Wheelchairs

My father landed in a wheelchair for about three years, he was eventually walking on his own again, but it did not last long. Being is a wheelchair is not all bad and does not mean you give up your independence, it just means that you redirect your independence. Don't give in to self pity for that will only generate resentment from your family members. You are still the same person you have always been just on wheels now. you may not be able to use your legs, but your mind and everything else works don't let that go.

Hi there! It seems you are already on the right track to finding the brighter side to life. A wheelchair can be restrictive if you allow it to be. Thanks to modern technology in electric wheelchairs, there is more to enjoy in life and independence. My friends mom has been restricted to mainly bed rest and wheelchair because of her hips. She has a mind that is sharp as a tack, but she limits herself to mainly bed rest and it is sad. She fails to realize that she is also limiting her sons independence as well. He is almost 50 and has yet to find someone in his life, he commits all of his free time to her. Which is admirable, but sad at the same time. She has given up physically and is waiting to die. Your grandkids and kids will certainly appreciate and be inspired by how you can overcome these challenges in your life currently. I am sorry that you are having these health issues though! You can still be all of those things you described, even in a wheel chair. Don't look at it as a road to $&%*, look at it as a new challenge! I know it is easier said than done, but keeping your mind in shape and spirits up is very important to the health of your body too. Don't give up like my friends mom did. You sound like a vibrant and vivacious person, keep that up and find new ways to interact, hurdles are meant to be overcome. I hope this helps.

dont give up hope,you can still have an active life even being in a wheelchair.an dont let the thought of a wheelchair bring you down.you life could be alot worse.so always look on the bright side.i know a wheelchair is something no ones wants to think about.but my nephew is in a wheel chair an he is doing just fine.an if a child can learn to deal with it.i quess i could to.i hope you dont end up in a wheel chair.but if you do.get a moble one.than you can race against your grand kids.kids loves doing that.i wish you the best!

I've been in a wheelchair my whole life. I'm still happy and independent. I know it's a big adjustment and probably different if you've been walking in your life previous. But their are lots of people who can help you adjust. You can e-mail mail me and I will try to hook you up with resources and supports in your local area (I'm sure I know someone or at least know someone who know knows someone; I'm surprised you weren't referred to a support group by your doctor). You'll be back out there in the swing of life with your kids and grandkids in no time.

I know its hard to change. I miss climbing the mountains, going on country roads and a few other places I cant reach anymore. I used to hike and do primitive camping, but you have to look at it another way. You are not stuck at home, waiting for someone to help you or ask for help, and have mobility once again without dependence. You have to look that its a new possibility you couldnt do before your ability to walk was taken and count your blessings.

I'm in a somewhat similar situation, although I don't think that I'll end up in wheel chair. But I'm limping badly already, I'm starting to use crutches, and later, who knows. I'm trying to deal with this with the most magic of all formulas: acceptance. If you tried everything else to solve a problem, that's the key to 'solve' them all.

If ur sick & Have some diabilities. Take the wheel chair. This wheel chair is the freedom. If u cant walk or is forbidden to walk for sometime.

why you need a wheelchair? life doesnt end on a wheelchair..you must think positively..you can still do alot thingswhile in it...nope ..no relative whose in wheelchair

Please don't forget to look for support/help groups which you can join in. I'm sure there are a lot of people in the same situation who can help you greatly. Don't forget to pray and never become sad just because you're in that type of situation. I think what you really want to do now is to be more grateful that you're still alive and that you still have so much to live for. Take care! :)

I have a friend that has ended up in a wheel chair for any distance. She has been heavy since I've known her (31 years) and has only gotten heavier. I say that we've both doubled our weight since we met, but mine was only about 110 lbs, she was more like 200. I would start working on your upper body. Talk to the doctor about getting a "racing" type wheelchair that is easier to use than the "traditional" kind. If you have to get a "traditional" kind, make sure you can take the arms off before you accept it. I sprained my ankle really bad in the late 80's & borrowed a wheelchair from the office (it had a few donated by people that had moved on to new chairs.) I took the arms & feet off of it & it made it much easier to use. I rolled around the office in my office chair, but used the wheelchair for bathroom or breakroom visits.

I was in a car wreck almost 2 years ago where I almost had my right foot cut off and the heel got crushed. In addition to that I broke my left arm,broke left collarbone,broke several ribs and was badly bruised on other parts of my body. I was in a wheel chair for several months and it is a scary thing to have your independence taken away. You slowly adapt. I am back walking and driving miraculously but I still cannot walk long distances without help of a cane.I just have to be glad to be alive to enjoy my grandchildren. I hope this helps.

Being in the Medical field one gets to see a much darker side of life .. Things like having to tell a 7yr old boys parents that he only has 3 more months to live or telling a mother how the little life growing inside her doesnt have a fighting chance ... When things in our lifes do not go according to plan.. its best to think that it happened for a reason and that its for the better :) You do have a lot to look foward to namely 5 grandchildren who are all beautiful and talented no doubt ... let them be your source of strenght,inturn be their of inpiration and courage . That no matter what the odds you came out strong and with a smile on your face :)