I admit I could be a carbohydrate addict. I could quite happily live on fresh breads, home-made pasta, buttered potatoes and sticky rice but especially soft bagels, warm cakes and chewy cookies. I have been weaned off excessive carb consumption by nutritional education and my tight jeans!
“There’s no place like home” repeats Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, tapping her little sparkly red shoes . Here I am in Oz and I’m so aware that home is where I want to be. When it’s raining on a cold Sunday afternoon home is where the hearth is warm and the kettle boils ready for tea. When your feet ache from shopping all day home beckons with the opportunity to rest up on a long sofa. After a wonderful evening with friends my bed invites me to languish cozily under the covers but it’s important to get out.
We are all homing pigeons, each of us stack up memories that revolve around our homes and families. We can be ourselves in the privacy of our own homes. Our kitchens reflect our tastes, our decor reflects our personalities and our lifestyle is reflected in all our interior choices. Homes are unique, intimate and wholly our own space. We can hide from the world, we can rejuvenate, we can rest and recuperate, we can prepare ourselves and gird ourselves for our next challenge.
The Strength 2 Strength program for carers is specifically designed for family members of people with spinal cord injury:
Recently I was rear ended in my car! I was minding my own business, slowing behind a vehicle that was indicating to turn right when that screech of braking wheels makes your shoulders rise in anticipation of the thump, a glance in the rear view mirror confirmed a Masda was in my truck.
I had time to read this week about how to cope in a crisis. One helpful book quoted insight-fully that focusing on the traumatic cause of disabling injury can prolong mental suffering. Focusing on what I can do to improve the situation keeps me moving forward towards an adapted future. Preoccupation with the genesis of a disability can be at the cost of my own post trauma reformation, growth and development. It is better to concentrate on the healing process, recovery, rehabilitation and facilitate new aspirations and goals. Continue reading
Today is the anniversary of my 1st blog. I thought it fitting to reflect on the year; Emily’s progress, the subtle changes that experience has delivered to Emily and me, the evolution of our separate short and long-term goals. Continue reading
I was up at dawn and cycling energetically with my chum; up hills, down slopes and around bends. My Strava (iphone app that plots course and speed) was on and we were loving the fresh bright morning. We arrived, puce and sweaty, at our local cafe for our regular coffee fix where we were greeted by a blackboard notice telling us “Never give up!”
Spinal cord injury (SCI) isn’t a game but in an analogy it would be the snakes and ladders board game played in my childhood. Considering SCI there can be more snakes to slip and slide down than helpful ladders when manoeuvring towards a goal. The best ladder for us has been establishing some mentors. Our mentors are experienced carers and wheelchair users, they shed light on some complexities and the shortcuts that help life roll a little more smoothly. Mentoring is another word for friendship with a practical aspect to conversations, someone to bounce an idea off, someone to ask, someone to confide in or share in a joke.
Relaxation can be the last thing we think about during our busy day but crucially important for us all. Without a moment to remember ourselves within the daily routine we can loose perspective. Relaxation readjusts my psyche so that I am calmer and surprisingly more energised.
