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Aug 16, 2011 - 5 comments
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My walking was affected by my latest flare, which has been going for a little over 3 weeks now. And the fact that I have been needing my wheelchair to get around has been causing me a lot of stress.
As I have been doing so much thinking, when I can make my brain work, a few things have become clear to me:
1. I am often so much happier in my chair. No, I am not happy that I need to use a wheelchair, but I am happy that I can do the things I want to do.
2. My stress about using a wheelchair comes not from my not being okay with it, but from concern from other people's "okayness" with it.
So, I am asking myself exact who and what am I worried about? My family? No, they get it cause they see it every day. Sadly, first and foremost I fear the disapproval of my own doctors. For example, when checking in with my PCP last week, I took my chair. As anybody with MS knows, the distance from a parking lot into a hospital to a doctor's office can be quite a long way. Could I have done it with a cane? Possibly. Could I have moved the rest of the day or the next if I did it with a cane? Probably not. However, when the doctor walks into the room her jaw drops and she asks in astonishment "You have your own wheelchair?"
Now, this is the same wheelchair I was in when I became her patient six years ago, but I guess that is beside the point. I have MS. I have had MS for more than 20 years. I have been diagnosed for more than 10, and this is not the first exacerbation that has affected my mobility in one way or another. Over the years I have acquired an impressive collection of assistive devices...including my sporty blue Colours Eclipse manual wheelchair.
I fail to understand the view that using what I need to continue living my life is giving up. Especially when it comes from my medical team. I want to continue going places and doing things, even if my legs don't. I would rather wheel myself around than be a prisoner in my home.
So, what was the purpose of this rant? I guess just to say to myself (and anyone reading this), what my doctors should be saying to me....
"If a wheelchair is what will let you continue to life your life rather than merely watching it pass you by, DO IT!
As I have been doing so much thinking, when I can make my brain work, a few things have become clear to me:
1. I am often so much happier in my chair. No, I am not happy that I need to use a wheelchair, but I am happy that I can do the things I want to do.
2. My stress about using a wheelchair comes not from my not being okay with it, but from concern from other people's "okayness" with it.
So, I am asking myself exact who and what am I worried about? My family? No, they get it cause they see it every day. Sadly, first and foremost I fear the disapproval of my own doctors. For example, when checking in with my PCP last week, I took my chair. As anybody with MS knows, the distance from a parking lot into a hospital to a doctor's office can be quite a long way. Could I have done it with a cane? Possibly. Could I have moved the rest of the day or the next if I did it with a cane? Probably not. However, when the doctor walks into the room her jaw drops and she asks in astonishment "You have your own wheelchair?"
Now, this is the same wheelchair I was in when I became her patient six years ago, but I guess that is beside the point. I have MS. I have had MS for more than 20 years. I have been diagnosed for more than 10, and this is not the first exacerbation that has affected my mobility in one way or another. Over the years I have acquired an impressive collection of assistive devices...including my sporty blue Colours Eclipse manual wheelchair.
I fail to understand the view that using what I need to continue living my life is giving up. Especially when it comes from my medical team. I want to continue going places and doing things, even if my legs don't. I would rather wheel myself around than be a prisoner in my home.
So, what was the purpose of this rant? I guess just to say to myself (and anyone reading this), what my doctors should be saying to me....
"If a wheelchair is what will let you continue to life your life rather than merely watching it pass you by, DO IT!
I agree...use what u need, and the same view from my medical team kept me from requesting a parking permit in a handicapped spot...I too have issues walking the long distance from a typical parking spot to the entrance to the Dr office or a store .
My NS was more than happy to accommodate this as I have walked with a cane for over 10 yrs...that is all that is needed....the Dr completes the form and u send it in....
U should avail ur self to this as well as ur chair.....u need it....and no worries what ne one thinks that is their problem....unfortunatly they r whom we go to for support as well as medical help.
My NS was more than happy to accommodate this as I have walked with a cane for over 10 yrs...that is all that is needed....the Dr completes the form and u send it in....
U should avail ur self to this as well as ur chair.....u need it....and no worries what ne one thinks that is their problem....unfortunatly they r whom we go to for support as well as medical help.
I agree...use what u need, and the same view from my medical team kept me from requesting a parking permit in a handicapped spot...I too have issues walking the long distance from a typical parking spot to the entrance to the Dr office or a store .
My NS was more than happy to accommodate this as I have walked with a cane for over 10 yrs...that is all that is needed....the Dr completes the form and u send it in....
U should avail ur self to this as well as ur chair.....u need it....and no worries what ne one thinks that is their problem....unfortunatly they r whom we go to for support as well as medical help.
My NS was more than happy to accommodate this as I have walked with a cane for over 10 yrs...that is all that is needed....the Dr completes the form and u send it in....
U should avail ur self to this as well as ur chair.....u need it....and no worries what ne one thinks that is their problem....unfortunatly they r whom we go to for support as well as medical help.
I agree as well, that you have to do what you need to in order to continue on. I like your last line, "If a wheelchair is what will let you continue to life your life rather than merely watching it pass you by, DO IT! " because it's so true. Try not to worry about what anyone else will think of you, as their opinion does not matter. I had to use my "granny walker" my senior year of high school to get around while I recovered from surgery, but it was a lot better than just staying at home and 'giving up'. Yea, not everyone was nice about it, but it really didn't matter. I was back at school and living life, which is what the important thing was. Hope you are doing well.
Look -I use a car to get around....and if anyone had a go at me for using it to cart the shopping home, or logs, or anything else which makes my life a bit easier -then I'd tell them to get lost!
Similar -though obviously different-scenario. But in some ways exactly the same. I use that car as a tool to help me with my life. You use your wheelchair. Just you carry on doing what suits you.
Similar -though obviously different-scenario. But in some ways exactly the same. I use that car as a tool to help me with my life. You use your wheelchair. Just you carry on doing what suits you.
Hey I say wheel chairs are okay I would like a ride in one ...I have watched the LA marathon with some great guys and heroes in those things oh boy can they flyyyyyy
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