Caregiving: 'adapting' nature

I have been known to take a walk through the lunatic fringe during my 17 years as a spouse caregiver. Sometimes this is triggered because I think it is unfair what has happened and is happening to Patti. … Yes, I know that life is not fair, yada yada. Because she must be, Patti is more accepting. Because I do not have to be, I get more nuts about it.

Through our daughter’s childhood, Patti’s Multiple Sclerosis symptoms prevented involvement in the more physical family moments such as sledding in the neighborhood after a snowfall. This just seemed so wrong.

Following the Blizzard of 1996, while shoveling and shoveling snow, I had a vision of an opportunity to right this wrong. Perhaps it was a hallucination from exhaustion?

With the inspiration and energy unique to madmen I turned shoveling snow into building a sledding hill right in our front yard. Patti could roll right out of our house and SEE and FEEL A PART of a family moment that MS had too often denied her.

(Some readers have noted they have challenges using the AOL video display. For your convenience you can simply use the following links to view the video directly.)

You Tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIOix5mSRog

Google Video

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4839940500523256070

I will not even attempt to share how much snow I shoveled onto sleds and dragged to build my hill and mini bob sled course. <grin> While the Blizzard of 1996 may have crippled the East Coast I on the other hand, “had a dream” and I was going to adapt nature.

... and what could be better in hot and humid July than three refreshing minutes of sledding?

Caregivingly Yours, Patrick Leer

http://www.youtube.com/daddyleer

Tags: caregiving, Multiple Sclerosis, Blizzard 1996

daddyleer at 2:23:00 PM EDT Blog about this entry

This entry has 7 comments: (Add your own)

#7 Comment from bgilmore725
7/31/07 3:11 PM | Permalink

You are always thinking about ways to include Patti in all family activities. What fun everyone had, not just her. And your daughter will always remember it this way... that a family with a member who has a physical/mental disability does not have to stop living like a family... that they still need to feel part of the family, and participate as fully as possible. You have made it all possible for Patti and your daughter... yourself, as well. I imagine anyone who witnessed your caregiving all these years (friends, neighbors, relatives, etc) have been impressed and motivated to be more involved in their family's life. Did I miss the ABC special about caregiving? Has it aired yet? bea

http://journals.aol.com/bgilmore725/Wanderer/
#6 Comment from analeighia
7/30/07 7:35 AM | Permalink

............your entries always make my day.....
#5 Comment from bamawmn46
7/29/07 1:50 PM | Permalink

What fun for everyone!! And yes, it is a mini-vacation from the July heat! BTW, I love 'Time Warp'.. one of my favorites!!
Jackie
#4 Comment from patlegion
7/29/07 10:40 AM | Permalink

Fantastic time for the whole family, Patti has a great husband and your a great dad you really show how much you love your family that is for sure. Have a great day with your family today.
Patricia,
Chicago
#3 Comment from seraphoflove9001
7/29/07 9:22 AM | Permalink

That was great! I bet Patti just loved that! :o) Thank you for sharing. :o)
Lisa

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