Colleen: Wheelin'

[mdlbear]

Colleen managed 2.5 car transfers today! The half was into the van; she'd originally thought it was the right height, but it turned out to be too high, and she didn't have enough leverage in the right places to sit herself upright in the seat. She got slightly frantic, but got out OK, and I went back home to fetch the Honda.

Then she did two transfers, once with the PT assisting, and once with me. Between the walker, the wheelchair, and the car, there's plenty for me to brace against, and no back strain to speak of. Note that "assisting" means mostly holding onto the waistband of her pants to apply balancing force if needed; I also had to slip a hand under her armpit and around her back at one point. Hear me complain.

This does mean that we'll need both the walker and the wheelchair when we travel, until she's considerably stronger. But we can deal with that. And it may be months before she can drive again; we can deal with that, too.

(12:45) Oh, and before this she was already tired from having done 5 bed-to-commode-and-back transfers. Colleen may move like a frail old lady, but don't underestimate what she can do with guts and determination.

Comments

[rowanf.livejournal.com]

Yay! Props to Colleen!

[judifilksign.livejournal.com]

Hooray for Colleen! YAY!

[jcbemis.livejournal.com]

/me cheers for both of you

[little-cinnamon.livejournal.com]

It is a foolish person who underestimates what Colleen can do. :) Yay! Go Colleen! And hugs to all.

[obsessivewoman.livejournal.com]

Yep. The power of determination is so very important in these trials. Bearing up under pain, frustration, and embarrassment requires one hell of lot of guts.

(Typed as I put aside my cane for walking practice.)

Yay, Colleen!

[robin-june.livejournal.com]

Which Honda model?

I found out at a Jeep event that the Nissan XTerra of ~2002 was too high for my hips to climb in and out of. My Jeep Cherokee and the Element were good, since they have their front seats no higher than my leg length.

(Ground clearance is a necessity for us, due to our steep gravel driveway that eats sedans through the belly.)

And I'm glad to hear of Colleen's progress.

[mdlbear]

Civic.

The van (a Ford Freestar) is actually at a height she prefers, but the seat is too far back from the door. I'll have to remember about the Element; that's one we have our eyes on for the future.

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

Huzzah for determination and spirit! Huzzah for Colleen!