For most people, a shower is just a routine part of their day. It takes no more preparation than making sure you have shampoo, soap, and clothes to put on afterward. Not so if the person who needs a shower is in a wheelchair and cannot help themselves. When I first started bathing Lynn, I […]
One of the challenges I face as a caregiver is switching gears in mid-thought. Of course, being a mother certainly helped prepare me for that duty, but I always switch reluctantly. I’m the type of person who likes closure. I like to start a project, focus on it, and get it done. Not being able
Lynn has the most awesome memories of anyone I’ve ever known. He is the one you always want on your team for any trivia game. He remembers every little detail about any movie he has ever watched, can tell you what year and the date something happened, and if you think you’re right and he’s
Can he not remember or is he just not paying attention? Read More »
When we went on vacation, I rented a wheelchair van thanks to the generous gift of one of our church members. IT WAS AWESOME! I was so spoiled by that van. Lynn and I have a 2002 Impala. When we go somewhere, I bodily list my 190 lbs husband from his wheelchair and set him
I so want a wheelchair van! Read More »
Things are pretty much back to normal following Hurricane Irene. I understand that another possible hurricane is heading toward the Carolinas, so we may have more to come. We got our power back at midnight Wednesday morning. We were very fortunate because my son didn’t get him until the next day, and one of our
Hurricane Irene has moved on now, and we fared pretty well. We lost electricity at 2 p.m. on Saturday, and we still don’t have it back here at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Our yard is a mess, and we’ve lost everything in our refrigerator, but I think the freezer food, for the most part, is
Weathering the storm Read More »
I don’t know why, but I’m feeling blue. Maybe the atmospheric pressure is playing a role since we are waiting for the hurricane to roll in tomorrow night. I think it’s primarily due to a lack of sleep and trying to get away today. I worked till 10 last night, and then Lynn wanted to
I have the blues today Read More »
I’d never experienced an earthquake before, and it was a really eerie feeling to feel the air and ground moving around me. I was working at my desk, and Lynn was working in the back room at his computer when it started. At first, I thought it was dynamite being used to get rid of
Comfort in the Face of the Earthquake Read More »
I’ve discovered that buying things to make life easier for a caregiver can be expensive; however, with just a bit of creativity, you can have devices that work almost as well for a lot less (other than the time it takes to make them). Lynn has been a carpenter, is very creative, and has come
Necessity is the Mother of Invention Read More »
I’ve always loved to sleep. I don’t nap during the day, but if I had my preference, I would go to bed between 10 and 11 p.m. and not get up again till 9:00 a.m. A good night’s sleep for me is 9 hours. During that time, I might get up once to go to
Love/Hate Relationship with the Night Read More »
Ever felt like you just couldn’t take one more demand on your energy? I was like that last Monday night. We got home from vacation Saturday, and I stayed up till 3 a.m. putting things away. Sunday was much of the same, except it was catching up on things at home. Again I went to
I Just Can’t Deal With Another Thing. Read More »
We are on our last day of vacation, and as usual, I think everyone is looking forward to going home–although we have had a great time. There is no place like home, is there? For instance, yesterday, I helped Lynn take a shower in a regular shower stall. I put in the shower chair for
Triumphs and Disappointments Read More »