Andrew's January 2007 Journal
Week 6th Jan – 12th Jan 2007
All in all, it feels as if this has been a pretty uneventful week in general (actually – that’s a good thing; I mean a broken leg would be eventful wouldn’t it?) I continue to improve and my resolve to walk is as strong as ever. As they say, “A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step”. In my case, I think it’s going to be a few months before I take that first literal step, but I have no doubt that it will happen.
I have now officially started back at work, and am in the process of a handover. I think the Restaurant missed me, and there’s a lot to do, but I am sure that I will be on top of everything soon. I am still struggling to cope with the fact that it takes so long to do things. The little extras that I used to do, like climbing up a ladder to replace a light bulb, are no longer possible, and while I can delegate, I miss the dashing around and getting things done. It was fun and fulfilling.
Another part of my job in the restaurant is going around the tables ensuring that everyone is having a good time. I am really finding this difficult, because, in the wheelchair, I am at the guests’ level and I feel as if I am sitting down at their tables uninvited; as if I am invading their personal space. I don’t want to impose - I do want to make sure that I have happy customers. I am really getting huge insight into the unexpected challenges of life in a wheelchair, and I hope that by sharing these with you, I can raise awareness of the lot of the physically disabled.
On Monday, Carol of You Magazine and Huisgenoot came to interview my mom and me. The article is in the current issue (18th January 2007). I do hope that this assists to give the fund-raising an extra boost. Things are a little quiet on that front at the moment, but we do have a charity performance of “Proof “coming up at Artscape in March. Watch the web for details.
I had a busy day on Wednesday – I was hoisted onto a bicycle on a stand and pedaled (well – ok Kelly, Jason and Nicholas took turns to pedal my feet) for about 15 minutes with my toes in toe clips. I am proud to say that I can push down hard enough with my right foot to make the pedal move. It’s exhausting, but I can do it. It was quite a mission getting me onto the bike – I had to be hoisted up in a sling in a sitting position, stabilized, swung round and then lowered onto the bike. I was also very proud that I was able to actually balance on the bike – I don’t think I’ll be doing the Argus Cycle Tour this year, maybe next year. It is important that I build my muscle tone, do my daily stretches and do some weight-bearing exercise on my legs so that I don’t get osteoporosis. Next time, I am going to try and cycle with electrodes on my legs. While it won’t provide the same feedback as the FES bike, at least I can start with the therapy while we raise the funds to get one.
After my cycling, I went to work and worked the whole day, as we had two shows. I think I overdid it a bit as I was exhausted on Thursday. On Thursdays, I do hydro-therapy. It was really hot, so swimming was great. I get to stand in the water a bit and also do stretching and arm exercises.
Genesis Fitness has offered to donate a treadmill so that we can start working on the ambulation training. I am really amazed at their generosity. We really only called to see if they had a treadmill that complied with the standards as specified. Besides a larger than usual walking surface, it also needs to start at 0.3km per hour, and thus needs recalibration. I can’t wait to be able to start my walking. We emailed some of the researchers into the Ambulation training and were amazed that they actually replied. It doesn’t seem as if this type of rehabilitation is freely available in South Africa at the moment, although it is commonplace in the States now. If this works for me, we can pass what we have learned on to others too. I am always looking for a reason why this happened to me – maybe this is it.
In the interim, I have been doing a lot of standing in the harness and hoist. I hold myself up with the bar that Clive put on for me and can now stand for about 20 seconds before my legs collapse. (I am in the harness so I don’t fall and hurt myself.) When I put the Gymtronics on (electrical stimulation for my muscles), I am able to stand for about 7 minutes.
Mary came to give me Cranio-Sacral therapy on Friday as Nicola is away. This really is relaxing and I am sure that it is helping to build new nerve pathways.
On a personal note, I never really used to go out, but typically, now that I can’t, I actually want to. Nicholas went out in Claremont a few days ago, and said that he was approached by some of the boys that attacked us. This time, rather than grabbing him and pushing him to the ground, they hugged him and asked him to speak to me about dropping the charges. I am amazed – they walked up to him to ask – if only I could do that!
At home, there are still silly obstacles to iron out, but I’m getting there. Did my washing in the machine, but couldn’t hang it out because the washing line is up three stairs. I think I’ve come up with a solution to this already, but I am proud that I am getting more and more independent.
Finally, I received an email from Lizelle. Her friend’s brother is 23 years old and was attacked by a Grade 12 student, leaving him with bleeding on the brain. He is still in hospital, and the doctors are saying he won’t be able to return to work for around 8 months. He too is not on medical aid. She asked if we could pray for him and his family, and we are asking you to include Dirk in your thoughts and prayers too please. Let’s stand together and take a zero tolerance approach to this senseless violence that is destroying our society. I hope that the Grade 12 student is being prosecuted and will be stopped from doing this to somebody else.
I can’t tell you how many stories we have heard of Grade 11 and 12 students beating people up for fun. One wonders what the cause of all this violence actually is. Are these kids on performance boosting supplements that increase aggression, or do they simply have too much time and money on their hands. The sad thing is that very often, the incidents are brushed under the carpet, and they then learn that this sort of behaviour has no consequences for them. It is of course a different story for the victim. One wonders what sort of morals are instilled at home and school
Thank you for your continued interest. I will keep working, and I know that I’ll be walking you to your table in the restaurant one day.
Week 13th Jan – 19th Jan 2007
This week has proven to be an absolute landmark in my road to recovery, and while I am in extreme pain as I am writing this, I can finally start to see the light of day.
Cape Talk Radio wanted to interview me at 7:20AM on Tuesday morning, so I had to get up early and set two alarms to ensure that I didn’t oversleep. The media have been great. I still can’t believe that they have all taken such an interest in me. The article in You Magazine and Huisgenoot was published on Friday. I have had so many supportive emails!
Nearly a month after having left hospital, I still don’t own a wheelchair! It’s not that I can do without one; it’s just that I wasn’t really sure which one I wanted. I guess it’s also been a bit of a psychological barrier I have had to get through. I mean, what if I start walking tomorrow and then I’ve wasted all that money on a wheelchair. Yeah, right! Well, you never know. (You see what I mean – confusing.)
After much consideration and testing, I have finally decided on the Quickie Titanium Wheelchair. It is very expensive, (R35 000), but worth every cent.
Up to now, I have been in constant pain from my left shoulder and hand. I had hoped that it would go away when the abco came off, and while it did reduce a bit initially, it then came back with a vengeance. I have also been a bit concerned because I have started getting pain in my right hand as well. I have been wearing my collar intermittently because my neck and shoulders have been so sore. Pain is debilitating and exhausting. I don’t like to go on about it, (I’m sure you’re tired and bored with it already), but it chips away at you all day. I have also had problems sleeping and wake up in pain every morning with very stiff neck and shoulders.
I have also started getting pins and needles in my left buttock and need to shift my weight constantly to try and get comfortable.
After using the Quickie Titanium for a few days, the pain subsided greatly and the pins and needles disappeared. I will be getting the wheelchair on Monday. I can’t wait!