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Panic attacks and dreams of wheelchairs..
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<blockquote data-quote="slsh" data-source="post: 69649" data-attributes="member: 8"><p>Marcie,</p><p></p><p>My heart aches for you. </p><p></p><p>Absolutely, I would rearrange the bedroom now, and I would definitely start playing with- the wheelchair and truck now. Much harder to learn how to do when it's occupied. :wink:</p><p></p><p>It's a fine balance, I think. I've never been a planner either. We just kind of have taken things as they've come. Fortunately, husband is a disgustingly optimistic fellow who's motto is "everything will work out". Used to really tick me off because I'd be working myself into one royal tizzy over whatever the latest disaster was, while he was just being so totally calm about the inevitable positive outcome. And he's usually right (relatively speaking). </p><p></p><p>I haven't given a great deal of thought about the more practical issues of caring for Boo as he has gotten bigger and I've gotten older. I'm facing some of the same issues now and not doing well with them. Did hire a PCA last week to come in and help me get him into bed while husband was out of town, but I have to tell you, it was *so* hard to do (pride, denial? I don't know). Reality is, I simply cannot continue to safely lift a 120-pound man with my back. But... really bites.</p><p></p><p>Boo hasn't had a real bath in a couple of years now. We bathe him in his bed. No-Rinse shampoo has been a real blessing - does a great job. But, again, I remember many years ago saying I would *never* use that because I would always be able to get him in and out of the tub; was actually offended when we first were trying to work out the bathing issues and someone suggested it. </p><p></p><p>I think an Occupational Therapist (OT)/PT evaluation is essential. If there's a rehab hospital near you, I think they might be the best resource. Bath chairs are good for people who can sit up independently or with minimal help. I would absolutely invest in a lot of very sturdy hand rails in the bathroom - tub area but also toilet and sink areas.</p><p></p><p>Things change, Marcie. I think it's good to explore the options and have several very loose plans laid out. But I also think it's important to have that ability to fly by the seat of your pants. At least in our family, any firm "plan" we've tried to figure out has always been blown completely out of the water by a twist of fate. </p><p></p><p>A gentle hug to you.</p><p></p><p>Wheelchair ramps - if it's a power chair, it needs to be an extra sturdy ramp. We've had 3 ramps - one built by a neighbor who was a carpenter, he did a great job. One husband "built" for the home we lived in when Boo got his first chair - looked like the leaning tower of Pisa but the one really great thing husband did was put astroturf the entire length of the ramp which kept the tire tracks to a minimum in the house. The one we have now is hidden in our garage and is functional but *hideous* and probably completely out of code. Can you guess who built that one? LOL. :wink:</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="slsh, post: 69649, member: 8"] Marcie, My heart aches for you. Absolutely, I would rearrange the bedroom now, and I would definitely start playing with- the wheelchair and truck now. Much harder to learn how to do when it's occupied. [img]:wink:[/img] It's a fine balance, I think. I've never been a planner either. We just kind of have taken things as they've come. Fortunately, husband is a disgustingly optimistic fellow who's motto is "everything will work out". Used to really tick me off because I'd be working myself into one royal tizzy over whatever the latest disaster was, while he was just being so totally calm about the inevitable positive outcome. And he's usually right (relatively speaking). I haven't given a great deal of thought about the more practical issues of caring for Boo as he has gotten bigger and I've gotten older. I'm facing some of the same issues now and not doing well with them. Did hire a PCA last week to come in and help me get him into bed while husband was out of town, but I have to tell you, it was *so* hard to do (pride, denial? I don't know). Reality is, I simply cannot continue to safely lift a 120-pound man with my back. But... really bites. Boo hasn't had a real bath in a couple of years now. We bathe him in his bed. No-Rinse shampoo has been a real blessing - does a great job. But, again, I remember many years ago saying I would *never* use that because I would always be able to get him in and out of the tub; was actually offended when we first were trying to work out the bathing issues and someone suggested it. I think an Occupational Therapist (OT)/PT evaluation is essential. If there's a rehab hospital near you, I think they might be the best resource. Bath chairs are good for people who can sit up independently or with minimal help. I would absolutely invest in a lot of very sturdy hand rails in the bathroom - tub area but also toilet and sink areas. Things change, Marcie. I think it's good to explore the options and have several very loose plans laid out. But I also think it's important to have that ability to fly by the seat of your pants. At least in our family, any firm "plan" we've tried to figure out has always been blown completely out of the water by a twist of fate. A gentle hug to you. Wheelchair ramps - if it's a power chair, it needs to be an extra sturdy ramp. We've had 3 ramps - one built by a neighbor who was a carpenter, he did a great job. One husband "built" for the home we lived in when Boo got his first chair - looked like the leaning tower of Pisa but the one really great thing husband did was put astroturf the entire length of the ramp which kept the tire tracks to a minimum in the house. The one we have now is hidden in our garage and is functional but *hideous* and probably completely out of code. Can you guess who built that one? LOL. [img]:wink:[/img] [/QUOTE]
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