ADAPTATION

August 18, 2026October 18, 2026 | Jen

**Photograph of a Butterfly** by Albrecht Fietz from **Pixabay**

Adaptation is the process of changing to suit different conditions.

Now, as a species, adaptation is an intricate part of our evolution. In the short term, however, most adaptation is simply changing the way we do things.

And despite the naysayers, change isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

When I became a woman with disabilities, I was scared. It took time, but I eventually embraced my disabilities and started making changes. I adapted.

I invested in adaptive equipment and clothing, helpful gadgets, and home modifications. When it came to food and cooking, I had groceries delivered and relied on cooking shortcuts to putting together a meal easier. I also found value in downsizing and digitization, which helped with emergency preparedness.

Best change I made was upgrading to a front-loading washer and dryer. They were a godsend.

Using these changes (aka. solutions), I successfully managed a home and three large dog, prepared meals, did the laundry and dishes, and paid the bills. I even did the taxes. Eventually, I hired a caregiver to help me with the tasks I couldn’t handle on my own. No shame there. Everyone needs help at some point.

I was working at the National Air and Space Museum in DC, when I became a women with disabilities. Thankfully, I had a desk job and worked in a mostly ADA-compliant building, so working with disabilities wasn’t a big adjustment. And when obstacles arose, I used a lot of the same solutions I used at home.

Every year I received more and duties and every year I rose to the occasion. Being a woman with disabilities didn’t hold me back.

I was allowed to work from home a couple days a week to take a break from my three-hour commute (round trip). So, I setup remote access between my office computer and exhibit displays at work and my desktop computer and laptop at home. The laptop allowed me to work from bed, if needed.

As a power chair user, I mastered working on wheels and my experiences commuting helped me figure out how to effectively handle public transportation as a power chair user. I also addressed a few workplace accessibility issues – much to the annoyance of the museum’s administration. I regret nothing.

By adapting, I was able to successfully work with disabilities for over 13 years. And I would have continued working if my position hadn’t been defunded.

Once again, change is not a bad thing. Adapting helped me have a life that works. I’m grateful for it.

I hope the information I’ve shared here is helpful.

-Jen, aka. Power Chair Dorothy

Not in Kansas Anymore (www.notinksanymore.com) is a site/blog authored and managed by Jen, aka. Power Chair Dorothy (pwrchr-dorothy). This site/blog is intended to provide educational and research information, and to share the author’s experiences.

The author of this site/blog is not a medical physician and this site/blog does not provide medical advice. This site/blog contains information that should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation or the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider. If you choose to apply or implement any information posted at this site/blog, you do so at your own risk.

THE SOUP SOLUTION

September 29, 2025September 25, 2026 | Jen

**Photograph of a Bowl of Soup** by **Mich Wich** from **Pixabay**

I love a warm, comforting bowl of soup. Unfortunately, most canned and boxed soups contain ingredients that don’t exactly agree with me (ie. food sensitivities). The same with soups from most restaurants. The obvious solution, of course, is to simply make my own soup. Being a woman who knows how to cook, making my own soup should be easy, but as a woman with disabilities, my ability to physically cook is limited. Therefore, to create my own soup at home, I had to problem solve.

After much trial and error, I finally found success working at a smaller scale and relying on helpful cooking shortcuts, like my broth mixes. I discovered that 4-cup, handled bowls work best for me. They are easier to manage, physically, than a large soup pot and can be easily put in the microwave. To eliminate the need for the cleaning and cutting of fresh ingredients, I experimented with dried, powdered, frozen, and even canned/jarred ingredients. By the end, I managed to develop several tasty soup recipes.

I also love Thai Curries and have managed to create single serving versions of them as well. Even though Thai curries are technically not soups, I tend to treat them like soups and therefore have grouped them in with my soups.

SINGLE SERVING SOUPS

These soups also contain anti-inflammatory foods. Those anti-inflammatory foods being Artichoke Hearts, Avocados, Carrots, Cauliflower, Peanuts, Pumpkin and Tomatoes. With the exception of the Thai curries, these soups also contain broth mixes, which are also loaded with anti-inflammatory ingredients.

As a woman with Multiple Sclerosis (MS),I use these soups to help manage my MS. When I discovered that inflammation can cause MS relapses, with relapses being the worsening of current or creation of new MS symptoms, I incorporated these soups into my beneficial diet to help manage inflammation. And managing inflammation helps manage my MS.

I hope the information I’ve shared here is helpful.

-Jen, aka. Power Chair Dorothy

THE BROTH MIX FIX

December 14, 2024August 18, 2026 | Jen

**Photograph of Broths and Ingredients** by **Bluebird Provisions** from **Pixabay**

I had an epiphany one day as I was preparing a bowl of ramen. I looked at the little seasoning packet and thought, “What if I made a broth mix, loaded with anti-inflammatory ingredients, that could help me combat inflammation?

You see, as a woman with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), I discovered that inflammation can cause MS relapses, with relapses being the worsening of current or creation of new MS symptoms. Therefore, I incorporated anti-inflammatory foods into my beneficial diet to help manage inflammation. And managing inflammation helps manage my MS.

While I found success in managing inflammation by filling my diet with anti-inflammatory foods, I also had some extra obstacles to deal with. Being a woman with disabilities, I have physical limitations that make cooking difficult. So, I needed to find cooking shortcuts to help putting together an anti-inflammatory meal easier. And that’s when I realized that an anti-inflammatory broth mix would fit the bill. Shelf-stable, a dry ingredient broth mix is easier to make and easier to physically handle than a liquid broth. I can also control the quality and strength of the ingredients I put in the broth mix, while avoiding unhealthy chemicals and fillers.

It took quite a bit of experimenting and testing, but I did it. I created, not just one, but seven very tasty broth mixes containing some of my favorite anti-inflammatory foods. It wasn’t long before I realized that these broth mixes could be used to make more than just broth. They can be used to make soups, sauces, dips, and salad dressings, as well as, used to season rice, vegetables, and proteins like fish, shrimp, chicken, and pork. These broth mixes can even be made vegan.

BROTH MIXES