Putting things into perspective

Well, I have had a week to begin processing and accepting what my present will be. This past week, I also received news that 3 staff who have been here with me from day one are leaving AgeCare-Skypointe for other positions - taking advantage of opportunities to advance their career; for their families or simply for a shorter drive. I will miss them as they were a great encouragement to me. They had my back for sure. Had a small cry earlier this week when speaking with Dr. Bhatia about it all. I am sure there will be more tears in the future. On Sept 16, I had a wonderful visit with my friend Sara along with 3 of her children - Casendra, William and Elysia. We went for a tour of the strip mall across the street that just was built this past year. Unfortunately, the buildings that are open majority of the doors are too small for me to enter. Even McDonald’s. I asked to see the manager while bought our food. When I asked how I would have McDonald’s if I couldn’t get through. She told me, just as she told a couple of other residents in wheelchairs or scooters, you can order in the drive through. Are you kidding me? Shocking how in 2019-2020 those who are wheelchair bound people still face obstacles of just entrances to stores or medical facilities. 

All of these things put together, as well as enjoying the moments with Sara and the kids. It makes you start to put things into perspective a bit. Change is inevitable. Change happens all the time, even if we like it or not. It will depend on how you reaction that it will determine if one’s attitude will be negative or positive. I’d rather be in a positive attitude facing changes than in a negative one. When I was finding myself working in a toxic working environment in Thunder Bay, I knew I was the one who had to make a change or decide to continue to work in this environment. This lead me to moving to Calgary to advance my career as well as personal growth too. In 2010, came to the realization that I was experiencing workplace bullying by managers, which gave me the courage to speak up against them. Being diagnosed with Guillian Barre Syndrome in 2016 was a change I never saw coming. The first year in the I was just trying to stay alive. The 3 years following has been never to lose sight of hope despite the odds being against me. While still striving for a miracle of recovery, I needed to accept and adapt in my “now”, realizing my new capabilities and still make goals to reach for. Of course, this is easier said than done. 

One of my goals, continue with my physio sessions twice a week and hopefully throughout this coming year, I will see improvements especially in my right arm. Improvements of my arm gaining strength, tone and finger dexterity. If I could regain the use of my arm, the possibility of having scooter to help me become more independent - how thrilling that could be. New doors could be opened, just by having that much in my recovery. Imagine!

Found out this week, my OT can continue with the submission request to order myself a powered wheelchair controlled with head rest movements. Best birthday present indeed! It will take months taking me into 2021. How cool would it be, to have my powered wheelchair at GBS/CIDP/MMN Walk & Roll event in May 2021 (cross fingers) and I wouldn’t need to be pushed but rather I used my head to move forward. What a feeling that would be!

Through the generosity of family and friends from my 50th birthday yesterday, I have more than enough funds to purchase a touchscreen laptop and a printer/scanner. This will be another game changer for me. Having a touchscreen laptop - it will allow me to have the MS office 365 programs (word, excel, PowerPoint) which will help with my letter writing and blogging. Finding a voice recognition program that will save me literally hours from having to type each letter of each word. Some of those recent letters to politicians took me between 4.5 hours to 7 hours to complete. Definitely a voice recognition program will be a great tool for me. Gaining experience using a touchscreen laptop, opens a possibility of going back to my career in Data Collection at the hospital to at least being a coding specialist; since Alberta’s Health Record is becoming more digital. So even if I can still only use my mouth stick, I could potentially do the work if the desktop screen is touchscreen. A goal to try to aim for in my future. 

Another goal - Actually to take the time this coming year to find what brings me joy and happiness. An example being, cherish the times with family and friends be it person, on the phone, or on Facebook/FaceTime etc. Even with a disability, that shouldn’t limit me in this area. What would be a purpose to strive for, to aim for? Is it being an advocate or is it becoming an author? Hey, can they be intertwined with each other?

With a change of perspective as well as finding more positives than negatives this coming year to focus on; this could be a year I learn more my inner self and my surroundings. September 2021 - in reflection I will see how far I have gone; what challenges I had overcome; and what joys, happinesses and purpose(s) I found.