Getting Around

I to am suprised at the numberof people who were sent home not being able to walk or even use their upper body to transfer from bed to wheelchair etc. Particularily since many had no one at home to help them.

I have been doing well at home. I did not lose use of my arms or hands (although the hands tingle a bit). I learned to transfer from a wheelchair to a bed and vice versa in the hospital. They also trained me on going from a wheelchair to a car. I have a hospital bed which raises and lowers so that helps. I also have someone at home that provides excellent care for me.

When I first came home I used a transfer board to get in/out of bed. However I have a friend who has been in a wheelchair for 15years and she showed me how to get in and out of bed without the board. I do it all the time now. I use my arms ( strengthened from all the weights I lift in PT) to do the transfers. I am also getting significant help from my legs now and this enables me to get in or out of the tube without assistance. Toes, feet and legs are comming back – in that order – but my trunk is still weak.

Big step yesterday! I have been a private pilot for many years and while I sold my aircraft after getting sick, I have friends that fly. After getting the doctor’s OK, my friend took me to the Light Sport Aircraft show in Sebring yesterday. He has a Cherokee 6 which has a door to the last row of seats. It is low enough that I can transfer (with a transfer board) in to the aircraft. My friend then put the wheelchair in the luggage compartment and off we went. After being grounded for 4.5 months it was great to be in the air again. Brought tears to my eyes on the takeoff! The show was excellent. I was even looking at new aircraft since I hope to own one again someday.

I was at the doctor’s office on Thursday and he thinks I will be walking at 95% of my previous abilities in 3-6 months based on my progress. (I had one doctor say I would never walk again period.) This is the first time they have made definitive statments about walking again! So far I have not been plagued by the fatique that seems very common amonst GBS victims.

I’ve got a ways to go but the outlook is positive now.