Reason for posting

After I posted the previous blog concerning doors I failed to mention one of the key issues.  I seem to do this sometimes.  I failed to put in that most people I run into hold the door open for me which is fantastic and very thoughtful.  A problem I run into is three fold.  Problem number one is to open the door, secondly is to enter and the last part is letting go of the door.  Though many may not realize the last step living with my disability I do recognize that step.  It is a real hardship to enter into a building after letting go of the door.

To do this I have to pre-plan and coordinate letting go of the door, taking a step and placing my cane.  One of the factors I have to consider now that use to be meaningless is the door itself.  Though many may not realize it how far the door opens, how heavy it is to open and how fast the door closes are all critical issues to consider.  Many times the door opens only about 75 degrees and not 90 meaning it will close a bit faster than normal.  Also if the door is heavier and closes quickly means I,or someone like me, must move quickly to get out of the way of a closing door.  This  may not sound like a big deal, however if there is foot traffic it can impede my trying to enter.  If something or someone gets in my path and I have to stop the door may hit me, which has happened, causing me some problems.  The message here is realize that if someone has a mobility problem realize for a minute that they may need a bit of help entering the facility or exiting.  Bottom line holding the door for the person to completely enter or exit is what is really helpful.  Thank you ahead of time.

First of many new enemies - Doors

The other day as I was approaching the buildings doors a young man stopped and waited for me holding the door open.  As I said in the title and an earlier blog, I never knew these things existed before.  One of the children said I had to learn a new way of life.  Doors use to be a nice safe haven for me.  I saw them as a way to get out from the cold, snow or rain.  Get into the warmth from a cold winter day or the cool air conditioning on a hot day.

Today doors have an entirely different meaning to me and I am sure many others with movement disabilities. Today when I am approaching a door I have to do numerous things, thoughts and assessments.  When approaching the door the first thing I look at is to see how does the door open.  Does it push or pull to open.  Do I need to push on a separate bar and work a handle?  It may seem easy however when you have a cane that leaves only one free hand so if the door requires more than one hand I have an issue.  So, holding the door for someone may be a bigger help than you realize.

Now for some thoughts you may not think about.  Most doors have some kind of closer unit attached to them which for most means nothing more than the door will close once you are in.  If you are a lucky one then you are able to do in one continuous fluid motion entering the building.  Unfortunately there are stages for me today that requires some planning.  I never thought I would have to think and  plan on opening a door.  Example would be when opening a door I try to assess how heavy, hard the door will be to open, along with how far does the door open.

Once I get the door open I have to come to a complete stop holding the door open while I try to step inside the building.  Once in the building I need to keep the door open so I am sure I have cleared everything and nothing will hit me.  Then once I let go of the door I have to in a quick motion grad my cane and attempt to enter the building.  See this is where you can help someone besides just holding the door.  Give the person some free room to maneuver and enter into the flow of people traffic.  My movement is no where near as fast as yours so you have to plan on going around me.  In all my days I never thought the simple action of opening a door and entering a building would require planning and effort.  Learning a new normal... say tuned next I will talk about air ports.

Corners

As I said in the previous blog, I am not writing this to complain but to educate one and all to some of the world that exists for someone who has a disability.  My disability happens to be an almost completely paralyzed left leg.  I have come realize the vast difference in the world of those who live in a world of freedom, I use to enjoy and never realized many of the vary things I am writing about.  I too just took it for granted.

Today's blog is called corners because of something that happens all the time to me and I am sure many others.  Walking the halls of a higher educational institution the unwritten rules are you walk on the right hand side of a hallway.  When a corner comes up the normal same rule exists.  Today, as so many times, as I was hugging a corner to turn to my right I slowed.  I was at an almost complete stop before stepping into the actual corner bend.  As was my guess someone, a young lady, was coming from the other direction.  Upon seeing her I stopped abruptly and avoided a collision.  She apologized said "excuse me" and continued on her way.

So here goes the lesson for those who fall in the category of that young lady.  First of all most of us like to take the shortest route which is why she cut close to the corner.  Just like a NASCAR race she was hugging the corner.  A problem is she has the ability to stop or turn on a dime, I do not.  When my left leg is going to move I physically throw it forward and it goes and lands pretty much where it wants.  I cannot control the muscles and simply stop, an easy feat for most but impossible for me.

Fortunately we did not collide.  To her I am sure it was looked at as just a slight occurrence.  A simple mishap and nothing more.  What would be nice is if she and many others would realize that the person coming from the other direction may not be able to maneuver or stop as one expects.  Be thoughtful and considerate and walk out and away from the corner next time, please.  It may not mean a lot to her but it means a lot to me.  It makes my life much easier and safer.  Thank you.

In addition:  After thinking about my writing, it appeared to me as a complaining blog.  That is the furthest thing from what I am wanting to convey.  That being the case I will add a bit to what I have already written.  I, like others, just take walking and interacting in life for granted.  The person who has the disability most likely does not have the ability to stop and adjust quickly, I know I don't.

Change of pace and direction

It has been quite a long time since I added anything to my blog.  As to my recovery, that is coming along as always.  There is not a  lot of progress to make anymore unfortunately.  I do more work to maintain than any thing else.  I did have an opportunity to use what is called a Bio-ness unit for my left leg.  It was fantastic, the only problem is that medical will not pay for it.  It is expensive and not covered  because my injuries are from a brain tumor and not a spinal cord injury.  If it were spinal cord the unit would be covered, so we will file an appeal and see what happens.

Now on to the change of direction.  The change has to do with something I have come to realize in life now that I have a disability.  I use to always believe and would tell you that I am aware of those who are disabled and help them.  Now I realize just how little I knew and how little I helped or would help.  That leads to why I am writing this blog.  I felt led to share some of my experiences of being handicap due to my left leg and its paralysis.

I never realized just how much I was unaware of the needs are of so many.  With that I will be sharing what I experience through this blog in an effort to help some understand what they take for granted, what they fail to see.  Mostly I see it as a result of ignorance, not aware, not rudeness.  Not all will be negative or a poor me writing, I will be pointing out the positives that people do.  One example is a few days ago it was raining and I was walking from the parking lot to the faculty building.  A young student held the door for me, which may not be a fantastic thing by its self, however I was about twenty yards away.  The young student waiting patiently for me, so as I say not all is bad.

Sleeping

Last night was a pretty good night for me. Up and back to teaching after a week off, Spring Break for the students. I have my MRI this weekend. I happen to see a program about three weeks ago on what an MRI does to the body. The report indicated that having some can be detrimental to the person. I have had quite a few in the last two years, including this one will be eight, so I may be a good specimen for their study. Good or bad, without the MRI I would not be here today. I will err on the side of having one.

Fashoinalbe Cane

It use to be CVS was my cane supplier. It worked out quite well as I would purchase the blue metal model for about $5. What was nice is it was low priced and when I visited Molly she would decorate it for me. She would put some Dora stickers on it which I supplied. It was fun and allowed me special memories and thoughts of little Molly. It was not the most fashionable canes but it was special.

Maybe I was breaking down but I thought I would explore canes. I found a website called Fashionable Canes, which Dr. House uses. I ordered one made of Irish black wood, being 2/3 Irish, and it looks nice. What was also nice is I ordered a 'winter' tip. The winter tip has a special metal fold down point to grip in ice and snow. That will be a lot nicer and safer this winter. Still when I go to visit Molly I will bring my CVS cane with stickers so she can do her creation again.

Things are going quite well. I have my next MRI on the 30th. I will keep you informed.

April 10

Well the weekend was fairly restful for me. That is something I am thankful for. I used the oxygen through the nights and it reduced my headaches so that they were totally manageable. Church was enjoyable and uplifting as I had hoped. I have my next MRI scheduled for two weeks from now.