Institutionalized: 1940

The Summer After California

It has been almost a year since Greg and I went to California. The race in Vancouver is fast approaching. We cannot wait to see our friends again. It has been almost a year since we saw them in California. Race weekend in Vancouver starts in a few days. Greg and I are looking forward to Friday. That is when race weekend begins. Greg and I are getting excited. Greg and I already organized to rent a wheelchair for the three days of the weekend. We were lucky enough to get a wheelchair for me through Veterans Affairs as I am the wife of a veteran who happens to be challenged. The department recognized that when Greg put his application in for housing once returning from England with me. Veterans Affairs gave us a number of an organization that helps people with physical challenges.

The organization we called is called March of Dimes. I asked Greg to call them for me because I am not good talking to strangers on the phone. Greg told me that it was not a problem. He called March of Dimes to see if we could rent a wheelchair for the weekend. Once Greg called March of Dimes inquiring about a wheelchair, I was giving Greg all the information that March of Dimes asked for on the phone. The representitive asked the reason why I was inquiring a wheelchair. Greg told the representitive that I sustained a hip injury last year and has difficulty walking long distances and trouble standing for long periods of time. The representitive told Greg that it sounds like I am qualified to get a wheelchair for the weekend, but she wanted to confirm with a doctor befor making the final decision if I get the wheelchair or not. It seemed like Greg was on the phone for a long time, but it was only a few minutes before Greg got the answer we were looking for. Once the representitive returned to the phone, she told Greg that I can rent a wheelchair for the weekend. The representitive also told Greg that someone will be coming by the next day with a wheelchair that I can use until Monday. So, I will have the wheelchair from Thursday to Monday morning. Greg said thank you and hung up the phone. Greg then told me the good news . We were both so happy with the great news. Greg said that the wheelchair will be delivered the next morning. I am happy that I will not have to worry about reinjuring myself. I walk differently now after what happened almost a year ago. This type of injury changes the way your hips are it results in the way you walk. The next morning, Greg and I woke up early because we had to be ready for the people delivering the wheelchair. Greg told me that the woman he talked to told him that the wheelchair would be delivered between nine o'clock and 9:30 am. Greg went to empty Ryliegh's litterboxand I made my way to the kitchen.

Once Greg was done his chore, he joined me in the kitchen. Greg filled Ryliegh's food and water bowls then got our breakfast. Greg asked me what I wanted for breakfast. I told him that I wanted toast with butter. Once he gave me my toast, he made his breakfast. After breakfast, we got dressedand I elevated my legs because my hips were hurting for some reason. We waited for the wheelchair to be delivered. We did not have to wait long for it to arrive.

Once we heard a knock at the door, Greg went to answer the door. Once Greg opened the door, he saw it was a representative from March of Dimes delivering the wheelchair for me. The representative told Greg that he would be coming back on Monday to pick the wheelchair up between 9 and 9:30 in the morning. Greg was also told that if the wheelchair becomes damaged in any way during the weekend and do not inform March of Dimes then we would be fine for damages. Greg told the representitive that we would be careful and thanked him. Once the March of Dimes representitive brought the wheelchair inside, he left. The wheelchair came with instructions to fold it to put it into the car. We would definitely need those instructions as I was using the wheelchair for the whole weekend at the track. Greg decided to call his dad to remind him that we need him to drive us to the track tomorrow. I told Greg that it was a good idea because his dad was getting old and may forget things. Once Greg called his dad to confirm the ride for tomorrow, we decided to get everything ready for tomorrow.