Progress on the wheelchair front

Wheelchair tryout

I am thrilled to report progress this week on the wheelchair front. 

We've endured C.'s current one for some six years. It was the concoction of the so-called seating expert at C.'s old school who selected it and all its accoutrements single-handedly. And believing her title was deserved, we blindly followed her advice.

It was clear from day one of C's sitting in it that our "expert" was actually clueless. After every seizure, C. slides down. Like this:

Sliding out of her current chair

And even when calm, she gradually slides down over time. When the Hubby is out of the house, I am forced to leave her in that uncomfortable position because I'm not allowed to lift her weight (lest I wreck my pelvic organ surgery).

So we're all eager to finally acquire this new Italian wheelchair which promises to prevent sliding via its slight tilt backwards. 

According to the importer's rep, who brought a demo chair to our house, this tilt will also readjust pressure spots, thereby relieving to the ones that are normally plagued. He assured us there's a good chance we'll have the new wheelchair delivered by the time the Hubby leaves for his brief overseas trip in November. Hoping hard.

On the swing front, no such good news. The local person we've been referred to by the overseas manufacturer is on vacation now. But an associate of his told the Hubby that in the past they've encountered opposition from another municipality, similar to the sort ours dished out - see Frustration overflow.

Hydrotherapy - notice the tip of her tongue

Her impression was that some folks there simply don't want children with disabilities frequenting their playgrounds.

I managed to attend C.'s weekly hydrotherapy session yesterday.

Normally, I'm with grandchildren at that hour so E., her caregiver, is with her on her own and sends me photos and videos. But seeing it in real time is such an very uplifting experience. The pool is still the only venue in which C. thrives.

Yesterday she seized right before entering the pool and right afterward. But during those 35 minutes of floating, she was the epitome of calm and contentment. We were even treated to several of her "smiles" - the tip of her tongue sticking out as the photo above shows.