About Me

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I am a below knee amputee. More importantly, I am also Mommy to two boys, a very active 10 year old (Robby) and an mischievous toddler (Timmy). I have learned that being a parent with a disability can create some unusual and sometimes humorous situations. This blogger is available for hire! Let's talk and learn how a blog can expand your business.

Friday, December 04, 2020

Weekend

Yesterday was non eventful, which I will consider to be a gift. The first week back to our schedule after a vacation is always hectic and stressful. After a rough few days, we are finally back into the grind and flow of school and work. I feel considerably less anxiety this morning than I did on Sunday night because both boys are continuing their schoolwork without a struggle. 

We don't have any great plans for the weekend. I'm looking forward to binging Christmas movies and baking cookies with the boys. Our gingerbread houses are assembled and ready to be decorated, and I promised to teach Robby how to make cookie boxes. 

I am missing all of our favorite seasonal activities, but I am trying to make the best of our current situation. Our favorite activities will return next year when it is safer. In the meantime, I'm trying to look at our staying at home as an opportunity to develop new traditions.


Thursday, December 03, 2020

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

After Tuesday's Gingerbread Man fiasco, I was delighted to make it through yesterday's Circle Time unscathed. Timmy participated but he didn't say or do anything inappropriate or embarrassing. I never imagined that I would have such a skewed yardstick to measure a "successful" class. Thankfully Circle Time is done for the week.  

Today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a UN designated holiday designed to highlight the achievements of individuals within the community. I have often said it, but it worth repeating today. The best thing about being an amputee is the community. You will never find a more supportive and generous group of people, willing to drop everything to lend an ear or to help navigate through an issue. Living with a limb loss can be frustrating and annoying, but the community is nothing short of remarkable. 

People often ask me if, given a magical wand, I would change back to having both biological legs. When I first became an amputee, my answer would have been an emphatic yes. But as time has worn on and I have become settled in my life, I really don't think I would go back and change anything. 

While I am, at times frustrated as an amputee, I also know that my limb loss has shaped who I am today. I have developed friendships with some truly amazing people and I have had awesome experiences because of my amputee status. I am more aware and compassionate about the struggles and the needs of others because I am living within the disability community. My kids are being raised with daily examples of overcoming obstacles and adapting to situations because of my prosthetic use. Both of those skills will serve them well as they grow. 

So on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I will celebrate everything that I have become because of my disability. Life isn't always easy, but nobody has a smooth path. Even though I have occasional phantom pain and prosthetic frustrations, I am truly lucky.

Wednesday, December 02, 2020

Tuesday, December 01, 2020

Back on Track

Our first day back to "reality" was as hectic as I anticipated. Timmy lamented Circle Time and complained until the virtual classroom loaded. As soon as he saw his friends and his teacher his mood shifted and he seemed to completely forget that he had been fussing.

I was busy all day. Between my work and trying to keep the boys on task with their assignments, I didn't have time to relax or even sit down until after dinner. Our activities seem to go from zero to running around ragged with very little in between. I had a great vacation, but yesterday I had no doubt that it was over.

The constant rain did nothing to elevate my mood. By mid-afternoon my leg was aching and sore. Between the constant walking and the cold rain, I was feeling every bit of my age. By the way, getting older stinks!


Monday, November 30, 2020

Holiday Spirits

 After a few laid back days of Hallmark Christmas movies, baking and decorating, this morning we are returning to reality. The boys had a week off from school, which was a much needed break for them. Although I was still working last week, not having to juggle their class schedule minimized the chaos and stress that I feel on a daily basis. 

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. Today we will return to our school day schedule, including Circle Time and homework. I suspect that everybody is going to feel frazzled by the sudden jolt back to responsibility, but hopefully it will be short lived. 

I felt so bummed out that I wasn't able to visit with my Mom on Thanksgiving. Instead of focusing on what we weren't able to do, I made a concerted effort to remain positive. I kept reminding myself that the boys were looking to me for their reaction. If I lamented the change in our tradition, I know that their disappointment would have intensified. Instead, I spent the weekend actively harnessing as much of the holiday spirit as possible. 

Our yard is decorated with all of our large inflatables. My kitchen counter is covered with five gingerbread houses and a train, all completely assembled and ready for decorations. My house is now merry and bright, and my spirits are lifted. 

Here's to a great week!