It IS hard! And yes, it's a long process. Something I've learned to do with a whole lot of things is ask myself "What can I do about it?" Sometimes there's not much at all I can do about certain things, so I don't worry about it. If there is something I CAN do, then I figure out what it is I can do, no matter how small.

Like when I started having trouble walking or standing. I couldn't enjoy going out, I couldn't finish my grocery shopping, etc. So I went to the doctor. The fact that I have Degenerative Disk Desease and severe arthritis in my knees made it clear as to WHAT and WHY.

What I did about it was make use of my Disability and had my doctor write up an Rx for my power chair... and I got it! It's still a pain in the butt to go places because it's heavy and very cumbersome to load, but hey! I can cruise the mall now, do my grocery shopping, go places I hadn't gone in years!

Yeah, it was embarrasing to meet friends and people I hadn't seen in ages. Sometimes I have to explain why I'm in a wheel chair. It's annoying but it's better than staying home and rotting away!

I just flat refused to give up those things that I always enjoyed doing! I'll do it in whichever manner I can! I'll do whatever it takes.

Something that I've been battling with is going out with my girl friend because we can't take the power chair. We have to take the manual wheel chair. My strength in my arms isn't all that great so that I can push myself just anywhere. She is always ready to give a helpful push but I couldn't accept that she had to help me!! It was awful! So I talked to myself and asked if I was ready to give up our weekly outings or not. No, I wasn't! It took her and her mother to convince me to ACCEPT the help when it was offered because "We want to do it."

Yesterday was the first time I allowed my friend to push me when I couldn't make it anymore. She's quick to communicate to me how she can use MY help, which is wonderful... and fun(ny), sometimes!