Ever since Bobby's wheelchair mishap, our life has definitely been out of its routine. And yet, despite all the craziness, it's been a blessing in many ways.
Having to be the driver has really made me evaluate how I am as a passenger. And for a man who's only ridden with someone else driving four times in the last 16 years, I must say he's done better than I expected. I hope I'll be less of a "backseat" driver once this is over with.
I've learned to appreciate the extra money invested to make the van driveable for him. When he's not in the driver's seat, it means "tying him down" with hooks and locks and straps. It's not fun, especially when it's raining or a dog's wet nose is poking at your back or ankles. I've gained a deeper appreciation for what the van modifications allow him (and me) to do, and for my fellow quad wives who don't have this luxury and live every moment of every day adding an extra ten minutes to anything they plan to do just for this process that must be done at departure and arrival.
Growing up, I never dreamed I would ever say life near the city is a good thing. But for us, it most definitely is. I love having the van and wheelchair company within a thirty minute drive, and I'm so thankful for their customer service, even if/when they make decisions I don't agree with or like.
Power chairs. Today I came home from the grocery store, and immediately missed the sound of wheels rushing through the house to greet me (or poke his nose in the grocery bags or offer to help unload). Being in the manual chair, he's mostly stuck wherever I leave him in the house. He did manage to get from the kitchen to the study this morning, but it took him a very long time (including a good five minutes trying to get up the 1/4" difference between the living room and kitchen flooring). The hardest thing? Not giving him a push up. I honestly don't know what we'd do if power chairs were not an option. It would certainly eliminate most of the things he can do.
And I must confess, we're a tad bit nervous. We're now 1.5 hours from closing time, and we've still not received the call to come pick up the van and chair. We did buy my car several years ago for the sole purpose of having a vehicle I can fit him into, but I know he does not want to be lifted in and out of a car (plus it would require another person going with us and would eliminate the possibility of running errands or stopping to eat on the way home), much less be pushed everywhere in public.
Life is certainly different when your technological necessities are not available.
Having to be the driver has really made me evaluate how I am as a passenger. And for a man who's only ridden with someone else driving four times in the last 16 years, I must say he's done better than I expected. I hope I'll be less of a "backseat" driver once this is over with.
I've learned to appreciate the extra money invested to make the van driveable for him. When he's not in the driver's seat, it means "tying him down" with hooks and locks and straps. It's not fun, especially when it's raining or a dog's wet nose is poking at your back or ankles. I've gained a deeper appreciation for what the van modifications allow him (and me) to do, and for my fellow quad wives who don't have this luxury and live every moment of every day adding an extra ten minutes to anything they plan to do just for this process that must be done at departure and arrival.
Growing up, I never dreamed I would ever say life near the city is a good thing. But for us, it most definitely is. I love having the van and wheelchair company within a thirty minute drive, and I'm so thankful for their customer service, even if/when they make decisions I don't agree with or like.
Power chairs. Today I came home from the grocery store, and immediately missed the sound of wheels rushing through the house to greet me (or poke his nose in the grocery bags or offer to help unload). Being in the manual chair, he's mostly stuck wherever I leave him in the house. He did manage to get from the kitchen to the study this morning, but it took him a very long time (including a good five minutes trying to get up the 1/4" difference between the living room and kitchen flooring). The hardest thing? Not giving him a push up. I honestly don't know what we'd do if power chairs were not an option. It would certainly eliminate most of the things he can do.
And I must confess, we're a tad bit nervous. We're now 1.5 hours from closing time, and we've still not received the call to come pick up the van and chair. We did buy my car several years ago for the sole purpose of having a vehicle I can fit him into, but I know he does not want to be lifted in and out of a car (plus it would require another person going with us and would eliminate the possibility of running errands or stopping to eat on the way home), much less be pushed everywhere in public.
Life is certainly different when your technological necessities are not available.
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