Standing Frame Tolerance for SCI Health & Wellness | Aug 13 – 19 2023

8/13

Boy is it hard sometimes to see all my old things, like my old skateboarding / longboarding slide gloves. I made these, so when I would ride down all those big ole hills in Houghton, I’d have a way to stop. So I would put my right or left hand down, grab the board with my other hand, and with my feet, kick the board out to the side, to initiate a slide! Man was that fun (and dangerous!). Seems like a lifetime ago. One day at a time, and I’ll get back to being able to do things like this again!

8/14

You know every week at The Recovery Project, they have me doing more and more! It’s pretty amazing work, with Maddie, Anthony, Katie & team!

It’s been interesting too, because I haven’t had the chance to get up and stand for this long since the accident! Getting in this standing frame was a lot of work! It took a decent amount of pushing and pulling, and figuring out where my legs gotta go, but in it I got! And then up I went! It’s crazy how tight I am, but I’m really glad to start working on standing tolerance! I was starting to get light headed there for a bit, but I had to focus on my breathing, and I realized if I want to get back up and walking, this has to be the first step!

I’m glad they got me up here, and it’s been a lot of work too, trying not to get faint and out of breath. Or not letting all the autonomic dysreflexia symptoms get me down. Oh well glad to get up!

8/15

Tried my hand at playing my guitar for what feels like the first time in forever. It’s hard to even hold my guitar against my ribs, because my chest is so sore. Also, the vibration from the guitar is making my whole body resonate, is what it feels like.

I am not sure if I can play too much today, but glad to know I still have it in me. Even if I can’t play too much right now.

Can’t believe it sometimes, all the support from folks around you. I can’t believe Gareth is wanting to put on this fundraiser for me! I’m pretty lucky to have friends like this right now.

8/19

I love this dog. It pains me to have to only see pictures of him. I’d much rather be holding the floofy boy, laying in bed or on the couch with him, or going for a run. Man oh man, Max. What the heck happened to us? I guess we’re going to be reunited at some point, but it sure makes me sad every day.