With the new year fast approaching, everyone reflects on the year gone by and dreams of the year ahead. With my #paralysis in 2016, I sunk down into a very bad hole, I couldn’t see any future for 2017. Then as 2017 was coming to its closing, looking forward to 2018 didn’t seem much brighter.
So here we are closing 2018 and I’m somewhat peeking at 2019. I’m not 100% ready to say I’m good yet or that I’m looking forward to the next year but I’m willing to peek into the future.
2018 gave me a couple “firsts” since life in a #wheelchair took over my/our life. We took our “first” vacation (went to TN), went into #NYC to see a broadway show and my honey remodeled two bathrooms by making doorways wider and giving me access to the sink by removing vanity and installing wall mounted sinks and building custom counter; gosh he’s so handy :).
While our “first” vacation to TN was nice it was also a little difficult at times. It was a real slap in the face of what I can no longer do, of what we can no longer do. But, at the same time, we did it! That trip actually taught me, my honey, us, a few things about how we make this new life work. Do you remember when you were a child hearing your mom say “it’s not what you say it’s how you say it” that couldn’t be more true. While my honey certainly NEVER means to hurt my feelings he sometimes did. Example: while driving down the road we passed an amazing waterfall. In the past, we would have both jumped out of the car walked over to edge of road and stood hand-in-hand, smiling, kissing and taking pictures. Well, jumping out of the van isn’t as easy or simple or fast. We would have needed to park (instead of just pull off side briefly), he would have to get me chair out of back of van, then lift me out, then push me (remember I have shorter limbs can’t push myself and for traveling purposes my motorized chair is VERY heavy and even more difficult to get in/out of van easily). So instead, my honey jumped out, took the camera and ran over to take a few pictures then returned to me excited to show me the pictures. Sadly, I was less than excited to see them. I was hurt, sad, mad, that I couldn’t see it with him. It was a huge slap in the face. Lesson learned: if we can’t do something easily & together than we don’t do it.
We’ve been going into NYC for years for various concerts, shows, dinners and to play tourist during the holidays. Th as our “first” day trip into NYC since wheelchair life was a way of life and I’m thrilled to say it was a success, everything went so perfect (thanks in part to the #Neil_Simon_Theater for having an #accessible #Family_Restroom 🙂
And my honey’s renovations! It’s amazing how a simple task of being able to brush your teeth independently can boost ones phyche!
So, with a few positive good experiences in 2018 I’m trying to make a conscious effort to be a little more open to new experiences and trying a little harder to find new ways to make old experiences fun again.
As always, I wish you days filled with wonder – take a minute to wonder what it is that made you smile today! I also wish you
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I get what you said about not being able to jump out of the car to take the picture by the waterfall. When your life changes, it’s difficult to accept the changes. Especially when it has affected your physical abilities. I can only imagian what it is like, as I have watched my son struggle for three years since his accident. Yes he can walk. Yes he has one functioning arm and hand. But his life has changed so much. He cannot do a lot of what he use to at home, or with his family. Depression is the worse part, this holds him back, and makes his pain even worse. But he has been blessed with a wonderful partner, as I see you have. So I hope 2019 brings you both a better year,one where you have more pleasures, and continue to adjust to a new way of life. And if possible, maybe just maybe you willboth find ways to move forward and Hope improvement in abilities is In This new year. You have overcome so many Obstacles in your life, I believe in you and wish you more happiness in this new year