Joking Reveal

 While I am not hiding my prosthesis at work, I do make an effort to keep it concealed in professional settings. When I am in schools, I want the focus to be on my students and not on their one legged teacher. Inevitably we are swarmed by curious eyes when my prosthesis is visible. I'm usually very open to these teachable moments, but not at the expense of my student's comfort and instructional time.

Yesterday, when I arrived to work with a student I found him outside at recess. Instead of interrupting play time, I stopped to chat for a few minutes with his one-on-one instructional assistant. This young man reminds me of Robby. He is 22, a little awkward with a really big heart. I enjoy chatting with him because I always leave with the same impression: He is so young and I am so old.

The aide strolled over to me with a look of mischief on his face. My mom-radar was on high as I knew something was coming.  I asked him how he was doing, and he began his rehearsed shtick.  

"Well Miss Peggy, I'm not doing too good."

    Oh no! What's going on?

"Well, I'm not feeling too good. I was mowing the lawn this weekend and I ran over my feet. See my feet?"  

He proceeds to point to his feet, upon which he is wearing skeleton Halloween shoes. He then begins to snicker and asks me if I understand his joke, pointing to his shoes in a cartoon like fashion.

I stood quiet for a moment as I tried to figure out what to do. I quickly realized that I was friendly enough with this young whippersnapper show him how it is done.

"I'm sorry about your feet. Looks like I'm not the only one left without a leg to stand on." 

I pulled up my pant leg, exposing my prosthesis.

This adult kid's jaw hit the playground mulch as he processed what he was seeing. He stammered both apologies and astonishment as we have worked together for almost a year without him realizing. I'm not going to lie, I worked hard on my gait and it feels good to know that my limp is undetectable to most.  I assured him that I was joking and not insulted, and walked away like a boss.

 

     

Beautiful Weather

 Yesterday was an easy way to ease back into the work week. The weather was absolutely gorgeous. Where last week I was trotting around in the rain, yesterday I was working under bright blue skies in 70 degree air. It was perfect! (As a bonus, none of my students complained about walking outside with me.)

I came home from work, finished some paperwork before heading outside to enjoy the firepit with Timmy. He spent the night swinging and riding his bike through the neighborhood. I am amazed that he has logged nearly 2,000 miles since receiving his new bike in April. I guess any doubt on whether or not he would like it has been answered.  

Today the weather should be just as favorable. It should be a good one! 

Relaxed

 I had a great weekend relaxing and hanging out with my Mom. While we didn't tackle anything on her constantly growing to-do list, we did go shopping and eat out most of our meals. I was delighted to find a sale on the 'perfect' work shirt and I grabbed one in every color. I felt like I hit the lottery with both the design and the price. (It seems that I am easily excited as I become older.)

Unfortunately I had to head home earlier than I would have preferred in order to get ahead of the encroaching storm. I was sad to leave, but I also left well-slept, well-fed and ready to tackle the week ahead. I guess there is just something about being with Mom that makes everything feel better!

This week won't be too busy and, with the cooler weather, it should not be physically taxing. Hopefully the weather and my schedule will align, making this a great week to end September.  Have a great day! 

PA bound

 Thursdays are rough. By the time I come home from work my legs feel like they are cement blocks and my back and hips are screaming at me. I've tried to rearrange my schedule to lighten the physical load, but logistics supersedes my comfort. As it stands, Thursdays are Mom's tired day and Timmy has learned to not expect a fancy or big dinner.  In all honesty, he usually benefits from my physical exhaustion by eating his dinner from a paper bag.

I suspect Hamlet will be eating several meals out of paper bags over this weekend. I'm going to visit my Mom for a few days, leaving the boys to fend for themselves. I'm looking forward to getting away to just hang out and relax with my Mom. 

Have a good weekend! 

Work Anniversary

 Yesterday marked one year since I returned to Orientation and Mobility full time. One year of putting on pants every day and working in front of people instead of behind a keyboard. While I miss the autonomy and the comfort of my work-at-home lifestyle, I really do like my job.  The students are amazing and, as long as I can float above the adults fighting, remain my only focus. 

In all honesty, I had forgotten about the bickering that is often the fodder in teacher workrooms. The school is inconsequential as it seems to happen in every single. Regardless of where I am in the county, teachers are complaining and the gossip is flying.  Working from home, I was able to skirt above the drama. Avoiding the gossip is still my goal, but now I have to be strategic about staying away from it. 

Although I still don't like putting on pants everyday, I think the great test of mom leaving the house everyday for work has been a success. Timmy has absolutely flourished under his newly anointed independence. I've figured out how to run the house while working outside of it, a task that felt overwhelming this time last year. 

Happy Work Anniversary to me. I love the kids. If I end up quitting, it will be because of the adults.  Wish me luck for year 2. 

Tin Man

 While I'm happy for a rainy day, I'm not entirely delighted with the associated body pain. I am not really experiencing phantom pain (knock on wood), but my legs are just sore and achy. Hopefully I will start to limber up as I move through the morning because right now I feel like the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz. Getting old is not for the faint of heart!

Work has been unchanged. I adore working with the students. The adults and the bureaucracy are frustrating. Much like every other aspect in life, too many eyes overseeing a process tends to muddy the waters. Everybody wanting to justify their worth in the workplace erodes autonomy. Much like having to wear pants everyday, this is just something I need to accept. 

Have a good day! 

Charlie Cat

 No resolution on the payroll issues, but I feel more settled because I have a plan.  I'm not sure which path forward we will be taking, but I feel better knowing that I have control over the situation. In an absurd version of employment roulette, the County's actions will directly impact my path forward. So we wait and see.

In the meantime, I'm continuing to work and plan. This week is going to be rainy, which has me oddly excited because it should be good for puddle development. I love teaching cane travel with puddles. As long as it isn't pouring down rain, it should be fun and novel.  Hopefully my leg will cooperate!

Robby came home over the weekend for a bittersweet visit. His beloved cat Charlie is not doing well. I promised Robby that I would let him know when the time was near so that he could say goodbye. Robby spent the weekend loving on his old cat, a sight which brought tears to my eyes and tugged at my heart. I wish I could take away the inevitable and avoid the pain that I know is coming.

I really thought Charlie Cat would pass over the weekend, but he is still here this morning. He is very tired but not in any pain. It is my hope that he simply falls asleep on his electric blanket and crosses the rainbow bridge peacefully. Maybe the sound of the rain will help soothe him.