Apparently, despite the fact that we are in Winter here down under in the southwest of Western Australia, the weekend will be sunny.
So I have decided to do something new and different and take Ants for a wheelchair walk tomorrow. Not only is this a way of getting him into the sun, it’s a way of me getting some exercise!
Also, I am contemplating using my blog to write more regularly again about how a marriage survives the dementia that comes with advanced Parkinson’s disease. Instead of blathering on about this and that, I will focus my blog-writing into a bit of a PDD theme.
Since volunteering at the nursing home, I have learned so much and I seem to be in a perpetual state of quiet joy, playing dominoes and cards with various residents, doing the daily walk with dementia residents, rushing in and out of Anthony’s room for quick hugs.
The wheelchair walking will be a test of my physical strength (I am very unfit, physically) and, as the nursing home is close to the beach, and hilly, it will also be a test of preventing Anthony from toppling out of the wheelchair when we are going downhill!
jmgoyder 
Get Anthony a seat belt!!!!!! 🙂
Okay – ha!
And a helmet? Lol
I’m not that bad as a ‘driver’ haha!
I live across from a nursing home and an extended care facility, and there are lots of wheelchair walkers around. Everyone looks out for them, and some are so regular we wave and chat. Just remember when you start: what goes down those hills must come back up! Start slow for your sake, until you get back in shape!
Good advice!
Excellent advice.
I don’t know how many times I have walked down a hill and all around an area to then find, I am too fatigued to walk back up again. That also applies to flat footpaths and walking tracks down the beach.
I am glad I started slow today!
it sounds like you are undergoing a wonderful transformation, and both you and the residents are benefitting from it )
Yes and it is so much fun now that I have the convenience of being able to come and go from Anthony’s room to the dementia wing. I am still a bit shy to do so but Ants has been invited for tomorrow arvo!
Now that’s what I call, a Creative Woman! You go girl!
Thank goodness they are letting me go with flow, Terry!
I am thankful for this also
Good for you, Julie. Hope the wheelchair walk does you both a lot of good. 🙂 Hugs
One small hill did me in – wow I am unfit and determined now!
You can do it. 🙂
haha! a seat belt! So simple. 🙂
And you are so inspiring. I love how your compassion and joy illuminate everyone with whom you come in contact — even when they’re sitting like me at their computer on the other side of the world!
Hugs — enjoy your walk.
I draw inspiration from you every time I tap into your blog Louise!
Enjoy your walk with Anthony. I am sure the walk will be good for both you and him.
Haha – did it today but the wind got the better of us both and we had to go back after only 15 minutes – oh well it is a start!
Next time it will be 20 minutes 🙂
I love that you’re volunteering and being such a blessing to others Julie. I think when we do for others, we find true happiness. Good luck with your walks and becoming fit!
Diana xo
So delightful so far!
You sound so content, I am so glad Jules. Be careful with the hills, the wheelchair and Anthony. Once I was given the responsibility of wheeling Grammie, my husband’s grandmother, who was in her mid nineties at the time, in the park right behind our house. Everything was going fine, I had her and the wheelchair on the grass, so I thought a lot of traction no problem, the slope was quite steep and the momentum started and became stronger than I, it was really scary, I had visions of Grammie hurtling down the mountain, it didn’t happen, but it was touch and go for a few minutes. Go slow in the driveway lol.
You are so funny, Laurie and I know the feeling you had with Grammie and the wheelchair – I am very wary of hills xxx
xoxox
This is such a wonderful idea. I always laugh aloud when you write, Julie. You have a way of telling things in such a humorous way. I remember that once my mother slid out of the wheelchair when I was pushing it. It was a big deal at her nursing home and I thought they should have a “wheelchair driver’s license” test. Her nursing home would not allow seat belts, which infuriated me. But the law here was about not allowing any restraints, even though it seemed like a no-brainer safety measure. What touches me, is how you are getting in shape in all areas of your life. You’ve lifted yourself off the ground, baby. Now you’re off and running. I’m not going to say “amazing.” Just terrific.
I just found out today that they won’t allow seat belts on the wheelchairs – argh! I still took Ants for a walk but only a very short one.
It’s so absurd. We treat our children better than our elderly. It is so dangerous without one. It seems like some of these rules had good intentions, but it’s like were dunces and can’t be trusted to know the difference. Interesting because I wondered if in Australia things were different – I guess not!
Follow the advice above and the very best of luck to you both.
So far so good!
Take a camera. We don;t want the crash to go unrecorded.
Done deal! Would you like to buy the movie rights?
Absolutely.
Be careful and have a cell phone with you!
Done!
Julie, I for one will be looking forward to your updates. Historically the courage you have displayed as aided me significantlyt. I thought your decision to become a volunteer at Ant’s home was brillant, and now the wheelwalk will be so benefical to both of you. I truly don’t think for a moment you will let he get away. Take care, be safe. Bill
I know you know I know how we both are Bill – Jx
The temperature in Perth is the same as it is in Glasgow just now (16C) so I would wrap Ants up a bit with a woolley hat, gloves and a woollen tartan rug over his legs. Should keep him warm.
The sun is always low in the sky in winter in the Northern Hemisphere so it will probably be the same in the Southern one so try and keep the sun out of ants eyes.
Getting up and down kerbs is a nightmare, but there should be recessed areas where it is easy to wheel the chair across roads. Watch on steep slopes as it is sometimes hard to keep a hold of the chair on descents and hard pushing it up hills.
I would take it easy, walk for a bit and take a seat in a park etc before returning.
I absolutely love your pragmatism, Jane – thank you so much!
Sounds like a good idea and I am sure Anthony would like it
Ha – he got too cold – oh well, Summer soon
This has been the bestest thing. What a stunning initiative it was to volunteer, instead of being a visitor now you are part of Anthony’s team. Firmly IN the loop. Useful and unhurried. Plus you get to hang out with all kinds of other cool residents too. I take my hat off to you .. You are a star. c
I thought it was a rather brilliant idea too!
Wherever you go, Julie, we will follow and learn.
By giving we receive! You are such an inspiration. I look forward to reading your new posts. Much love.
Get an electric one and just pretend you are pushing. 🙂 Have a nice walk!
you are going to focus on how a marriage survives dementia? i thought you had been doing that along with some other pretty beneficial information. your so loving and giving it blows my old hippie mind my friend:) love and big hugs!
You made me laugh with your ‘hippie mind’!
Volunteering can have so many immediate and lasting benefits. I’m thoroughly enjoying reading about your volunteering.