Nesting

August has been an interesting month. It started off fantastic with my husband finally taking some time off of work and us diving into our fun bedroom decorating project. But then the fires came to California and it looked and felt like the world was ending. 

The family had already been investing time into making our home even more special. We'd been tending our garden, caring for the ever growing collection of house plants and investing our "vacation/travel fund" into a bedroom spruce up instead. Not just any re-do though. Not your Better Homes and Gardens bedroom. We're turning our bedroom into a Disney Jungle Cruise (loosely) themed room. It's going to be amazing!

We've been doing a lot of art and fun craft projects to make it uniquely ours. Not only does it personalize the space, but it saves money too. 

So while it does indeed feel like the world might be ending, we can be sipping cocktails (and mocktails) in our tiki room, or snoozing under a canopy of "man eating jungle vines." A worthy investment to lift our spirits.

All of this may sound superficial, but mental health is just as important as physical health. Keeping busy with "nesting" is an instinct almost every living thing has.

I've also learned that I can have gratitude for what I have knowing how lucky I am while also having empathy for those who aren't as fortunate. Feelings are not exclusionary. 

Meet Pablo

Four days ago we pulled the trigger and bought a wheelchair van. Not just any wheelchair van though. This thing is a fricken rocket ship! I'd like you to meet... Pablo!

Pablo is a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Touring Limited Plus with only 4,500 miles. He comes with a Braun electric fold out ramp, light sand colored leather seats that are heated, heated steering wheel, automatic lowering capabilities, back up camera, satellite navigation system, blu ray players front and back and (my husband's favorite feature) climate control for each section of the car front and back. That means I can have my side at 60 and he can have his side at 80. Win-win. Also our 6'4 son finally has plenty of leg room in the back seat. "And I even like the color" (Indiana Jones joke).

We'd been looking and thinking about a van for almost six months. There was a lot to learn and next to our house it was the biggest purchase we'd ever made. 

There are plenty of disabled people who live out their lives without a wheelchair van, so why did I feel like I NEEDED one? I am a tall, large lady. I have a tall, large wheelchair that is built to accommodate me. Yes, I also have a travel wheelchair, but it gets uncomfortable quickly. And given I'm already in constant pain it is important to be to be as comfortable as I can (enter the seat heaters). My big wheelchair makes me much more comfortable and I can't use it without a van or a bus. The bus doesn't go everywhere I need/want to go when I want to go there. My town is small and I can go out in just my chair a lot of the time, but not everywhere and only when the weather is good.

Also, my husband and I enjoy going on adventures. I'm hoping in the future more of those adventures can include road trips. There may come a time where I am only able to transfer in and out of my chair minimally and not walk much at all. I like being prepared and not having things like that sneak up on me. In Pablo we can keep the adventures coming for years and years no mater my mobility status. Even if I'm completely immobile actually, which is really fantastic!

And yes, a lot of disabled people don't have a van, but they also don't have anyone to drive it for them. In fact a lot of them end up becoming "house bound" which is a horrible, but understandable situation. Options outside of your own van really stink and aren't free (much to able bodied people's shock). And even being driven around can be exhausting. So a lot of the time people just end up staying home. 

No matter how severe my mobility issues get I refuse to have that happen to me. I will nap when I need to, sure! But I will get out and be a part of the world and let the world be a part of me.