First and Last Schools

The school year is coming to a close in many areas, but this week still had time for two more visits in very different venues.

Late Tuesday morning, I had my first college visit for the year. The class of seven Physical Therapy Assistant students were just two days away from graduation. I got to spend an hour with them and covered items related to spinal cord injuries and general tips for more complex needs.

Even with a small class, they asked good questions and seemed to be engaged in the discussion. I never know where the careers of these young people will take them, but I always hope I give some help. Two days after speaking with college students, I was in front of three classes of second graders.

My local Christian school runs a Spanish immersion program. Therefore, most grades have two sections of regular English instruction and one in Spanish. For the past few years, I have only had each section for 20 minutes. This made for concise visits, but I always felt like I was depriving the students from activities and learning. I requested 30-minute visits this year and it felt like it went much better, just more tiring on my part.

With the full-length time, kids were able to do both mouth and foot writing, briefly discuss other disabilities, and have time for questions. In the first class, one boy in the back of the room asked how they could best help someone with a disability. This eight-year-old asked something more thought provoking than the majority of college students I've had.

I answered that helping to open doors is a good start, but also just to see them like everyone else. If it's another child that has the disability, to play with and interact with them like any other kid, but be prepared to maybe do things differently.

In the last class, another boy was having trouble catching the concept of a spinal cord injury. I more carefully explained it being like a broken wire from your head to your legs. If it doesn't connect, no signal gets through. A few minutes later, he wondered why doctors just don't replace it. I guess my wire analogy was too literal, but just said that medical technology hasn't found a way to do that.

With that, my grade school visits are finished for the year. Not long after returning home, my caregiver and I lamented on it going too quickly. Yes, school visit days get busy, but they're a fun part of teaching the quad life and getting to spend time with kids. One girl asked if I had children and I gave my usual answer that I would like to, but don't. Instead, I just barrow a classroom full at a time.

The next few weeks look to be much calmer with only one note on my calendar for an appointment. Now it will be further concentration on web related work and starting to prep for a sermon in a few weeks. Maybe this fall I'll see if I can get to a few new grade schools so I don't go as long between school visits. Whatever comes, I'm thankful for God's care through it all. 

Thankful for Mom

It was another busy week in the quad life with four days of going out to serve the community.

Tuesday was another grade school visit, with this one in downtown Des Moines. It is an inner city school that I have been to for years, but it is always interesting. The students come from a mix of people groups, but learn as one. These kids also tend to be much more energetic than my other schools, but I have learned how to keep on top of enthusiasm and what to expect.

The last three days have been the annual tulip festival in town with volunteering at a gospel outreach group. A few weeks ago, I made a special request to my church congregation to join me with spreading the gospel. Unfortunately, once again, I was the only representative from a church that said they wanted to do more of reaching the lost.

On Friday, I gave a gospel tract to a woman likely in her early 20's. After asking a few questions, she replied that she just lives for the moment and doesn't think ahead. I drilled a little further, but she was soon off with her friend. This isn't an interaction I've had before and showed my inexperience in one-on-one encounters. Friday night, laying awake, I thought of better responses to be better prepared for the next time.

Saturday did not have any caregivers, but dad agreed to come with me so I could go out on the town. He only went out with me once several years ago, so I was unsure how he'd react. I was relieved to hear he learned from the instructional classes and did pretty well in helping in public. I spoke with a few people after giving out tracts and had basic conversations. One of my team members did very well in approaching others and was able to witness to a Spanish speaking family.

All these activities have been part of my annual routine for many years. On Mother's Day, I am thankful for my mother who instilled in me much of what I do today. I remember mom reading Bible stories as a young child and putting up with my questions.

Forty years ago, online support groups for parents of quadriplegics didn't exist. Even with all the challenges of medical insurance and getting needs covered, she never let me give up. Mom encouraged me to be active and not just sit around and waist the time God has given me.

Thank you mom for everything over the years. I hope to continue to be able to stay active as long as God allows and continue to serve as you taught. 

Anniversary Illness Week

It has been a week of celebration, illness, and busyness all wrapped into one. If someone says quadriplegics don't do much and just play games, they haven't seen this quad life.

Last week's congestion issues continued all week. The frequent coughing, congestion, and suctioning was getting annoying, so I went to see my GP. As I sat in his office with a nose that made noise every breathe, I reported what had been happening. The general practitioner agreed I had sinus infection, but said he normally waits two weeks to see if it clears on its own. For me though, he prescribed an antibiotic with instructions to wait one more day to fill it. Even though my caregiver and I could hear junk in my lungs, he thought they sounded great. I left wondering if the doctor needed a hearing check.

Tuesday night was spent like the previous four with much difficulty breathing and moving nearly every which way to clear my nose and lungs. Wednesday morning, I promptly called the pharmacy and gladly started the new medication. As I write this Saturday night, I have suctioned four times and am still struggling with lungs, but nose not as bad. I slept well Thursday and Friday night also, so at least have some improvement.

Also this week, my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. In year's passed, they imagined taking a special trip to mark the occasion and spend several days away. Unfortunately, the trip was only able to be two nights and three days. Many other couples have gone to Alaska, Hawaii, or other destinations, but we didn't have enough hours, or people, to cover more time. I felt bad they couldn't do more, but I'm thankful for all the years God has given my parents and hope they'll be able to do more sometime.

The end of every month is also a busy time for web work. I do regular maintenance on my client's websites and provide reports of what I did as well as visitor statistics. Over the last few months, I have, or will be, losing a few clients. However, some new ones have started as well and have pretty much stayed even. With not feeling great and regular quad life needs, it was a challenge to get all sites updated by the end of the month as well as invoices sent out and new virtual paperwork made for May. I just finished Saturday afternoon, but still need to approve my caregiver's hours from April and prepare for May.

This week, I'm scheduled to speak at a school and then have three days of volunteering at an outreach event. I am praying my lungs improve without further assistance, but I am starting to consider how I could reschedule anything. With the school year nearing the end though, I don't see it happening.

Even in all the busyness, I'm thankful I am able to be active. God has allowed me to have loving parents and caregivers that accommodate my various projects. In a few more weeks though, I do look forward to a slight slow down, at least with outings.