Welcome February!

I apologize for not having written for awhile. Winter is horrible for me. Physically because of the barometric pressure changes. Most days I have a headache all day and everything hurts. Plus snow and ice aren’t kind to wheelchairs at all. I’ve actually had to turn around halfway to the store because someone didn’t shovel. I’ve been wanting to move down south but most people don’t make things easier when you’re disabled. People just look at the perks but don’t see everything we have to do for them. I can guarantee you that most people in wheelchairs would happily change places with you in a heartbeat. It’s not easy. Kind of feels like a punishment for being in a horrible situation. I can tell you, there’s so many people in wheelchairs at therapy, support groups, etc…. But count how many you see in daily life. Yes, the world is getting more accommodating but most accommodations are just enough to get done with help. I’m very independent and can hop a curb when there isn’t a ramp or navigate some really tricky situations but I know so many people who couldn’t and that can be terrifying! That’s why so many people in similar situations stay locked inside and scared. Just getting unhealthier. I’ve had difficulties with many of the things that businesses think are accommodating but really aren’t. Mostly ramps that are impossible to navigate without help or stores that have so many obstacles in the aisles that make it difficult to even go down many aisles. Lifts with no lights so you’re in a dark box. I can’t even remember how many back alleys, storage and garbage rooms I’ve had to go through to get to a ramp. I was once going down south with my friend and I noticed that the further south, the less accommodating things are. Several times, I used bathrooms that would only fit my chair snuggly and backwards to close the door and I had to wedge my chair between the toilet and the wall just to close the door( I like closing doors in public restrooms haha) I literally had to climb to the toilet that was firmly wedged behind my chair and used the bathroom with my feet on the wall. It’s either compromise or pee in your pants but I also thought about everyone I knew that couldn’t do this at all! What then?

Check out this ramp. This is at a Drs office so it’s extra unbelievable and I’d also love to know what contractor thought this was good. This is more like something from an amusement park 😂 Do you realize how many people were involved in this decision?! That many people were definitely stupid there.

So instead of being proud of a mandatory ramp or an automatic door, try actively including wheelchair bound people in things. Trust me, we know what an inconvenience we are. We are also fully aware of things that we’re excluded from and although we understand, reality still hurts. I know most people have someone in their life who needs this! That old expression “out of sight, out of mind” YOU’RE mind, definitely not theirs.

I started at a new physical therapy place Thursday. I used to do an independent program at another place that’s pretty much like going to the gym but they have certain things that a normal gym doesn’t like parallel bars and standing frames and they also have an experienced staff just in case. Thank goodness I’ve never needed it but it’s good.
I’m strong but very uncoordinated. Like I could probably kick a hole in the wall, I just couldn’t tell you where that hole would be 😂
I love being active. I’m very competitive with myself. Not with others though. Like I’ll purposely let someone win if they need a win but when the therapist says do a certain amount of exercises, I’m usually doing more.
Although most of me is really strong, my core, hips and that whole area is very weak and that is why it’s extra hard to walk. That’s also why I use a walker to walk and definitely can’t use a cane.
Picture making an action figure with a jello body but strong limbs.

Having delayed reactions is just awesome most of the time haha. Like the time I literally broke my ass (sacrum) or the times I’ve fallen and even I ask myself- why didn’t you just put out a hand to break your fall? I can be falling flat on my face and all I can do is think “oh crap!” I’ll want to put my hands out but my brain doesn’t tell my body fast enough anymore. It’s such fun 😂

This physical therapy guy was awesome! Anyone who knows me, knows I joke and am inappropriate most of the time. That is how I’ve always been so it’s not the brain injury. That does make it better though. People tolerate so much more when you’re in a wheelchair and either think it’s funny or just think I’m ill. I can hear them thinking “that poor dear!” Either way is no difference to me! People can think whatever. If they aren’t paying my bills or being my friend, they don’t get the benefit of me caring. But there’s always those few moments in the beginning when people don’t know you so they don’t know if you’re joking or serious. How people handle those moments right there tells me so much about them and if they’re an idiot, it weeds them out early. Most people pay attention to similar things but I look at the things that nobody else notices. I like to see how people act when they think nobody is paying attention.

A dr once referred me to someone for surgery and he said-just beware, he never smiles and I said challenge accepted. I had him laughing several times.
I don’t love being around people who can’t be fun.
Life isn’t nearly as fun if you’re not joking and laughing. I love making people laugh! That’s also the fastest way to my heart, making me laugh.