1.  Make use of resources. Contact your town or city’s public services department to see if assistance can be provided for disabled residents.

2.  Use technology to your advantage! If you have a Smart Drive, this is a great time to turn it on. Use it to help propel you down and up your driveway while using one hand to steer your chair and the other to hold onto the garbage.

3.  Get creative. If you have to get your garbage into a dumpster, check the side - there is a small door on some dumpsters where you can toss in your bags instead of getting them over the top of the dumpster. If you can’t get to the side door (like me) keep an empty box handy to prop up the lid while you throw your bag inside.

4.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If all else fails, ask a neighbor or family member for help.