It depends- which would the person who is either to walk and possibly fall or sit in a chair rather do? But then of course, there are other factors involved. Always other factors. Which is where the Zen thing gets fuzzy for me. Oh honey. I wish I knew.
I've never lived in a chair but I've fallen down in a seizure and it's horrible especially in public which is my very worst nightmare. I am thankful for meds that work. I can't make the other choice.
walk....walk while one can. this is my mantra because i know the chair looms in my unfortunate genetic future. taking away the physical experience of "bearing weight" once in the chair; is a slippery slope. a frightful kind of slippery slope where falling is replaced with a quicker physical decline from non use.
...I would like to beg you dear Sir, as well as I can, to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer. Rainer Maria Rilke
So much of life brings risks. My father would have wanted me in the chair. He was so afraid of something bad happening. For example, back in the 1970s, when no one wore bike helmets, he brought home HOCKEY helmets for me and my siblings to wear. We were mortified.
But, I've come to see that the quality of life depends on taking on a certain amount of risk. Perhaps the answer is different depending on the day...
Well, the drop seizures are the first things in Emily's life to make me RELIEVED that she is unable to stand/walk on her own. She is definitely safer in her chair, or sitting on the floor, than if she were standing.
These drop seizures are insane. In a split second she is laid out on the floor. Thank goodness she can only fall from sitting, and not standing.
we try to avoid the term "bound" even though there are seven straps to buckle Maggie into her chair. Something about that word just bugs me. It's like an underscore to the reality.
My advice - forestall the chair as long as possible. It becomes too easy to use it all the time.
All -- I feel as if I should clarify regarding "the chair" and being "bound" to it. At present, Sophie can walk and actually loves to do so. However, she wanders, stumbles, has seizures, falls and it's impossible to protect her completely, especially when left alone in her room which is what we used to do all the time. She doesn't like to be in the chair and wants to get out, but we have to put her there sometimes to keep her safe while we do other things. I do not know what to do about it.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIt depends- which would the person who is either to walk and possibly fall or sit in a chair rather do?
ReplyDeleteBut then of course, there are other factors involved. Always other factors. Which is where the Zen thing gets fuzzy for me.
Oh honey. I wish I knew.
sigh... i don't know. but i so loved the mad gingerbread stomp...i'm glad you guys do silly crazy things like that.
ReplyDeleteOh wishing I knew my friend ...
ReplyDelete*Can you freak'n believe it's raining again???Heading tomorrow to UCLA for Zoey's neuro appointment.Hoping for an easy drive.
I've never lived in a chair but I've fallen down in a seizure and it's horrible especially in public which is my very worst nightmare. I am thankful for meds that work. I can't make the other choice.
ReplyDeletelove,
Rebecca
Is it either or? And if you go for a chair, don't hesitate to ask your friends for advice!
ReplyDeletewalk....walk while one can.
ReplyDeletethis is my mantra because i know the chair looms in my unfortunate genetic future. taking away the physical experience of "bearing weight" once in the chair; is a slippery slope. a frightful kind of slippery slope where falling is replaced with a quicker physical decline from non use.
Wishing I had the answers for you, my friend .... just hugs to offer instead.
ReplyDeleteMmm, how about a quote for a koan?
ReplyDelete...I would like to beg you dear Sir, as well as I can, to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer.
Rainer Maria Rilke
Glad you're looking to zen for the answer rather than the lens of sheer, pissed-off, interminable anger -- as I would.
ReplyDeleteI don't know Elizabeth. I am so not Zen and I don't have any experience in this matter. All I can say is, I'm sorry.
ReplyDeleteI can only say that my reaction to reading this -- knowing that this is a choice you face -- was not at all Zen. So sorry.
ReplyDeleteHey. I'm all about having my cake and eating it too.
ReplyDeleteI say both.
xoxoxo
p.s. I would marry you in a hot minute
So much of life brings risks. My father would have wanted me in the chair. He was so afraid of something bad happening. For example, back in the 1970s, when no one wore bike helmets, he brought home HOCKEY helmets for me and my siblings to wear. We were mortified.
ReplyDeleteBut, I've come to see that the quality of life depends on taking on a certain amount of risk. Perhaps the answer is different depending on the day...
I love the Rilke quote.
ReplyDeleteWell, the drop seizures are the first things in Emily's life to make me RELIEVED that she is unable to stand/walk on her own. She is definitely safer in her chair, or sitting on the floor, than if she were standing.
ReplyDeleteThese drop seizures are insane. In a split second she is laid out on the floor. Thank goodness she can only fall from sitting, and not standing.
we try to avoid the term "bound" even though there are seven straps to buckle Maggie into her chair. Something about that word just bugs me. It's like an underscore to the reality.
ReplyDeleteMy advice - forestall the chair as long as possible. It becomes too easy to use it all the time.
All -- I feel as if I should clarify regarding "the chair" and being "bound" to it. At present, Sophie can walk and actually loves to do so. However, she wanders, stumbles, has seizures, falls and it's impossible to protect her completely, especially when left alone in her room which is what we used to do all the time. She doesn't like to be in the chair and wants to get out, but we have to put her there sometimes to keep her safe while we do other things. I do not know what to do about it.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteflailing arms
ReplyDeletelegs jump
the chair stands still
Elizabeth, i deleted my first comment. so glib and unconnected to what is real. i am sorry. you and sophie will figure it out, moment to moment.
ReplyDeletewv: lings. makes me think of silver linings.