I can donate my walker to goodwill now.

[Neoma]

I can start back into my life. Go back to yoga, go outside by myself and all that fun stuff. Wheel chair, crutches, walker. Yep, been in that cycle. I really hope I don't ever go through it again either.

Word of advice: don't get hit by a minivan. It hurts.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018384170

[Paulie]

1. Yay!

Just in time for it to e overcast and raining today.

[Neoma]

2. Eh, I'm worn out anyways.

I had to move everything out of the bedroom because of some mold we found in one of our closets. Perfect time to redo the closets... Summer project, fun.

[HappyMe]

3. That's great!

Enjoy your healed up freedom!

[fizzgig]

4. glad you're all mended!

[Neoma]

5. Not completely.

Muscles need to work more. I'm not buffed up to my usual self and there's still some pain in my pelvis. All this crap takes longer than you'd think.

[fizzgig]

7. you're probably still buffer than i am

here's hoping you get back to full strength soon

[olddots]

6. So glad you're feeling better

When you posted about getting hit walking I started looking left then right then left again about three times before crossing a street .

[Neoma]

8. I crossed that street twice (if not more) everyday, and it's a very busy road.

I'd be more concerned about running over someone with my car than getting run over by a car again. I mean here, you have to stop if pedestrians are trying to cross the street, period. A lot of people ignore that law and they just keep on driving. Unless someone RAN in front of you, or they were jaywalking, then you're in deep trouble. (I didnt do either of those things.) But I'll probably walk like I always do. Fuck em, they should be aware of that law since there's a goddamn sign there saying "oh by the way, it's against the law not to stop" paraphrasing of course...

I guess the worst part is that the woman who hit me wants to be liked and have some sort of personal connection. I get that, but all things considering, eek. Not a good idea at this point.

[Downwinder]

9. I crossed with a shopping cart in San Jose.

They wouldn't hit it because it might scratch their paint job.

[Neoma]

20. Little different here in Illinois.

It's 100% guaranteed that someone will cross the street. It's Main Street. Busy, busy, busy. I'm pretty sure they have over 30 events going on every year. Parades, farmers markets, car shows, festivals, etc. Plus it's by the train station where hundreds fill up the sidewalks. Bars, resturants, movie theatre/bowling alley, Coffee cafes, cigar shops, clinics, post office, library, banks, bookstore, gift shops, etc, etc.

[Liberalynn]

10. Happy to hear you are doing well!

[SwissTony]

11. Glad to hear you're heading in the right direction. I wish you a full and speedy recovery.

I had to spend a little time in a wheelchair two years ago, It was an education. The world is very wheelchair unfriendly. Non-obstacles suddenly become blockades. Gentle slopes are suddenly potentially dangerous. And idiots park their cars partially on footpaths and you can't get by in a wheelchair.

Best wishes to you.

[Neoma]

16. Renting electric wheelchairs are a joke. (At the zoo.)

That damn thing wouldn't fit into a bathroom stall. Let alone the doorway. Then of course everyonce and awhile your hands get pinned between the non-electric wheelchair and the doorway... Plus you have to go backwards to get off the sidewalk to get anywhere at my place. Yeah, that's totally safe. Then when you think the handicap parking spot is helpful, it still feels like miles to get anywhere.

[SwissTony]

18. I was lucky. I just had to get off my feet (tropical ulcer) for a while.

But, when necessary, I could walk. And did.

I am able-bodied, but damn I had a real education. I don't claim it was anything like what long-term wheelchair users have to go through.

You have my sympathy, Neoma. I've had a taste (but only a taste) of what you and other longer term wheelchair users have gone through. It wasn't nice.

[Neoma]

21. You know you've had the whole shebang when...

Your tour guide loses you on purpose. But yeah, glad I'm walking now.

[lastlib]

12. Good for you, Neoma!

Best wishes for a speedy, FULL recovery!! Keep us posted!

[rrneck]

13. Glad you're up and about.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

14. Good to hear, Neoma !!

[alfredo]

15. Glad you are back to being bipedal. If you have a local VA, see if they'd accept your walker.

[mgardener]

17. Congratulations!

My walker is hanging up in my garage. I had a spinal cord stimulator implant done last year. I am doing well and have been able to decrease my pain meds.

I hope you continue to improve and your minivan 'adventure' becomes a distant memory!

[MADem]

19. Great news!!!!!

I spent a year of my life helping a relative recover from a serious stroke--he went from bedridden to wheelchair to walker to cane, from no speech to speaking like a profession of elocution. I know how hard a job it is--I thought it was rough on me with all the transporting to medical appts, lifting, bathing, pushing etc. (plus, I supplemented a lot of the PT), it's much rougher on the person doing the hard work of recovering. If you still need to use a cane, but want a unique look, go to one of those Renaissance Fairs and buy a "bad ass" staff--they make some very jazzy ones that are interesting to look at, fun, AND make great weapons in a pinch! If you only need a cane part of the time, they make some interesting folding ones that you can keep in a sack in case you need it....

You'll be dancing before you know it...!

[Neoma]

22. No cane needed.

I have good balance. Know what's fun? Standing on one leg and tapping your finger in a circle of post-it notes on the wall with the whole, 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4.

Or walking sideways, or walking with one foot in front of the other, then marching my legs up high... Etc, etc. physical therapy makes me do some pretty weird stuff.

[MADem]

23. That's wonderful!

My relative got as far as the cane and a brace, and that's as good as it gets. It could have been much, much worse though. We're all grateful.

[Neoma]

25. A cane wouldn't be so bad.

Compared to the other three. I'd just use my hiking stick probably. Go around looking like I'm trekking the country. Could put my smokey mountain tourist hat on and a backpack with the water bottle hooked on and I'd be all set.

[Quantess]

24. Congratulations!

That is great news.

[libodem]

26. Glad you are better

And can ditch your walker. You have sure been through a tough time.

[femmocrat]

27. Hey, Neoma! That is great news!

I was wondering how you were doing. I am still walking with a cane, but I can get around the house without it.

What can I do to ditch the cane? I still have a "hitch" in my hip when I walk. My dr. has discontinued my PT, but I'm going to try the stationary bike to see if it helps.

[Neoma]

28. I only have two more PT sessions to go.

Then a doctors appointment and that's that.

[UTUSN]

29. "back into my life." SO real. And what SPIRIT. Anybody going through these things

can instantly relate to those words, how the whole episode was ANOTHER/DIFFERENT life from the one we had. Looking at the two previous threads, I'm sure things will be seen with a new perspective.

And those POOL NOODLES were news to me, wow. Wow, thanks for the spirit you've shown, and welcome back to your life.