wow that sounds like how i will have to do it... do you have left wrist
extensors though? that is also another i am working on...
This kind of awkward in a way. I have
tried it in a twin bed, a hospital bed, a regular size bed, and a queen-size
bed. I have only been able to accomplish the feat in a regular size
bed and a queen-size bed. A twin size bed and a hospital bed don't
allow me enough room to maneuver.
When I am in the bed, and I am lying on my
right side and my chair is behind me, I extend my right arm as straight as I
can get it with the use of my left arm since I have no triceps in my right
arm, to help lift my upper torso while using my left arm to hook under my
left leg for support and balance. While pulling up on my leg, I slowly
inch my way up with my right arm until I am sitting upright in the
bed. I then uncross my legs and and and slow methodical increments I
push down on the mattress and slowly slide my rear end toward the
chair. For every 4 in. that I move my rear end I then lean forward to
advance my legs to the left of my torso toward the chair also. If you
are on an air mattress or a waterbed, forget it. My arms are very
short but I try to exercise my shoulders as much as possible with wrist
weights and doing push-ups in bed while lying prone. I have learned to
turn myself from lying on my right side to flipping over to lie on my left
side or to flip totally over and lie prone. I sometimes lie on my back
but without my bed ladder I am just like a turtle on his back.
Once I scoot over close enough to the chair
after removing the sliding board from the chair, I lean to the right and
slide the board under my left hip. And then push down on the mattress
and continue sliding into the chair. Contrary to what they try to
teach me in rehabilitation, I leave the footrest in position on the
chair. I slide most of my butt into the chair first and then I pull my
legs one at a time onto the footrest. I then strap my safety belt on
and roll my chair over to my oblong trash can where I keep my armrest
upright in order to not have to pick it up off the floor. Just make
sure you leave your armrest somewhere where it is easy for you to get.
I make sure that I leave the board on the bed where I can reach it in order
for me to reverse the process to get back into bed. I do this
unassisted and am confident enough to perform this one I am alone at
home.
The first time that I attempted this with
assistance on standby it took me approximately 45 minutes from beginning to
end to get into the chair. But I was so happy and it was worth every
minute of it. If I am lying on my right side it takes me approximately
10 to 15 minutes to get into the chair if I am lying on my right side were
my triceps are better, it takes me approximately five to 10 minutes to get
into the chair. Leaving the chair and getting into bed takes sometime
less than five minutes. After I get into bed, and make sure I place
the board in the chair in the right position in case I need to get back up
again. It is very hard to explain however. I will try to get my
daughter to record me on a short video clip that I can send to you. It
doesn't take as much muscle as it sounds however it does take persistence
and stamina.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, April 02, 2006 11:10
AM
Subject: Re: Transfers
can you describe the way you do it?? your situation sounds like
mine...
I am c5-c6 complete post 12 years this
May, 50 years old, no triceps on right side , very little on left
side and have been transferring both in and out for 5 years w/sliding
board.
T Houston, Chicago
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, April 01, 2006
12:12 PM
Subject: FW: Re: [QUAD-L]
Transfers
I am c5 with no triceps. I cannot transfer alone.
Can anyone here c5 or
higher transfer?
>From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [email protected]
>Subject:
Re: [QUAD-L] Transfers
>Date: Sat, 1 Apr 2006 09:44:05
EST
>
>
>In a message dated 3/31/2006 11:15:42 PM
Central Standard Time,
>[EMAIL PROTECTED]
writes:
>
>How many of you can transfer alone? if so what
level are you?
>thanks
>
>
>
>That could
provide you with some suprising answers Amy. The level of
>injury
>doesn't always rule out being able to
transfer. I've seen C-4s tranfers
>with no
assistance or problems.
>I've also seen C7 who could not or
would not attempt a transfer without
>some
>kind of
assistance. Enjoy the
responses.
>W
