Scooter Saga

I've said before that the inherited ataxias do progress neurologically*.  I know that, I've seen that, and I realize progression is both inevitable and unpredictable. I need to be ready to make appropriate accommodations.    But a dramatic transition (there have been many) is always harder to take in stride.  Earl's and my goal is to hit the 'just in time' point in acquiring new devices–neither too early, nor too late.  It's a continual struggle between my 'one day at time' ethos, self-esteem, fear, caution, and anticipation.  I'm still working on the balance. Transitioning from trekking poles to a walker had its down and upsides.  A walker removed all doubt that I had a disability** and strangers no longer had to wonder if I was drunk or high.  I felt more stable, less frightened, and it didn't impact my ability to venture out.  But, a walker for gawd's sake!  It made me feel so vulnerable—and noticeable.  I thought I h...

The warning signs were there.  It's not that I wasn't paying attention when Skeeter stalled unexpectedly *.  I was just so used to anticipating battery power failure, I neglected to check out the drive train life expectancy.  Turned out the drive train was guaranteed for one year.  We bought Skeeter in June of 2010—smart girl, Tam. Stalled on Kenolio Road in Maui Skeeter even stalled in Maui on a reasonable charge, good terrain, and only a slight incline.  It was kind of like having a big dog that has gone too far and refuses to move–pleading and swearing doesn't help.  Fortunately, a brief push from Earl did help and got us going again.  It was reassuring not to need a car pick up, but my adventurous confidence was declining.  The final straw came when Skeeter died on my usual 'downtown LO to home' route.  Granted, it was up hill and the streets were rough, but I was still on the street.  I know, I know...  The good news...

Earl and I decided to make the first post-retirement travel adventure a three to four week road trip through the national western parks.  This year seemed like a good time. Seeing the parks is something we've always wanted to do.  Work schedules don't dictate the start and end dates of trips any longer and we've gained some information about how well Skeeter and I travel.  We've been flying to Maui and driving to various family vacation destinations–running the gamut from minimal luggage to everything but the kitchen sink.  We know Skeeter's battery lasts only so long, as well as what terrain she can and can't handle.  We've been able to handle most scooting disasters that have occurred.  My bladder is good for three hours or 200 miles ( whichever comes first) .  At this point, I'm semi-ambulatory (with a walker) .  We were probably as prepared as we'd ever be. Thank you, Google Maps Google maps helped us plan the trip route and mileage b...

As I said in an earlier blog, Earl and I can be soldiers but, truth be told, we prefer to be generals—not very compatible with a smooth transition to retirement*.  Leaving the hospital means that he's going from an environment where he was used to being in charge (operating room) , to home where I'm used to being in charge.  Fortunately, he's accustomed to a nurse managing his schedule, but in a hospital setting, a surgeon is at the top of the food chain.  Earl and I are anticipating changes in our routine come April, but there's more to it than that.  No location or function needs two CEOs, so we found ourselves in search of a less redundant, non–violent solution.  We also needed to own up to our inherent 'do it my way' natures.  Earl and I are happy the house is mostly shared space–we prefer it that way. A home is a joint responsibility, and ours always has been.  One of the more distressing aspects of being disabled, is how traditional ...

As a person with disabilities, I am grateful for Skeeter.  Having a mobility scooter has allowed me get outside and stay aware of the changes in my neighborhood*. Not only is staying indoors boring, it makes me feel like a stranger in my environment, and my world seem smaller.  I knew there had been increased construction/remodeling activity in the 'hood'.  But, being able to scoot around helped me stay in the game of being a responsible resident. Tear it down, build new Historically, Lake Oswego began as a weekend retreat community with attractive, but small cottages housing the populace.  The structures became 'tear downs' as the land value increased and were replaced by larger homes.  New streets and building sites appeared, seemingly out of nowhere.  I had no idea there was any 'there, there'. Typical of an affluent suburb with good schools, Lake Oswego is a desirable place to live and raise a family—providing any kind of diversity isn't o...

The doc and the doll "Are you still working?"  Earl hears that from colleagues on a regular basis.  His answer is "Yes, three days a week.  Starting February 1, 2015,  I'll move to two days a week." April 1, 2015, he's officially retiring—sort of.  He may occasionally assist on cases, but he's done being the primary surgeon in the operating room.  April 1 is a bit later than his original date of June 2014, but no one believed that anyway*.  A year ago, retirement seemed premature. But it sounds more and more appealing to him as time goes by. One of his co–workers, who loves Halloween, created an 'Earl' doll for the occasion.  It was complete with surgical hat, prominent forehead, vascular loops, lab coat, big heart, and big nose on a lean frame.  That's my guy. I'm a bit apprehensive, but mostly admiring of Earl's gradual transition toward retirement*.   Ending a rewarding career must seem scary initially, but he has ...

We were invited to our grandson's first theater performance*.  He had auditioned for a part (Kyle was a gremlin in the chorus) , been rehearsing all week, and was now excited to show off his thespian talents to family.  Being cast in a chorus has the advantage of having no lines to learn, fret about, and then forget on stage.  He had minimal peformance anxiety and was just required to be animated—a personal strength.   Objectively speaking, Kyle was the best gremlin. Kyle's Gremlin gang A traveling drama team comes into town with a pre-written play, the set, two adults, and lots of fundraising 'opportunities'.  In one week, they audition and cast the play, loan the costumes to the cast, rehearse, put on their performance, reclaim the costumes from the cast, and move onto the next venue.  It funds a regional program that promotes participation in the arts and is quite time efficient. The children learn commitment, discipline, and some drama a...