Blog #5
Well another month zipped by and five months I've been writing this blog. What can I say but it is really different living here in Vancouver instead of Ponoka. I was sure living in a hospital was terrible but learning this new world is equally challenging. Now everyone especially Sue and family have been very positive and nice but it is me figuring some things out. A few weeks ago Sue was wonderful to take me it to The Brain Injury Conference. "What are the consequences of my accident?". I always thought it was all physical. I couldn't walk, ride my rollerblades, sailboard, kiteboarding let alone play the sports I always have played: Golf, tennis, biking, skiing, XC skiing heck I enjoyed walking or running for fitness and even though they aren't wild sports, I'll be very lucky to do any of these! There weren't many brain injured people there in wheel chairs but their stories of forgetting to turn on the washer after loading it or that they had to use post it notes for everything! Forget being an elite athlete and I've always been an entrepreneur that makes up her own work and some how it always worked out. Now, I am in a benevolent country, but I'm not ready to roll up the carpet and do nothing! But what? My partner Bruce is good to keep some projects and he is good to set it up with people who have their wits about them to work with me and luckily I started things on Xventure before my accident but it will be a challenge because I would like to make sure I take the time to go to all the therapists and keep up what is needed to rest so I can heal but it sure is a great project and good people to work with to start back. Well I like and have confidence in the Physical Therapists as we are going to them 3 times a week and there is a physical therapist assistant who comes to the house 2 times a week. She has me cooking, standing to do dishes and practicing transferring into different chairs and couches. I like their method of taking the time and practice but not using crutches that I'll have to learn different methods and tools to access them.
I've made plans to go to LA to see my step daughter Sara who is getting married and I'm lucky to have my girlfriends Sandy Munro of Texana and Cathy and Scott Armstrong of Santa Barbara and I've got a good friend from our time in Banff that I'll visit with (Pam Fergusen now Ettinger) also in Santa Barbara.
As great as it is I am going to have to move into a place of my own, with help. So hopefully it is close to Physio, cause then sister Sue and Kate can visit and I'll have to cook, clean, do laundry, manage my schedule, all of which I can do but it will take all my time and I'll have to manage it.
Sister Sue and I are going with the physio group to UBC to speak to Physio's in training about brain injury (I don't know much but i've got a bad one)
I would like some company (ok wild parties!) no, just friends who want to visit or go for a coffee, like I did a week or so ago with Cam and Leslie Landell and we ran into a good friend, Kim King. I am hoping that physio will loosen my shoulders up so I can do a yoga class or some other type of exercise. Calm down grass hopper but geeze! Anyways it is one of those things "hurry up and wait". Anyways I am very thankful that I can read, write and turn on the washer when it's full. Small feats....but it could be worse and now there are so many challenges. For those in Van-groovy who have some extra time and would like to help. As it takes a whole village. Worry not, we'll be able to find something appropriate to do as Sue could re-appropriate her time and wow is it fun! Ok, you don't have to believe that but, if you're interested, good looking, fun, and have a talent...say fund raising, let me or sister Sue know. Pegola2@hotmail.ca or
Msuerowan@hotmail.com. It's not a big deal but when I live on my own, I'll need some partners in crime. Thanks for reading and keeping up to date with my struggle and look for the changes I'm planning next time...
