I Forgot

Brandon is 16 years old and over the years he has been in and out of the wheelchair for various reasons. Brandon did not walk until his was 4 1/2. We broke down and ordered his first wheelchair at 3. Brandon's brother was insistant that Brandon would walk and made it his mission to work with Brandon endless hours on taking steps, balance and endurance. It finally paid off and Brandon started walking. The wheelchair was barely broken in. But for distances, after illnesses, broken bones, after surgeries and on some vacations, Brandon has relied on the wheelchair for his mobility. When Brandon was around 6, a friend's business was closing and I bought a $1500 wheelchair from her for $200. It was way too big, but I knew it would come in handy for the future. Brandon's smaller wheelchair finally was too small and we transitioned into the new larger $200 chair. We kept and used that chair until last year when it finally fell apart. I still have it as backup in case his new one needs repair.

During the use of the wheelchair I keep trying to remind myself of how great Brandon was doing when is not in the wheelchair. Life is soooo difficult when we have to go back to its use.

So here we are again, back 100% in the wheelchair. But this time Brandon weighs over 100 pounds and getting in, out and about is more of a challenge. Everytime I decide I need to prepare for the next time. I have two steps into the house not more than a few inches off the ground, but very difficult to navigate. Brandon braces for the bumps everytime I try to move him over these two steps only to head to the grass and to the car. When it rained last week Brandon had to go to school for registration. His wheelchair became stuck in the mud, his aide and I were frantically trying to cover his foot and keep it dry while we were all getting wet in the process. It is not easy.

In the house, all the doors are just slightly too small to comfortably squeeze through, the bathroom is difficult to move around with the wheelchair and Brandon cannot go upstair where all his computer equipment is located. It is not easy.

Just when I swear I am going to make life a little easier and try to make this place a little more accessible Brandon is out of the wheelchair and I forget that it is not easy. I hope writing this will remind me. It is not easy.

So tomorrow we head back to Scottish Rite and the cast Brandon has been in for 3 1/2 weeks with no weight bearing will come off. Tomorrow Brandon will have a walking cast on his leg. He won't be able to walk right away but we will both be motivated to get him back on his feet as soon as possible, because it is not easy.

Brandon has been in his bed with his foot up for a large part of the 3 1/2 weeks, watching TV, downloading Beatles videos, watching the Beatles and Elvis on youtube. Tomorrow begins his new phase of recovery and hope for a little independence like every 16 yr old. We both cant wait.

More after our return.
Leah