Paralysis Tip#1: Find a Good Sports Bottle

We often run into obstacles with paralysis. One of mine is getting enough water. Paralysis affects the body's circulatory system and the function of the bladder and bowels. Recommended water intake is higher than average for most paralyzed folks. This is a challenge when it's difficult to pick up a cup in the first place or sit up in bed.

I used to have a sport bottle with a long, flexible straw. We got the bottle from somebody at Miami General Hospital when I was recovering. It served me for almost 15 years! Unfortunately, it didn't have a handle and leaked if turned sideways.

Dana bought two Camelbak sport bottles just before we got married that fit the bill. These bottles have a thumb-sized plastic loop on top that is easy to grab. Their fold-down nozzle seals the bottle when closed and have a rubber cap that opens when squeezed.

Q&A: On Traveling, and Caregivers

The number one question I get asked about traveling out of town for work:

Who takes care of Michael when you're not there? Do you hire caregivers?

Answer:  It's a combination of this: He takes care of himself/friends/yes.

Here's the thing.  Michael is very independent, especially for someone with his level of injury (C5/6 quadriplegia).  Once he is up in his chair, he can take care of everything else, himself.  I'm so very proud of him for this!

He can fix his own meals, take care of his own hair and teeth and pills and what not in the bathroom, take care of the dogs, clean up after himself (and the dogs), run to Target if he needs anything... I mean, the list is endless.  And, he's all the time figuring out new things that he can do on his own.  He is amazing, I tell you!

So, he really only needs help getting up in the morning, and getting to bed at night.  He just can't lift himself from one place to another.  It's not the kind of thing he can McGuyver.  Just doesn't have those muscles.  He's a pretty low maintenance quadriplegic, though!

When I am out of town, we hire home health providers to help him get bathed, dressed and transfer him from bed to wheelchair in the morning.  They will also help him go to the bathroom, if that is necessary on that particular day.  In the evening, friends help him get transferred from wheelchair to bed. 

Michael takes care of arranging all of his care.  I think after about 9 months of this, I have finally caught on to the idea that I don't have to worry about it! I try to not ask too many questions. :)

Sometimes, friends will come over for dinner, or Michael will hang out with them somewhere else, then they'll come back to our place, and "toss him" in the bed.  I cannot express how thankful I am to these friends!  You know who you are, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!  Then, in the morning, the home health care providers come and get him up. 

We have this system down now.  There are still a lot of "R U OK?" and "Up and at 'em." text messages that fly between the two of us, though.

The New Wheelchair

Hot Wheels

For months, we have been waiting on Michael's new wheelchair. You may remember this conversation from April. He didn't even end up on getting that exact chair, I can't even remember why, there were so many changes and challenges and insurance hoops and what not.

Well... it is finally here!
The wheelchair was supposed to be delivered Monday, but I got back from California Thursday, so Friday, we drove up to Maryland and picked up the new chair, ourselves.

Just call me the wheelchair delivery service.
Yes, that's the new wheelchair, the old wheelchair, and an extra set of wheels and what not in the back of my Ford Escape. And, a lot of dirt. Precious cargo!! Note: We had to order the new bathroom chair, so that should come in soon, and that nightmare will *hopefully* be over soon!

I don't know all the lingo on the new chair, but I can tell you it's a TiLite. Maybe like "ultra" or something? I don't know... but I'm glad that my husband is no longer cruising around with the word "quickie" on his back. :)

And, it has e.motion wheels. Basically, it works kind of like his old wheelchair, but now, each wheel has it's own motor. And the batteries last forever!! And the tires are way quieter and better.

And my favorite thing of all -- his posture is WAAAAY better and he doesn't look like the letter S.

I can tell you that the first things we did were: 1. Remove the armrests. 2. Remove the seat belt. 3. Michael had a friend remove the gripper things on the handle bars in the back. And... I'm really not all that into the reflectors (why can't they be white, or something lower profile?)

I really don't mean to be so anti-safety, I swear!

I was kind of nervous that it would take him a while to get used to the new chair. But, he was cruising all over DC the day after he got it. You know, chasing down big headed Presidents outside of baseball games...
And actually catching up with them!!
Of course, there is some getting used to - like the two motors instead of one in the middle, having to turn the wheels on and off one at a time, and sitting up straighter and balancing. But, Michael is doing great.

And - I sure do think HE LOOKS GREAT in it!!