Fiercely Independent Pam

Tag: service dog

  • Quickly Approaching 100 Posts!!

    Technically, this is my 100th post! I started this blog in April and took some time off due to medical stuff, but I’ve been committed to it for almost a year now. Honestly, I did not think I would enjoy it as much as I do. I’ve never considered myself a writer, but I am enjoying finding my voice through “Fiercely Independent Pam!!”

    I have shared things with you, my audience, that I never would have expected to, but feel very strongly that if it can help someone else on their own journey, then it is worth it. My journey continues to take all sorts of twists and turns, most I would have never anticipated. It is so important to note that none of my successes would have happened without the people I call my tribe! These are my friends and family both locally and from a distance. The visit, phone call, text, or FaceTime, makes all the difference in not feeling so alone.

    I need to also include some of my doctors, especially those from MUSC as part of my tribe. I have uncovered answers from medical mysteries that are decades old. Unfortunately, I have also had nightmare gaslighting experiences with other providers. It’s important to remember that both can happen, we need our tribe of family and friends to believe us.

    Looking forward, I have so much to be excited about. Continued care for my dysautonomia/POTS, losing a little more weight, getting a stronger handle on my blood sugar, and getting better at Mahjong, finding the right medication for my RA, starting my tutoring services again, and more!

    Most exciting of course, is the possibility of a service dog with PAALS. Three years ago, I told my brother Tim that long-term I wanted a service dog to assist me with mobility tasks, I think he thought I was crazy, but I told him it was going to happen. And here it is, closer than ever. I pray each night that I am gifted this opportunity (and it happens soon). I truly believe it will be life changing.

    Well there it is, my 100th post- I thank you for sticking with me and reading my posts. The best thing you can do to help me is to share my posts and social media pages. I will continue to create content as long as there are people to interact with!

  • The Hard Work Begins Today: A First Day of Inpatient Rehab!

    So it begins.. I arrived at inpatient rehab yesterday after a few delays mostly because of the weather (crazy snow storm!) I ended up paying for transportation and it was a good decision since I am still having problems standing up and transferring.

    I was beyond welcomed by the staff here for rehab and they have been wonderful! I am confident that I forgot a few things, but hopefully I can have some help from my family. I am super excited to start working hard- I will receive at least 3 hours of pt/ot each day, which is exactly what I need. Right now I am finishing my Bible in a Year Podcast, which is nice to be able to stay up on.

    I am looking forward to unpacking my stuff and setting up for rehab, as I packed up pretty decently including lots of pants and t-shirts, but missing catheters and a watch charger! All in good time! For my first night I am wearing my special Buckee’s pjs that I picked up when I was there for my interview. It was a fun nod to what I have accomplished already.

    I think I have said this before, but wanted to update people about the progress of the service dog. In addition to the service dog, I am continuing with rehab. The next steps is to have a site visit here at my apartment and they will also be bringing a dog to help me demonstrate some skills, hopefully at the grocery store. This should be taking place after the committee meets- around late March/ Early April. I am thankful that they are willing to come here. From there, the next steps would be to be accepted as a formal client and begin fundraising for team training and similar. Then begins the “Fun” part!- Something special PAALS calls “Speed Dating” where we make sure the right connection is made between a dog and the “handler.” Eventually, team training will take place, but this is a far way off. All of this is super exciting!

    In the meantime, I will be working hard at standing and completing rehab goals. I am not sure exactly what it means to finish my antibiotics and future doctor’s appointments, but I moved as many appointments as possible. Time to track down what I am missing!

  • Dreaming of Wet Noses Again… Gaining Strength and Making it Happen…

    Well it was bound to happen… I made a giant leap and ordered my first new pet product. It’s a smart collar that is almost like a fitbit for a dog. I was excited to do so and being then”gadget queen” I just knew it was a good purchase. But now I wait. PAALS is accomplishing amazing things, with this, being their 20th year. I am excited to hopefully attaining/befriending my service dog this year.

    I have learned a lot more about the process that PAALS uses to place service dogs with clients and am very ready to take on training, fundraising, and the hard work that is needed to build a bond between dog and handler.

    I spend a lot of time dreaming about a service dog and all it will be able to do for me. I think of dropped items, holding doors, accessing areas of the grocery store that I can’t access now. And the biggest thing- companionship- I long for sharing my bed with a sloppy, lovable beast of sorts. It’s been a long time since my dear Sofi was able to come into bed with me, but I remember it well, and it felt so perfect.

    Next steps include a site visit that will be combined with a community visit. PAALS is going to bring a service dog to help me negotiate the grocery store and gain some skills with cues. I so appreciate their willingness to help with transportation since the beach and Columbia is not the closest. It looks like this visit is going to take place in either March or April.

    I am also enthusiastic about the training process. I love learning new things and processes. Learning cues, signals, and directions are right up my alley. I am looking forward to daily training exercises and getting outside for walks several times a day.

    October is the big deadline. My 25th College Reunion is in October in Baltimore. I am so looking forward to seeing my friends, and having my service dog and making the big travel plans by flying to Baltimore. I missed my 20th reunion because my dad was dying so being on campus is even more important to me. It sounds like its a long shot to have my dog in time for reunion, but patience is the name of of the game and I will demonstrate that the quality of the process is more important than than the timing.