An afternoon at the zoo

[mdlbear]

Following chaoswolf's suggestion of a couple of days ago, we went to the zoo this morning. Got there a little before noon, and got home about 3:30.

By the time we got there, the main lot was full to the brim, but the handicapped spots around the corner on Sloat were still available. Long walk, though. I hadn't wanted to drop off Colleen and the girls because I didn't know at the time whether there would be parking at all. Next time, I think, we'll leave after lunch and plan on arriving around 2:00 -- there were plenty of places in the main lot by then, and it'll be cheaper if we don't have to buy lunch.

I grumped about the lack of adequate handicapped parking in Member Services, and they gave me a parking ticket so I could drive around and pick up Colleen on the way home. We rented a wheelchair, having discovered on the trip home from FKO what a difference it makes.

Colleen kept apologizing for the extra work she was putting me through, but I was enjoying myself thoroughly. Not only was I able to stay with her the whole time without any extra effort (it's a real strain to slow myself down to her walking pace, and frustrating for both of us), I got a pretty darned good workout to boot.

The zoo was full of "respect the animals" and "please be quiet" signs, and the large cat and bear enclosures all had new glass fences. For obvious reasons. The new fences replace what used to be a pair of railings with a strip of plants in between; they'll be lower maintenance and let you get right up to the edge of the moat and look down. Cool! There's also a little bench built into the concrete footing; probably intended for kids to stand on, but a tired grown-up can sit there, and I saw several doing just that.

I miss the elephants and the pigmy hippo. *sigh* The baby giraffe was cute, though. And it was the first time in the more than three decades I've been going that I saw a warthog standing up where I could see it clearly. I hadn't realized how shaggy they are. And the two grizzly bears sleepily snuggled up next to the window were cute as heck, too.

We'll probably get the flower_cat a wheelchair -- it'll come in handy. It cost us $10 to rent; that will add up, and of course there are plenty of places where you simply can't rent one. The San Jose Municipal Rose Garden, for example, and the Los Gatos Creek bike trail.

Comments

[harmonyheifer.livejournal.com]

You should look into getting a used wheelchair. You don't need a new one because Colleen is only going to be in it for trips out. It is great that you are taking such a positive outlook about getting such a good workout pushing her.

It may take her a while to adjust to being "helpless" and dependent upon you for movement when she is in the chair. It's a very difficult transition to make and one that can leave the person who has to be in the chair feeling totally at the mercy of the driver and defensive about the change in status. It is an awful feeling to be that disabled and dependent even on someone as trusted as a beloved spouse. You and Patrick should compare notes at Baycon.

Try to make it clear to Colleen that pushing her in the chair is a win-win situation so she doesn't feel as guilty about it. Speaking as someone who has been there, it is not just hard for the partner to find a happy medium on stuff like this, but difficult for the disabled person as well. Reassurance that the "new" way is better all around and not a burden for you will probably be a very good thing for all concerned. Getting out and doing things with family is so much more vital when you feel like the world is getting smaller.

Being together, sitting, standing, pushing or being pushed is really all that counts. You are both coping better than you think. I know what a drain it can be, just dealing with the logistics. Give yourself a pat on the back for thinking it through and making it work.

[mdlbear]

Thanks, and thanks for the advice. Patrick and I will definitely have to sit down and talk. (Goodness, that's coming up fast!) We're going to see what fraction of a wheelchair Kaiser will pay for, but used is definitely another option.

We also need ramps going up to the front porch and into the house. Past time, since we have several friends who would also find them useful.

Fortunately she's still at the stage where a wheelchair is more a comfort than a necessity. Once she gets past that point, we'll look into electric scooters and motorized chairs to give her some measure of independence.