Tag: ambulatory wheelchair user

  • Holding it All Together- Not So Pretty, But Getting the Job Done!

    Holding it All Together- Not So Pretty, But Getting the Job Done!

    Have you ever had that kinda morning? The one that makes you think you should just run back under the covers? That was me this morning! So much happened, I’m not quite sure I will remember it all!

    Yesterday, my power wheelchair began randomly shutting off and jerking me forward in the process. I thought it was the connections and put new tape on the this morning to keep them together better. Then I charged the wheelchair. When I removed the charger and turned it back on, I got nada! No power at all. Meaning I didn’t have use of the most useful item in my apartment! I managed to finish my morning routine with my walker. I also made a phone call to the wheelchair company to have them call me as soon as possible!

    Next on the list was that my deposit that was supposed to come through to my bank account did not. Another phone call and figured out I added an extra digit to my account number by mistake! Could take up to a week to work out! Great!

    The shining spot of the morning was physical therapy where I made it 2 laps (1/2 mile) around the building in my Zeen and felt great! I created a new goal- 1 mile (4 laps) by my birthday (May 19th). This will be a HUGE accomplishment!

    Then the hits kept coming… I went to lunch using my walker and transferred to a regular chair. That went ok, but I had to stop several times walking back to my apartment because I was lightheaded and dizzy. Also, the wheelchair repair guy is booked for the remainder of the day and unable to get to my wheelchair until tomorrow afternoon.

    Tomorrow I was scheduled to have my fistula looked at through a special procedure in the OR at MUSC in Charleston. I say was because I found out that I got bumped until next week, but I guess that is still better than going there and then getting bumped! Now I’m scheduled for a 6:30am arrival! Ugh!

    So, here is where I stand: deposit coming in tomorrow, wheelchair repair tomorrow (hopefully this will not wipe out my deposit), fistula procedure next Thursday, thinking I am going to challenge myself and take my Zeen to dinner.

    Days like this is a sign to give yourself some grace. Not wallowing in self-pity, but recognizing that you are holding on with tape (and hopefully a prayer or two). I will proceed gently with myself and laugh through the unplanned moments. This is what we are called to do!

    A goose riding a scooter with duct tape- it reads "keeping it together with tape and denial"
  • I’m Working So Hard Independently And Making Progress But Hopefully I am Not Running Out of Time!

    So much attention has been spent on making sure I can stand without much support, I am exhausted I did not realize how much my abs are working. I am sore and tired, but moving along to be able to stand independently. In the meantime, I am still using a slide board at times to move myself since standing isn’t fully happening. I will continue to practice lifting my booty up and off the wheelchair seat. My arms are tired and fear is running high.

    I wish I never lost so much strength. I kept telling the folks at the hospital that I was losing strength and needed to be evaluated for rehab or even just PT/OT, but they did not listen to me.

    Today I was able to complete 10 minutes on the Nustep independently, which felt wonderful. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to stand and pivot to get on the NuStep independently. This needs to happen before I get home. The weekend is coming up, which means less therapy, but I am “owed” some therapy, so I am hoping that happens.

    In other words- I am working hard at growing my audience online through Facebook, Instagram, and even Tik- Tok. I completed a few online courses to help me figure out the allorgrithms to grow my followers. If you see my accounts, please follow them- it would mean the world to me! I am thinking I finally got a hold of what I am doing with the various accounts.All of this is being done Independently!

    I am also enjoying the Winter Olympics tonight is the opening ceremony and I am watching it carefully. It’s enjoyable and hopefully better than the Paris Summer Olympics.

    I’ve managed to figure out how to charge my various devices, including my visible armband. Thank goodness for Amazon deliveries even here!