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Lisa's turning 40...


WfnShow330

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next week.

 

Her mother has huge party planned for her at their house. They have a large yard and have hosted many a family party or graduation there. Lisa is looking forward to it. I kind of feel bad because I have nothing to do with any of the planning. I ask Lisa if there is something I need to do for it, but she keeps saying nope.

O.K., I'll let it go at that.

 

I asked what she wanted for her birthday. See, Lisa and I are of two separate minds when it comes to presents. For me, you ask, I tell you exactly what to get me, and that is what I expect. Short, sweet, and simple. Lisa thinks the surprise is the best. Opening your gift and seeing something unexpected. I always feel like I bought the wrong things. Anyway, Lisa said there was nothing she could think of because if we need something, she just goes and buys it. I had to take her credit card away from her. But, that is typical her.

 

Other than that, life goes on. We, like the rest of the nation, are fighting the heat. When it hits 100 degrees in Minnesota, people can catch fire. We are not used to this. The air conditioner we bought is working great though.

 

Lisa has had a couple good weeks and seems to be getting stronger again. Her walking around the house is more stable and I am thinking of starting a "wheelchair ban" on the weekends when I am around. I think it will be good for her.

 

She has been hounding me to buy a motorized wheelchair for her. She's killing me with this. She seems to think if she has one she will be able to jump in it and run wherever on her own. Am I just being to cautious? It seems impossible to me. She says, "I can run up to my moms or a friends whenever I want." One, we live on a hill. A STEEP hill!!! I think there is no way a chair can SAFELY navigate these hills. Two, what does she do when she get there. There will be no ramps of any kind to get her into where she is going. And three, what about bathroom breaks. She is unable to go on her own without some assistance. Kind of a funny picture in my mind of her whelling down the street with her pants down. I wish she would work on using her manual one to propel herself more.

 

I hope everyone is doing well,

 

Butch

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When she logically considers all the caveats of her so-called freedom ride, she'll decide your right, its not safe or sensible for her to do. I know, from experience how awful it is not to be able to take off on your own, but if she just thinks of that HILL and the bathroom problems, she'll back out

June

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Butch,

 

Tell Lisa 'happy birthday' for me. Don't feel bad that you didn't have anything to do with the planning. The important thing is she'll be surrounded by people who love you both and the who did what doesn't really matter.

 

I like your wheelchair ban for when you're around to keep an eye on Lisa. There is a real danger that a survivor as far out as Lisa develops an emotional dependance on the chair. And stick to your guns on the motorized wheelchair. Your logic is sound plus she sounds like she's doing well in the walking around the house with more stability. Using a manual chair helps keep her core body muscles strong.

 

Thanks for the update!

 

Jean

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HI Butch, Happy Birthday to Lisa.

Have you mentioned the dangers of the hill and no ramps or assitance. Some survivors don't actually realize the "dangers" until pointed out.

 

As for an "un expected" b day present.. Tickets to a movie and dinner out ... if affordable a small piece of jewlery. Maybe a little gold heart on a chain. A CD of some of her favorite music with a little personal CD player...... NO to toasters, appliances..lol

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Butch,

From a survivor point of view, Lisa doesn't really need a motorized wheelchair. If she can walk around the house, then she needs to keep upping her goals, to move on to something more challenging. The worst thing anyone can do for a survivor out of love is enable them to become too dependent. I'm from the school of independent thinking and action.

Tell her happy birthday from me.

Pam

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First of all A big :happybday: to Lisa.

 

Now down to business. Completely agree with Pam. It does no good to become dependent on a wheel chair when you are on the verge of walking. Personally,, I'm in favor of a rollator. It can be used in the house as well as ou, has a seat for rests and is in a walking position and will strength the legs. I started using one and then started to push it a little ahead and then walk up to it. Now, I occasionally "take it for a walk" but mostly have it "parked". I am planning on keeping it near the bed when I move because I won't have much furniture to start and when I get up for bathroom breaks, I'm still half asleep and use furniture etc. for balance. The rollator will come in handy and be good since I will be all alone.

 

I'm sure if she had a choice, she would see that gaining independence is more important than depending on a motorized chair.

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