Remembering the Basics

I got into a situation the other day where I was foolishly without a mobility tool. Even now, when I think I'm doing so great health wise, I have to remember that the smallest thing can set me off. I've been struggling greatly with the weather causing migraines, which then triggers my mitochondria to focus all their energy on that. It leaves me weaker and even more tired than usual.

Standing is tough for me even when I'm at my best. Standing for a few minutes can be torture. 

We had taken our nephew to an art gallery's "comic book day." It didn't even occur to me that there would be standing involved. Why? Because I'm a perfectly healthy, able bodied person of course. So when the standing and looking at things started, I felt myself beginning to struggle. It got to the point where I was literally pouring sweat, shaking, trying to keep it together and stay with him and my husband.

Common sense finally got a grip and I went to sit down with my portable fan. Thank the Goddess that at least I brought that with me.

When assessing the situation later I realized I should have recognized the day would involve a lot of standing and brought along my rollator. I have the tools. I just need to remember when to use them.

So I came up with this lovely little reminder for myself.

• If I'm going on short walks and I'll experience mild fatigue (or already am) I'll bring my stick.
  
  
• If I'm going on longer walks with moderate fatigue (standing more than a few minutes involved) I'll bring my rollator.
  
  
• If I'm having severe fatigue or muscle pain I (or am expected to stand most of the day) I'll bring my travel wheelchair.

Even though I've been disabled for years now I can still forget the very basics. 

Meet Evangeline!

Introducing my newest wheelchair "Evangeline!" She and I have gotten off to a rocky start. She was given to me (thank you health insurance) the week of Christmas 2022. I've had her six months, but she and I are only just now getting along.

What happened?

I'll tell you all about it.

See... she is FANCY. I was intimidated the second I sat on her. She can move in any and all directions from zero gravity to six feet in the air. Working her controls feels like you're working a forklift. She's very complex.

She also doesn't like rough terrain. She likes smooth, even pavement. No grass, dirt, mulch, rocks, tips or anything other than flat and hard. Honestly I think she was made for Las Vegas or shopping. She's not an adventure girl. She's your Jimmy Chu shoes.

Then there was the error code.

Any time I tried to use her lift or tilt features I would get a flashing error code. I have had her serviced five times already and a part replaced once. Another part is on the way to be replaced as I type. She's a finicky Swede. Yes. She's made in Sweden. 

It's like a car. The more complicated it is the more that can go wrong.

Then there was the incident that happened on vacation.

I thought I could roll down a very steep, slightly slanted driveway and be ok. I was not ok. Evangeline locked her tires and I slid down the driveway and into the street. Luckily there were no cars at the time, but I did throw off a touring group of bikers and made one tip over. She doesn't like uneven surfaces. FLAT! FLAT GROUND ONLY!

My repair guy said "yeah. There's no way you were going to make that. Maybe next time circle back and avoid doing that." Thanks dude. Super helpful.

So she and I have had a challenging relationship.

However...

She's also really amazing. And pretty. And comfortable. She can adjust to me in any way. And I love the lift function (when it works). I always get comments and questions. Most people haven't seen a chair that could lift up as it's still a pretty new feature.

I just had to learn to get comfortable driving her and she had to be adjusted quite a bit to fit my needs. I think we're almost there. And I always have Dory for adventures.