Where
has this year gone in that, we are already into the sixth month? Bystanders may
well think my time drags, not so. As disablement of arms and hands now moves
quickly on, all my time is involved in trying to maintaining my communications
abilities. I’ve already lost the finer motor skills to text and the effort/concentration
and sloth like pace whilst typing is becoming a real ‘labour of love and
determination’, but a good ‘character building exercise’.
You
know if you’ve got an itch, you automatically go to the area and scratch it! With
the deterioration of arms and shoulders, I no longer have the capability to scratch
any itchy area. In bed is worst, when I’m
isolated, and that’s when reading the
book ‘mind over matter ‘ comes into It’s
own. In the mid-sixties this book
by Harry Lorraine became my bible whilst a ‘ground maintenance officer’’ in the
civil service. It taught me to diversify the mind away from ongoing problems. I
look at it as a mild form of medication and yoga, but whatever, it’s a blessing
when I’ve an itch and I’ve usually the capability to ignore it.
Jean
and I both agree that the maximum time I can now be left on my own is two
hours, so we hired a ex-council carer,
who has since gone self-employed for a ‘trial run’’ for 4 hrs – it worked out
well! So we arranged for Jean to have a
long overdue break at our daughters for 3 days. We both benefited from the
break. Jean, for a welcome rest from my constant needs and me for totally out of
my usual comfort zone (including sleepovers with a stranger in attendance
upstairs, although my nights are usually pretty acceptable other than I usually
need toileting around 0500hrs) I suppose, on reflection, the first day
regarding communication was hard going for both of us, but ‘hey ho’ by the
second day we had ironed out many of our misunderstandings. Other noticeable facilities
lost, or changed this month is the ability to stand at the toilet with the aid
of two parallel bars and carers help. This was far quicker than the now diversification
to the mini lift which needs a double up (2 carers). I suspect this is for insurances purposes
by the council, as Jean constantly uses it on her own to toilet and put me to
bed. I do risk assessments all the time and I’m totally at ease with the mini
lift.
My
speech therapist introduced me to a Lightwriter which incorporates scanning
facilities in anticipation of when I can’t efficiently work the keys with my
hands, as come that will, I’ve no doubt.
