wheelchairs can be dangerous

A few weeks back I was going to one of my Sunday family brunches. I had arrived at the restaurant ahead of everyone else for the first time, so proceeded to get out of my car. My process is to get my chair out from behind the driver's seat, then move my car seat back. As I began to move my seat, I noticed in the corner of my eye that my chair was moving away... slowly... As I reached for the chair, I realized that it wasn't moving that slowly... everything was happening in slow motion. I sat helpless as the chair moved, past the back of my car... across the lane... over to the parking entrance... down the entrance and finally to stop. Stopped by a car entering the parking lot. As the driver got out and saw where the chair came from, all I could think was what my chair might have done to his car.

The gentleman came up to me and simply said smiling, "I think you lost this?" I apologized and asked if his car was ok, and he said not to worry, it was fine... accidents happen.

So I learned, a wheelchair in the wrong hands, that is no one's hands, can be dangerous!

evolution

I've been a quad for over 35 years, as hard as it is for me to believe. I've seen myself put on a few pounds and slow down a bit. It's all been a slow progression, but the kind of progression that pretty much everyone goes through as they age.

In the last few years, I've continued to challenge myself to grow, most notably going back to school, starting a new career and moving back to Montreal. But my biggest challenge has been one that I didn't choose. It's been dealing with the aging process as a quad. I've dealt with a recent fall and the resulting broken leg. I've been less active for a number of reasons which has lowered my stamina and diminished my strength in some ways. I've had to deal with rotator cuff problems that are painful and limit my mobility. Each problem is significant in it's own way, but together they seem to grow off each other. Now I'm dealing with difficulty transferring, and it's all forcing me to deal with the reality that my level of independence is changing. Honestly, there are days that I feel that my best days are behind me. On those days, I try to remember that what I have learned in those 35 years is that those days go by, and new ones bring new hopes, new challenges and new successes.

a farewell

The final words of someone special whom we lost today.

'My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.'
Jack Layton

creativity

I've mentioned how important creativity is in finding ways around things that I couldn't otherwise do. You can be the creative one, or find others who have that gift to add to your life.

Here is one of the important creations I use. It's a part of the transfer board I use to get into my car. I found that as I moved my butt forward to get around the chair wheel, the board would often move. This little sliding metal bar moves to hold the board in place. It locks in behind the wheel frame so the board can't move forward. I hope the pic hows a bit of how it works.

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perfect fit

Today I went to see about a new wheelchair. I've been thinking about it for a few days trying to make sure I knew all the important things to consider when picking the right chair. Here's a hint... start making a list weeks before. There are so many things to consider when changing chairs, you don't want to realize once you've got the new one that it's all wrong. One little mistake can ruin it.

Just a few things to remember; is it heavier than your current chair (more weight to push around), the size is important (fitting in your home, your car, turning radius), back support height and type, folding or non-folding, foot support (will it change how you transfer), front wheel type (rubber or pneumatic) and side guards (dirt and moisture protection between wheel and your hips). By thinking about it way ahead, you can watch for things in your everyday life that may be impacted by a change in your chair.

outside

We've had a run of scorching weather lately, but today is gorgeous. There's a nice mix of sun and clouds and a gentle breeze. After a good deal of rain yesterday, the temperature is perfect. With the doors and windows open, I can hear the rustling of the leaves in the trees. It's a lovely summer's day to be alive.

Sometimes life as a quad is simply life...

coping

When people have suggested to me that it's amazing how I've coped with becoming a quadriplegic, I always say that we all have amazing coping skills, but we aren't aware of them until we are forced to face something difficult. I was reminded of that myself last week.

As I get into bed, I'm always sure to have access to my cell phone in case I should fall and need to call for help. On this particular night, I had reached the safe point, and had moved my phone out the way so I could pull my feet into bed. Something happened though, and I got an unusual spasm that threw me forward onto the floor. Once I realized what had happened and I checked to be sure there was no obvious injury, I tried several different ways to reach my phone, with no luck. I eventually realized that I wasn't going anywhere until morning (luckily I had someone coming by early that day). So I managed to pull my duvet off the bed and got as comfortable as I could, which wasn't very comfortable. It seems I had aggravated an old rib injury when I fell, and the way I was lying wasn't helping. The point of this story isn't to have anyone feel bad for me. I did enough of that for myself lying there (with the TV stuck on HGTV). What it reminded me (after it was all over), is that somehow through the toughest situations we find a way to get through it. That doesn't mean it's easy, but we get through it.

falling prey

We've all heard about those scams that target seniors trying to get at their money, and I can't count how many emails I've gotten from deposed African monarchs wanted my help to regain their fortune. There are also scammers who are more focused on whom they prey on. They take the time to research who they are going after. Being disabled, we are often perceived as more gullible, less able to protect ourselves.

The old adage, 'if it seems too good to be true, then it must be' works well here. Just be aware you might be a target, and if you think you are being scammed, call the police.