This weekend last year Patrick and I were in Fredericksburg celebrating our birthdays. We could never have imagined it would be the last birthday trip we took without ALL the planning that is involved now. Less than a month after getting home our life totally changed. I wish I could remember what Wyatt was doing when he took those last few steps. I imagine its was to get from his chair to his 3 wheel scooter or to get on the bench to throw the football with Wynston.
In just a few weeks Wyatt will have done just that. I wonder what he was thinking at that time. I still have dreams about him getting up and walking away from me when he is frustrated with me or chasing Wynston around the house for making him mad. It is very hard to believe how slow and fast times goes by at the same time. I can remember that feeling on April 21 when our whole world changed. I remember the fear and sadness I felt. As I have said before I thought I was prepared but in no way was I ready for all the changes that have happened this last year.
I am so proud of my little family and how much we have grown and adapted. Wyatt no longer says things like I don't remember what it is like to walk; he now jokes about wheeling around instead of walking. It definitely hasn't been easy and we are still trying to figure out our roles because I can't do everything and even as much as Wyatt thinks I need to be "the person" he is slowly allowing others to help. But I understand, it has to be hard for anyone to let go of your modesty with people other than your parents, especially a 16 year old boy.
The big test will be on the anniversary of him becoming non-ambulatory. Patrick and I will be going to a wedding out of town for a few nights. Tess, his aide from middle school offered to stay with him and hangout while we are gone.
I have been prepping Wyatt that he will need to ask her to help him do things he doesn't normally allow others to do. I think it will be a great growing experience for him. She is the perfect ones to start this with because he trusts her and she loves him.
It's crazy to think about all of the things that we have been able to put in place to help make everyday life easier and safer. The ceiling lift has been a blessing, and it gives me peace of mind that if I am not here someone can safely lift Wyatt into and out of his wheelchair. We got a shower chair from our dear friends in Texas. A Hoyer lift from my cousin that can be taken to my mom's house so they can safely move him. An active track chair that gives him freedom in the outdoors where his other chairs can't go. And the wheelchair van which we bought after Hurricane Ida is priceless...though it gives us trouble it still has been a Godsend. We have an automatic door to give him the independence to go outside and inside without someone having to open the door. And most recently, he started a trial that will hopefully help with maintaining his upper body strength...because it definitely makes it easier to help get him to the toilet and change his clothes.
We continue to travel and though it is hard to do it is worth it. Wyatt has gotten to see alot of places over the past year and we have had to take his little power chair. He does not love this chair because his big one is much more comfortable but it definitely makes traveling less stressful.
He would love to drive everywhere we go but sometimes it is just not practical. We all wish that flying with his power chair would be easier and safer. Right now he has to be transferred out of his chair multiple times. So over this next year I am hoping to bring awareness to how unacceptable inaccessibility is and how rampant it is when traveling. We have a few ideas as to how to bring awareness and push for change especially with flying.
Stay tuned for our next idea....
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