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Free Pass for People with Disabilities: Bus, Subway, and Companion
Information verified on 02/10/2026: this article mixes my personal experience with the current rules for free public transportation. Benefits are not all the same: municipal buses, metro, intercity transport in Minas Gerais, and the Interstate Free Pass have their own rules. As these rules and procedures can change, it's worth checking the official channels again before making any decisions…
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Parking permit for people with disabilities
My disabled parking permit was part of my routine for a few years, back when I still had a car and my partner drove for me. Today I don't have a valid permit, but I intend to apply for one again. While researching the current rules, I discovered that a lot has changed, especially with the possibility of digital issuance and with…
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Car for People with Disabilities (PCD) for Quadriplegic Individuals: Exemptions and My Experience
Updated September 30, 2026. When I think about a car for a quadriplegic person, I don't think about a car for me to drive. After my accident in 2003, I never drove again. What I think about is having a vehicle that facilitates my transportation, reduces my dependence on Uber and, if possible, allows…
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Retirement After Spinal Cord Injury: My Experience
Warning: This article mixes my personal account with general social security information verified from official sources on September 28, 2026. Rules may change, and each benefit depends on the individual situation, documentation, and analysis by the INSS (Brazilian National Institute of Social Security). This text does not replace individual legal advice. My retirement after a spinal cord injury began with an accident…
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Traveling by Plane as a Wheelchair User: What Do I Need to Know Before My First Trip?
Information verified on 09/28/2026: this article mixes my personal experience with general information about accessibility in air transport. I have not yet traveled by plane since becoming a quadriplegic. The rules mentioned were checked in the regulations and on official pages available on this date and may change. Before buying a ticket, it is worth confirming again with ANAC…
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Catheterization and Dressing Supplies: My Real Routine
After more than two decades living with quadriplegia, I've learned that catheterization and wound care aren't just about knowing what to do. They're about having the necessary materials available every day. In this article about catheterization and wound care supplies, I want to show you what I actually use at home, what I receive from the clinic, what…
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Medications for Tetraplegia: What I Get for Free and What I Buy
After more than two decades living with tetraplegia, medications are as much a part of my routine as catheterization, bowel care, and daily adjustments. In this article about medications for tetraplegia, I want to show what I actually use, why each medication was prescribed in my case, and…
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Muscle Atrophy After Spinal Cord Injury: What Happened to My Body
Important notice: This article recounts my personal experience with C4 tetraplegia and gathers general information about spinal cord injury. It is not an exercise prescription. Stretching, mobilization, orthotics, and other strategies need to consider the level of injury, contractures, spasticity, bone condition, and professional evaluation. Muscle atrophy in tetraplegia was one of the most visible changes…
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Diabetes After Spinal Cord Injury: What My Tests Showed
Disclaimer: This text recounts my personal experience with altered blood glucose levels and diabetes after nearly 23 years of living with quadriplegia. I am not a healthcare professional. Tests, medications, diet, and goals need to be individually assessed by doctors and other professionals familiar with the case. When I saw a blood glucose level of 224 mg/dL after 11 hours…