DC wrap-up

Yesterday was important, but it did not start out on a positive note. I had completely underestimated rush hour traffic to the metro station. What normally should have taken twenty minutes ended up taking ninety.  By the time I arrived at the train station I was flustered and running late. I abhor being late!

I used the quick metro ride to recenter myself. Using some newly mastered meditation breathing techniques I was able to calm my nerves and release the "I'm late" frustrations. When we rolled into the metro station I was feeling strong and ready for the event.

The purpose of the press event was to unveil and discuss the importance of a new study focused on access to prosthetic care. The researchers were able to quantify the benefits of patients receiving prosthetic devices. Although it feels like common sense logic, the study will certainly help to bolster the legislative and insurance initiatives focused on providing prosthetic devices to the community.

After the researchers presented their findings, I was invited to the podium to share my prosthetic story. In a way my purpose for speaking was to humanize prosthetic benefits for the audience. Unscripted (I was initially told I was only needed to answer questions) I spoke from the heart and relayed my story.

Here is a video of the entire event.  I encourage you to watch the entire presentation, but I start at minute 33.  Enjoy, and let me know what you think!

Headed to DC!

Last week I was contacted about attending a press event to help increase awareness about the access to prosthetics. I immediately accepted the invitation without thinking about who was going to watch Timmy in my absence. It wasn't until I hung up the phone that I began to panic about daycare. I knew that it was important for me to attend, and I didn't want to risk losing the invitation while I secured Timmy care so I took a leap of faith that I would figure it out. 

Thankfully Scott, who supports all of my advocacy efforts, was able to take the day off of work without difficulty.  He hasn't missed any days this year and was in need of a mental health day, so my needing back up turned out to be the perfect excuse to take personal leave. He and Timmy are going to play outside, go to lunch and probably visit the train section of the toy store while I'm in DC. I'm sure that they will both have a great day. 

Despite Robby's pleas, his schedule will remain unchanged today. He tried to convince us that he needed to stay home to "help" his Daddy take care of Timmy. While I applaud his efforts, he was vetoed. He's going to school regardless of who is home with his brother.  

While Scott and Timmy are busy playing and Robby is in school, I'll be in DC trying to bring a voice to the issues impacting so many in the limb loss community. I'm both nervous and excited about this opportunity. Hopefully I will represent well!  Please wish me luck, and I'll report back tomorrow.  

Farm Fun

With the exception of the damn hickory nuts and the shock of putting on an ice cold liner in the morning, I am loving the cooler temperatures. Yesterday Timmy and I spent the entire day at the farm, playing and exploring. He was nonstop energy, running between activities and relishing my undivided attention. Getting up early to work is difficult, especially when I'm warm in bed and tired, but the payoff of being able to play without distractions makes it worth the sacrifice. When the weather forces us inside again I'm sure I can go back to a more normal work schedule, but for now I'm going to try to stick to getting up early. 

At the farm yesterday I noticed that it was easier to keep up with Timmy. I've been working out every school day (with the exception of my sick days) and I think I can finally tell a difference. The scale is dipping, but more importantly my stamina is increasing. I love being able to play, run and jump without becoming winded and wishing for a break. I still have a long way to go, but I feel like I am on the path to becoming the type of mom that my kids deserve.   

Not only do I have more energy, but my leg is fitting better. I no longer have to stop every few steps to readjust my socket, and the pesky sores that have been omnipresent for the past two years are slowly fading away. At this point I no longer care what the scale says because the increased energy and a better fitting prosthesis make the effort worthwhile.  

Fun Day Play Day

Timmy and I had a fantastic Monday. It didn't start strong with my being awoken at 4 by my little cherub faced alarm clock. Even though I was miserable pulling myself out of bed and putting on my ice cold liner (welcome to cooler temperatures), I made the decision to make the best of the situation. While Timmy happily played with his trains and watched Mickey Mouse on television, I pulled out my computer and began to work. By the time Scott was leaving for school, I had knocked just about everything off my to-do list, freeing me up to play for the rest of the day.

After we dropped Robby at school, Timmy and I headed to an indoor playground. He ran, climbed, swung and jumped for almost three hours. He squealed with laughter playing with new friends and I found myself giggling along when I joined the fun. By the time we were ready to leave, we were both sweaty, winded and smiling from ear to ear. 

We came home for lunch, to rest for a bit and for me to get a little bit more work done. After a few hours we were ready to go pick up Robby from school to ferry him to the gym for his "gamer's fitness" class.  While Robby was playing at the gym, Timmy and I decided to make the most of the gorgeous weather by spending the hour at the park.

I love days when I can completely disconnect, unwind and just have fun with Timmy. I know all too well that he will be grown up before I am ready, and I need to make the most of these opportunities. I don't like getting up early, but in this case the payoff was worth the sacrifice. I am going to try to use my morning times productively so I can have more free time to explore and play with my kids. It's good for them, and it is most certainly good for me as well!

Squeaking and Slides

After more than a week of batting the family virus between people, I am hoping that we have finally eradicated it for good. Timmy's fever broke Saturday morning, and he has quickly rebounded and has been full of energy.  My ear is no longer painful and the ringing is becoming more of a nuisance reminder instead of the nagging frustration from last week.  Robby spent the weekend without a fever and Scott has still not been impacted by the family plague. 

With Timmy feeling stronger and chomping at the bit to release some energy, yesterday afternoon I took Timmy on some errands. As we were driving I noticed a pumpkin stand on the side of the road. The farmers set up a variety of moon bounce houses and slides, enticing anybody with young kids off the main road and into their parking lot.  With Timmy feeling well and the sky a beautiful blue, I couldn't think of a reason to say no so I turned the car around so that we could play for a few hours. He was ecstatic with his good fortune!

He jumped, ran and slid for nearly two hours. I was astounded that a little boy who had been so sick last week was now so strong and healthy. He went up and down the ginormous inflatable slide a total of 48 times. That's a lot of climbing for little legs! By the time we were ready to leave he was a sweaty, red faced and dirty mess. He was also smiling from ear-to-ear as he fell asleep in his car seat during the quick drive home.  

I didn't go down the slide with him, but I did enjoy some time in the bounce houses and on the jump pad. When there weren't many kids around I joined him to jump and play, bailing from the structure as soon as others arrived. I didn't bounce nearly as much as him, but I was both winded and sweaty by the end of our impromptu roadside adventure.  

Unfortunately I think I did something to my prosthetic foot when I was jumping because now I squeak with every step. It isn't a squeak from the foot shell, which has happened before and is a relatively easy fix. I took my leg apart and I can't stop the sound. In fact, I think my attempts might have made the squeak louder.

Last night I was walking through the hallway and I saw the cat across the room, with her tail straight up and preparing to pounce. I thought she was going after a bug. It wasn't until I felt her jumping into my socket that I realized she was stalking my squeaky foot.(Thank goodness for my carbon fiber socket because I was spared from the claws.) She either thinks my foot is a mouse or a toy. Either way when the cat starts to attack the sound, it is time to get it fixed!