>Hello everybody!
>Several people have asked about the "magical" wal;ker that Gunny sent me.
>
>On September 28, I had a terrible relapse that was so severe I could not
>walk,it was hard to move my arms, and along with the symptoms of bladder
>retention etc, my left side was practically paralyzed. Before that my TM
>was pretty aggravating and difficult, but with a cane and lots of pacing,
>I could teach school, and function as a mother and wife.
> Insurance discontinued therapy whan I could barely ( with help)
>transfer to a wheelchair. With help I could bathe, but was pretty
>helpless.
> Gunny has always been an encourager on the list, and he has shared with
>us that he was in a wheelchair and was told he'd never walk again. He
>got a coach to design a program for rehab and worked so hard. Most of
>you know he walks, using a cane for support sometimes, but he got up!!
>He knew I was working at getting better and after months of hard work at
>getting up and standing only seconds at a time while holding on to the
>counter, I began to get a bit stronger. Just last month I asked Gunny if
>I should even try to use a walker- it wasn't advised by the PT. He not
>only encouraged me, but sent his walker to my house!!!
>It has been very difficult work, but I can walk across the room about 10
>steps with the walker!!!! I have to do it only once every couple of days.
> I do suffer headaches after such a workout and need to adjust my
>walking so as not to overtire my muscles or bring on headaches, BUT I'm
>DOING IT!
>No, there's nothing really magical about the walker- but there is
>something magical about it at the same time!
> You see, the magic in it is that I am LEAVING SPACE IN MY LIFE FOR A
>MIRACLE!!! Really the healing is from GOD. But if I don't leave room in
>my heart,in my thoughts, and in my actions, I'll never get that
>miracle.If I never walk again or improve much more than I am now, I still
>have the miracle- a miracle of hope and a feeling of accomplishment.
> It reminds me of this MAGICAL DESK ! I had one in my classroom and
>used it especially when I taught first grade. I told the boys and girls
>if they were having a rough day and couldn't seem to behave or had a hard
>time getting their work done they could sign up for the Magical Desk.
>They could use it for thirty minute at a time. I told them they would
>definitely be able to finish their assignment while in that seat and that
>the desk would help them concentrate and understand their work better.
>The desk was in high demand!!! It did work!! The kids swore by it.
>Actually, the seat was in a quiet corner, so kids were not distracted by
>others not on task,and behavior immediately changed. Also, this desk
>was in a place I could see them and get to them to discreetly help with a
>difficult concept or counsel them on a personal problem if need be! Oh
>yes,,, we also had a Magical Pencill....................
> My mom is sending my father's walker to me and I will be returning
>Gunny's walker to him as soon as it arrives. So if you're out there, and
>want to borrow Gunnys MAGICAL walker, write and ask him- I'm sure he'll
>oblige!!!
>Love and smiles Karen (Mushroo)
>