I'm a bit like my dog Larry - with the tenacity of a Jack Russell "terrorist" going for a squirrel, I am determined to get back on my feet in short order. I still haven't received a call from the hospital for an MRI (ordered on July 7) but I have hired a physiotherapist for support with suggestions on exercises and alterations to the house. Since I last wrote we purchased an electric wheelchair and a lift chair. I just received the lift chair on the weekend and it's made a huge difference. Brian installed safety bars in various rooms and stairways. He's even turned 2 very steep steps into 3 more doable steps - this one act of excellent carpentry has been huge! It's allowed me to get out of this hospital bed in the family room and make it to the main floor, where I can sit and participate with the family in my new lift chair. Awesome!
With every day that goes by I'm gaining muscle strength, and the ability to maneuver around the house. I still haven't managed to make it to the 2nd floor into my own bedroom, but I feel more and more like that's going to happen in short order… We've put out the call for a stair lift. Even if I do manage to make the stairs all the way to the 2nd floor, I'm in this for the long run... Should I have a problem with the leg in future the stair lift will allow me to get to my own bed on the "bad" days.
I'm looking forward to attempting to make a meal in the kitchen tomorrow - I will need the services of a sous chef to go and get ingredients, but I am determined to sit on my stepstool and cook. It will be the 1st time since mid-June... I've not tried to drive since I blew out my knee, but I anticipate an attempt in the next couple of weeks.
During this time I've had a 2 visits from a wonderful physiotherapist by the name of Karen Schmitz. She Is truly amazing... I've needed her guidance on how to exercise both legs to develop muscle tone and "work" the injured knee without further damaging it. Right now my leg still has some inflammation. Karen makes me feel very empowered, and at the same time is aware how vulnerable this injury left me feeling. My experience working in hospitals is that physiotherapists can come across like bullies but Karen is supportive, knowledgeable and fun to work with... One day I hope she'll see me walk up those 13 steps.
All these changes in the house to accommodate my mobility led to some larger picture discussions over how we utilize rooms. My forced tenure in the family room (right next to the studio) was very necessary for teaching classes. I can use the electric wheelchair or the rollater to make my way out to the studio and conduct class. I only had to go maybe 25 feet. There were nights this summer I was very sore after walking that short distance. Anyway, we decided to turn the family room back into a library/teaching room. Having students in the studio meant moving displays and removing tables - this was not conducive to being open as a studio on the weekend. Some of my art pieces got damaged. In future students will still walk through the studio, but end up for their class in the library. All the TV and stereo gear is now removed from the library and as of Saturday was installed in the living room. We feel this is a better use of the house because we weren't using the living room except for seasonal gatherings and ceremonies. Angeni now has access to the TV and stereo when she is dog sitting while classes are going on...
Speaking of classes, I am quite surprised and amazed that as of Wednesday night our summer courses are complete! We're launching a new round of courses to start in September and run through winter solstice. Hopefully we will have the dates picked and published by the Labor Day weekend... It feels to me like we're running behind because our students are already asking for the fall course list. Another endeavour is the launch of a fund-raising campaign for Wolfe Island Métis Charitable Association. The grand launch will be September 1 and everyone on our email list will get a notification. In 20 years of operating Wolfe Island we've never actually done a formal fund-raising campaign. The expansion of spiritual services and the request for a community ceremonial garden means that we need a good funding base. Additionally there are some capital expenditures for new computer equipment and the typical things that a spiritual/educational organization requires over time. One of the exciting programs involves aboriginal artists in education. We enjoy working with the native arts students at the local Penetanguishene high school. The monies for art supplies and support materials will fall under the fund-raising campaign.
Well the clock has passed over into another day so I will end this blog entry. Have a wonderful week and bright blessings to you all!
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