thanks for thinking about me grappers, i have not checked into the board for a while- computer issues that are sorted for now.
Anyway
Big news! I have a BED!!!!!, its height adjustable from floor level to 1 meter high, it has the adjustable backrest and knee break and it also tilts so i can get the swelling in my leg under control! the mattress is somewhat firm -its suppossed to be a pressure relief mattress and its probably a case of getting used to actually using a bed after a few yrs. I have had it for a week now and i can't sleep all night in it yet but certainly i am not getting the same severe painand then loss of sensation i had with the previous one they sent out. So the beds definately a keeper and i will give the mattress time, if it remains uncomfortable after a while the OT said they will swap the mattress for an air mattress
i am still waiting for the recliner chair, the manuafacturer hit some supply problems but they should be bringing it to me for a test fit in the next week or so then if everythings ok they take it back to the factory to cover it and finish it off
they have also put in a request for a new manual wheelchair and for an evaluation of my electric chair as they are both over 10 yrs old now
i have started attending a once per month meeting as a consumer on an advisiry panel for the equipment service and i have been pestering them about setting up regular maintainance review on these major pieces of equipment instead of waiting til they fail- at present i am being told that they would like too but its a budget issue- had they had such a program in place i would not have been without the recliner for 8 months. if you translate the same issue to an electric wheelcahir it would mean being witout one for months at present as they do not plan to replace just wait til they die! And i am lucky to have the manual many clients do not have the second cahir, a good friend of mine is confined to bed if her chair goes for repairs -no acceptable when you only have daily care attendants visits- so thats my next windmill- planned maintainance and replacement for vital equipment!
one last thing , not equipment related. I have started WORK- just a few hours per week at present and not as an RN this time so much lower wage but i am only looking for about 15 hours per week, thats all i can manage really but i am starting with 8 hours as a trial. i have not worked for a bit over 2 yrs now so this a good start and the company seems supportive and positive
Hi Kebsa,
That is fantastic news about your bed. I am so happy for you. Let's hope that they hurry along with your chair. It would be nice it they get around to evaluating your wheelchairs before they die too!
It's good that you are on the consumer panel now as it gives you a chance to be a voice for the many people who go through all the rubbish that you do all because we seem to prefer to spend our taxpayers money on projects that benefit only a small percentage of the population.
Sweet dreams 🙂
Mary
Not every day is a good day, but there is good in every day.
"“It’s delightful when your imaginations come true, isn’t it?” ― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
Hi kebsa
I reckon it will take time to get use to the new mattress, 2 years without one, your body would have forgotten how they felt i that time, pity about the recliner though, progress has been slow on that one but at least you know it's being made.
I do hope you swing a wrecking ball in fighting for the disabled rights, have a feeling you are not going to be a person who will bend easily to pressure and get protocols changed, It is easy for non disabled to pass judgements on what they need and or should be done in regards to care and equipment, now you being on the board highlights where they are letting them down, you go girl give them the stick.
Work front, great you have an understanding employer, another area disabled are let down and if they do get a job they are taken advantaged of. After a 2 year absence it would be very hard to get back into a routine of regular hours, so do the right thing by you and take it slowly, while people may say 15hrs a week isn't much, they don't see the time it takes before and after work to get ready for disabled people, it's not as though you can just jump out of bed have a quick shower, cup of coffee and race out the door, it take hours and a lot of energy, so my hat goes off to you for your commitment to go back.
Don
