Hi Everyone,
Lyndhurst Rehabilitation Center is a community with everyone wheeling, motoring, shuffling and pretty much just moving. It is CRAZY cool.
As I write this in the center core, the Coffee shop is humming and people are just being their normal. Everything is accessible here and it’s like life should be this way everywhere for these folks. It’s easy to function here…people talk about what has happened to them, there is nothing sad about it, it just is. No drama…when it is so incredibly dramatic at what has happened in our lives.
The goal here? Get you home, maximize your bodies potential…so you can live your life.
I was trained in accessibility as an Interior Designer and did do one project in the city many moons ago, but that was someone else’s life, not mine…not Nic’s. Now it is my life and it is so many peoples lives. There are 12,000 people in Ontario that have a spinal cord injury. Between 350-400 happen every year. I am buying a lottery ticket.
In the last week in Lyndhurst, Nic has been sick, measured, needled, stretched, assessed, dangled and the list goes on. It has been busy and an adjustment for all of us. Now more of the healing and work begin.
The highlights this week? Well it would have to be the friends that came to visit, I love seeing him smile and he does that alot when his friends are here. The other biggy would be his new Power Wheelchair. In the beginning it was a bit scarey and we all protected our shins. Yes Nic is moving with the community now…please keep them safe! Within hours of him booting around…they adjusted the speed…to SLOWER (Shocking eh?)
Now he has 2 wheelchairs. One power to get him moving to his appointments, get him outside and make him feel like he can do some stuff on his own. The second wheely chair is in case of fire?…and to get him to start propelling himself on his own. This will get his upper body strong, which is pretty darned important.
My highlights? Visits from my dearest friends David Heaslip and Leanne (I love the Danforth!)…Gaye and Stan, thank you so much for being so thoughtful…Sandra, I am sorry I fell asleep at 9pm on our girls night out! I am so lucky to have all of you in my life. Truly.
Being a teenager means he still likes to sleep. ALOT! I thought up to yesterday, “ok… he is adjusting, ok… he is sick, ok… he is a teenager” OK… MOM IS BORED of that now, so in the last couple of days I have been pretty much a pushy “OMG Mom!” (Nic’s words) He’ll get over it right?
His roommates are pretty cool I tell ya. Both boys are young and so incredibly positive (that I have seen). Everyone shares here…there is nothing that is candy coated. There is much talk of beer, cars and gay porn?(running joke) and they make me laugh. They are keepers.
Mitchell took my truck to go back home to get his old job back. We both agreed the job he took in the city was way to dangerous for him to continue. I don’t need them both at Lyndhurst. So I learned how to use the subway and TTC, and am quite proud of my accomplishment. Julie and Stephan both tell me not to talk to people and never smile. I’m not going to change at this age. People look at me like I’m from Mars.
Sometimes I think I am….
Hello Tammy,
It’s wonderful to see the picture of you and your boys, all looking so happy. We’re glad Nic is settled in at Lyndhurst, and so quickly too. He is truly an amazing kid! And you Mom – wow!! I can’t imagine how difficult this has been for you. It’s good to hear you have such a great support network around you. Lots of prayers are being sent your way from lots of people here. May you all continue to find the strength to continue this healing journey. Congratulations to Nic on achieving such amazing progress.
Loving thoughts to all of you,
Donna
Hello Tammy, I have been praying for Nic since his accident and will continue to do so as that is what I believe in. My son at 17 was also in Lyndhurst and while it was the strangest place I had been (on the first day) the positive energy from the staff and co-patients was overwhelming. You are both lucky to be there. My son will turn 30 in a few days and is able to ambulate with elbow crutches for short distances, wheelchair for long, he drives (the hand controls are so cool) and has a handcycle for summer travel. Wishing you all the best. The work Nic will do there is the most worthwhile thing he will do.
All the best, keep working Nic.
Karen