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 

In Need of Prayer.

Hi Everyone,


I feel like a mental breakdown is happening.  So, it's only Tuesday only Tuesday. How is that possible? How I ask you? It started yesterday. Stupid power chair didn't charge fully (no idea why), almost got stuck at school, called DME guy, left voicemail and didn't worry until it started to go red as in "if you don't plug me in now, I'm going to give out.". Called DME again and he's away for the day. Well alright then. Explain the situation to some random guy who works at my equipment place.  He tells me my DME will call me back tomorrow. Well.... I think it's going to die before tomorrow, but thanks anyways. Call mom. No answer. Get a hold of her and sister brings charger. Don't know if charger is actually charging battery, it does not appear to be.  Call mom. No answer. Call dad. No answer. Did I mention I also lost my binder and have an exam Friday?  My OT doesn't work Monday's so that's out. Shit.  By this time I'm close to tears and don't know what else to do so I call my PT and accidentally hang up on her because I thought I'd got her voicemail. Whoops.  Call her back and explain the situation.  She asks for my number and she says she will call me back in five minutes.  Bear in mind it is three o'clock and I go home at 3:15.   By 3:10, I vision myself getting stuck on the lift of the cab or on the lift at home and having to crawl in the house.  I head toward the front door and as I'm walking past the front office the secretary hands me a message.  Ok, so I gave my PT the wrong number and then she called mom, mom gave her half my number and half dads :).  I told her that and both she and mom had a good laugh.  She called my OT (remember, they're married) and then he got all worked up thinking I was walking home and was going to get stuck in the street. Um, no, but thanks for your concern, you nutbar.  He had some questions for her to ask me.  I answered them as best I could., said thank you and sorry for bothering her and my OT (he can't even get away from me on his day off. That is sad.)   Got in the house and immediately plugged the chair in and proceeded to have a LONG nap.   Get a call from DME first thing this morning, explain situation and he proceeds to tell me that because government insurance paid for it, he isn't authorized to do a thing about these problems and I have to contact the government repair depot.  I was sad because well.... he's so nice and the wheelchair repair people at this depot for the most part, frighten me a bit.  He did say he thinks the charger may not have been turned on and that I should go home after school and check it out.  It appears to be fully charged now and I'm taking it to OT on Thursday so, we'll test it out and make sure it stays charged.  

Now what's really got me upset.  I can't graph. I'm just NOT physically capable of it.  I can understand it, I just can't draw it onto a piece of paper.  I got 20/20 on my assignment where an EA had drawn the graph itself after I found all the information needed for graphing.  My EA has been away though, and so now I'm behind in math and feeling very frustrated and stressed because I can't do anything about it.  I need all my high school Math because I need a stats class in University to get into OT school.  It makes me cry to think that I may not be able to do it because of one class.  I've been in contact with a guy from the Ministry of Education to see if there is some way they can allow me to use the software.  I also contacted the Online Learning Centre as I am supposed to be taking online Physics and Math online next year and I am hoping they may be more willing to make technology work.  I feel like my school has basically given up on me.  I also contacted the Disability Services Office at the university I hope to attend to see if they will allow me to use my graphing software.  I am taking the day tomorrow to just rest and try and do some catch up.  I feel like I have failed even though I know I'm doing my best.  

Please pray that I will have some answers tomorrow and that I will be able to use my graphing software or that we can come up with another solution so I can get caught up and so that we will have something in place for next year.   Please also pray that the university will accommodate the graphing software (or do something else) so that I will be able to do what  I need to do to get into OT school. .Please also pray that I will do well on my Bio and Math tests and be able to get caught up in all my classes.   Lastly please pray for strength and for a good session at therapy Thursday and just an all around better rest of the week.  

Thank you so much.

With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.
- Eleanor Roosevelt

J

Those Friends and Those Times

Let's face it, my weeks usually consist of school, homework, sleep, appointments, and therapy (at therapy and at home).  This week was espeically busy and so, last night I went out with friends.  What was supposed to be supper at Tim Hortons turned into a 4 hour excursion to the park and a dark parking lot at 10 o'clock at night practicing proper pushing technique.  I think sometimes I forget that I am a teenager; that my life shouldn't just be about therapy goals and homework, and equipment.   Sometimes being a teenager and acting like a teenager (yes, I do that) is the best type of therapy there is.    

I'm lucky as far as friends are concerned, very lucky.    They don't see the chair, they see me. They provide help when I need it, like carrying me from the swing back to my chair or helping me walk or whatever, but they treat me like a regular person.   My friends are even kind enough to help with therapy goals and have even offered to come to therapy to better learn how to help me (some friends will come to therapy, others will not. My OT already thinks I'm nuts, he doesn't need more ammo :).   There's no other way to put it besides, they are awesome.  

To any of my friends who happen to read this blog, thank you for all that you do and all that you put up with because I know I wouldn't be where I am or as happy as I am without all of you.

To all my readers with physical challenges, especially those who are newly injured or to those with children with physical challenges who are young,  don't get me wrong, therapy is important, putting every ounce of effort in is important, and it pays off.  But, let yourself go once in a while.  Be just a person, not a person in a chair who needs to work on putting on there shoes, or stretching or whatever crazy shinanigans your therapist has you working on.  Just be you sitting with friends, or watching TV, or whatever it is you enjoy doing.

J

"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out."