My very best to you on your 3rd anniversary, Naomi. There are a lot of houses that lend themselves to being upgraded for use by us wheelchair folk. If you combine that with a twice daily aid visit maybe you can hook up something along those lines and free up your mom n hubby. I'm a big believer in aides as I can't picture my family members putting in a super amount of time here, cept my dad. His specialty is refrigerator raiding. He will call 911 or keep my TV warm. You may be eligible for some home health programs. That is the heart of assisted living. Best wishes, john
----- Original Message ---- From: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 2, 2008 4:10:39 PM Subject: [QUAD-L] Three-Year Mark Today, marks three years since I experienced that terrible pain in my neck and arm that made me know, that my life would be changed for ever. That was the day, that I became a quadriplegic due to Transverse Myelitis. Three years ago this day, about this time. I was being rushed to the emergency room in St. Paul, Minnesota with sudden paralysis of my arms and legs (I thought). I later found that I was paralyzed from the neck down. This whole ordeal was extremely frightening for me and my husband, because we were out of town and not sure how we were going to get back home. We were later flown back in a life flight jet, to the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor Michigan, were I spent a while in intensive care, on a ventilator. I spent three months in the University of Michigan Hospital, after which I went to a nursing facility for extended rehab. After the rehab. I went back into the hospital to have my Baclofen pump put in. I received a short period of rehab after the surgery. After one year and 23 days, I returned home, where I have been since. Being at home has been a struggle for me because I need 24 hour care, but cannot afford to pay someone to be here around the clock. My mother has been here helping me out since I've been home, but she is elderly and ill herself. I am currently checking into assisted living facilities. I think this will be the best move for us all. I really commend those of you who are able to stay home alone. If I just had use of my hands, it could be a whole different situation, but my right side is completely paralyzed, and I have limited use of my left arm and hand (pretty much useless). I have to contend with all of the issues that a quadriplegic faces. The only thing I haven't had to deal with, (Praise God!) are the pressure sores. I have not had to deal with that. Happy Birthday to all of the July babies! Naomi C4-incomplete, quadriplegic since July 2005 due to Transverse Myelitis ________________________________ Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars.
