Re: massage therapist/Jen; Mike; list

[Guest guest]

> Are things so different in the States? Don't know if this is the

case in Canada too?

Gail -

You raise some excellent points. And in answer to your lead

question, yes, they are so different. You read my earlier post where

I gave a brief run-down on minimum hours for state licensing. As you

can see, the requirements are all over the board. And that is just

for the 36 states that do have a state license. I don't know about

all provinces in Canada, but most of them have a 3000 hour minimum.

I think the UK and most places in Europe require the equivalent of a

four year college degree program.

You also have a completely different health care system in the UK

than we have here. In effect in theory, with your National Health

Services, you have an all encompassing, cradle to grave system. We

don't. We are largely governed by private, managed care facilities,

which to a large degree are in turn controlled by insurance

companies simply by having to meet the insurance carriers

requirements to get paid.

There has been an uphill battle in this country to get conventional

practitioners to even recognize the benefits of massage and

bodywork, let alone such things as lymphatic drainage. And since

most people are financially dependent on their insurance, they have

to get their doctor to prescribe a therapy schedule to get paid

themselves.

And frankly, half the stuff I do isn't going to be recognized by

them at all. Why would they when they consistently and stubbornly

refuse to accept that there even is such a thing as energy?

As for your comments about medical records, that again depends on

the jurisdiction. Where you have state boards, you can expect that

a Health Intake Form will be required. That does not, however, mean

full access to all of the client's full medical records. In fact, I

know of few situations where the therapit would be brought in to

that degree. The norm would be for the primary care giver to say

something was ok or not ok, but not to make the therapist privy to

the rest. And the Health Intake Form is only as good as the person

filling it out.

Possible complications caused by doing energy work? Yes, there are

some, such as I have mentioned about not using certain points for

certain conditions. But I will honest with you, the risk of

inadvertantly causing harm using energy work is remote to the

extreme compared to some of the conventional things that are done

with toxic chemicals and surgically removing body parts.

I think the big difference between your system and ours is the

indication you gave that your side of the pond is far more willing

to follow an integrated approach. Ours is still far too much turf

protection.

[Guest guest]

> Are things so different in the States? Don't know if this is the

case in Canada too?

Gail -

You raise some excellent points. And in answer to your lead

question, yes, they are so different. You read my earlier post where

I gave a brief run-down on minimum hours for state licensing. As you

can see, the requirements are all over the board. And that is just

for the 36 states that do have a state license. I don't know about

all provinces in Canada, but most of them have a 3000 hour minimum.

I think the UK and most places in Europe require the equivalent of a

four year college degree program.

You also have a completely different health care system in the UK

than we have here. In effect in theory, with your National Health

Services, you have an all encompassing, cradle to grave system. We

don't. We are largely governed by private, managed care facilities,

which to a large degree are in turn controlled by insurance

companies simply by having to meet the insurance carriers

requirements to get paid.

There has been an uphill battle in this country to get conventional

practitioners to even recognize the benefits of massage and

bodywork, let alone such things as lymphatic drainage. And since

most people are financially dependent on their insurance, they have

to get their doctor to prescribe a therapy schedule to get paid

themselves.

And frankly, half the stuff I do isn't going to be recognized by

them at all. Why would they when they consistently and stubbornly

refuse to accept that there even is such a thing as energy?

As for your comments about medical records, that again depends on

the jurisdiction. Where you have state boards, you can expect that

a Health Intake Form will be required. That does not, however, mean

full access to all of the client's full medical records. In fact, I

know of few situations where the therapit would be brought in to

that degree. The norm would be for the primary care giver to say

something was ok or not ok, but not to make the therapist privy to

the rest. And the Health Intake Form is only as good as the person

filling it out.

Possible complications caused by doing energy work? Yes, there are

some, such as I have mentioned about not using certain points for

certain conditions. But I will honest with you, the risk of

inadvertantly causing harm using energy work is remote to the

extreme compared to some of the conventional things that are done

with toxic chemicals and surgically removing body parts.

I think the big difference between your system and ours is the

indication you gave that your side of the pond is far more willing

to follow an integrated approach. Ours is still far too much turf

protection.

[Guest guest]

In reading the handout from my pain dr, I found this subject adressed - pain is

not caused by emotional things - but emotional things sometimes come from

chronic pain. I had to tell many doctors a few years back that I wasn't in pain

because I was depressed, but that I was depressed because I was in pain.

I probably won't be talking about my childhood to the phsycologis. At least I'm

gonna try to avoid it at all cost. My sister, brother and close life long

friend have all been in couseling (all for the same thing), and have all

encouraged me to do it too, but I just don't want to re-live things. I'm

already disabled enough with chronic pain. I don't need to be emotionaly

disabled along with it!

I am just hoping the phsycologist can help me deal with living in chronic pain.

I don't need to deal with the past. At least I don't think I do. Heck - I'm to

the point where I'll try anything to feel better!

And, thank you for your encouragement. I feel guilty about taking naps. I feel

like I should be cleaning or something. The family never says anything, but I

can't shake that guilt. It's a mom/housewife thing, I guess. I just can't get

through the day without a nap. I've been like that forever. I'm so tired.

Maybe pain makes you more tired. I don't know.

I really don't know how I keep the house as clean as it is! It's like I do it

sleepwalking or something! LOL

I wish I could go for a walk with my dogs. But, I can't walk farther than maybe

a 1/4 mile before my hips hurts so bad, I have to go home. I wish I could go

and enjoy a trip to the mall with my girls, but it's the same thing.

I'm giving myself a year. I'm gonna spend this year looking at things in a

positive light. I'm doing everything available to help me live with this pain.

I know I'm not going to be cured, but there are ways to learn to deal with it.

And I'm gonna try them all. I'm hoping that at the end of this year, I can look

back and see an improvement. Hopefully, I will be able to stop taking

medication. Hopefully, in a year, I will be telling you all how I'm back to

playing my guitar and flute, telling you about my garden, and that I finally got

the house decorated the way I want.

But, I won't put too much pressure on myself. If I'm just telling you that I'm

able to vacuum the carpet twice a week, it'll be an improvement!!!

That is, if I can stay awake long enough to do it!!!!

Hugs

[Guest guest]

,

I too feel guilty about my naps but I still take them when I need

them. I think it could be that our bodies get SO fatigued simply

trying to hold up together that our bodies get to a point that they

simply can't keep holding us together as the fatigue gets to much so

this signals our brains to rest and this makes us sleep so that our

bodies can relax and refresh themselves and then they can get bakc to

holding us together when we are awake again.

I don't think the human body was designed forthe sort of work our

bodies have to do just to keep us together and upright etc.

As to the mall trips what about ringing the malls and see if they

have electric scooters that you can borrow and then book it and go

and shop in this , this way you can have the fun and do your shopping

and have lunch etc without injuring your hips and without the

incrrease in your pain levels but still enjoying the outing and the

companionship and social side of shopping with the girls. I have done

this, it is just an idea.

Good Luck

Sharon

> In reading the handout from my pain dr, I found this subject

adressed - pain is not caused by emotional things - but emotional

things sometimes come from chronic pain. I had to tell many doctors

a few years back that I wasn't in pain because I was depressed, but

that I was depressed because I was in pain.

>

> I probably won't be talking about my childhood to the phsycologis.

At least I'm gonna try to avoid it at all cost. My sister, brother

and close life long friend have all been in couseling (all for the

same thing), and have all encouraged me to do it too, but I just

don't want to re-live things. I'm already disabled enough with

chronic pain. I don't need to be emotionaly disabled along with it!

> I am just hoping the phsycologist can help me deal with living in

chronic pain. I don't need to deal with the past. At least I don't

think I do. Heck - I'm to the point where I'll try anything to feel

better!

>

> And, thank you for your encouragement. I feel guilty about taking

naps. I feel like I should be cleaning or something. The family

never says anything, but I can't shake that guilt. It's a

mom/housewife thing, I guess. I just can't get through the day

without a nap. I've been like that forever. I'm so tired. Maybe

pain makes you more tired. I don't know.

> I really don't know how I keep the house as clean as it is! It's

like I do it sleepwalking or something! LOL

>

> I wish I could go for a walk with my dogs. But, I can't walk

farther than maybe a 1/4 mile before my hips hurts so bad, I have to

go home. I wish I could go and enjoy a trip to the mall with my

girls, but it's the same thing.

>

> I'm giving myself a year. I'm gonna spend this year looking at

things in a positive light. I'm doing everything available to help

me live with this pain. I know I'm not going to be cured, but there

are ways to learn to deal with it. And I'm gonna try them all. I'm

hoping that at the end of this year, I can look back and see an

improvement. Hopefully, I will be able to stop taking medication.

Hopefully, in a year, I will be telling you all how I'm back to

playing my guitar and flute, telling you about my garden, and that I

finally got the house decorated the way I want.

>

> But, I won't put too much pressure on myself. If I'm just telling

you that I'm able to vacuum the carpet twice a week, it'll be an

improvement!!!

> That is, if I can stay awake long enough to do it!!!!

>

> Hugs

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

I too feel guilty about my naps but I still take them when I need

them. I think it could be that our bodies get SO fatigued simply

trying to hold up together that our bodies get to a point that they

simply can't keep holding us together as the fatigue gets to much so

this signals our brains to rest and this makes us sleep so that our

bodies can relax and refresh themselves and then they can get bakc to

holding us together when we are awake again.

I don't think the human body was designed forthe sort of work our

bodies have to do just to keep us together and upright etc.

As to the mall trips what about ringing the malls and see if they

have electric scooters that you can borrow and then book it and go

and shop in this , this way you can have the fun and do your shopping

and have lunch etc without injuring your hips and without the

incrrease in your pain levels but still enjoying the outing and the

companionship and social side of shopping with the girls. I have done

this, it is just an idea.

Good Luck

Sharon

> In reading the handout from my pain dr, I found this subject

adressed - pain is not caused by emotional things - but emotional

things sometimes come from chronic pain. I had to tell many doctors

a few years back that I wasn't in pain because I was depressed, but

that I was depressed because I was in pain.

>

> I probably won't be talking about my childhood to the phsycologis.

At least I'm gonna try to avoid it at all cost. My sister, brother

and close life long friend have all been in couseling (all for the

same thing), and have all encouraged me to do it too, but I just

don't want to re-live things. I'm already disabled enough with

chronic pain. I don't need to be emotionaly disabled along with it!

> I am just hoping the phsycologist can help me deal with living in

chronic pain. I don't need to deal with the past. At least I don't

think I do. Heck - I'm to the point where I'll try anything to feel

better!

>

> And, thank you for your encouragement. I feel guilty about taking

naps. I feel like I should be cleaning or something. The family

never says anything, but I can't shake that guilt. It's a

mom/housewife thing, I guess. I just can't get through the day

without a nap. I've been like that forever. I'm so tired. Maybe

pain makes you more tired. I don't know.

> I really don't know how I keep the house as clean as it is! It's

like I do it sleepwalking or something! LOL

>

> I wish I could go for a walk with my dogs. But, I can't walk

farther than maybe a 1/4 mile before my hips hurts so bad, I have to

go home. I wish I could go and enjoy a trip to the mall with my

girls, but it's the same thing.

>

> I'm giving myself a year. I'm gonna spend this year looking at

things in a positive light. I'm doing everything available to help

me live with this pain. I know I'm not going to be cured, but there

are ways to learn to deal with it. And I'm gonna try them all. I'm

hoping that at the end of this year, I can look back and see an

improvement. Hopefully, I will be able to stop taking medication.

Hopefully, in a year, I will be telling you all how I'm back to

playing my guitar and flute, telling you about my garden, and that I

finally got the house decorated the way I want.

>

> But, I won't put too much pressure on myself. If I'm just telling

you that I'm able to vacuum the carpet twice a week, it'll be an

improvement!!!

> That is, if I can stay awake long enough to do it!!!!

>

> Hugs

>

>

[Guest guest]

Well, even though I have told many people to " just get a wheelchair and get on

with your life " , I am not sure I'm ready to do that.

I'm a hypocrite, I guess.

I never thought about getting a scooter for myself at the mall. I have rented

one a couple times for my daughters though. Once when we wanted to go to the

local folklife festival, and 's legs had flared up, we got one for her so

we could all go. And, got one after her surgery on her arm so she could

go to her friend's funeral. It was 2 days after the surgery, and she was on a

lot of pain meds. It was suppose to be an outpatient surgery, but the ended up

having to keep her overnight cause they couldn't control her pain.

Anyway, I didn't feel bad about doing it then, so I don't know why I should

worry about doing it for myself.

I'll have to think about it. Now that someone is suggesting it for me, I can

more understand how others feel when they are facing it. Although, I think most

people on this board are worse off than I am.

It would be better than just avoiding doing things.

Hugs,

Mon

[Guest guest]

Well, even though I have told many people to " just get a wheelchair and get on

with your life " , I am not sure I'm ready to do that.

I'm a hypocrite, I guess.

I never thought about getting a scooter for myself at the mall. I have rented

one a couple times for my daughters though. Once when we wanted to go to the

local folklife festival, and 's legs had flared up, we got one for her so

we could all go. And, got one after her surgery on her arm so she could

go to her friend's funeral. It was 2 days after the surgery, and she was on a

lot of pain meds. It was suppose to be an outpatient surgery, but the ended up

having to keep her overnight cause they couldn't control her pain.

Anyway, I didn't feel bad about doing it then, so I don't know why I should

worry about doing it for myself.

I'll have to think about it. Now that someone is suggesting it for me, I can

more understand how others feel when they are facing it. Although, I think most

people on this board are worse off than I am.

It would be better than just avoiding doing things.

Hugs,

Mon

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/9/04 11:48:15 PM Eastern Standard Time,

monica-jb@... writes:

<< I wish I could go for a walk with my dogs. But, I can't walk farther than

maybe a 1/4 mile before my hips hurts so bad, I have to go home. I wish I

could go and enjoy a trip to the mall with my girls, but it's the same thing.

>>

I too wished for these things, and finally realized something......I could

stop living, or I could get a wheelchair. I have a wheelchair for long

distances.....that would be the mall, LOL!!!! As much as I hate it, merely

because I

am so vane.........it is allowing me to things, I couldn't have. Just like

anything else, it will take some getting used to. Just a thought. It might be

possible for you to do otherwise as our situations are different. Take care.

Hugs,

Sue

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/9/04 11:48:15 PM Eastern Standard Time,

monica-jb@... writes:

<< I wish I could go for a walk with my dogs. But, I can't walk farther than

maybe a 1/4 mile before my hips hurts so bad, I have to go home. I wish I

could go and enjoy a trip to the mall with my girls, but it's the same thing.

>>

I too wished for these things, and finally realized something......I could

stop living, or I could get a wheelchair. I have a wheelchair for long

distances.....that would be the mall, LOL!!!! As much as I hate it, merely

because I

am so vane.........it is allowing me to things, I couldn't have. Just like

anything else, it will take some getting used to. Just a thought. It might be

possible for you to do otherwise as our situations are different. Take care.

Hugs,

Sue

[Guest guest]

> I feel guilty about taking naps. I feel like I should be cleaning or

something.

> The family never says anything, but I can't shake that guilt. It's a

> mom/housewife thing, I guess. I just can't get through the day without a

nap.

It's a woman thing, I think. I have had many discussions about this over

the years with another EDS friend of mine. We have to learn that we must

put ourselves and our needs first before we can truly be capable to give our

best to our families. You see the message everywhere that a woman will

always keep going no matter what she is suffering herself. A cough syrup

commercial that tells you that mom takes care of everyone, so she needs a

strong medicine for when she gets sick so she can keep going. The whole

family rests in bed when they're sick, but mom keeps charging on as if her

illness can't come before her duties of making lunch for the kids and

breakfast for everyone.

Women's liberation has done a lot for empowering women to be able to do

things that were once " men only " fields. Unfortunately, with that came the

added responsibilities without added support. Women today do more than

ever, but few have the support they need at home. It's changing gradually,

but we still here the message in the media and from older generations that a

woman can do what she wants as long as she manages her home as well.

As an example, my own grandmother said to me that I should iron my husbands

jeans and have his dinner on the table when he gets home. At the time, I

was working full-time AND finishing my bachelor's degree while he was just

working full-time.

Now, when you add something like illness or disability into the mix, it

makes it even more complicated. How are we to live up to the demands of

life as a modern woman while trying to overcome EDS? It isn't easy and at

some point we ALL need help. Whether the help is hiring someone to do the

cleaning, or just letting the family take care of themselves for awhile, we

all have to take time and put our own needs first.

> I wish I could go for a walk with my dogs. But, I can't walk farther than

maybe a 1/4

> mile before my hips hurts so bad, I have to go home. I wish I could go

and enjoy a trip to > the mall with my girls, but it's the same thing.

You can rent a wheelchair at the mall or get a scooter at the store. It

will help you get around without pain.

> But, I won't put too much pressure on myself. If I'm just telling you

that I'm able to

> vacuum the carpet twice a week, it'll be an improvement!!!

Vacuuming was always a task that hurt my lower back. After breaking my old

vacuum (and then mom's vacuum) I bought the new Dyson vacuum. Not only does

that thing work so much better than my old one, it is actually easier on my

body to use! I can also recommend a good maid. I hired one when I went

back to a 5-day work week. It was an amazing help for me to let someone

else do the tasks that were painful to me.

-Barb

[Guest guest]

> I feel guilty about taking naps. I feel like I should be cleaning or

something.

> The family never says anything, but I can't shake that guilt. It's a

> mom/housewife thing, I guess. I just can't get through the day without a

nap.

It's a woman thing, I think. I have had many discussions about this over

the years with another EDS friend of mine. We have to learn that we must

put ourselves and our needs first before we can truly be capable to give our

best to our families. You see the message everywhere that a woman will

always keep going no matter what she is suffering herself. A cough syrup

commercial that tells you that mom takes care of everyone, so she needs a

strong medicine for when she gets sick so she can keep going. The whole

family rests in bed when they're sick, but mom keeps charging on as if her

illness can't come before her duties of making lunch for the kids and

breakfast for everyone.

Women's liberation has done a lot for empowering women to be able to do

things that were once " men only " fields. Unfortunately, with that came the

added responsibilities without added support. Women today do more than

ever, but few have the support they need at home. It's changing gradually,

but we still here the message in the media and from older generations that a

woman can do what she wants as long as she manages her home as well.

As an example, my own grandmother said to me that I should iron my husbands

jeans and have his dinner on the table when he gets home. At the time, I

was working full-time AND finishing my bachelor's degree while he was just

working full-time.

Now, when you add something like illness or disability into the mix, it

makes it even more complicated. How are we to live up to the demands of

life as a modern woman while trying to overcome EDS? It isn't easy and at

some point we ALL need help. Whether the help is hiring someone to do the

cleaning, or just letting the family take care of themselves for awhile, we

all have to take time and put our own needs first.

> I wish I could go for a walk with my dogs. But, I can't walk farther than

maybe a 1/4

> mile before my hips hurts so bad, I have to go home. I wish I could go

and enjoy a trip to > the mall with my girls, but it's the same thing.

You can rent a wheelchair at the mall or get a scooter at the store. It

will help you get around without pain.

> But, I won't put too much pressure on myself. If I'm just telling you

that I'm able to

> vacuum the carpet twice a week, it'll be an improvement!!!

Vacuuming was always a task that hurt my lower back. After breaking my old

vacuum (and then mom's vacuum) I bought the new Dyson vacuum. Not only does

that thing work so much better than my old one, it is actually easier on my

body to use! I can also recommend a good maid. I hired one when I went

back to a 5-day work week. It was an amazing help for me to let someone

else do the tasks that were painful to me.

-Barb

[Guest guest]

> I feel guilty about taking naps. I feel like I should be cleaning or

something.

> The family never says anything, but I can't shake that guilt. It's a

> mom/housewife thing, I guess. I just can't get through the day without a

nap.

It's a woman thing, I think. I have had many discussions about this over

the years with another EDS friend of mine. We have to learn that we must

put ourselves and our needs first before we can truly be capable to give our

best to our families. You see the message everywhere that a woman will

always keep going no matter what she is suffering herself. A cough syrup

commercial that tells you that mom takes care of everyone, so she needs a

strong medicine for when she gets sick so she can keep going. The whole

family rests in bed when they're sick, but mom keeps charging on as if her

illness can't come before her duties of making lunch for the kids and

breakfast for everyone.

Women's liberation has done a lot for empowering women to be able to do

things that were once " men only " fields. Unfortunately, with that came the

added responsibilities without added support. Women today do more than

ever, but few have the support they need at home. It's changing gradually,

but we still here the message in the media and from older generations that a

woman can do what she wants as long as she manages her home as well.

As an example, my own grandmother said to me that I should iron my husbands

jeans and have his dinner on the table when he gets home. At the time, I

was working full-time AND finishing my bachelor's degree while he was just

working full-time.

Now, when you add something like illness or disability into the mix, it

makes it even more complicated. How are we to live up to the demands of

life as a modern woman while trying to overcome EDS? It isn't easy and at

some point we ALL need help. Whether the help is hiring someone to do the

cleaning, or just letting the family take care of themselves for awhile, we

all have to take time and put our own needs first.

> I wish I could go for a walk with my dogs. But, I can't walk farther than

maybe a 1/4

> mile before my hips hurts so bad, I have to go home. I wish I could go

and enjoy a trip to > the mall with my girls, but it's the same thing.

You can rent a wheelchair at the mall or get a scooter at the store. It

will help you get around without pain.

> But, I won't put too much pressure on myself. If I'm just telling you

that I'm able to

> vacuum the carpet twice a week, it'll be an improvement!!!

Vacuuming was always a task that hurt my lower back. After breaking my old

vacuum (and then mom's vacuum) I bought the new Dyson vacuum. Not only does

that thing work so much better than my old one, it is actually easier on my

body to use! I can also recommend a good maid. I hired one when I went

back to a 5-day work week. It was an amazing help for me to let someone

else do the tasks that were painful to me.

-Barb

[Guest guest]

> Well, even though I have told many people to " just get a wheelchair and

get on with your > life " , I am not sure I'm ready to do that.

> I'm a hypocrite, I guess.

Not at all. It's a tough thing to accept when you view it as a life-long

adaptation. Since you live in the area, I would be willing to let you

borrow mine for awhile to see if it helps you. I found it helpful when

doing things I would otherwise have declined to do - like the mall or

folklife or other activities that involve a lot of walking. I've not needed

it in several years (thanks, in part to dad).

I am going to share with you a poem, written by my mother about wheelchairs

and EDS.

My New Set of Wheels

By Darlene Uggen

There you stand, and I see you stare,

Thinking, poor dear, she's stuck in that chair.

But I'm not sad, I'm very happy because

I haven't forgotten the way it was.

You'd say, How about a trip to the zoo,

A walk in the park will be good for you.

I was thinking tomorrow, I'll be a wreck,

from my aching feet to the pain in my neck.

You'd want to go shopping all over town.

I was thinking but, there's no place to sit down.

For you it's a snap just to go to the store,

But for me the ordeal was more of a chore.

Now I can go where ever I please

I can shop in the mall with new found ease,

Do all those things that have to be done,

and even go out and have some fun.

So, do you want to know how it really feels

to be sitting here between these wheels?

Can you remember back that far

When you got your very first car?

Well, that's how these wheels feel to me.

They don't hold me down, they set me free.

So, don't think all those pitiful things:

These aren't wheels, I think they're wings.

[Guest guest]

> Well, even though I have told many people to " just get a wheelchair and

get on with your > life " , I am not sure I'm ready to do that.

> I'm a hypocrite, I guess.

Not at all. It's a tough thing to accept when you view it as a life-long

adaptation. Since you live in the area, I would be willing to let you

borrow mine for awhile to see if it helps you. I found it helpful when

doing things I would otherwise have declined to do - like the mall or

folklife or other activities that involve a lot of walking. I've not needed

it in several years (thanks, in part to dad).

I am going to share with you a poem, written by my mother about wheelchairs

and EDS.

My New Set of Wheels

By Darlene Uggen

There you stand, and I see you stare,

Thinking, poor dear, she's stuck in that chair.

But I'm not sad, I'm very happy because

I haven't forgotten the way it was.

You'd say, How about a trip to the zoo,

A walk in the park will be good for you.

I was thinking tomorrow, I'll be a wreck,

from my aching feet to the pain in my neck.

You'd want to go shopping all over town.

I was thinking but, there's no place to sit down.

For you it's a snap just to go to the store,

But for me the ordeal was more of a chore.

Now I can go where ever I please

I can shop in the mall with new found ease,

Do all those things that have to be done,

and even go out and have some fun.

So, do you want to know how it really feels

to be sitting here between these wheels?

Can you remember back that far

When you got your very first car?

Well, that's how these wheels feel to me.

They don't hold me down, they set me free.

So, don't think all those pitiful things:

These aren't wheels, I think they're wings.

[Guest guest]

> Well, even though I have told many people to " just get a wheelchair and

get on with your > life " , I am not sure I'm ready to do that.

> I'm a hypocrite, I guess.

Not at all. It's a tough thing to accept when you view it as a life-long

adaptation. Since you live in the area, I would be willing to let you

borrow mine for awhile to see if it helps you. I found it helpful when

doing things I would otherwise have declined to do - like the mall or

folklife or other activities that involve a lot of walking. I've not needed

it in several years (thanks, in part to dad).

I am going to share with you a poem, written by my mother about wheelchairs

and EDS.

My New Set of Wheels

By Darlene Uggen

There you stand, and I see you stare,

Thinking, poor dear, she's stuck in that chair.

But I'm not sad, I'm very happy because

I haven't forgotten the way it was.

You'd say, How about a trip to the zoo,

A walk in the park will be good for you.

I was thinking tomorrow, I'll be a wreck,

from my aching feet to the pain in my neck.

You'd want to go shopping all over town.

I was thinking but, there's no place to sit down.

For you it's a snap just to go to the store,

But for me the ordeal was more of a chore.

Now I can go where ever I please

I can shop in the mall with new found ease,

Do all those things that have to be done,

and even go out and have some fun.

So, do you want to know how it really feels

to be sitting here between these wheels?

Can you remember back that far

When you got your very first car?

Well, that's how these wheels feel to me.

They don't hold me down, they set me free.

So, don't think all those pitiful things:

These aren't wheels, I think they're wings.

[Guest guest]

How lovely!

Boy Barb, you certainly have some talented parents!

If I have something to do that requires a lot of walking or standing coming up,

I may take you up on your offer. I guess it's worth a try. Can't hurt, right?

I worry that people will see me get out of my car, get the wheelcahir out, then

get in it. Like, what the heck? Is she trying to get special privledges? I

hate the wasy most people view others. Like when someone gets in a handicapped

parking space, and they walk away from their car. Most people think that they

are ok. When as we all know too well, that is not always the case.

We are all sick again here. has what I think is a sinus infection.

too, and he's spitting up blood.

I have one too. Just started my antibiotics this morning. Terrible headache!

At least and Tom feel ok.

So Tom gets to take and to the dr - finally. I'm never going back

to that urgent care, if I can help it.

Thanks again! That is so nice of you.

I'll let you know............

Mon

[Guest guest]

How lovely!

Boy Barb, you certainly have some talented parents!

If I have something to do that requires a lot of walking or standing coming up,

I may take you up on your offer. I guess it's worth a try. Can't hurt, right?

I worry that people will see me get out of my car, get the wheelcahir out, then

get in it. Like, what the heck? Is she trying to get special privledges? I

hate the wasy most people view others. Like when someone gets in a handicapped

parking space, and they walk away from their car. Most people think that they

are ok. When as we all know too well, that is not always the case.

We are all sick again here. has what I think is a sinus infection.

too, and he's spitting up blood.

I have one too. Just started my antibiotics this morning. Terrible headache!

At least and Tom feel ok.

So Tom gets to take and to the dr - finally. I'm never going back

to that urgent care, if I can help it.

Thanks again! That is so nice of you.

I'll let you know............

Mon

[Guest guest]

How lovely!

Boy Barb, you certainly have some talented parents!

If I have something to do that requires a lot of walking or standing coming up,

I may take you up on your offer. I guess it's worth a try. Can't hurt, right?

I worry that people will see me get out of my car, get the wheelcahir out, then

get in it. Like, what the heck? Is she trying to get special privledges? I

hate the wasy most people view others. Like when someone gets in a handicapped

parking space, and they walk away from their car. Most people think that they

are ok. When as we all know too well, that is not always the case.

We are all sick again here. has what I think is a sinus infection.

too, and he's spitting up blood.

I have one too. Just started my antibiotics this morning. Terrible headache!

At least and Tom feel ok.

So Tom gets to take and to the dr - finally. I'm never going back

to that urgent care, if I can help it.

Thanks again! That is so nice of you.

I'll let you know............

Mon

[Guest guest]

that iseautiful Barbara, you mum is very talented. i lovethe poem it

is so true.

Sharon

Australia

> > Well, even though I have told many people to " just get a

wheelchair and

> get on with your > life " , I am not sure I'm ready to do that.

> > I'm a hypocrite, I guess.

>

> Not at all. It's a tough thing to accept when you view it as a

life-long

> adaptation. Since you live in the area, I would be willing to let

you

> borrow mine for awhile to see if it helps you. I found it helpful

when

> doing things I would otherwise have declined to do - like the mall

or

> folklife or other activities that involve a lot of walking. I've

not needed

> it in several years (thanks, in part to dad).

>

> I am going to share with you a poem, written by my mother about

wheelchairs

> and EDS.

>

>

> My New Set of Wheels

> By Darlene Uggen

>

> There you stand, and I see you stare,

> Thinking, poor dear, she's stuck in that chair.

> But I'm not sad, I'm very happy because

> I haven't forgotten the way it was.

>

> You'd say, How about a trip to the zoo,

> A walk in the park will be good for you.

> I was thinking tomorrow, I'll be a wreck,

> from my aching feet to the pain in my neck.

>

> You'd want to go shopping all over town.

> I was thinking but, there's no place to sit down.

> For you it's a snap just to go to the store,

> But for me the ordeal was more of a chore.

>

> Now I can go where ever I please

> I can shop in the mall with new found ease,

> Do all those things that have to be done,

> and even go out and have some fun.

>

> So, do you want to know how it really feels

> to be sitting here between these wheels?

> Can you remember back that far

> When you got your very first car?

>

> Well, that's how these wheels feel to me.

> They don't hold me down, they set me free.

> So, don't think all those pitiful things:

> These aren't wheels, I think they're wings.

[Guest guest]

that iseautiful Barbara, you mum is very talented. i lovethe poem it

is so true.

Sharon

Australia

> > Well, even though I have told many people to " just get a

wheelchair and

> get on with your > life " , I am not sure I'm ready to do that.

> > I'm a hypocrite, I guess.

>

> Not at all. It's a tough thing to accept when you view it as a

life-long

> adaptation. Since you live in the area, I would be willing to let

you

> borrow mine for awhile to see if it helps you. I found it helpful

when

> doing things I would otherwise have declined to do - like the mall

or

> folklife or other activities that involve a lot of walking. I've

not needed

> it in several years (thanks, in part to dad).

>

> I am going to share with you a poem, written by my mother about

wheelchairs

> and EDS.

>

>

> My New Set of Wheels

> By Darlene Uggen

>

> There you stand, and I see you stare,

> Thinking, poor dear, she's stuck in that chair.

> But I'm not sad, I'm very happy because

> I haven't forgotten the way it was.

>

> You'd say, How about a trip to the zoo,

> A walk in the park will be good for you.

> I was thinking tomorrow, I'll be a wreck,

> from my aching feet to the pain in my neck.

>

> You'd want to go shopping all over town.

> I was thinking but, there's no place to sit down.

> For you it's a snap just to go to the store,

> But for me the ordeal was more of a chore.

>

> Now I can go where ever I please

> I can shop in the mall with new found ease,

> Do all those things that have to be done,

> and even go out and have some fun.

>

> So, do you want to know how it really feels

> to be sitting here between these wheels?

> Can you remember back that far

> When you got your very first car?

>

> Well, that's how these wheels feel to me.

> They don't hold me down, they set me free.

> So, don't think all those pitiful things:

> These aren't wheels, I think they're wings.

[Guest guest]

It is a great one!

Jill

[Guest guest]

It is a great one!

Jill