Waterskiing!

I got a text on Thursday that pretty much made my weekend.  We're having a Visually Impaired Ski Clinic and you are welcome to come out and ski this weekend. So in.  Was outside from 9-3 yesterday and 9:30-2 today (my shoulders were super tired, I was sunburned, and the heat was getting to me). I have very little energy at the moment.  Yesterday it was COLD! It was super windy and I think my sunburn was compounded with some windburn.  Got 2 sets in yesterday and about 6 wipeouts.  Oh well.

Today the weather was far better and I got another 2 sets in.  I am still struggling with the turns, but am learning that you simply need to move your head one way or the other. Gradual and gentle is key here.

Dad was my release person and did pretty well until he accidentally let the rope release when it wasn't supposed to.   Then, the rope got caught in the propellor of the boat when I had a wipeout so they had to take the boat in, and by take in I mean push it to the dock.  They got the rope out and carried on.

They also had dad try and side ski along with me and my side skier.  Dad hasn't skied in about 35 years.  I got a mouth and face FULL of water from dads skis.  It is too hard having 2 side skiers because I'm so worried about running into them.  My side skier can move out of the way fast enough.  Dad I was worried about.   My side skier had to hold me up for the first bit after takeoff because having dad there really threw me off.  To be completely honest, having dad side ski with me... the thought of it makes me super anxious.  I am not at all comfortable with the idea right now.   It takes a certain level of trust and confidence in your side skier to make you feel safe.  I have built that up with my current side skier.  I know he knows what he's doing.  In this particular activity, I do not have that with dad.


The lifejacket I bought in Vancouver is not good for waterskiing; one of the things you have to be able to do is lean forward in your cage and my new lifejacket has a lot of bulkiness which makes that very hard so, onto Kijij that one goes and we get a different one.  

They moved my cage onto the second most forward setting which makes leaning forward while having my bum back way easier.

Speaking of anxiety, I have found waterskiing to be very helpful.  It is one of the things that has truly helped.   Not only does it tire me out, but, when I am out on the water the only thing I am thinking about is waterskiing.  Keeping the rope low, looking at the boat, moving my head the right way etc. It is a good thing and I am super thankful to have the option.


Until Next Time,

J

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

Holiday

I am tired so excuse the typos.  I just returned to work after being on holidays from Saturday to Wednesday.  It has been tough getting back into a routine and I plan on catching up on sleep this weekend. 

Vancouver was great!  The first day we were there we spent the day shopping at Metropolis in Metrotown.  I finally found some jeans that fit and won't fall down thanks to an amazingly helpful and patient sales girl.   Bonus? I know exactly which kind they are so, when the time comes to get new ones I can order them online (they don't have a store where I live.)   I also found a lifejacket for waterskiing.  A PINK LIFEJACKET! I've been looking for one forever and am technically supposed to have my own so I was super excited about it.

We went to the aquarium where they had penguins. Penguins! Jellyfish! Dolphins!   It was a cool thing to see although after a while I got bored.   We also went to the PNE which is an amusement park.  That was a lot of walking, transfers etc. I got a serious workout and some PT points on that one.  There was one ride I really wanted to go on so, I walked up the stairs and got on only to realize moments later that it goes upside down.  Freakout time.  I hate upside down rides.  Oh well.  I survived.  

Checked out Granville Island and bought dad a utility knife which would later be confiscated at the airport because I forgot to take it out of my backpack and into the luggage under the plane.  Whoops. 

Oh and the plane? That was interesting.  So, when we checked in for the first flight they told us that they wanted to transfer me to a different flight for my safety and the safety of the staff.  Ummm, ok? Well you see, the flight we booked was a ground boarding plane and the LOVELY call centre agent whom I spoke to told me that would be no problem. Well it was.  Then she told us the wrong time for our flight home so, we missed it.  I phoned my mom and boss FREAKING out because I needed to get home for work and they didn't think that would happen.  After much chaos, a few tears, a 'it's not the end of the world if you don't make it home for work tomorrow and panicking won't help." from my boss, we made it onto another flight thanks to some delays and made it home with a lost bag.  Argh.  They failed to tag my second bag at security so, they were supposed to tag it when they received it at the other side of baggage/security.  They did not.  It sat in the Vancouver airport but eventually made it back to me.

Thank you for your prayers for a good trip and less anxiety.   Despite a panic attackish situation on the plane on the way there, it helped to have a holiday.  Prayers for less anxiety to continue and work to go well would be much appreciated.

Ok, my eyes are closing,

J

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

You Want the Short Version?

Hey all!

I have lots to update you on.

First off, my shoulder.  After a desperate voicemail left for my OT, it was decided I do not need to go see my Orthopaedic Surgeon again or that an ER visit was in order.   However, a new PT is the picture.  She was recommended to my OT by another PT at rehab. She has an understanding of neurological issues and has worked with kids with CP. Score. She tried laser therapy on my shoulder and it helped.  It apparently gets to the muscle on a cellular level to heal them.  Now, we are working on strengthening the weak part of my shoulder (the back) and proper shoulder positioning.   She has me working with Therabands again and we may also do taping of my shoulder to keep the shoulder blade aligned.


Anxiety issues have returned.  I have been put on a different medication which seems to be helping.  However, it has been making me feel so so so nauseous that for the time being I have stopped it.  It mad work hellish.  It made me loopy.  It is bearable, but, I am like half brained.  We were doing a training role play for the newbies yesterday.  Boss asked me to demo.  I fell on my face. Shit. When I come home, it is likely I may start it again, but, I don't want to be like this the whole time I'm in Vancouver or at work.

Yes, I am actually following through and taking 3 days off work. Holy crap, right? I fly out tomorrow evening and get back late Wednesday night.  It'll be a whirlwind trip, but a holiday nonetheless.  I just hit my two year anniversary at my job yesterday, so the timing of this was accidentally awesome. Definitely due for a holiday.


I went waterskiing on Thursday.  It. Was. Awesome.  I didn't fall and skied a ways on my own.  You know, I have to say, the guys that do side skiing are awesome.  They VOLUNTEER their time so that people can have opportunities they wouldn't otherwise have.  Now, I need to work on my turning skills.  It's tricky, but, I'll get there.



Please pray for anxiety and stress to ease and for peace.  Also for work to get better (it's our slow time so, quite stressful).

Thanks and Keep Rolling On,

J