Reeve Foundation Paralysis Community

Come to the Edge

by Guillaume Apollinaire (French Poet)

"Come to the edge, he said.

They said: We are afraid.

Come to the edge, he said.

They came.

He pushed them and they flew."

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Transition process continues.  It is still difficult to figure out a routine in the midst of continuing change.  I'm glad to be driving again, however, I wasn't prepared for how tiring it is.  Is there ANYTHING that doesn't sap energy?  I know I'm much stronger, so perhaps endurance will improve with practice.  This poem describes another way to see this phase of healing as a leap of faith toward acceptance rather than trying to climb out of a pit.  Hmmm...worth consideration.          

Great minds -- I have that poem on my bookshelf in my office! Your title is right, it is a continuing journey.  And if we are lucky, very lucky, it continues for a long time.  The transition you are dealing with now is a big one and I hope you do not get wounded by the rough edges.  I think of my transitions from weakness to strength, from illness to health, from gratitude to self-pity and back again.  That is the texture of life whether we sit in a wheelchair or the oval office.  Early in my driving career I remember driving home from New York one evening and my arms hurt so badly I wanted to cry in pain.  That changed.  Strength returned and driving was easy and pleasurable once again.

I love your question about whether there is anything that does not sap strength.  I think there might be one thing.  Joy.

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Dan Gottlieb Ph.D.
www.DrDanGottlieb.com

I do hope driving becomes more comfortable or at least I get used to the new way it feels.  My arms did get a bit tired at first, however the most annoying thing right now is the way my body feels in the seat - like I'm sitting on jello.  I'm sure it will just take time to recognize this as the new norm for me.  Maybe it will feel different when I'm able to drive from my wheelchair.  So much of this adjusting seems to really be in my attitude or perception and the mistake of comparing what is with what was.  I don't believe that any amount of external changes are going to change the basic fact that the battle is an internal issue rather than external fix.

It is probably any internal issue as the gyroscope in your brain re-calibrates to new circumstances of its owner. But it could also be that some external supports could help.  Let's see how your brain does with this exciting new experience.  I couldn't be more happy for you as it felt that your waiting was almost like mine

 

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Dan Gottlieb Ph.D.
www.DrDanGottlieb.com

Thanks...  Getting ready for the drive back home in the morning after a discouraging three days.  Have decided to start a comedy blog.    Maybe there's a way to reframe life's foibles.  If nothing else, it will be a way to express my belief that God has a sense of humor!