I realized that I've been MIA since the very start of the pandemic; and so, if someone happened upon my blog, they might wonder, "What ever happened to that little amputee woman?"
Well, as my Mema used to say, "I'm kickin' - but not high!" Actually though, (if I do say so myself), I'm doing pretty great. From time to time, I am called in by one of my doctors or prosthetists to go visit a young amputee (someone who has just recently lost a limb). It is then that I realize just how well I do for someone with my level of disability. I am part of an unofficial group of "older" amputees who mentor those who are just getting home from a rehab hospital.
A few weeks ago, I was on a peer visit for a young man who, like me, has amputations on all four of his limbs. He was just getting his prosthetics, and so he was still wheelchair-bound and learning to use his new "hands," that would never come close to real ones. I was careful to tell him that the prosthetics were "tools" and not hands - the sooner he learned that, the better. When I expected my prosthetics to operate as well as human hands and feet, I was sorely disappointed. Again and again.
But these days, my "tools" and I are getting along just fine! I am working full-time (and then some) as a mental health counselor at my own counseling practice that I opened seven years ago. I started out slow - only a few clients a week - because only I would know my own limitations. Back in 2017, I was doing a lot of motivational speaking and just a little bit of counseling. Then the pandemic struck. And suddenly, I was doing just a little bit of speaking (via zoom) and a LOT of counseling!
If forced to find a positive effect from Covid, I would say that counseling in general lost its stigma. More people struggled with anxiety and depression. Social drinkers became drinkers, and drinkers became full-blown alcoholics. Domestic unrest became domestic violence, and many more couples were splitting up. In short, we were ALL struggling; and so our masks fell off. For once, we all admitted that we need help. More people sought out counseling, and I had more clients than I knew what to do with!
The flood waters from Covid have dissipated, and my practice has slowed to a manageable pace. I'm seeing 20-25 clients a week, and that is definitely considered full-time when one accounts for the necessary paperwork and insurance billing.
For those folks that wonder what a day in my life is like, here goes. On a recent Tuesday, I got up and saw my daughters off to school (thank God my oldest drives them in the mornings!) then I drank a cup of coffee and enjoyed a rare 20 minutes of solitude. Next came my daily workout (probably 45 minutes on my home elliptical followed by 15-20 minutes with my teeny-tiny free weights). Eleven years ago, that workout would have been my warm-up, but no matter!
After a good sweat came a good shower (boy, do I remember how hard I worked to be able to do that independently!). For almost two years, my dear husband would wash me (like a car, I might add...); but I FINALLY conquered that feat, and I've even gotten it down to about 30 minutes as long as I don't blow-dry my hair.
Then it's off to work I go! My little office is less than 10 minutes away, 7 if I'm running late, which is most days. With a bit of struggle, I manage to unlock my door, while Alexa helps turn on my lights and white noise. I met with three clients before racing to my girls' school for carpool. I pick up two daughters, drop one off at home and one off at gymnastics. On my way back to work, I check in with my oldest girl who's now a college freshman. All is well, so I fumble with those dang office keys again so I can see three more clients and do a wee bit of paperwork before going BACK to the gym to retrieve my youngest (who's TWELVE now; when did THAT happen?). We get home around nine, hoping that my dear husband or one of my dear daughters has made something for dinner, often a meal kit from "Everyplate," which is a simpler (and cheaper) version of Blue Apron. If not, it's Mac-n-cheese again ☹️.
Then I might collapse on the couch, or possibly straight to bed to read or watch TV before falling asleep and starting all over again! So that’s it! A day in my life. Every day isn’t quite that busy, but then there are days that are more hectic. Our home is still a bit of controlled chaos, though it looks and sounds a bit different. Having three teenage girls, and one tween girl does make for a bit of drama here and there. But there is nothing I would trade for my crazy life.
Visiting a young amputee always helps me to remember where I once was and how far I have come. There is no ego here - I have received gobs of help from my amazing family, friends, and neighbors. Doctors, NURSES, therapists, and prosthetists. All of these folks and more have helped heal my body and soul. I couldn't possibly list all the ways...through all of these people, the Lord has shown up again and again.
So, that's me. Checkin' in...