who have suffered amputations, catastrophic injuries in auto accidents, and the like. Many times they lift up my spirits with their positive view of their lives and their desire to participate in life as much as they can every day.

When you've had a bad day because of a rotten commute, a failed test, a bad latte', imagine an 18-year old accident victim who actually needs physical assistance to have a bowel movement. Imagine watching that person talk to at-risk youth about choices in life and personal consequences from such choices. And watch in amazment as those youth hang on every word of this quadripeligic accident victim who chose to stop being a victim as he makes his way through the crowd with a "sip and puff" control for a powered wheelchair. Amazing.

So hopefully, I can pass along some personal experiences, personal opinion, first-hand and "borrowed" stories to share with you along the way. Hopefully this will be a place where you can share a bad day, or a bad life and how you are working to make it better. I'll offer some tried and true advice I've picked up along the way, too.

I'm new to blogging but I've always liked shooting off my mouth, so this is a great forum for all of us who have opinions, who love to share, or just try to show off I suppose. You know, all of us have good days and bad days. Whether anyone else in the world ever reads this blog it doesn't matter. It's a great way to vent, pontificate, share and spew.

I do hope to be able to update at least weekly. I also plan on designing a more personalized page rather than this pre-set choice. Next time I'll complete my introduction and begin the real spewing.