Monday, January 4, 2010

I trust you had a good Christmas and wish you all the best for the new year. We had my wife's side of the family over for Christmas dinner, it turned out well considering we live in a two-bedroom condo, receiving 25 guests or thereabouts isn't as easy as it looks yet my wife made it work.

Funny you see all these kids you only get to see on occasion in my particular case it's usually every five years or so as none of my wife's brothers or sister have an accessible house. As well get togethers are allways held in the basement which I have absolutely no access to. My spouse went one year with our two girls.
I went to the casino by myself however after spending a good portion of the day there I decided to no longer spend Christmas alone. Now we see everyone when our turn comes up as I mentioned every five years this Christmas was probably our last.

This week I have an appointment with my neurologist. I used to make a list of questions to ask, ioday there are few questions which remain unanswered. Oh we may talk about the recent hypothesis put forth by the Italian doctor regarding the vein constriction around the neck area but other than that small talk is all my appointments are at this point. Kind of useless if you ask me yet I need the yearly paperwork completed in order to continue collecting my long-term disability benefits so I guess getting out to see him twice a year isn't that much of a deal.

We certainly have a lot of snow it is almost impossible for me to get anywhere unless I'm picked up at the door and dropped off at an entrance which is accessible as well is being cleared of snow. I don't even attempt driving the van, it's bad enough in the summer with all the idiots who don't respect disabled parking spaces you know the ones with the cross hatch marks or pattern indicating not to park in this area usually located beside a disabled parking spot they allow room for ramp deployment. Even though there is a sign on the side of my vehicle asking people to park a minimum of 3 m away. It's obvious the majority can't read or maybe it's because I'm in Québec and the sign on my van is in English, probably in violation of Bill 101. In the meantime I use a service similar to paratransit while not as convenient it does meet my needs.
Next week I'll be taking a look at a manual hydraulic operated Hoyer lift so that the next time I take a fall we won't have to wait for the ambulance service to come to my rescue, with this lift I should be able to position myself on the sling making it easier to get back into my chair. Unfortunately I will still have to rely on my wife to operate the lift positioning me in my chair or bed.

Went for brunch with my brother and sister-in-law on New Year's Day we had a good time and thank God I didn't make a mess as I usually do. It's becoming more and more difficult to manipulate those utensils, I have purchased the weighted kind they make things a bit easier. At least everything was bite-size and I didn't require assistance during the meal.

That's about it for now I've got to get busy and get my forms ready for the walk this spring, I found a few problems on the MS Canada website I'm waiting for their reply before proceeding with my page.
I will post a photograph of the hoist when I receive it that is if I decide to purchase one deep down I believe I'm still hesitant to own one even though I know I'm in a jam without it.

Take good care
Michael