Missing the Heels

Nick & I went to Oklahoma City yesterday and met my Dad for an appointment with Fred & Ginger. It used to be that we would go for a few days, but now it is just a day trip. Everything went well; just needed to make an adjustment. Nick and Dad got a behind-the-scenes tour of some of the new prosthetic technology.

Picture this: a limb that you never have to take off. It is in the research development stage, but apparently some really smart people are working on this concept. It seems as if they could do surgery to implant a rod that would act as the bone (or stabilizer) and go from there.

Where the skin would come from is for the researchers to figure out, but that would be fantastic. Do you know how many times Fred & Ginger have been taking a break and I think about something I need but can't get to it? Patience is most definitely a virtue. Individual finger movement (on prosthetics) is also being developed. The amazing part is that the movement is controlled by thought. Look out Dallas drivers! :)

The creative innovation that is required for all of these technological leaps is so inspiring. Yesterday while Fred & Ginger were dancing with others and getting their spa treatment, Nick & Dad were together taking the tour while Sky & I stayed in the patient room. These patient rooms, by the way, are filled with munchies, good reading materials, a television and a view of a lake. It is designed to be relaxing and comfortable for those long appointments.

So, Sky & I are hanging out with the great view and I realize I’m not close enough to the magazines. I began to plot how I could get to it. Although daily tasks have become much easier by trial and error, there is always a moment of thinking things through. Nick and I literally have to talk through our days at times to make sure I can get things done. Note to therapists: this is a great way to learn communication skills (or lack thereof). :)

Back to the magazine: Sky was enjoying a nap so I didn’t want to bother him, but I really was curious about the news of the week. I finally scooted on the couch to the table and guess what? I reached out and the magazine pretty much slid right into my lap. :)

I had a long time in the room to kick back, which I did, but I also thought about how things used to be prior to Fred & Ginger coming into my life. I could have stood up to get the magazine, I could run outside around the lake, I could feel the warmth of socks and the touch of a great foot massage or the feminine side of my 4-inch heels (still miss those shoes) .

But, as I started down that path, Sky started to wake up and he gave me the biggest kiss on the cheek, Dad & Nick came back in the room and I thought, this is exactly why Fred & Ginger danced into my world.

I’m approaching my 2nd year (next month) with Fred & Ginger and I feel like I have developed a sense of life that only this experience could have taught me.

Love,
Jen