Swimming and Geocaching

Yesterday we had planned to return to Virginia, but Robby asked to extend our stay so he could go to the pool with his cousins.  The temperatures were hot and the sun was blazing. Lacking any real reason to return home immediately, I decided that staying and swimming would be a good use of our day.  

Robby, Timmy and Tiffany all had a blast splashing and playing in the pool. After a few hours we returned back to my Mom's, where we dried off and ate dinner. When Timmy was sleeping for the night we sneaked out and went Geocaching at a local park. We topped off our Geocaching with a trip to the ice cream shop.

Driving back to my Mom's we noticed the bright yellow full moon. I encouraged my nephew to pull out his telescope so we could all take a better look. At first he said that he couldn't find it, but finally admitted that he didn't know how to use it. With a "don't worry, I've got this" attitude, Robby grabbed the telescope and set it up like a seasoned pro.  We ended up setting up the telescope in the middle of the street (thankfully there is little to no traffic that time of night) and Robby helped JR learn how to use it. 

I'm relieved that it is finally Friday. With near constant travel, I'll be glad when things finally slow down for awhile. Although we all had fun in Ohio, the stress of trying to keep the boys tame while around others is simply exhausting.  Today the boys and I are headed home. I have to admit I'm looking forward to kicking my leg off, curling up on my couch in my jammies and sipping on a glass (or two) of wine.  

TSA "Screening"

My recent airline travel has confirmed my belief that TSA is in desperate need of continued training. None of the agents I encountered knew how to handle my prosthetic. I know how the screening is supposed to unfold and I become frustrated when I seem to know protocol more than the employees!

The "security" screening on our outbound trip consisted of the agent asking me what other people do, followed by a quick "I think you're fine honey. Have a good day." I wasn't swabbed, nor was I patted down. It doesn't exactly instill confidence, does it?

On the return trip, the agent only did a visible inspection. Although, in all fairness, using the term "inspection" may be deceiving. In reality she looked at my prosthesis, said "I see you have one of those prosthetic legs. I think I have to swab your hands."  After my hands (but not my prosthetic) were swabbed, I received a kind "Go ahead dear." It is frustrating that the TSA screening experience continues to be piecemeal and inconsistent.

After a long evening of travel, we arrived safely at my Mom's house. Today we will make the final of our trip as we return to VA. The boys and I have been away now for two weeks and I think we are all anxious to go home.

Traveling with Timmy went as well as anticipated. He was high maintenance but behaved, which is really all that matters. We lucked out by discovering a playground at the airport, allowing him a much needed energy outlet before being confined in a seat. If you ask me, every airport would benefit from not only continued disability training for their TSA agents but also by offering a small playground.  

Last Day in Ohio

Yesterday we packed up the boys (and Grandma) and headed to a local amusement park. The weather was overcast and muggy, but the boys were excited for an adventure. Although the weather was overcast and muggy.  Eventually the skies opened and we were treated to the much anticipated thunderstorm. We were bummed to get rained out of our Ohio adventure, but at least the boys were able to ride without interruption for two hours. 

Today we are packing up and heading home. Well, at least back to Pennsylvania. We fly into Philadelphia tonight and will drive to my Mom's for the night. Tomorrow we will (finally) return to Virginia. Robby, Timmy and I haven't been home for two weeks. Although we have had a lot of fun, it is time to go home.

Day 3

Hello from Ohio (again).  

Yesterday was laid back.  Scott and the kids ran errands with his Mom while I stayed back to work. I know that his Mom appreciated the alone time with the boys and I truly appreciated the quiet opportunity to focus on my computer. 

Today we are going to a small amusement park in the area. I know that Robby and Timmy will thoroughly enjoy running and playing. Both have some penned up energy that needs a constructive outlet. They have been well-behaved so far, but neither of us want to risk what might come from the boys being idle for too long.  

Picnic

Greetings from Ohio. 

Saturday morning we woke up before dawn and headed to the airport to catch a 6 AM flight to Ohio so we could attend Scott's family reunion. Traveling with a tween and a toddler is stressful under the best circumstances. With everybody sleep deprived, nervous and cranky, the trip was anything but relaxing!

The picnic went well. Robby thoroughly enjoyed speaking with his Great Uncle Grover, who was a POW from WWII. My little history buff sat next to him for hours, asking questions and absorbing all of the information he could glean. He even recorded some of the conversation so he could have it for future reference. I was impressed by Robby's questions and proud of his thoughtful behavior during the interaction.

While Robby was busy talking I was running after Timmy, who was his typical bundle of energy. He alternated between jumping on the trampoline, petting the bunnies and the admiring the chicken coup. By the time the afternoon was over we were both filthy, sweaty and tired.  

Today I will have the boys to myself while Scott runs errands with his mom and sister. After the commotion of the past few days, I'm looking forward to some quiet time. While I take the opportunity to knock out some work, I think Timmy will be content to play with his trains and watch cartoons while Robby will occupy himself playing video games. I'm sure that they will be ready to go by the time Scott comes home from his excursions.  

Jubilee Day

Yesterday afternoon I decided to pack up the Cousin Crew and surprise them with a visit to a local street fair.  The organizers of the "Jubilee" tout it to be the longest running (and largest) one day street fair on the East coast and, since it was a beautiful day, I thought we would check it out.  The kids love grabbing free giveaways and with over 300 vendors signed on for the event, I figured that they would have a blast filling their bags with swag. 

Donning their tie dyed Cousin Crew shirts, the kids grabbed some empty bags and piled into the car. We arrived relatively early in the afternoon, which allowed us to park relatively close to the fair. As we walked towards the roped off streets we were hit with the wafting aromas of roasting meat, popcorn, french fries and cotton candy. (In other words, the smells of summer.)

The kids went to work searching for loot as soon as we walked into the fair. We methodically went up one side and down another, spinning every wheel and playing every Plinko game. They picked up extra bags when their original one was stuffed. By the time we were done we had walked 17,000 steps and each tween had accumulated four bags of swag.  

We had a great time at the Jubilee- with one glaring exception. One vendor, who was advertising hosting foreign exchange students (how ironic) both insulted and mocked Robby's speech impairment. When we first encountered her, she commented on Robby's unique "accent." This is not an unusual response to hearing him for the first time. It is something that Robby and I have both become accustomed to handling. I quickly informed her that he does not have an accent but is working hard to overcome his speech issues. 

Usually telling people about the speech issue quells the conversation. Not with this lady. She proceeded to parrot back Robby's words, mimicking his impairment and laughing. Robby was mortified. I was irate. The other cousins were frustrated and angry for him.

We proceeded through the Jubilee, but eventually I decided I needed to do something. Robby (and the Cousin Crew) needed to see me stick up for him. I walked back to the tent and politely confronted the vendor on her response. In a calm tone (for which I deserve credit because I wanted to go ballistic) I let her know that she both insulted and embarrassed my son when she mimicked his speech patterns. She was informed about his impairment, and the fact that he was working hard to correct it, yet she chose to engage in mocking behavior.  

She apologized, but I suspect it was more to close the conversation so I didn't make a scene in her tent. I left, satisfied that I stuck up for my child but frustrated that we live in a world where I had to confront an adult for making fun of him.  

Be Prepared

Relying upon manufactured devices, which occasionally breakdown, is one of the most frustrating aspects of living as an amputee. When my prosthesis works perfectly, living as an amputee is my norm. I put my leg on in the morning and I really don't think about it throughout the day. When my prosthesis fails, being an amputee jumps to the forefront of all thoughts.

At the beginning of this month, while at the World War II weekend with Robby, my liner developed a significant tear along the back of my leg. Because my limb wasn't protected by the silicone, each step was painful as my skin became increasingly raw from the rubbing. By the end of the first day I was hobbling around both in pain and with a horrific gait. 

I refused to slow down because I knew how much Robby adored the event, but I was definitely struggling to keep up with him. When packing for the event I failed to put an extra liner in the suitcase, which was a rookie mistake. (I have been an amputee long enough to appreciate that component failures always happen at the most inopportune moments.) Thankfully Scott was coming to the event the next day and was able to bring a new liner to me but I was silently cursing myself for not bringing it with me.

While at the beach with the kids I lost the top of my suction valve. I have no idea when or where I lost it, I only realized it was missing when I couldn't maintain suction in my leg. Thankfully I had my repair kit with me and I was able to replace it quickly. I would have struggled to walk safely had I not been able to pop in a new valve.

Prosthetic failures frustrate me because I am reminded of the vulnerability of my mobility. One tiny tear, or if one small piece of plastic can derail my plans for the day. Thankfully both of my recent issues were easy to remedy, but that isn't always the case. After what happened at the World War II weekend, I won't make the mistake of traveling without my repair kit again!