Merry Christmas. Wait, Already?

Hi All,

It's been awhile.  I've been busy as all get out for the last little while, so, my apologies.

School is going well, but, I need to get caught up as shortly after I hurt my foot I got the flu, so needless to say I haven't been feeling up to doing a lot.  I'm just getting back to the point of feeling like eating and not feeling dizzy and gross afterwards.  I was supposed to go to Paul Brandt last week and missed out on that; being in a room full of screaming, clapping people while nauseated and having a pounding headache was not my idea of fun.

Speaking of work, some big changes are happening there.  I won't go into detail, because really, it would all be gibberish (it confuses me on a good day).  Any of you who know me, know I don't like change and keep in mind, I've only bee in my new position for 3.5 months so, it's yet another learning curve, but that's ok. I'm excited about the concept of all of it.  Will it be easy? Probably not. Will it be frustrating? Yeah. Will it be time consuming? I had 2 hours of training and have 2 more tomorrow.   Am I a little bit nervous? Yes, but I'm not like... terrified like I was when I got promoted.  Eventually it will become second nature just like my roles in the company so far have.

Therapy is going well.  I MASTERED the 2 inch curb! I DID IT! I am no longer scared to just take a run at it and lean forward and I'm up.  We are working on wheelies and the higher curb now.  My biggest hurdle at this point is my perceptual issues because they cause me problems judging distance and height (when to pop my wheelie and how high) and for that reason, my PT isn't sure I'll ever be able to be without wheelie bars, but she isn't giving up and neither am I.  She said she will work with me to make me the best I can be :).  Right before I hurt my toe, we had started working on walking with a walker and the parallel bars.  PT was very impressed and, she and I have discussed walking at work so I can stand up and move around throughout the day.  My boss has been 100% supportive about the whole idea, so I'm really excited about that, too.

I have also started recreational therapy and LOVE it!   I plan on going skiing in January and I'm pretty pumped.  I also got to meet the guys who run the waterskiing and they are awesome.  I'm anxious to get out on the water this summer.  I'm also meeting someone about Basketball this week.

I have had to give up Hippotherapy for the time being due to scheduling issues.  I am hoping I will be able to return in the spring but, we'll see where work and school and other activities are at.  Horseback riding has done wonderful things for me and I'd really like to return but, realistically, it is a struggle to get to because it's 20 minutes out of the city and so, I can't take the public transit.  My goal is to remain active and the nice thing is, waterskiing and basketball are in the city.  Skiing is a fair ways out, but I LOVE skiing so, if I gotta pay somebody to drive me, so be it! I'm not saying I don't like horseback riding, I just have a thing for speed and the wind in my face (and doing something useful with the stupid white stuff on the ground :)

I thought I would save this, but, my shoulder isn't doing so hot.  I had virtually no sleep last night and numbness in my hand again, so prayers that it was just a bad day and will pass would be much appreciated.

I hope everyone is doing fantastic!!

Until Next Time,

J

"He's not jaded or bitter, he's gonna leave the givin' up for the quitters"

Yikes

Long time  no blog folks.  I need prayers, really bad.  The last week has been very long and anxiety filled.  On Tuesday I fell.  I was holding onto the counter reaching for the phone and stepped the wrong way.  My toe bent and I heard a snap and then immediately I felt numbness, so, on Wednesday my dad took me to the ER after a call to the health line. The doctor said there was no fracture or broken toe, but by Wednesday evening at work I was crying because I was in so much pain.  Now I can take a fair bit of pain, my shoulder has been an 8-9 on a scale of 1-10 and I have never shed a tear (when other people were around) yet I balled over this.  That speaks volume.  Yesterday, it seemed slightly better and then today when I went to PT, she looked at it and said "it looks more bent then your other toes." Yikes! By this afternoon my whole foot hurt.  Finally, my boss said that if I needed to go to the doctor or whatever, we could go, so I was going to but, of course I had to try and discuss with mom/dad while they were at work so they knew what was going on.  Finally, I just cried.  I hurt, I was frustrated, I was stressed.  My boss finally said call your dad and tell him you need to go to the doctor because this isn't you and you're not ok. He's working.  Boss offered to take me after work but, in all honesty I felt bad making him take me so, I avoided the question.  I apologized and said that I was sorry for the drama (by no means were they mad, but I just felt badly)   Anyways, my point is this is just a tidbit of what my week has been like and then as I went to phone mom, my phone died.

Prayers for a way better week at work and way less anxiety and peace are MUCH appreciated.

Knowing When

to keep your freakin' mouth shut! I just read something that made me pretty annoyed.  I've blogged in regards to the Clausings before... They decided that they wanted to buy a ParaPodium for Ryan and are thrilled about this piece of equipment allowing Ryan another form of independence and freedom and of course weight bearing etc.and specifically requested that if you didn't have something nice to say, don't say anything. But, somebody did despite that, stating that they thought it wasn't safe and there were to many risks that outweighed the benefits,  .

Here's my thing, just because a piece of equipment won't work for you doesn't mean it won't work for someone else.  Encourage or shut up.  We all need to share information, sure but, we need to support each other.

I Can't...

I just can't close this blog.. I've tried several times and welll... I'm still here...

My standing chair was denied.  They sent the letter to my boss and cc'ed me. They didn't even send a copy to my OT.   I lost it. I was PISSED.  I phonedd my OT, and I looked into work benefits and what they will cover.  I'm still working on that.

I returned to PT to start working on wheelchair skills and it is going very well... I really like my new therapist and she's got some great ideas about how I may be able to start doing some walking again.   Pool therapy is one of the ways we will be trying, hopefully so that's exciting.

I will also be returning to Hippotherapy in about a week and half and have gone back to being in my manual chair full time with the occasional "lazy day." where I opt for the power chair. 

I again ended up in the medi-clinic with touble breathing and they have yet to find a cause and also figured it was minor enough to leave me sitting in a waiting room for well over half an hour.  My brother (who is a paramedic) was NOT pleased and just about ended up taking me to the ER. 

So needless to say, things are far from dull and I have very little time to write anymore but, I figure that once every few weeks is better than keeping it all in my head.. that's how people go crazy :)

J

Closing Down Shop

Hey all,

I have decided to close down this blog.... When I started back to OT I had lots to write about and share.  i don't have the time anymore to keep this going and to be honest, I need to let this blog go as part of letting the time I spent in therapy go.  I will be starting with a new therapist very soon and because of that I feel the need to start entirely fresh.  There may come a day when I decide to blog again, but for now all I can say is thank you for everything and please know that I appreciate every single one of you who took the time to comment, read, pray, whatever.  Thank you.

"He's not jaded or bitter, he's gonna leave the givin' up for the quitters."

J

.....

I'm not even sure what to title this post.  I don't know how to put into words what I feel right now.   Usually when I get into this funk, I get out.  I can't seem to.  I have moments of happiness and moments that are anxiety free but they are extremely short lived.  

I'm still struggling in Math because they  still want me to draw graphs.  I finally decided today I am handing in my math binder with a few incomplete assignments.  I don't know if I'll finish the exam.   I got  a 53% on my Biology exam, thankfully I get to pick one exam mark to drop at the end of the year so, that might be it.   I have talked to quiet a few people about this graphing situation (for both now and university).  The online learning person I emailed told me there should be no problem with me using my graphing software next year (and she'll be my Math teacher, apparently)    I also spoke to some people at several universities who assured me the graphing issues could be worked around.  Good.  But then, I explained to one of them I wanted to go into Occupational Therapy.  She told me I should look very carefully at the Essential Skills document.  I did and it is required that not only do you have the physical abilities (walking, bending, ect) but, you also have to have proper spatial abilities. Problem. I do not possess very good spatial acuity/abilities as I've mentioned before.  They have a reasonable accommodation policies but, I'm not sure what exactly that entails.   I think it's also bringing forward the fact that it might be hard for me to find a job where my abilities could be matched with the duties of the position.  I know that being an OT is my dream job and it has been for a very long time.   I really hope it works out, it's got me kind of distracted.

Then there is this whole reno thing.  The tile guy screwed up big time. He got grout EVERYWHERE and I mean everywhere.  We had to pull out all the tile he put in. So now, I've been without my bath lift for 5 weeks and am having to be lifted in and out of the tub which isn't good for my shoulder or mom's back.   Still no ramp/tie downs for van yet.  They were approved by insurance and the DME ordered them, but they're not here yet so, dad called DME. DME said he would call back after he contacted the manufacture.  No phone call.

Oh and my shoulder. UGH! I went to see the Physiatrist yesterday and he said he is almost positive I have a tear in my superspinitis (rotator cuff).  Awesome.  He tried to look at my MRI yesterday but, the server they are on was down.  He says he doesn't know if there's much they can do due to my lifestyle.  He said as a last resort they can give me some special injections.  What they do is take blood from your shoulder, remove the platelets, and inject them back into your shoulder.  This does wonders for healing, but he's not sure why  It is apparently very expensive and is not covered by insurance.  At this point, though, mom and dad will do whatever they have to do to make my shoulder better for the sake of my health emotionally and physically. 

We also decided to go forward with therapeutic riding so I'm pretty excited about that .  I think my OT says it best; "It beats sitting on the floor for an hour doing stupid stretches."   I think that's the first time I've heard one of my therapists refer to my stretches as "stupid." :).  The doctor also said I will probably need some Physical Therapy.  Gross :).

On the subject of therapy, they did go on strike.  Not everyone, though.  However, there are more walking out everyday.  As of this morning, I still have OT but, that could change.

You can maybe see now why I feel like I just can't take anymore I'm not going to lie; right at this very moment my faith is running low.  Please pray for things to calm down and get better.  Please pray that I can still have therapy this week and that it is a positive session. Also, please pray this strike does not have to last long and can have absolutely minimal effect on patients.

 Thank you for your thoughts prayers and PLEASE don't be afraid to ask me to return the favor whenever you need.

Stress is an ignorant state.  It believes that everything is an emergency.  ~Natalie Goldberg, Wild Mind

J

Better Now.

Hey all,

Things are still crazy busy and I am TIRED! Math is going very well and my teacher seens to be very adaptable as far as my my inability to write/draw.  We have a PPP meeting with the new resource teacher and maybe my teachers on Friday morning.

I pulled a muscle in my shoulder, but, that's just what happenes when you have a prior injury; injuries happen easier.  I have to make an appointment with my PT anyways, I haven't seen him in almost 2 months due to working and transportation issues.  

I went to see my doctor and he told me that I did have an infection when I ended up in the ER and that cough I have is a post-infection cough so, I am on an inhaler and if I don't feel better by the end of the week, I have to go back to the doctor.  He said it could have been a UTI as there were some white blood cellls in the sample they took, but, the antibiotics I was on should have taken care of that.  He thinks my heartrate was due to the fever and stress.  So, I've gone back to happily drinking my coffee without fear :).

Nap time!

Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."  Luke 18:27

I'll Be MIA for Quite a While

Ok folks.  This blog is going on the back burner for a while.  I go back to school tomorrow and I am still sick (I am going back to the doctor, I swear) I am only taking one class but it is Math and we all know how well that has gone in the past.  I am also still going to be working full time and as of tomorrow, have some new duties. Point being, spare time will be scarce.  I also have to find time to squeeze in Hippotherapy, PT, and maybe OT.

In all perfect honesty therapy is taking a back burner, also. Am I proud of that? No. Do I need to change that? Yeah.  I was going to make time for standing until that stupid spot on my toe opened up.  No AFOS or standing for me right now.

I am still waiting on news about my standing chair.  I really would like to know about that soon.  It's been almost a month since my boss and OT sent in their letters

Anyways, prayers for me to feel better and for school and working full time to pan out, as well as positive news about my standing chair to come soon would be much appreciated.  I would also like to ask that you please say prayers for a family member who is having some health issues and the rest of his family (I would explain, but I'mm not sure if they would want that)

Thanks for reading!


J

Trip to the ER.

I ended up in the ER on Wednesday night.  I was at work and could barely make through a call because I felt like I couldn't breathe so the boss man told me to go to the hospital.  I hate hospitals, so I resisted at first but ended up going. See, sometimes my shoulder makes it hurt to breathe because my pecs get tight, so I thought it was that, but when it got to the point I could barely speak... well. When I got into the ER my heart rate was at 140 when it's supposed to be between 60-100. They gave me two bags of fluid and took a chest xray, did an ECG,  checked for UTI, and did a blood test.  All clean. By this time, my heart rate was down.  The doctor came in and said she thought it was viral sepsis but put me on an antibiotic? Tell me how that makes sense please. She said something about how because I am not as mobile, they wanted to give me an antibiotic "just in case".  Whatever. I'm going to get on my soapbox for 30 seconds.  I hate when ER docs just throw med and 3 different diagnosis's at you. FIGURE IT OUT! THEN AND ONLY THEN SEND ME HOME! She told me to go home and back to work.  You just told me I had viral sepsis....This is also 5/12 hours after I originally got there and I'm tired.   Get in the car, go pick up the prescription, get something to eat, and head home.  I get in my chair and get up the driveway no issues. I go to get on the lift and very quickly it is brought to my attention the wheelie bars are not down.  Head meets concrete.  It's dark. It's late. It's cold. My arm hurts, my chest hurts, and now my head hurts.  I'm exhausted.  I'm stressed. Breakdown time. Get over that and get in the house Mom asks if we should go back to the hospital. What, so she can give me three more diagnosis? I eat and go to sleep but, she has to wake me up every twenty minutes to make sure I didn't have a concussion.

I tried to go back to work yesterday and I made it through, but I wasn't on the phone for most of my shift, it was just to difficult with a sore chest and ribs.

Prayers for me to feel better and continued prayers for John Matthew would be very appreciated.

J

You'll Figure it Out

This week has been a mix of emotions and it came out even more after I read Cassie's blog post for Caleb and it made me cry.

I have struggled this week with my drivers eval situation. Yes, I want to know, but, I don't. I can't  forget the day my OT did all that testing and the words he said after.  Normally, when a therapist tells me something might not or will not happen, I move along.  Not this therapist, Not this thing.  I remember the day. The time. The feeling in my stomach. The lump in my throat. What shirt he was wearing for crying out loud. The look on his face.  The look that said it all without his lips even moving. The way I struggled to say anything.  How bad I wanted to yell at him; tell him he was wrong.  Tell him to redo the testing.  Tell him to take the results and shove them.  Tell him to fuck off. Tell him he's my therapist, he's supposed to encourage and support, help, and accomplish. Fix things. At that moment it literally felt as though he had put my heart between his hands, and in one swift move, broken it in to tiny little fragments.  I slowly put it back together, but there is still a huge scar.  With the talk of the road test, it's opening, bit by bit and I'm scared it's going to be ripped open.  Every time someone makes a joke about me driving, I laugh, but little do they know how bad that humor stings. People keeping say to relax. I'll do fine. I'll figure it out.  Sometimes though, I wish it didn't take "figuring out". I wish it just happened like it does for others my age.  I wish I didn't need to book 500 different appointments with 500 different therapists. I wish it didn't take months, countless phone calls, emails, appeals, letters, voice mails, and faxes just to find out about some equipment.  All I'm sayin' is, it would be cool if things could be simpler sometimes is all.

Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”


J

My iPod is Broken :(

It's b-r-r-r-o-k-e-n.  But, seriously, this is the second time the headphone jack has come loose like, come on.

The letters of appeal have been sent in for my standing chair.  My boss and OT wrote one so, go them! Hopefully it's enough and it wasn't a colossal waste of time.  I'm keeping my fingers, toes, AND eyes crossed :). Ok, not quite.

I have been booked for a driver evaluation.  In case anyone wondered, it's on January 19th at 8am. I HIGHLY suggest you stay off the sidewalks.  The lady I spoke with did say that 80% of the people she sees with CP do have perceptual issues and that this is not an automatic "No, not a chance."   It could mean I need more practice.  She did also say that she will be able to tell me whether or not this is something that can be accomplished.  If it is, I will be working with I would assume, an OT.  When the OT feels I am ready to drive alone, they will report to her.

Work is going very well.  I am actually training someone else right now and it's harder than it seems.  Not because of the person but, because I don't like being critical of others.  I'm working on it.  I must be doing well, though because my boss has asked me to keep doing it.  I'm not bragging, just excited :).

Please keep John Matthew in your prayers.  He's had a rough day and could use them.

As for me, I would ask that you continue to pray in regards to the standing component and approval from insurance for funding/ installation.  I would also ask for prayers in regards to school  I am returning to school in 3 weeks and am still going to try and work full time (I will be allowed to work on schoolwork at work) so prayers that it will go well would be appreciated.

J

A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Proverbs 17:22

No Creative Title Found....

SAHO and the Health Sciences Association have reached a new agreement.  It was put to a vote and 87% of the people voted in favor... There are still some seriously angry people...

My OT has put in his letter of appeal for my standing chair and I will be talking to my boss on Monday (I have a nasty cold, so I called in sick today.) to see if he would still be willing to be a part of the appeal process as far as vocational purposes are concerned as my OT feels that would carry some weight for them to have a letter from him, as well.

As far as things go right now, it's busy, but things seem to be getting dealt with. At the side of the page, you will see a link to Emerson's page.  Please keep her and her family in your prayers and also please say a prayer  for John Matthew Davis as he is facing some major surgery and recovery in the next few weeks (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/johnmatthewdavis)

Please say a prayer that my boss will still be willing to help out with the appeal process and that the letters will be enough for an approval of funding and permission for the component to be put on the chair.  Please also pray that work continues to go well and that I am feeling better soon!

But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him. 

Psalms 4:3

J

What Do Ya' Know?

He returned my phone call! He even answered my page this time! Also, apparently he answered the last one, also, but I hung up to soon.  Whoops (he used to ignore his pager while he was working with me, how was I supposed to know he wasn't ignoring it?)    Anyways, he is submitting an appeal to insurance to have them pay for the standing component and if they refuse to do that, he is subsequently requesting that they allow me to put the component on the chair.   My riding therapist has also given me a new source for funding if this is the case, so  I'm looking into that and they may also pay for the cost of my riding therapy and mileage to and from.  My boss also offered to speak to insurance and OT about the standing chair.  It takes an army, but at least I have one to back me up :).

Speaking of riding... I stood for 30 second independently. 30 SECONDS!! I repositioned.  I caught my balance.  I used trunk and back muscles! When I called my OT back (he called while I was riding) he asked how I went, I ALMOST screamed about the whole thing, but then decided to be rational and just say good.  I told everybody at work today, though.

So all in all, a better today full of new things and new reasons to hope.

J

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.
Martin Luther King, Jr. 

It's ALWAYS Something!

Ok. I've had it.  My OT called me while I was at work, so of course I couldn't talk to him.  He left me a long-winded "I'm busy and this is a pain in the ass situation I'm in for." kind of voice mail.  He is apparently seeing 8-9 patients per day, plus still dealing with some outpatients.  He sounds exhausted and like he's trying like hell to make things happen, so I'm trying to be patient, but it's never been my strongest quality.  As it stands right now, we're in a for a battle.  He called the manager of the equipment services I receive and because this chair is technically owned by the government, they are hesitant to let me add the standing component because of confusion of ownership.  My OT says he thinks it's bureaucracy.  I think it is also, and really, how hard is it? I get record of the fact that I paid for and own the standing component.  Better yet, if there's confusion of ownership, the government should just pay for the standing feature and shut up.  It's not like they paid for my standing frame.  So, my OT has to write a letter to the Ministry of Health explaining why I need such a specific thing.  Perhaps because I can't stand independently, just a thought.  Anyways, he's going to do that and I will check in with him Tuesday  (he asked me to call so I did, but I couldn't reach him.) If all else fails, we will try and get private insurance to front at least part of the bill for a standing chair or I will yet again start saving.  We will also see if we can get some funding through some non-government agencies.   I don't like it but, I'm ready to fight and make phone calls and do whatever else I need to.  Where there is a will, there is a way.


Courage is the discovery that you may not win, and trying when you know you can lose.” – Tom Krause


J

Hmmmm

Hey all,

I got my first yelling outburst on the phone today. It sucked.

On a good note, I did order my Ride cushion today and ended up getting it for $450. Awesome.  I also left a message for the lady at the driver rehab department and left an oh-so-sweet, sugarcoated not tell you how I really feel kind of voice mail for my OT about the standing component because I'm having a heck of a time sitting for 7-8 hours per day, everyday, without a break so, hopefully he'll get a hold me soon.

Hope all is well!

J

I Knew It,

Anxiety is creeping in and has been super awful for the last couple of weeks.  I feel like I'm loosing control and in fact, am feeling like a pretty horrible person at this particular moment.   I don't even feel like me. I haven't even been able to say a good prayer for like... a month.  Please pray for me to feel like myself and get back to being myself again soon.

Work is awesome.  I'm still really enjoying it and everyone has been very accommodating.  It has, however, affected my ability to horseback ride because I work part of the afternoon and all evening.  I still go riding when I can, but at this point it isn't exactly weekly.  I need to make money to pay for my damn cushion. I got an email from my DME and... are you sitting down? Sit down.  The J3 cushion I am currently parked on  retails for $826! Did your jaw drop? The Ride Forward I fell in love with back in May  retails for $590. Not cheap. Not horrible.  DME guy is aware I'm not made of money and he will give me the J3 for $650 and the Ride Forward $565 if it is the only thing he orders.  If he can include it in one of his orders, he can do $450. I appreciate this guy, he and the rest of his staff understand that stuff is expensive. They are still in the process of getting the Joey Lift sorted and those plans may have come to a halt for a bit.  We were at the lake last Monday and it hailed.  45 minutes of baseball sized hail later, we may very well have a totaled van.  The back window is gone.  The body is dented. It's a mess.  As far as the cushion choice goes, my vote goes to the Ride cushion because it doesn't need air and is generally way more comfortable.

PT is going very well.  I just need to get used to doing the exercises at home.  My therapist is impressed with my postural improvements so, that's a good thing.  Joey we continue to work on trunk control and core.  We are also now at a point where we are working on strengthening with Therabands.  Within a month or two, his wife who is a PT also, is going to be coming in and looking at how my manual chair is set up and from there, we will be focusing on pushing technique because the ultimate goal is getting back to the manual chair while being able to keep my shoulders healthy and  properly strengthened.  This guy's got a game plan and a head that appears to be securely and straightly screwed on.  What more can a girl ask for in a PT?

I'm stilling waiting on news about the standing component for my wheelchair and to be perfectly honest, I'm starting to get pissed off at my OT.  He was supposed to find out about it on June 22nd and forgot.  Then, on July 12th I heard from him about the cushion and asked about this and he told me he forgot, but would call them that day (July 13th) and I've heard nothing from him since.  I know he is busy with the patients he sees daily, but I have not been discharged from his care and he told me he would help me f I needed something and I feel like he's not. Maybe I'm being unreasonable, it just feels like unless you're seeing someone weekly, they forget about you and your needs.

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

J

New Things!

Hey All!

I got a job yesterday and start training today.  It is full-time over the summer.

Physio started Monday and I think it's going well.  My physiotherapist said that my problems really aren't caused by my rotator cuff tear, but that my shoulder muscles are not doing the jobs they should be because one part of my shoulder is way stronger than the other.  He is trying to get me to use my trunk more to have better posture.  He says my trunk muscles are there, but I need to learn to use them.   He also has me doing the same pec stretch my OT had me doing.

I also got an email from my OT saying that insurance will not pay for my new cushion and there will be "no exceptions." So now, I get to pay out of pocket for more equipment because you know, I have nothing better to spend my money on.  Yes, I'm bitter towards insurance

Hope everyone is having a great summer!

J

They've Reached an Agreement.. Tentative that is..

The Health Sciences Association and SAHO have reached a tentative agreement.  This contract restored the 8 percent wage differential to people who hold senior positions.  The agreement also restores some differentials that recognize educational  achievement and also provide a stand-by wage increase for rural EMS workers.  There are other details that have not been released, but, it does not address the chronic under staffing problem.  The Health Sciences Association expects the whole process will be finished in 30 days and they will continue to make everyone aware of that issue.

Thank you all for your prayers about this :)

J 

I'm Looking for Feedback

I'm hoping some of you can provide me with feedback on a couple things.

First off, a totally random question.  Do you keep in touch with any of your old PTs/OTs/STs etc. and if so how? Facebook? Email? Phone calls? Visits? I have lost touch with a lot of therapists over the years and some of them, I don't care, but others I would love to keep in touch with.  So how did you or did you at all, keep in touch with them?  Parents of kids with special needs, do you keep in touch with any of your child's old therapists?

Also, is there any particular topic that any of you would like me to do a blog post on for informational purposes? Wheelchairs? Standing? OT/PT/Hippotherapy questions? ADLS?

Please feel free to ask because I really do want this blog to be somewhere that is a source of information and not just a blog about what I did on what particular day :)

2 Weeks Therapy Free and now... Physio!!!!!!!!!!

Hey all,

We got our insurance deal figured out so, I have my first PT appointment for my shoulder on Monday morning.   Bright and early.  Hopefully it will do something for me.

I think we also FINALLY found a cushion that is going to work for my power chair and my OT will put in a request for that.

Riding is going awesome.  I stood by myself for 15 seconds yesterday and that was after a two week break.   I have also started in a group and am warming up to the idea, so that's a good thing.  We are working on functional skills now, like controlling the horse.  I saw a rider yesterday who can ride on his own, and my therapist said to me that that's  where we're heading (he had someone walking alongside him).  We talked a lot about positioning which is something that as a rider, but especially a rider with CP or other challenges that cause positional difficulties, you HAVE to pay attention to HOW you are riding... All. The. Time.  We went riding around the arena to warm up and when my therapist told my horse to halt, I wasn't quiet expecting the throw I got :).  I thought for a split second I was going to be off that horse before anybody could do anything about it.    All was fine.  It actually, in a way, becomes easier when you get to tell the horse what to do, because even though it requires coordination to hold the reigns and position, you know when to expect the movement.  The one thing I'm struggling with is when I tell my horse to walk on, he has to feel my legs sort of "kicking" him and initating leg movement is certainly difficult.   It will come with time and practice.

I went to see someone from the Learning Disabilities Association today and I will be able to get some tutoring through them for hopefully, at least my first semester of online classes.  She saw my Ed Psych report and she  said it does appear that I have some kind of learning disability.  UGH! Why can't someone figure this out?  It would probably help me get more support.

I continue to ask for prayers for the Health Science Association (I have no real ideas as to what is haappening because there hasn;'t been any strike action in a while. I also ask you to pray as far as PT goes (works for my shoulder, that I'll like my therapist, that insurance will work out (we get $400 worth of coverage.  First visit is $70 and every vist after that is $45 and OT thought I would need at least 6 months.  Dad's insurance kicks in in October or November)) I also ask for prayers in regards to transportation for PT.  I booked a bus, but myy appointment goes from about 9-10am and I have to be waiting for the bus by five after 10.  I also ask for prayers in regards to anxiety (It's somewhat bad right now).

Thanks all!

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6

Feeling Proud.

Today was a big day; my graduation.  I finished with a 77% un Math so that's awesome.  My Math teacher said congratulations just as I dropped my diploma on the floor :).  Wheeling and holding a diploma is difficult.  I was excited about this because he has been my Math teacher for both A30 and B30 and I had to work incredibly hard to do as well as I did in Math.  I really enjoyed myself tonight.  I know it sounds silly, but I am proud of myself.  Going from someone who wasn't supposed to even be able to hold a pencil to someone who graduated; I worked my ass off to get past all the challengess because I want it so bad.   I did it.  Yes, I have Physics and Math and Chemistry next year, but for now, I am celebrating. I. Did. It.



I have had my doubts over the last few days about whether I should be an OT. I want it SO bad but, I question whether I will be able to do the job because of physical/mobility and preceptial issues.  Then I stop myself.  If I didn't try something just because someone told me I couldn't do it or because I thought I couldn't do it, I would not be doing 90% of the things I am today.  Why should being an Occupational Therapist be an exception.  I have to try.  I have to give it my all.  I have to follow my dreams.  I will not live in fear of failing at being an OT (or at least I'll try).  I will not live full of regret because I didn't try.  I will not let the Cerebral Palsy or the people who think I can't do it have the satisfaction of being right unless I give it every ounce of my heart and soul (as my grandma says I do with my schoolwork) and  it truly can not work.  I believe that where there is will there is a way and I remember that my OT told me that if there is a university profession that can be worked around, it is Occupational Therapy.  I remember that OT has changed my life.  I remeber that I want to be an OT because I want to change the lives of others.  I have to try with every ounce of my being to become an Occupational Therapist.  I could write more, but, I won''t because I am really tired and I would just be writing things you have read before.

My sister and nephew came to my grad ceremony as well as my mom and dad and grandparents. It was really nice to have them all there sharing that moment with me.   My sister and nephew were also able to join us for the banquet, unexpectedly, so that made the night far more enjoyable.  I had the most handsome date out of everyone there :)   That boy is so well behaved for only being a month old.  He is smiling already and it is the sweetest thing you'll ever see.  Tonight it really hit me (apparently my sister now reads this blog, but whateverr) I am lucky.  My family drives me crazy, but I felt so proud to be sitting there with them tonight.  I fight with them sometime, but I would fight for them any day.  I am so proud of my sister and the way she has grown since the birth of my nephew.  She is a wonderful mom and a wonderful suster.  So, since you're reading anyway, I may as well make it worth your while.  I'm proud of you and I know I don't say it nearly enough, but I love you.  Thank you for all the support, encouragement, faith, hope, strength, and love you have shown me over the years.



Sisters is probably the most competitive relationship within the family, but once the sisters are grown, it becomes the strongest relationship.  ~Margaret Mead

J 

Break

I finished my last exam yesterday and just relaxed today.  It was really nice to be able to sleep and just hang out.  This was the first day in a while I didn't have something to do.  I'm so glad school is over and to be leaving all that stuff behind.  I am hoping to go on Monday and meet the Resource Teacher who will be managing my case while I take my online classes as she has also arranged for me to meet my online teachers.  I think I like her; she's helpful already and my online teachers have been, also and school hasn't even started.  That's a good sign.  Granted, people are typically gunge ho at the beginning and then change their attitude, I will give these people the benefit of doubt. Also, as hard as it was to leave OT,  when I got a hold of my OT to let him know about my choice (I know you're thinking "she seriously emailed him already? It's been like 2 days." Yes, yes I did) he even said he feels taking some time off is the best thing for me right now.  When your therapist tells you they feel you need to take some time off, you probably really do need it.  He also told me "you have done some incredible work this year and I have been very pleased to be working with you on some of it." That was really nice to hear because I feel like sometimes I didn't work hard enough, or do enough, or get anywhere, but when he can see how far I've come, it reminds me that I need to stop and look at the little things.  It can't all be huge leaps and bounds.  Rehabilitation is a slow process.  I will continue to work towards independence throughout the summer.  My OT is most likely going to discharge me and then I will be readmitted in September under the care of a new therapist to reevaluate goals and challenges that need to be worked on.  If you had told me in January he was going to discharge me (remember that fiasco that I JUST recently shared?), I'd have lost it.  But now, I am simply at peace (with my moments about it of course) because he has helped me get on a path of independence and there will be OTs and PTs and parents and friends to help along the way, but, ultimately, I am the one who has to keep myself on that path.  I just needed someone to give me a kick in the ass and that's what he did.

I applied for a couple of jobs and am hoping something will come of it soon.

Also, I feel boredom creeping in already.  That's a bad sign :)



 No one can cheat you out of ultimate success but yourself.  - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hard Day.

Today was and still is extremely difficult.    I had my last OT session this morning and that in and of itself was really hard.  I met my new OT this morning, but after some discussion with mom and some serious thinking, we have decided to not pursue that option.  We had clinic with Ortho and PT today (thanks for prayers about that!)   and I am in for a long, intense rehab process.   My PT recommended another PT so, we just need to get our insurance ducks in a row and then it shall begin.  This is part of the reason we decided not to pursue OT at this time; We feel that if we can get my shoulders to a more stable point, I will be able to participate more in OT with things like wheelchair skills and kitchen work (we made macaroni and cheese today in OT and I couldn`t even drag the pot across the counter).  There have also been a lot of therapy changes in the last few months and it is becoming a lot for me to deal with.  Over the past seven months, I have worked incredibly hard in Occupational Therapy, not only physically, but also emotionally so that I could trust my therapist enough to let him help me and so I could accept some of the issues that can not be fixed.    I need a break. I am simply not ready to just move straight from one therapist who I am very comfortable with to a whole new person.  Mom and I both feel that because of how attached I was (and still am) it is not a good idea to get involved with another OT right now because I would constantly be comparing them to what I had and expecting them to fill his shoes.  The other thing is, the new OT is leaving in September, so if I was still there come September, it would mean ANOTHER change and I just can`t do that.  The plan is to take the summer and distance myself and just enjoy my time off.  In the Fall, my OT (the one I was seeing) will either call us and set us up with a new OT or I will get a re-referral from my GP or Ortho doctor for more OT There will be some new therapists there in the fall and as I said, we are hopeful that I will be able to work on some of the goals I was not able to (or at least not as much as I`d have liked or in the way I needed to).  We will also look into adding a standing component to my chair at that point (it`s an option on my power chair so, that`s cool) because my OT feels like I`d be putting less strain on my shoulders while in the kitchen, plus, when I start university, I won`t be able to have my standing frame there.  Another advantage is that I may very well be able to move around while standing.

I have officially finished up my time at the pediatric rehab center here and will now only see PT if there are issues.  That`s bittersweet as there are many memories there, but at the same time, it means less health care pros are needed on my team and that is a sign of progress.   Mom was telling PT how many changes and progress she`s seen in me since I started OT. Yeah, that`s me, progressing despite all the people who never expected me to do it, and I`ll keep doing it. Always. :)

I thought I would share this video.  It has inspired me yet again to pursue my dreams of becoming an OT.  This guy is a T level paraplegic and is an OT at The Institute for Research and Rehabilitation

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news/local/110617-best-dad-on-wheels-changing-lives-at-tirr

I continue to ask you to PLEASE pray for HARD this strike to end as they were of the job in my city and 
three others again today.  I also ask you to pray for our renos to be completed soon so we can get out of here and into something more chair friendly, but for now that the bathroom can be finished so I can use my bath lift again (it`s driving me having to have people lift me into the tub, as I`ve mentioned before) and that my stairlift can get put in as soon as possible.  I also ask you to pray that PT will work out as far as insurance and helpfulness.   This one is a long way off, but, could you also please pray that we can somehow get the standing feature on my wheelchair. Please also continue to pray for strength as I adjust to the new situations as far as therapy.

Thanks all! Please let me know if I can help you out as well.


"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him."
Jeremiah 17:7 

J

Rain Is a Good Thing... NOT

Hey all!

It was pouring here earlier today.  We had to go to the hospital for hip xrays and my dad got soaked because there was so much water in the parking lot.

I had my Biology final exam today.  I seriously wonder how I'll make it through the Biology/Anatomy/Physiology classes required to become an Occupational Therapist.  I think I did ok, but I focused big time on the long answer questions when I was studying and not so much on the little things so, I muddled through the multiple choice.  

Tomorrow is my appointment with Ortho/PT for my leg/hip check up and hopefully also to discuss my shoulder as it's hurting again (stress and spending so much time typing because of final exams). There was more strike action in my city today as well as two other communities so, PLEASE pray HARD that this strike can come to an end and they can get what they need.  PLEASE pray HARD that I will be able to see my PT tomorrow as well as my Orthopedic surgeon.  Also, our Cancer Agency is now starting to strike (they are not currently working voluntary overtime hours and served their 48 hour strike notice last Wednesday). This what the government is doing to our province.  I ask you to pray for those being affected.  Having Cancer is difficult enough and scary enough as it is without the added stress of the agency you need taking strike action.  I feel weird asking for this, but, this November or maybe this fall, there is an election coming up.  I ask you to pray that our premier gets voted out as I feel that he is completely destroying our healthcare system.  He wants to privatize our healthcare.  As someone who relies heavily on the healthcare system and provincial health insurance, that is scary to me. 
Please also pray that I am able to have one more awesome session with my OT tomorrow.  Aswell as for strength tomorrow as it's going to be a rough day.

Thank you :). 

"Reality can destroy the dream, why shouldn't the dream destroy reality." — George Moore

J 

More Therapy Changes!!

Group Hippotherapy is starting in July.  I'm not entirely thrilled about the idea. It's not even that I don't like being with other people.  It's that when I am at therapy, I am dead focused on the task at hand and I find when there are other people around besides my therapist, I get extremely distracted and sometimes even uncomfortable.  My therapist isn't giving me a choice, though, so we'll see I guess.  My dad is concerned about it because I have made significant progress and it would be bad if that was lost because I wasn't able to focus in therapy.

My hair is going pretty well.  I've done it a few times since I did it at OT and I think I did a-OK.  My OT says I need to stop being so hard on myself and realize I am making progress.  True that.   He taught me to use my right hand to straighten my left side because crossing over allows me to position the straightener properly.  Also, because of my perceptual issues, when I do the back of my hair, I'm not supposed to look in the mirror because I know I'm supposed to pull down, but, when I look in the mirror I pull up (silly spatial "friend" of mine wanting to be noticed)  I even tried putting it in a ponytail the other day while some girlfriends were here and I did more than I've been able to do before, but I need longer hair before it's going to work well. This week in my last session with my current OT, we're hopefully going to do a meal prep as long as I can either pick something reasonable or my OT emails me back and lets me know what would be OK to make.  Otherwise, we'll most likely be working on hair more or some other shenanigans.

I have finished two finals (both projects, not written exams) and now have Biology on Tuesday and Math on Thursday.   I'm going into the exams with an 85% in Biology and 82.5% in Math so I'm not super worried, but worried enough and I need to get my arse in gear and study.  Creative Writing I got a 91% on my Final Portfolio which is worth 40% of my final mark.  I did have to take a 0 on one assignment and a 40% on another because I misunderstood one of them and the other I just didn't do because I ran out of time.  Note to self: Just because it is an online class does not mean it can continually be put off.  It bites you in the ass later.   Especially next year with online Math and Sciences.  They are basing whether they will let me take two classes in one semester partially on how I did in Creative Writing and partially how I do the first semester of next year in my online Math.  Technically, you are only supposed to take one online class per semester (2 per year), but because I have taken online classes before, they are making an exception so that I can do my work from home and not have to worry so much about attendance issues due to my shoulder and appointments.



I have had a renewed sense of peace, hope, faith, and strength.  Thanks for your prayers about that!  I feel bad when I doubt God and I KNOW I shouldn't because he has proven to be with me from day one.  It's difficult to understand why things go the way they do and it's not always what we planned.  But, that's when we have to trust God even more and lean on him even more.

PLEASE continue to pray HARD that the Health Sciences Association strike can come to an end.  It is affecting the Child Development Program and one of the most important stages of rehabilitation is when you are young.  Please continue to pray for healing and strength for my Resource Teacher and her family.  Please continue to pray for my OT and his family, specifically for hope, faith, strength, courage, and peace.  Please continue to pray that I will be able see my PT and Orthopedic Surgeon this week and that we can come up with a plan of attack for my shoulder.  Please pray that we will be able to be set up with a good PT who has an understanding of my CP and my shoulder injury (my OT feels like this is the key to proper treatment and so do I, my mom, and my Massage Therapist).  Please also pray for strength and peace for me this week, especially on Wednesday as that is the day of my last therapy session with my OT and also the day I hopefully find out more about my shoulder.  Please pray for an awesome final session with my current OT and please also pray that things work out with getting a new OT and that adjustment process.   I've decided I'll at least give this new OT a shot because God has provided the possible opportunity for additional therapy, so please pray this opportunity works out.

Thank you for your prayers :).  PLEASE let me know if I can return the favor

J

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Yeah, I Think This Sucks

I say goodbye to another therapist next week.    My Occupational Therapist is going back to full-time work and because of that, will now only be an inpatitent therapist.  Does this make me happy? No, not in any way, shape, or form.  My OT told me that I have two chocies; I can either see another OT or I can quit going to therapy.  I don't like either of those choices. I tried really hard to hide my tears today as we talked (and I don't think he saw, so that's good), but he asked me if I wanted to see this other OT. I couldn't even answer him because I knew I was going to cry if I did so, I just shrugged.  He said that I didn't have to say anything and that I can decide later whether I want to continue with therapy.  I don't know, I just don't know.  We talked today about how happy he is with my progress and how well I'm doing and how much fun we have both had.  (This conversation just makes me cry more.) I know this isn't his fault and he's tried to make it work, but I guess that's just the way it has to be.  You try as hard as you can as a patient to not get emootionally attached but, that's hard as hell.  You share the ups and downs of progress with your therapist and there's no way to stop the attachment from happening. 

On a positive note, I did my hair by myself today with minimual prompting from my OT which is great.  Progress at Hippotherapy is also still awesome.  I got three rings around the pole this time instead of two (mom was videotaping and this was the ONLY part she missed :) She said my positioning is awesome and we even got my feet in the stirups (before now, my hips were to tight.)   I was also able to stand independently for a little bit longer and caught my balance once when I started to fall.  Next week, we will be working on functional skills with the horse like using the reigns and trotting, so I'm excited :).  My OT noticed an imrpovement in balance today when I was transferring into my chair and had to reach down to pull the footrest out of the way, so I chalk that up to Hippotherapy.

So I ask you to pray for a couple of things; firstt off could you please pray for my OT and his family as well as one of my Resource Teachers (she was in an accident on Monday night and has some fairly significant injuries.)  PLEASE continue to pray HARD that this strike can end (there will be escalting action tomorrow).  Please also pray that my appointment with my PT and Orthopedic Surgeon can happen next week and we can figure out what to do about Physio (it won't be my current PT who does my shoulder rehab). Lastly, please pray for hope, faith, strength, and wisdom for me as I deal with the newest of transitions and challenges in regards to therapy.

"How lucky I am to have known someone who was so hard to say goodbye to.."- Unknown.

J

It's Dark and Misty

Hey all,

I'm home for the morning because my shoulder is killing me.  Your continued prayers that I can still see my PT and Orthopedic Surgeon next week despite the strike would be so very much appreciated.  I called OT this morning and my appointment is stil a go.  Apparently there is only one therapist on the rehab floor who is affected, so that's a positive. 

I continues to ask you to PLEASE pray HARD that the strike can come to an end.  PLEASE continue to pray HARD that the Health Sciences Association can either be invited back to the table and SAHO can negotiate with the Health Sciences Association, or that this whole thing can be sent to binding arbitration.  I ask  you to PLEASE pray HARD that this strike action will not have to move into other health regions (it will if nothing is done by the government by Thursday).  PLEASE pray HARD for those who's appointments are having to be cancelled, especially, the kiddos from the Childhood Development Program.

2 Corinthians 5:7  We live by faith, not by sight.

J

Broken Record

Hey all,

Again I come to you asking you to pray for this strike to come to an end.  There aer now 400 people from my city off the job and that's only going escalate until the government does something, whether that be negotiating with "good faith" or binding arbitration.  PLEASE pray HARD that this strike will come to an end for the sake of the professionals, the patients, and even the government.  PLEASE pray HARD that it will not take a province-wide walkout of "non-essential" Health Sciences Association members for the government to do something.  PLEASE pray HARD they can come to an agreement or get binding arbitration as soon as possible.  I WISH I could find something new and meaningful to say, but I am literally out of things to say.  I know these therapists are people who are caring, kind, compassionate, and supportive.  I know that they and the things they do mean so much to so many people.  I know that without them, so many people would be without equipment, or speech, or the ability to eat, or the ability to tie their shoes, or the ability to do something like write their name or stand.  I know these are all things I've said before, but I look back at the time before I started working with my OT.  I didn't have my bath lift.  I didn't have my power chair.  My standing frame wasn't at school.  I hadn't seen an orthopedic surgeon about my shoulder.  I wasn't tying my shoes.  I wasn't even cutting up my own food.  I wasn't able to go in the kitchen and make a sandwich.  I had no grasp on my perceptual problems.  But most of all, I was at a point where I thought all therapists were worthless, stupid professionals, who really didn't care about where their patients ended up.  My OT showed me that this is not the case; that there are therapists who care about their clients, support their clients, encourage their clients, believe in their clients, and go above and beyond for their patients.  I'm sure he has done this for other patients and that their are other therapists who have done this for their patients, so please I ask you from the bottom of my heart to pray that this dispute can come to a close right away so that these therapists can go back to do all the wonderful things they do for their clients.


A grateful client of an awesome OT and PT,


J
"Physical therapists teach people how to walk.  Occupational therapists teach people to dance."- Anonymous

When I Don't Know What Else to do, I Ask You to Pray!

Hi Everybody,

All 300 of the "non-essential Health Sciences Association Members in my city walked off the job today.  364 appointments had to be cancelled and that total is expected to rise. SAHO still remains that yesterdays offer as far as wages are concerned is "final".  Most of the appointments in the Child Development program had to be cancelled as well as several appointments in other areas.  SAHO says they will go back to the table to discuss small details and provid clarification. Health Sciences Association says that they will suspend all strike action as soon as SAHO agrees to independent binding arbitration. I'm scared.  I don't know if I've ever said it that way. I'm scared because I need my Occcupational Therapist and Physical Therapist.  I'm scared because I need to go see my Physical Therapist at clinic with my Orthopedic Surgeon to discuss my legs/hips and also discuss my shoulder before it gets any worse.  I'm scared for all those kiddos who can't have their therapy through the Child Developement Program; it is so very important for young kids to get the proper rehabillitation.  I'm scared for all those newly injured outpatients who need their weekly therapy because the proper rehabillitation early on makes all the difference. I'm scared for that patient and his/her family who hang on to every ounce of progress they see in therapy each week.  So, God I know you're listening and it seems that maybe writing this out is the best way to go about this because I haven't been able to say the proper prayer out loud lately.  So please God, hear my prayers when I ask, no, beg you to end this dispute.  Please allow the government to see that these people ar essential.  Please allow for the two sides to come to an agreement and if that requires binding arbitration, please provide that  Pllease allow patients to be able to go back to getting the services they very much so need.  PLEASE God, do not let this escalation in strike action prosist for any length of time.  Please also provide everyone affected by this situation hope, faith, strentgh, peace, courage, and wisdom. Readers, I ask you to join me in this prayer.

We also had a "God is Good" moment the other day (He always is but, ya know)  As I said before, the ramp for my power chair is a huge pain in the tush for my parents.  Our DME called my mom the other day and he told us he had found a Joey Lift (http://www.bruno.com/vehicle-lift-joey.html) in the warehouse and that if he could get the right parts to install it in our van, we could have it free of charge, wow!  I assume this is not a cheap peice of equipment.  Thanks God! Hopefully that works out.

I stayed up wayyyyyy to late last nigh finishing my Biology paper (How late I won't say because I'm ashamed)I have a massage in the morning and am still fighting a sore throat and runny nose, so goodnight! Thank you for reading and/or praying.

J

Please Pray

Hi Everyone,

Just when it looked like the Health Sciences Association and SAHO might be coming to an agreement, SAHO rejected the Health Sciences counter offer.  This counter offer had been acceptance of the employer's latest wage proposal for 17 job classifications, with an increase of 14.5% or more over the 4 years of the contract, and base wage increases of 14.5% over the four years for all remaining members.  So, it's back to an escalation in strike action. 

Just when I had started to feel a little bit more positive, it all came slamming at me.  School being to much..  My shoulder is killing me all over again (stress does good things for it, you know.).  I am supposed to be going on June 22nd to see my Orthopedic Surgeon and Physical Therapist for that clinic appointment and at that point, we are going to talk about who should be doing the Physical Therapy and that kind of thing..  With this escalated strrike action, though, who knows if that can happen? I'm seriously trying not to sound selfish and to have some faith, but I really need to get into Physical Therapy.  The pain has reared its ugly head with a vengance for the last couple of days.  I'm just so tired of hurting and being so restricted.  I know it could be worse. I'm just frustrated and tired.  I feel like a broken record, on that one by the way.  I'm also getting a cold and this really isn't the best timing for that because I have final exams starting a week from tomorrow, have a test, an essay, and a paper due.tomorrow.  It's a "simple" as there's to much going on. 

PLEASE pray HARD that this escalated strike action will not have to last long. PLEASE pray HARD that the Health Sciences Association can get the binding arbitration they are asking for.  PLEASE pray HARD this dispute can be solved quickly. PLEASE pray HARD it does not have to come to all 1500 "non-essential" members being pulled off the job because they are all essential to their patitents.    PLEASE pray HARDabout this whole situation, I'm at a point where I'm not sure what else to specifcally request.

"My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word."


Psalm 119:81

Thank you and please let me know if I can return the favor.

J

Another Update

Ok, I have to type really fast because I have to leave for OT in like ten minutes... Health Sciences Association job action is on hold. Good. As I said before, the offer is for an average increase off 11% over 4 years.  This would be an increase of 7% in some classifications and as much as 22% in others.  According to SAHOs president this would would bring Health Sciences Association workers to or above the Western Canadian average in all classifications.  President of the Health Sciences Association says there are still a few points that need to be negotiated, but that today represented progress between the two side.   SAHOs president says there is room to discuss smaller issues, but this is a final offer.

Please continue to pray for this to be resolved, and thank you all :)

I REALLY have to go!

J

Update/Prayers

Hey all,

This will be quick as I have a crapload of homework to do and then I have to race out to the door to Occupational Therapy.

SAHO has offered an 11% increase over four years (Their last offer was 7.5% and the Health Sciences Association was asking for an 18.5% percent increase over 4 years, I think.... Don't mark my words on that).  President of the association, Cathy Dickson says that while it's still a ways away from the 18% percent they are asking for, but she is happy that SAHO is showing a willingness to negiotiate.  They will be taking a look at the offer and responding later today. 

Thank you for your prayers about this :).  PLEASE continue to pray HARD that SAHO and the Health Sciences Association can come to an agreement. PLEASE pray HARD that their will be no need for continued, ramped up strike action.

Thank you muchly :D

J

"Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all. “Now therefore, our God, We thank You And praise Your glorious name ..” ... 1 Chron 29:12-13."

Keep the Prayers Comin', Please!

Hey All,

Tomorrow is the day that SAHO and the Health Sciences Association go back to the table.   PLEASE pray HARD that they can come to an agreement.  PLEASE pray HARD that the Health Sciences Association will not have to take any further, ramped up job action.  PLEASE pray HARD that this was not just a way to delay things and that SAHO actual does have a better offer for the Health Sciences Association. I don't know what else to say; I feel like I can't find the right words.

Thank you.

J

Phil 4:6-7   “Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”

Amazing Progress at Hippotherapy

This week at Hippotherapy, my ROM improved hugely.  In fact, my riding therapist said that she now has to go back and redo her plan for me for the next month because the plan was based on my need to gain ROM .  My legs were so loose that my upper body was really unstable.  My LACK of tightness in my legs made me unstable; that has never happened.  So now the plan is to work on strengthening my legs.  She gave me these rings to put around a pole while riding the horse (for balance), but I kept missing because the horse was stalling.  At the end of the session we tried walking/standing.  I was able to walk just resting my hands on her shoulders and my legs moved easier (the movement wasn't as forced) but, it gets even better.  At the very end, my therapist had me standing just holding one of her hands and my mom told her I never would have been able to standing holding just one hand for support before, because I would've pitched forward.  So, she decided to take it one step further and had my dad come hold my other hand.  Then, she told me "Think of our hands as the saddle of the horse, you don't need to hold onto the saddle." I let go of their hands and was able to stand with NO support for about five seconds two separate times.    I know five seconds does not seem huge, but to someone who can not stand without support, that's a big deal; it's a HUGE deal.  When I went to buy my riding helmet, the lady who was helping us told us that there is a lady from the states who was an Olympic rider and she fell off her horse acquiring a Traumatic Brain Injury.  Now, she attends Hippotherapy five days a week and has said that to amazes her how hard it is for her since she used to ride in the Olympics.  But, it is believed to be a huge part of why she is able to walk.  Do I think I'm just going to up and walk? No, but, with a whole lot of hope, faith, prayer, and hard work, who knows what the future holds? Don't get me wrong, my life isn't centered around learning to walk, but if that's part of God's plan, I'm game.  Plus, it would just be another thing I can prove a few therapists and doctors wrong about, I like doing that; it makes me feel really good :) (not in a "you were wrong" sort of way, just "I defied the odds" sort of way).

Thank you to those who prayed about the appointment schedule and fitting everything in.  Because of your prayers, my Hippotherapist is now able to see me Tuesday (dad is off work, so it works much better), OT is Wednesday  and Massage Therapy is every second Saturday (I can rest after that way)

PLEASE continue to pray HARD that SAHO and the Health Sciences Association can come to an agreement on Wednesday; PLEASE  pray HARD that this contract offer will be one that gives the Health Science Association members  a fair contract PLEASE pray HARD they will accept this contract offer. PLEASE pray HARD this is not just a tactic to delay things.  PLEASE pray HARD there will be no need for further, ramped up strike action.

Please also pray for school as we are 2 weeks away from exams and I am feeling stressed about getting everything in (my fault, I admit it. I procrastinate far to much),    Please also pray for continued progress in all my therapies.  Please also continue to  pray I will be able to have OT this week because as I said, it has been almost three weeks since I had therapy ( I know it could be worse).   Please also keep my OT and his family in your prayers.

Thank you all so much.  Your prayers make a difference.  PLEASE don't hesitate if you need prayers.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Thanks and Comtinued Prayers!

 SAHO and the Health Sciences Assocation will be back at the table next Wednesday, June 8th as SAHO has a new contract offer.  Thank you for your pryares about that.  PLEASE  pray HARD that this new offer will END this dispute PLEASE pray HARD that they will not have to ramp up the strike action (if they don't get a satisfactory offer, it will happen and it will happen fast) PLEASE pray HARD that it does not come down to that for the sake of the professionals, the government, and the public.  Thank you so much.


J

Matthew 17:20  He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Prayers Please!!

OK, so apparently all teacher job action has been suspended as the government and the teachers are negotiating and they have a mediator involved. Good.

However, the job action with the Health Sciences Association is expected to ramp up.  Since the strike has started, they have been on rotating job action and now, there are talks of pulling all 1500 "non-essential" employees off the job.  I feel sick, like physically sick.  I think the labour dispute with the teachers ended so quickly because the importance of education is seen by everyone.  Healthcare is, but not people like OTs, PTs, SLPs, Respiratory Therapists, Social Workers, and I'm sure lots of others.  Until you need them, you don't get how essential every single one of them is.  I know what it's like to not have the proper therapy/services. It's bad. It's frustrating.  It impacts your life in a negative way.  Now multiply that feeling by thousands for all the patients who would be affected by the strike action (I actually backspaced about three times because it makes me feel even more sick to actual type that word)  PLEASE pray HARD that it does not come to this. PLEASE pray HARD that the government will agree to binding arbitration and that this dispute can come to an END very, very, very, soon.  Also please pray my therapy will not have to be cancelled this coming week as it has by that time it will be almost three weeks since I have had therapy.

Also if you wouldn't mind, please keep my OT and his family in your prayers.  Also please pray that I will have some more answers from UBC about their OT program (I'm not sure I explained my visual/neurological visual issues properly).

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28

J

Happy Times :)

Good stuff happening my way.

The tiedowns and ramp have been in use for a week now. Is it pretty? No. Is it time-consuming and a tad unpractical? Yes. But, it works! I have been using my power chair exclusively since last Thursday which is a good thing.

I have Hippotherapy tomorrow and I'm pretty freakin' excited! I don't think I blogged about the first time I went. Before I get on the horse, I sit on a barrel to stretch those silly hips. Ouch. My hippotherapist is focused on not using my hands for balance and instead my core/tummy. She has me hold my arms out to the sides, recite my phone number and then my hands can go back down. The first time she made me do it, I thought she was nuts but, it works really well. She told me she thinks that one day (after more therapy), I'll be able to transfer onto the horse and ride without anyone there! Seriously? That's deadly.



The teachers were on strike yesterday and today and have now decided to cancel all extra-cirricular activites. That includes grad. Nice.

Massage is still doing amazing things for my shoulder pain. For the first time yesterday, she went deep into my rotator cuff. I'm feeling it today. My pecs have been so tight at times that it hurts to breath, so we're working on that when pain levels allow.



OT is on a 2 week break. We worked on my hair last week. That was interesting. He forgot the straightener, I on the other hand, did not. He said the problems I am having straightening my hair are a combination of the spatial/perceptual problems and lack of coordination, So what else is new? He put a piece of metal on the straightener so that the metal will lift my hair (I am fully aware that makes NO sense). That thing pulls hair. It hurts. I had mom's straightener (Mine is in the mess of a basement we have)so, he wanted to put something that could be removed on. I went out and bought a small/narrow straightener (under his recommendation, because apparently he's an expert :) Anyhow, I'll stop beaking him and get on with my point. Since this is my straightener, hopefully he can rig up something more permanent and better, say something that does NOT pull hair?

Speaking of OT I spoke to somebody today at UBC about their OT program and they assured me that I will be able to graduate their program; my spatial acuity issues and CP will be something that can be accomoadated. When I was talking to my OT a few weeks ago about this he said, you know I've been thinking about that and I think it's something you should contact the college about, it's just.. I don't ever want to tell you no because I know you'll do it anyways :). Well, good thing he didn't.  

Prayers for my OT and family as well as continued progress in my therapies would be appreciated. Also, my OT had to be switched to Wednesdays so, prayers that I can get a bus booked on Wednesdays would be much appreciated.  

J

Welcome to the World Big Guy

My nephew Carter was born at 4:42am weighing in at 9 pounds 3 ounces. The kid loves and I mean LOVES to eat.  He's been around for about 2 hours and has eaten 4 times already. Yes, 4.  I got to hold him and kiss him.  I know I might be bias, but he's the sweetest boy ever.  He'll certainly be a heartbreaker Welcome to the world, Carter.  We are so so happy you're finally here and love you tons! Thank you to all who said prayers for my sister and the rest of us.

There really isn't a quote that can describe how I (and I'm sure everyone else) feels so I'm just signing off



 Proudly,

Auntie J

Will I Be the Same?

I haven't mentioned this yet, but as I type this I sit in a hospital waiting room anxiously awaiting for the newest addition in our family to arrive.   My sister is having  her first baby and we're all excited, although mom needs to calm down.  

I've been thinking about this since the day we found out and finally brought it up; will my neice or nephew see me the same as the rest of my siblings? What I mean by that is, I know I won't be able to do the same things my sister or brother will be able to do with the child.  I won't be able to take him/her swimming, play soccer, take them sledding, run with them, toss them in the air and catch them, support them while they walk, and so many other things Even babysitting could be a struggle.  

It hurts to think I won't be able to do all the things I wan to do with this child, but I can tell you right now that I will make up for it in other ways.  My hope is that I can teach this child that everyone is different, but no matter what that difference is, it makes us who we are and we all deserve respect.    I think  my sister and brother-in-law will do a wonderful job of that, no doubt, but I can do it from a totally different prespective.  

I sincerely hope that this child will not see me as any different compared to my siblings; I will love it just as much and be a part of it's life as much as I am able. 

I will teach this child that he/she will doing anything they want in the world, no matter what and I will show my unconditonal love and support, all the while hoping that is enough to make up for what I can not physically do.

Please keep my sister and family in your prayers for a smooth, comfortable and quick delivery.  Please also keep my OT and his family in your prayers.

"Only an Aunt...can give hugs like a mother,can keep secrets like a sister,
and share love like a friend."
Author: unknown

See you soon baby!

Auntie J.

Honesty? Yeah Sure, Let's Try It.

Life confuses me a lot. Priorities confuse me a lot.  Reasoning confuses me a lot. People confuse me a lot.   Honesty, to me is the best policy.  This is why my OT and I get along so well.  We have a totally "open door" policy for lack of better description.  After everything that went down in January with my driving and stuff, he told me that as long as we were both honest about concerns we had, we would get along just fine.  If something is bothering me, I tell him. If he has concerns about therapy goals, if he has to be away, he lets me know.  It's why I am able to trust him; he dosen't tip toe around things and if there are problems, he's a phone call away.  It's pretty simple, really.   I'm fully aware that not everyone understands that or agrees with it and I'm fully aware that they have good intentions (most of the time).  People sometimes think that by not telling me everything, they're protecting me and usually, I end up either mad or upset when the truth comes out. (I've stopped about 30 times during this entry to play Scrabble on Facebook because I'm having a hard time with words here.) What is your policy on honesty?



School is done in a couple of weeks so that will be nice, but the teachers are going on strike so, I hope that dosen't mean summer school.

We also got the tie down system for the van. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers on that one.

With this new new about my shoulder, I now have to figure out how to fit in  Occupational Therapy, Hippotherapy, Physical Therapy, and Massage Therapy.  OT has been switched to Wednesday's because of my therapist's schedule which is ok  I've emailed my Hippotherapist because we were orignally doing Wednesday nights for that, but that's not going to work anymore.   Massage Therapy SHOULD be able to be done every second Saturday and PT on Tuesday.   This is pretty much the only way I can see it working until school is out.  After school is out, my day will be open to attend OT/PT/Massage pretty much anytime that works for my therapists.

Please pray that we can fit all of my therapies in in between school.  Please pray that I won't have to give up Hippotherapy or anything else.  As always, please know your prayers are much appreciated and I will always be willing to return the favor.

J

and off to PT I go.

My orthopedic surgeon called today.  I have 2 tears (one in each RC) and a 4mm cyst in the right shoulder.  The cyst is to small to remove and the tears aren't large enough to repair, from what I understand.  Plan of Attack: Physical Therapy.  At first I wasn't sure but, that seems to be good news :).

Please say a prayer for my OT and his family.  Again I don't like to go into detail as to why.  Please also say a prayer that I can get into PT soon and that it can be with my current PT.

Have a good day everyone!






"In summer, the song sings itself."  ~William Carlos Williams


J

Waiting... and my hair!

First off, this is NOT a negative post thanks to your prayers :). We're still waiting on those MRI results to find out what is going to happen with my shoulder, it's pretty painful right now so I hope to hear from ortho soon.


I'm going to be learning how to straighten my hair in OT next week.  I had a super hard time asking about this goal because.... he's a guy..   He said he thinks it's a perfectly acceptable goal (my visual/fine motor problems make it difficult).  He's going to bring one of those things that hairdressers use (the head with the fake hair) and a skinny straightner (it's his wife's FYI :) because he thinks it might be easier than my wide one.  He says he has never straightened his hair, but he says he thinks it will be fun.  He even offered to let me practice on his hair and he'll wear a hat home.  I think I'm taking him up on that offer and fun shall be had by me :) . I'll try really hard not to burn him.

Theraputic riding starts on Wednesday and I'm PUMPED about it!

Please say a prayer for my OT and his family.  Also please pray that  therapy continue to go well.

Thanks for your prayers and have a great weekend!

"Compassion alone stands apart from the continuous traffic between good and evil proceeding within us".- Eric Hoffer

J

Sometimes I Wonder

How I made it this far. Seriously.  I feel like I've been in the most negative, anxiety-centered mood lately.  My friends and family as well as my support team all know I have major issues with anxiety.  For a while, I was doing well managing it and then this last week, I don't even want to get out of bed because all day, I worry.   I know a lot of my friends are off killter as well.   It sucks.   I feel physically ill, I'm tired, I don't care about school, and my thought process is beyond unrealistic; there's times where it's so bad I feel like I can't breath.     I'm stressed about school (both now and university).  I was so distracted today during a Biology exam, I'm sure I got like a 50%.   I'm stressed about this whoe strike thing They did prooceed with it in another part of the province, but apparently they got lots of support and media attetion.  Please pray hard that these people (PTs, OTs, SLPs) ect. can get what they need right away without having to take any further strike action so that their patients can get what they need as well.  Please pray for me and my friends to have some answers (positive ones!) about the issues that are causing us to feel this way   Please pray for a positive therapy session this week.


As a closing, I just want to say thank you again for your thoughts and prayers.  If I can EVER return the favor, please let me know.


"All we know is still infinitely less than all that remains unknown."- William Harvey


J

Please No.

I feel like everything is spiralling out of control and I don't mean just for me, I mean for lots of people.  The teachers had some sort of learning session yesterday so, we were off school.  They are trying to get the government to meet their demands for their contract, so we could be out of school again Monday.    I seriously hope they can reach an agreement so that students can get the education they need to better themselves.

Then today, the Health Sciences Association gave there 48 hours strike notice.  That means OT's, PT's, Respiratory Therapists, Social Workers, and so many others will be involved, essential services won't be pulled.  Therapy for so many people isn't considered essential ,though so, there will be patients regressing if this carries on for any length of time. Scary.   There are people who think this really isn''t an issue.  I was reading online about this today and someone left a comment saying that they heard that these people get paid $20.00 an hour to play games and sing in old folks homes.    Clearly, these people have not been in any situation that has allowed them to see what all these people do and all that they provide for their clients.   I don't even know how to describe how all the things they do change a person's life; they help people walk , they teach people to feed themselves, they teach people to communicate,  dress themselves, fight for them to no end for equipment, help them breathe, and most importantly, support them and make them smile when they want to cry.  That is what these therapists do and without them, so many of us would not be who we are or where we are.

It just doesn't make sense to me why this is all happening.  I understand, but I don't because it doesn't have to happen.

Please pray that the teachers can get an agreement soon and please pray that the government responds to the 48 hours strike notice of the Health Sciences Association and that they won't have to go forward with the strike; that patients won't have to go without the services they need and these professionals can get what they need as well.


"You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life."- Winston Churchill

J