Happiness

Happiness is …..

By

B.D. Adams ©2015

M

y life has been a roller-coaster of emotions and situations. I have been elated with situations, which most people would be, and devastated by situations in the same manner.

    My grandchildren have been a definite source of happiness. Unfortunately, they and their father (my son) live in the Los Angeles area. He is a firefighter and has been so for several years. We visit via Skype, so I have the happiness to see my grandbabies grow-up in real time, sort of.

            Since my stroke in 1998, I have kept progressing, going forward. I have attended all the physical therapy, occupational therapy and psychological sessions I could stand. And, to date, I truly believe I have succeeded to grab the horns of disability as a true survivor!

            Unfortunately, as I have aged with my physical issues, it has become clearer to me that I need to accept the new changes with my body. Mostly my legs.

            Oh, boy … what else?

Daniel and I bought a scooter several years ago. A comfortably padded Pace Saver Plus III. A used one, but it has been a wonderful help as my legs have become less able to keep up with others. Assists mostly when we attend the large car shows that have acres of cars to see!

In the last year, or so, my legs have become … old. I had been able to walk our little dog, but then there has been more pain as I walk. And, I have hated that!

I began to take Sasha, our dog, for walks by using my scooter. She loves to ride on my scooter, but was a bit confused with this new “walking” method. However, it took no time for her to understand, as best as a dog can understand.

With the dog walking, the scooter was kept by the driveway. I would cautiously go down the few steps from our deck to the scooter.

Also, in that time, it has become harder just to walk in general. Like to walk from Daniel’s SUV into different stores like Walmart or Home Depot to access their scooters. So, with the help of a hitch-mounted scooter rack – on the SUV and the ’37 Plymouth Sedan – we take the scooter where we want. You learn how to adapt, improvise, overcome … like a Marine.

I never wanted to appear like a wimp! Independence has been paramount for me. I mean, what do we have if we don’t have our independence?

Well, as it goes, this last weekend, Daniel and a neighbor fellow built a ramp for my scooter to access our deck. It is a thing of beauty! They did a fabulous job.

Daniel rode the scooter up to the deck and let me take over. I rode it down and up a few times. This is my new usable toy, my independence.

Happiness is … whatever you want it to be.

To other disabled people, I would like to say:

“Keep progressing! Don’t give in to your disability – grab it by its horns and take it down. And, don’t hide from the outside! Who cares what others see. We have the pride that life does, indeed, go on. I can’t sing and dance, but I can write … and roll.

Photo by Dan Tourigny