Finally, Some Independence!

 It was a cold ten-minute walk but so worth it. I was walking to Athletico for the first time. I decided to go for my shoulder since they could massage it. I am going to other physical therapy places for strengthening and balance, but a lot of time is spent on my shoulder, so I decided it made sense to go someplace specific for my shoulder. This was after every member of my family nagged me to go. I would say I have been to physical therapy all my life; I do not need more! I'm so sick and tired of therapy. Don't get me wrong, I love my therapists! I do; they are wonderful women who had significant impacts on me. I'm just really sick of working on my balance. Anyway...

I meet Hope, my physical therapist and I had emailed her about my diagnosis and what I wanted out of my time at Athletico. We didn't need to focus on standing balance, core work, I simply needed my shoulder worked on. Hope seemed to understand my goals quite well. I told her about my other therapies and how I was trying to find a good mix of everything. She worked on my shoulder and it felt wonderful! 

I had done it. As Hope put on my coat, I realized that I had successfully done something new all on my own. I called and made the appointment, I emailed Hope about what to expect, I went, and all went well. Joy radiated throughout my body because I had been independent. It was like taking a drink of water while running in the desert. I desperately needed to be independent. I had forgotten the utter joy of going to a new place and getting to know new people. 

As we wait for any type of normal to resume, give yourself a break. Now that it isn't freezing, get out and go out for a walk. Do something that fills your soul. It's hard to be a human; try to find some joy.

 

Hannah! 

 

Just an Update

I started my new job at Anabaptist Disability Network on January 5th. It has not been as smooth as we were expecting because I have increased pain in my shoulder, and it is temporarily stopping me from what I originally was supposed to be doing. They have been great about understanding that this is out of my control. Temporarily, I’m doing various projects and focusing on social media. My dystonia is also changing too. It is not getting worse, it is changing. I notice it is more in my arms and shoulders than legs. 

I was about to try a new medication for the changes. To give you some perspective, we have not added new medication in twenty years. My neurologist who I love always told us my movements could change so this was somewhat expected. We did some research and found out the new medication could interfere with the COVID-19 vaccine. Out of all the side effects, it interferes with the most important thing in the world right now. The irony is truly beyond me. I have to laugh. 

We do not know when I will get vaccinated. All my caregivers are getting vaccinated, but they do not have the people who need care in the same group. This does not make sense. I empathize with the people who are creating the guidelines, that cannot be easy, but this simply does not make sense.  

I am sorry I do not have much to share. Life is painfully boring. I did watch the inauguration. What a beautiful thing! Garth Brooks singing Amazing Grace had me in tears. So happy! 

 I hope you are all well. I think about you every day and I send love! 

 

Hannah! 

 

2020: PIVOT

 If you have watched the show Friends, you know the iconic scene where they try to get a couch up the stairs. If you need a reminder of the scene, it's right here. Ross is yelling "pivot" throughout the scene.

Well, 2020 has been full of people needing to quickly pivot. Homes became offices, getting take out became an ethical thing to do, Netflix became an acceptable hobby, and you probably can list many examples of your own. Simultaneously, hospitals are currently war zones fighting Covid-19. Two very difficult realities blurring together on the nightly news. It has been horrifying however, it has taught me that humans are wired to have hope even in our darkest hours. So many people stepped up and helped their fellow neighbor. That is our nature-simply to be human.

I am very blessed to be able to share wonderful news. Through sending a Christmas card, I got a job! One of my professional acquaintances received my card, she congratulated me on receiving my master's degree and through emails, she discovered I was unemployed, and she was looking for someone she trusted to do social media for Anabaptist Disability Network. I will have other responsibilities as well especially when we can gather again. This is only 10 hours a week so keep your eyes and ears out for other opportunities for me because I want to help this world as much as I can. 

As we look forward into a year of healing and hope, I feel compelled to note that I personally miss two things the most. The first one is live audiences at speaking engagements. I miss interacting with kids and teaching them about disability. I miss the curious faces. What a blessing to look at a bunch of kids! The second thing I miss most is having adventures. I miss something going wrong in public and it ending up on here. That is what makes life beautiful: laughing with you or one of you catching an eye roll and knowing exactly what I'm thinking. I miss writing about crashing into glass doors, going on roller coasters, or simply getting coffee with one of you. Okay, I could go without crashing into glass doors. I genuinely miss the everyday going a little bit haywire and having the privilege of sharing the humor life has to offer. 

 Thank you for supporting me throughout the year. We will keep on pivoting until we do not have to any longer. I look forward to having adventures with you in 2021! 

 Love to All,

Hannah! 

P.S. I’ll write more about my new job in January when I know what it is like.