Oct 26
FAQs – uncensored
This will be an ongoing project but here goes:
- How long have you been in “that thing”? (“that thing” would be my WHEELCHAIR if my blog didn’t give it away)
I have been paralyzed for 10 years. The date was September 12, 1999. It was my first fall semester at college. I say first FALL because I also took a class over the summer. Yea, I’m a dork. Whatever. - Is it….permanent? (because you know my uncle’s cousin’s daughter’s sister’s friend’s mom’s husband was paralyzed but he’s walking now)
- Yes, my injury is permanent and no I do not believe prayer will suddenly heal me and no the doctor’s can’t “fix” it. They did what they could to SAVE my life and ensure I would live a HAPPY healthy mostly normal life.
- Why are you in “that thing”? (again, yes people call it a thing, but it really is a wheelchair, I promise)
Again, I was paralyzed in a car wreck and I am now what is considered a L1,2 paraplegic. (L=Lumbar/lower back) - But you have such a good attitude……
- Well…I’d rather be HAPPY then feel sorry for myself. Only I can make me happy and I have to live with what I have. It can’t be changed so why be miserable when I can be just as happy if not HAPPIER than the next person.
- Where does the feeling stop? (in other words I am too embarrassed to ask you if you can feel it when you have sex or have to pee or poop)
The answer is that my feeling fades from the belly button down. And no I can’t feel what you really want to ask me about. - Do you drive?
Yes. My van has hand controls. My van does NOT have a cool lift. Those are crazy expensive and take up space in my van. For now I am healhy and can break my chair down and put it in the passenger seat next to me. - Why don’t you use a power chair?
Because, again, I am young and healthy and do not need one. Plus they are HUGE. My chair in TEENY TINY and fits almost anywhere. I would be way to limited with something that big. Besides, my kids like to “push” me and couldn’t if I had a power chair … maybe when I’m 50? - Did you conceive naturally?If by naturally you mean the “old fashioned” way yes. This was ACTUALLY the first questions I had for my doctors. Can I still have children. They assured me that in most cases, YES, women who are paralyzed can still conceive. I just had to wait and see if I got my period back. I did.
- Did you deliver vaginally? No. I delivered via Cesarean section. I know there are paralyzed women who have successfully delivered naturally and I desperately wanted to be one of them. HOWEVER, my doctor and I were worried that with the placement of the rods in my spine I may not be able to bare down all the way and push a baby out. I could labor for HOURS and not be able to do it and in the end need a C-section. So we decided I would go in rested and prepared. I have NO regrets.
- How do you bathe? Dress? – I have a shower bench I sit on and shower just like anyone else. If I want a bath I get the full princess treatment and DH lowers me in and raises me back out of the tub. Dressing. Either on the bed or in my chair with LOTS of wiggling and moving side to side to get pants on. If you are ever out with me and I take FOREVER in the bathroom. THAT IS WHY. Getting my pants up takes about 1-4 minutes depending on fabric and fit.
- How do you do chores? oooh you mean like housework? Yeah. I just do it. You’d have to come and watch. I USUALLY try and make Charlie do the floors. . . I think we are going to hire a maid to come once a week.
- Do you ever feel sorry for yourself? I think IT FREAKING SUCKS. I don’t feel sorry for myself any more than you do….and you do from time to time, am I correct?
- If I see you somewhere should I help you or not? I dunno, ask me. I promise I won’t roll you over. If I say NO, believe me. OOOH and NEVER EVER jerk a door out of my hands. Ask me if I want help. DO NOT EVER jerk a door out of my hand. I do not know how many times I have almost fallen out of my chair because someone jerked a door out of my hands….and do not RUN ahead of me to move things, unless you have asked and I say yes please or I ask. Â It slows me down. I am EXPERT and gauging if I will fit somewhere so don’t block me. Please.
- what other medical complications do you have because of the paralysis? I have rods on either side of my spine. They often cause pain. I can easily get a pressure sore (bed sore). I most likely can’t have another baby…I don’t know for sure but I really think it has to do with things just weakening because of the paralysis. My bladder often just up and decides to have a mind of it’s own. I can’t feel it ya know.
- How did you meet “the man”? We met online. I lived in Shiner. He loves Shiner beer. You do the math.
- Did you finish college? Not yet. I went back in 2001. Developed a horrible pressure sore that put me in the hospital off and then on again for 4 months. Started planning a wedding, enjoying newly wed life and then getting pregnant. I am doing my dream job though. . . I plan to go back at some point. IÂ either want to teach or be a medical student…I mean doctor.
- Since you never lost conscienceness do you remember the pain when it happened? Yes.
- Do you excercise? I wheel my weight around all day, every day and load my chair in and out of the van multiple times a day (although will has been helping me with that) and I lift my body to the bed, couch and toilet many times a day as well. I also have a toddler. .. but no. No REAL exercise. I have asthma. LOL
- Do you still go to therapy? nope.
- You say you can’t FEEL. Does that mean you can’t have sex? I can have sex and do . . . I have 2 kids, remember.
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Hey. Just found you via @QueenOfSpain. You kinda rock. I love how honest and straight forward this FAQ is. You could easily have called it “Every you ever wanted to know about the lady in the wheelchair but were afraid to ask.” Woody Allen should totally make that movie. Kinda like a sequel. Anyway, hi.
Hi, I found your blog Scarry Mommy’s tweet #followfriday
You’re amazing
Don’t know exactly where I found you from, but I’m following you and I think I’m in love with you already.
Or your blog, I’m in love with your blog – if that sounds less creepy.
P, you rock! I can’t believe all this time I’ve known you, and I’ve never taken the time to read your blog! You’ve always inspired me….and I am just awe struck by all you do! Love ya, girl!
This was so refreshing to read, I’m going to have to link my mom to your blog, she would love your answers, especially the one about people moving things for you!! LOL she feels your pain!:)
Hi! My daughter’s a fan of yours. I have a very similar injury and enjoyed reading your blog especially your answer to “Should I help you?” I SO relate! I had already raised my kids when I was injured 6 years ago, but I spend a lot of time with my grandkids and love that I can find ways to do creative things with them. Keep on!
I love your blog! You are an inspiration for sure…
Thank you!
Thanks for the FAQs. I come via @OurCrazyBoys I can usually decide if I like someone based on their FAQs. And I do. Like you.
I guess I should do a FAQ now.
You need to update your excercise FAQ–Short-stick mama!
Haha! so I do
hey! Saw you were featured at 5 fish! Kari is so cool like that.
And she is right! You do have an infectious smile.
I used to work in a hospital–Rehab therapy floor as a certified nurses assistant. I LOVED it.
I totally wanna be a REhab nurse later. all my kids are not in school YET.
i loved learning more about you.
It’s all in the attitude, you don’t have to be miserable just cause you have had rotten luck, it takes WAY more muscle to frown than smile….
But U already knew that right?
I have a NEW blog now. Wordpress. I still have my blogger one. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.
Here’s my link if you want it.
Comes visit me please?http://vloggingmama.wordpress.com/
Hi, i love you!
I love your transparency.
I love this – what an amazing attitude! I wondered about so many of things you touched on here. Can’t wait to check out the rest…
Your FAQ page is awesome. Really. Brilliant! Honest. Love it.
Man I wish people didn’t call your wheelchair a “thing” – like that diminishes the fact that you are in a wheelchair. Ugh. I hope you inspire others! I’m sure you do… 
~ Alyna
Priscilla!! I’ve been reading and nodding my head saying, “Yep, this is the same smart, strong, funny, sweet, butt-kicking chick I remember from UW days!” Love you.
A few months ago I ended up in a wheelchair, (a small one and a big power chair)
I have a neuromuscular disease (still looking which one)
My daughters are 6 and 9 years old, and they think I’m the coolest mom ever. (and a happier mom, now she’s able to leave the house, and a little less tired all the time)
Things I sometimes really don’t like are:
- People who think I’m (also) mentaly disabled and talk to me like I’m a 3 month old baby.
- People who think they should get a medal just for holding the door for me (or a big tip)
- People who think I’m faking because I look ‘normal’ or because I can move my legs and (with some support) am able to stand.
- People who think I’m a bad person and what happened to me was a punishment from God (really, people tell me this)
- People who think whatever I have is contagious, and they might catch it.
- People who ask me when I’m getting out of that ‘thing’ (sometimes followed by: ‘… and act normal’)
- People who think I can’t take care of my kids
And I love:
- Babies and Toddlers, especially when they look at you with a face that says:
* ‘Your a little bit too big to sit in a stroller, aren’t you’
* ‘Your getting back in the stroller? I’m trying to get out!’
* ‘Cool, a stroller you can move by yourselve’
- My youngest daughter saying to her friends. ‘Yes that’s my mom, she in a wheelchair, cool ha’
- My oldest daughter, who (despite her age) Isn’t too embarased to be seen with me, and thinks I’m cool.
- My husband, for saying ‘yes she’s in a wheelchair, so what?’