Last night just after 10:00 PM EST, I wheeled through the door, had a third dinner, unpacked because I'm constitutionally incapable of neglecting a bulging suitcase for more than thirty minutes, took a long bubble bath, then slept for eight hours straight, unheard of for me. I woke up disoriented in my own bed, half-expecting … Continue reading Same Same but Different
I’m writing this (and publishing it, if I manage to finish it quickly enough) while on a plane bound for Victoria, BC. It’s been six years since I last visited the city in which I was born and grew up. The long separation hasn’t been by choice; until now, my health’s made the trip unfeasible. … Continue reading Go West, Young Wheelchair
It was an unusually long summer and fall in Toronto, a period marked by eerily comfortable temps that lingered well into November and delayed the inevitable freeze of an Ontario winter. As much as I'm alarmed by what T-shirt-in-October days might signal, I was pretty fine with leaving my parka in the closet until weeks … Continue reading Trial by Snow
It's the 500-kilometre anniversary of the fortuitous pairing of me and my power wheelchair, a match made in mobility heaven. The time and distance have flown by—too fast, sometimes (I should probably do a better job moderating the speed at which I drive). My power chair isn't a part of my identity, really, but has … Continue reading And Now We Are 500
I've never had strong feelings about getting older. The inexplicable workings of my mind make my age tick up as of January 1, so by the time my birthday rolls around, I've already had ten months to get used to a new number. (It just occurred to me that my brain is only in sync … Continue reading A Happy Birthday
Well, it’s here. At approximately 1:13 PM last Thursday afternoon, my new power chair rolled into my apartment and forever changed my life. This might seem a gross exaggeration, but if you saw the smile that foolishly flashes across my face at the mere thought of my partner in mobility, you’d know that I'm not … Continue reading My Other Significant Other
Months ago, I was assessed and approved for a power wheelchair and rushed to share the good news. Then came the "waiting for funding to go through" stage—never fun, especially if, like me, you're impatient and eager to take on the world atop your fancy new ride. During this middle period, the chair's made scattered … Continue reading Somewhere to Go, Someone to Be
My husband and I were away this past week, this time even further from home and for a little longer than we were gone our last trip. Three nights, lots of excitement, lots of doing the right amount of nothing. Wandering, exploring, being spontaneous. It was glorious. We booked a hotel and a car a … Continue reading On the Road Again, Again
Last Wednesday was one for the books. It was on that monumental day that my occupational therapist, a sales rep, and a technician, the latter two from a medical-equipment supplier, came in the late morning so that I could trial a power chair and so that my OT could evaluate whether or not I'm a … Continue reading Joystick
At very long last, my new wheelchair arrived on Thursday. It’s a thing of beauty. More importantly, it’s mine. Not on loan from the medical supply company. Fitted for me, with everything tightened up where it ought to be. Smooth and shiny (for now, anyway). Ready for the accessories I’ll inevitably buy to make it … Continue reading New Wheels, Gotta Roll
De Morbo Sacro: Life and/with Epilepsy 