Family Support

Tomorrow we pick up our handicap van from the repair shop and then go to Loveland for an appointment with our power wheelchair company. I will take my uncle’s chair with me and see if they can make a few adjustments to fit it to me. It is a nice chair with a few additional power features that are not on my loaner chair. It just has the extra wheels in the back, so it feels a little like driving a forklift. I have been practicing with it to get use to the controls and the maneuvering.

Last night my physical therapist came for a visit. It had been over a week since that last time he was here. He was very pleased with my strength progress and ability to take steps in the walker. I am able to now stand without assistance (for the most part) and navigate 12-15 feet.

We also practiced using the walker to get from the door of the bathroom to the shower bench. We did this in the evening so Debbie would become comfortable helping me with this activity without the assistance of the therapist. It really went well. I was able to get to the shower bench, undress, shower and use the walker to get back to the wheelchair.

I am schedule to go back to the capitol on May 2nd to do the opening prayer. I hope by then I will be in out-patient therapy, and even able to drive at least a little.

Yesterday I made reference to the trauma caregivers can go through when a chronic or prolonged illness strikes. The pressure on a spouse or family members is magnified if the result is a permanent disability. The impact is on the entire family and each person has their own set of responses and reactions.

Some family members may be new to tragedy and death. Children are also impacted. Extended family members are also included in the response. Even though our grandchildren are young, they were allowed to see me in the hospital and experience my progress and recovery. It was interesting to see how they responded at various stages. I even recall a Facetime conversation with Stephanie’s family in Atlanta. Little Carter (age 4) who is “just out there with his thoughts” says something with “Boppa, why are you in that chair!?”

I remember when Mary Bondi directed our Teen Challenge New Hope House for teen girls program she would say, “When one family member is a mess we are all a mess.” That not only applies to a family member struggling with an addiction, it involves a family member with a physical illness or disability.

This requires family members and even the family member with the illness to be aware of this and sensitive to the responses and needs of each family member. It provides an opportunity for some teachable moments about life, trust in God and the importance of family supporting and valuing each other.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  2 Cor. 1:3,4

PLEASE PRAY FOR….

  • Quick approval for ongoing therapy sessions
  • Wisdom for decisions on wheelchair
  • Continued muscle strength and progress in therapy