Wheels!

[kaberett]

1. A week ago Friday, I picked up my wheelchair. It is blue! And foldy! And comfortable!
2. ... and... really big and heavy compared to the RGK sports chair I've had on loan from a friend since about March. So, I, um, asked eBay how much titanium chairs cost second-hand, and uh. Now I kind of own two chairs.
3. Right, so, my normal walking speed? Over any distance worth noticing? Is "slower than that. No, slower than that. No, really." On wheels, I routinely overtake people.
4. I can keep moving when through abdominal pain spikes. I can keep moving faster than I can walk on a good day through abdominal pain spikes.
5. Have I mentioned upper body strength? Have I mentioned how good it is at reducing my dysphoria?
6. I can GO PLACES: I pushed myself three miles yesterday, plus about 1.5 miles so far today (and planning more!), and I am not any more tired than normal. This included BIMBLING AROUND THE BOTANICS. I can't DO that walking. I get to enjoy museums and gardens again! It's BRILLIANT.
7. I get to try ceilidhing in them soon :-)
8. One of the other things I picked up a week ago Friday was a Bambach Saddle Stool, which is making my body SO much fonder of me for the sitting-at-computer stuff.
9. The second wheelchair? Means I'm getting the pay forward the favour done me by the friend who loaned me her chair.
10. I never need to worry about where the next place I can sit down will be again.


(In less good news, I appear to have developed a slightly worrying latex allergy. I knew I was having contact issues with it in summer 2011 - there is a REASON I spent lab budget on a box of nitrile gloves for myself instead of using the existing latex ones - but um I was not expecting this degree of breathing difficulty from handling a bike pump then scratching my face? HEY HO OFF TO THE DOCTOR WE GO)

Comments

[mfb]

I kind of realized the other day...week... that I would benefit a lot from a wheeley-chair-device (for starters I wouldn't be in the achey pain I've been for the past two days). This depressed me a fair amount at the time. So this is a Good Post for me to see. TY.

[kaberett]

I've written an article (going up shortly in Places) about how I relate to my body as trans* and as impaired; it touches on Why I Decided To Stop Worrying And Love Mobility Aids (another post that's in the works). If you'd like me to forward you a copy then message me an e-mail address or something, or I will link it once it's publically available online. <3

[kaberett]

And, yes, it is hard. But... hey. They might be able to walk, but me? I can do wheelies. ;)

[stephdairy]

Facebook has mangled my brain to the point where I look for the "Like" button, but this is great news. You can get about, and get about well, and happily. Hurrah, cheers, etc.

I think you can get non-latex (butyl?) inner tubes, which might help with the allergy problem.

(S)

[damerell]

Essentially all inner tubes are butyl rubber. Latex tubes leak air quickly (days, not weeks) so are only used for racing in the probably misguided belief that saving 50 grams will make a difference. Hence, I'm not sure why this happened.

[kaberett]

The issue isn't the inner tubes, but the hose on the (floor) pump. ALAS EHEU ETC - I shall just have to be careful to wash my hands after using it...

[amethystfirefly]

Yay for being able to move around!

[batrachian]

That is amazing and awesomesauce and it's fantastic to hear that you have the tools you need to be happier.

<3

[littlebutfierce]

Yay! This sounds fabulous!!

[sorrillia]

Yay! Congrats!

[merryway]

Very cool :D. Hope to be making a similar post myself at some point.

And omg bambach, they make such a difference :D.

#incoherentsquee

[jamfish]

Ahhh fantastic!! :D Huzzah!

[inoru_no_hoshi]

Eeeeee! You sound deliriously happy and I'm so glad! :DD (WHEELIES. That sounds fun. Though, you know, I'd be too terrified of falling to try it myself, but wheelies. :D)

Booo for the latex allergy tho! :(

[kaberett]

If we ever end up in the same place, you should totally try - one of my chair has anti-tips on so you *can't* go over backwards :-)

[inoru_no_hoshi]

Well in that case, bring 'em on! \o/ :D

[swaldman]

huzzah!

[forthwritten]

Sounds like an excellent thing to have in your life :)