Well, my granddaughter thinks I’m older than dirt, but while I have to grow old, I sure don't have to grow up.
Don’t get me wrong, this is not a pity party for one - just grumblings about how when life throws you lemons and I happen to make really yummy marguerites!
Three years ago I was diagnosed with degenerative discs, that is to say - no discs at all at the bottom of my spine. I was active and fit right up until then. The only thing I didn't do was tennis, golf and running. now its yummy cortizone shots directly into the spine, my cane affectionately called 'Cinderelli' and my walker, called 'Sean' (as in Connery - I needed something strong and handsome to hold me - so indulge me a little).
My life has been totally turned around. I can't play with the grandkids the way I used to, which is really the worst possible thing for me. I can't walk any great distance without the help of 'Sean', so I do the best with what I have. I try really hard not to get depressed, my hubby passed away in 1989, I used to sail, show dogs, among other things, which I obviously don't do now. So I use the grandkids as my 'higher power' - if I feel myself getting down I just look at those cheruby faces and my face lights up.
sometimes its hard going places with the walker - like people who continually honk their horns as you try to cross a 6 lane road with the 'walk' light - I end up slowing down and giving them 'the glare', ticks the drivers off, but I walk away with the biggest grin. If a car pulls into the middle of the walk path as I cross said road - now I make sure my cane actually hits the front of their vehicle. Hey it’s not my fault I’m old and my cane sometimes slips and misses the road.....you can see where I’m going with this.
While I don't 'aim' for noisy rugrats in the mall, I sure do think about it - but their obnoxious parents are fair game - life is actually quite good.
A little incident a while ago involving the police - so I blogged it for my friends. It goes something like this: decided to go up to what I call 'the big mall' to finish off some shopping for my vacation to joisey. I have to cross two 6 lane main roads to get there - it’s only about 15 minutes for me if I didn't have to wait for freaking stoplights.
So - I left at 9:30 with my walker and get to my first stoplight pressed the 'walk' button so when the light turned green the walk signal comes on. With me so far? ok - light turns green and I proceed across the road and I’m almost at the 3rd lane at the centre of the intersection when this woman who was also waiting for a green to turn the corner put her foot on the gas and practically hits me as she makes her turn - I screamed at her and called her an 'ungranny-like' name and went across the last 3 lanes. Its not like I’m a teeny tiny human being - I’m a big woman pushing a walker!!
Ok so I say to myself - calm down - it’s not worth it and off I go towards the 2nd major intersection. I have the 'walk' light in my favour and off I go. Once I’m across the main road I then have to go over an 'island' and then across a turning lane where traffic must yield to pedestrians. yeah you guessed it - I’m just setting off and this stupid guy zooms past me and has the nerve to wave 'thank you' -I let out another zinger.....and I just said to myself - that's two!!!
Now I walked and walked in the mall and noticed I’d been walking 2 full hours without even sitting to go to the toidey and am quite proud of myself. I decided to come back another way and so I did - when I turned the corner towards another small intersection - there's a silver car parked directly in front of the ramp off the sidewalk - and I’m ready for it - I said to myself - I hope he doesn't move before I get there ....and it didn't.
You have to understand I’m now in a mood to run over anything in my way so this was my next victim. I got within 10 feet and yelled - your blocking the ramp. the door opened and the female cop says I’m sorry I shouldn't be in your way - she's in an unmarked cruiser....then she backs away and goes into a proper parking spot - I found myself walking with an exaggerated limp so she wouldn't think about arresting me for yelling and scampered away as quick as a disabled person can scamper.
I’m going for a granny nap now but just wanted to share my day - except for the police woman - sadly this is almost a normal type of occurrence for pedestrians! I have the notches on my cane and walker to prove it too!!
Well I just thought I’d give you an insight into the life of a partially disabled person - it doesn't have to be all doom and gloom. And the good news is I have room for lots of notches yet on 'Cinderelli' and 'Sean'.
By Rusty
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2 comments:
Rusty,
I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your article. I can so relate to what you are talking about. I laughed until I cried when you came to the part about the policewoman.
I'm sorry I don't agree with how amusing you believe you are when you behave that way going over six lanes of traffic. All of us have our handicaps, and we also have a responsibility to not foist these on others if we can help it. If you have money to spend at the shops, you have money to take a cab or bus where you need to go. You are at risk of getting run over or hit by a vehicle, and that creates a nightmare for everyone involved. If you already know you can't cross the intersection in the time allotted, which you clearly stated, then you have no business doing it. You hold people up, feel it's just fine to hit their cars with your cane, yell insults at them, and generally make a fool of yourself. Getting older and infirm does not bring with it entitlement to abuse others. It is childish and selfish. You may find it all very funny, but this reader does not, and you put everyone at risk every time you do this. I hope you take more responsibility for your actions and find another way of getting around that does not inconvenience everyone around you.
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