Great news today from the doctor; I'm cleared to resume driving. I'm considered 100% recovered from the small stroke I had on 15 February 2012.
Free to go where I want, when I want and to choose my mode of transportation. Moving forward at my own pace and on my own schedule is a great relief.
After some introspection I am able to say with confidence that I feel 10 years younger today than yesterday. You see, on February 15th I felt as though I had aged 20 years. A month later I felt 10 years younger since I had fully resumed all of my physical therapy exercise routines. I realized today that the extra 10 years I've been weighted down by came from explaining to everyone that I had had a stroke and needed a ride or some other assistance like picking up things at the store or mailing a package for me. The mantle of years was all in my head; my perception of myself, the image in my mind. Turns out it is true that you are only as old as you feel.
Living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) all my life and using all of the assistive devices in my arsenal (wheelchairs, walker, canes, etc.) somehow didn't make me feel old. Saying "I had a stroke and am not cleared to drive yet." did make me feel old. Not helpless. Not needy. Just old. Now I can say with confidence "I had a small stroke at 50 and am fine now."
If you are thinking that I got in my van as soon as I got the OK and drove to Miglet's for a celebration cupcake you would be wrong. Well, partly wrong. I didn't go today. My plan for tomorrow is to drive myself to my acupuncture appointment in the morning before picking up a friend (one of my drivers) and go to Miglet's for lunch. Tomorrow, I'll be 12 again as I enjoy that cupcake.
Sleeping 7 hours straight without waking, a house full of flowers, a phone conversation with a friend...a beautiful day to enjoy.
Keep Moving Forward
Monday, April 30, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
The Paradox of Appearances
I'm a walker and I'm a roller.
People are often caught off guard when they see me in my wheelchair if they are used to seeing me out walking Fred around the neighborhood. Others think I have a twin sister - if they recognize me at all - when they see me walking Fred and are used to seeing me in town, on the bus, on BART in my wheelchair.
It is confusing. I get that. I'm sorry it has to be so confusing. Some things to keep in mind.
I use a wheelchair to protect and preserve my joints. Believe me, YOU are safer, when I use my wheelchair in public places that would otherwise require lots of standing or walking.
I walk because it is healthy. My physical therapy routine requires 2 hours per day of standing and walking. So I try to get it all done on the front end of the day. Walking is good for circulation, core muscle maintenance and to stave off osteoporosis.
Walking is also quite painful and uncomfortable for someone like me who lives with Hypermobility type Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. For me it feels like I've strapped on shoes lined with pebbles to walk the length of a freight ship in rough weather. Yes, really, it feels like that. The ground doesn't feel level or even.
I also have a wheeled walker that I use in my home. It is narrower so it fits better through the narrow doorways.
These are assistive devices, aides some of the many things that keep me moving forward. None of these things make me sad or feel like any less of a person. They are what have opened the world for me. They get me where I'm going.
I'm always happiest when my feet don't hurt, aren't you? Please be happy with me walking, rolling, moving forward.
People are often caught off guard when they see me in my wheelchair if they are used to seeing me out walking Fred around the neighborhood. Others think I have a twin sister - if they recognize me at all - when they see me walking Fred and are used to seeing me in town, on the bus, on BART in my wheelchair.
It is confusing. I get that. I'm sorry it has to be so confusing. Some things to keep in mind.
I use a wheelchair to protect and preserve my joints. Believe me, YOU are safer, when I use my wheelchair in public places that would otherwise require lots of standing or walking.
I walk because it is healthy. My physical therapy routine requires 2 hours per day of standing and walking. So I try to get it all done on the front end of the day. Walking is good for circulation, core muscle maintenance and to stave off osteoporosis.
Walking is also quite painful and uncomfortable for someone like me who lives with Hypermobility type Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. For me it feels like I've strapped on shoes lined with pebbles to walk the length of a freight ship in rough weather. Yes, really, it feels like that. The ground doesn't feel level or even.
I also have a wheeled walker that I use in my home. It is narrower so it fits better through the narrow doorways.
These are assistive devices, aides some of the many things that keep me moving forward. None of these things make me sad or feel like any less of a person. They are what have opened the world for me. They get me where I'm going.
I'm always happiest when my feet don't hurt, aren't you? Please be happy with me walking, rolling, moving forward.
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