Reserved Parking

posted on Aug 12 by Linda Beck in the Guest Authors, Linda Beck category

Well, it’s almost time to park this power chair in that handicapped reserved parking space that I mentioned in one of my earlier stories.  I’m moving around with the walker better every day.  The power chair has been my legs now for about fourteen months and has become so much a part of me that there will be times when it will be hard to separate myself from it.  It’s like a dependable friend; I have been able to rely on it to get me from Point “A” to Point B.”

The power chair, the “tray” (another story), and I have bonded in a way that enabled us to accomplish many things in my little dollhouse.  I could have done no chores without these items since the 2002 multiple sclerosis exacerbation.  Accomplishing chores from a walker will require a new plan of attack and I have to be very careful not to fall.  (Several folks have already had to pick me up and I would like to thank them but I hope not to have to call them again.)   I’m sure some folks have lived many years using a walker and I must meet this newest challenge.  Everything else has been a challenge so why should this be any different.

Physical therapy has helped me challenge myself more twice each week.  When something worked better at one session than it had previously, I felt God’s amazing  grace in the answered prayers of many.  As each goal the therapist set for me was met, I  marked off another milestone that I have passed.

Parking the power chair requires me to think of a new way of transporting items with me as I walk.  The phone has to be with me just in case I fall again.  A cloth bag attached to my walker might enable me to carry the phone, some snacks, pen, paper and a light-weight book to read.

While writing this article, another part of the modern day miracle took place.  I had walked into the swimming pool at the YMCA twice but I was finally able to walk out.  It was an incredible feeling to reach that goal.  I hope we can now “retire” the battery operated lift after eight months of use.  It will certainly make the lifeguards’ jobs easier where I’m concerned.  (They have been wonderful, however, and no one should hesitate to go to the “Y” just because they can’t walk.)  As soon as I am able to make that last step out of the hot tub alone, I won’t have to ask for help there either.  I was telling my friend, Judy, that they have to take me out of the hot tub in a “basket.”  We agreed that we always thought I was a bit of a basket case.  Well, this episode with MS could have turned me into a real mental “basket case” when I was told I would never walk again but hey, folks, I knew that all things are possible with God.  Someone sent me this little quote over the email:  (“During this difficult time, isn’t it nice to remember that even Moses was a basket case?  Hang in there and keep the faith.”)

In fact even since I first wrote this article, more exciting and challenging blessings have happened.  One day in therapy I took my first baby steps without holding on to the parallel bars.

When I was five years old, Santa brought me a walking doll.  She walks in a somewhat robotic manner as you hold her by the shoulders.  I thought of my doll as I took those amazing independent steps.  My steps require concentration as my brain sends the message to my feet.

Later that day I demonstrated similar steps at my Friday night prayer group. Then on Sunday I showed several people at my church.  Yes, I am proud but I know this is another blessing from our Lord and Savior.

I was reminded that “you’ve come a long way, baby.”  And that’s not all.  I recently had hand controls put on my car.  If all goes well, by the New Year I will have my license and as the old song says, I’ll be “on the road again.”

POSTSCRIPT: This article was written in 2004. I really wish now that I had bought a handicap van then instead of hand controls. I was only able to use those for two years and had to sell the car and the hand controls. Then, once again, I did not drive for several years until I bought the handicapped accessible van in August, 2009. Once again, I am unable to walk with, or without, a walker but I am a believer with the paraplegic Christian writer, Joni Eareckson Tada, “Walking isn’t everything.”