And in the “That Didn’t Go Well” Department

I went down to the front desk late today to see if there was a wheelchair I could use instead of the crappy chair. They had two. One was too small and the other looked like it could work. But I transferred to it too fast and found myself stuck and unable to stand back up because it had desk arms, which are lower in the front with the higher padded part in the back. I need the padded part to be up front to get the leverage I need to stand. We ended up waiting for a friend on staff to come in and help. There was a great team of people keeping the wheelchairs from sliding back (both have brake problems) and one person on each arm to help me stand up.

I knew my legs would support me if I could just stand up. They did, and I was able to transfer back to my too-big crappy chair. I felt so stupid for not remembering to check the arms before I tried out the chair. I know better. But I am so grateful for the friends who came to my rescue, and for the skills I learned that helped me know how to facilitate that rescue.

Veronica at Olympic Center told me that it was my job to direct my care. To know what needs to happen and to tell other people what to do to make it work. I think I learned that lesson pretty well.