Quote:
Originally posted by MrPheer
Everyday I'm a little stronger and can do a little more for myself, but even being on crutches is a major handicap. The only time I leave the house is for physical therapy appointments. Its not fun going anywhere on crutches, and forget going shopping... you have no way to carry anything or push a shopping cart. Want to get up in the middle of the night and grab a coke? Forget it, unless you want to stand in front of the fridge and drink it... cant carry shit with your hands while on crutches.
What sucks the most is I cant play with my 4 year old kid. Not that he really minds, but everyday he asks when are we going fishing or riding 4 wheelers again. I hate having to tell him not for a few more months.
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Just a couple of ideas...
Get a bathrobe with pockets. When you get up in the middle of the night to grab a Coke, toss the robe on. You can slip the coke into a pocket and carry it with you.
Fashioning a little pocket to hang off of the handle on your crutch is useful, too. Like a fannypack or even a small bookbag. Think of it as a saddlebag ;)
To play with your son... just switch gears! Board games for kids, build 'em yourself RC cars (these are great, I used to be heavy into these with my Dad - and you can sit in one spot while "playing" with them), bring the normal toys like Legos and Lincoln Logs up onto the table so you don't have to get down on the floor. There's always console games (Xbox, PS2, etc). You can still go out and play catch... at 4, he's short, he doesn't need you to be standing to throw a ball to him.
Take a morning and call around to the stores you usually shop at. Find out which ones have electric chairs with a basket on them, or wheelchairs with baskets. Many of them do, especially the Wal Mart supercenters (plus the supercenters have everything all in one place so you don't have to tire yourself out going to 10 different stores). Malls usually have them, too.
Then show your thanks by shopping at the stores that provide these modified carts. (Vote with your wallet.)
It's going to be a long few months, but you don't have to let it stop you from enjoying what you normally do. Just shift your perspective and work *with* it, rather than frustrating yourself trying to work against it.
