Paralyzed since I was 18 years old, I have spent much of the last 30 years thinking about the reasons why the social life of crippled people is so different from those who ambulate on two feet. After reading about the so called Ashley Treatment I decided it was time to write a book about my life as a crippled man. My book, Bad Cripple: A Protest from an Invisible Man, will be published by Counter Punch. I hope my book will completed soon.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Home
I was released from the hospital today. What a relief. My last two days were spent with no internet access and iffy television service. Boredom was a major issue. But I am officially in what I will call phase two of recovery. Phase one, getting medically stable and the wounds non infected, is complete. This was hard physically and hospitalization miserable. Phase two, months in bed at home dependent on others has just begun. This will require great inner discipline and fortitude. In some ways this second phase is going to be the hardest. I am home yes but can so virtually nothing to help myself. But I am home. I have real internet and email access. I will eat healthy foods and be able to have a beer with dinner. My dog Kate is at my side, though a bit confused by my bed. Speaking of beds, I am set up in my living room. In short, I have all the trappings of normalcy but am far from normal. This is the new reality I must adapt to. Adapt I will. I have been doing it for the last 32 years and am good at it--as are most people with a disability. There is much more to detail but I am too tired and want to answer a few emails. Better days are ahead as are hard times. What a trip I am about to undertake.
glad to hear you're back home, but not so glad about the need to adapt. Still, like you said, a Masters degree in that, so at least you have the skills...
ReplyDeleteWhew! I am soooo glad to hear that you are home. One ominous short message about a fever followed by silence made me a little nervous.
ReplyDeleteI was very close to putting out a "Pray for Peace" appeal on facebook. ;-)
Like you said, this is the start of a long hard road. But at least it's at home - which beats the living hell out of hospitals.
It is very very good to hear from you, especially with this particular update.
So glad you are home. It won't be easy, but home is much better - and safer.
ReplyDeleteHome is the best place of all.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you are home and out of the germy hospital. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteYou have encouraged your large online readership, Bill. (Hear the cheers?) Raised my longneck in your honor last evening! Barbara
ReplyDeleteGlad to be home for sure. But I am going to need to create a new normal I feel comfortable with. Living in a hospital bed in my living room is going to take some getting used to. Even with my concerns and reservations I know home is te best place for me. Ineed to figure out the logistics and costs
ReplyDelete