Saturday, April 20, 2013

Focusing on Life - Week 16



‘Grab your camera, open the door and step outside into the fresh air.  Take a walk!  Step back and look at the wide world around you and capture a shot of the landscape in front of you!’

Take a walk. I used to love going for long walks on the local woodland trails. I felt the most settled when interacting with nature in this way. Walking was a form of meditation and a way to relieve stress.

Walking is not so easy for me anymore. I miss those times once spent in quiet contemplation and reflection as I traversed along the path.

It’s a real challenge to walk anywhere these days and when I do I must take along my ‘friend on wheels’. Progress is slow and painful, so I typically don’t go very far. *Big sigh* 


17 comments:

  1. these are a godsend - a portable seat to rest awhile! sadly, i couldn't get on with mine, as i only have the one arm/hand that works, so we gave it away... thankfully i can operate my disability scooter one-handed :)
    have a great week!
    no 18 on the list

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    1. We tend to take mobility for granted until we no longer have it, don't we? My partner calls the walker my 'racing cart'. Not a whole lot of racing goes on with it though. LOL

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  2. You are right Bonnie, we do tend to take our bodies for granted, until we get sick. But then once recovered it's back to not realizing how much our bodies do for us.

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    1. Unfortunately, my condition is degenerative. There will be no recovering from it. It was really hard to accept that I can no longer do the things I want to do.

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  3. we do tend to take mobility for granted. My sister-in-law has MS and we always take this into consideration when getting together - whether it is wheelchair accessible, and if she'll be able to easily navigate the place.

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    1. I have to use a wheelchair at times also, and it amazes how un-friendly the world can be to those in chairs or scooters.

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    2. I've often wondered how someone here in Israel copes. I have never seen a designated parking space, or user-friendly sidewalks and very rarely a restroom stall. Many, many buildings here have no elevator or "ramps". As one who is not familiar with getting around in a wheelchair and I don't know anyone closely, I don't think I could even imagine what it must be like for you.

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  4. Sorry you could not literally "take a walk" with us, but you did give us some insight into your situation.

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    1. As I said before, we really don't appreciate all our blessings (good health, strong body, etc.) until it's gone or severely limited. I wish I'd been more conscious of it when I was younger.

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  5. I'm so sorry you can not get around easily. I do hope you were out long enough to breath in some fresh air. Take care!

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    1. Don't get me wrong. I do 'get out'. It's just a lot more difficult than it used to be. *smile*

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  6. I couldn't take a walk this week for different reasons, but it sucks when the body won't cooperate with what we want to do. I join you in that "big sigh"!

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    1. It has been a very frustrating journey, to be sure. Admitting that I had limitations was hard to do.

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  7. Bonnie, your post reminds me to NOT take my current mobility for granted. I'm sorry you're unable to get around like you used to. THis was a great post however!

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    1. I had two choices...'defeat' the pain or let the pain win. I was not prepared to let the pain win. I altered my goals and expectations so that I can win. *smile* I work and live within my current abilities and do so quite happily.

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  8. Bonnie, I am sorry your mobility is not what once was... however, count your blessings: as un-friendly our world (Canada) seems to the mobility-challenged person, it is still eons better than where I'm coming from. I live with my MIL and a few years back we bought her one of these friends. She visited her family a couple of years ago, she had her 'friend' with her and never once used it. First, people would be embarrassed to be seen with her with the walker. Second, and worse, there are no user-friendly walkways, no ramps, no nothing. Before she left for her visit she was complaining daily that she had to use it; when she came back she was grateful for the conditions we have here!

    I hope you still enjoy your walks, even if they might be shorter. Thank you for the kind reminder to enjoy every moment! I love your spirit (from what transpired in your replies to comments) :)

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    1. I agree, Alicia. I'm lucky to have the resources and help available for those things that I can no longer do on my own. AND I learned to 'ask' for that help. That was a big step for me. *smile*

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