“Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.”
Mother Nature is certainly taking her sweet time in delivering warmer weather to us. Instead, she seems content to tease us with a few beautiful, warm days only to be followed up with cold, rainy days. The dial on my thermostat has gotten quite a workout being moved back and forth like a pendulum between AC and heat. I have yet to get sick, which is more than I can say for friends and family who visit. It’s never fun spending time indoors with one who is living with spinal cord injury. My body temperature is never quite right. It can literally be 73° outside and I will be inside shivering with the heat on. Other times, I’ll insist on having my sliding door open so I can cool down, even though it’s lightly snowing outside!
Yesterday turned out to be a nice day – so what did I do, I spent three hours in a movie theater. Kevin and I went to see, The Avengers. I had actually seen the movie several weeks ago before it was released. One of my night nurses has quite the collection of bootleg DVDs. A few nights ago, I watched “Battleship” which is not scheduled to be released until next Friday, May 18. I won’t give away that movie, but I will say that The Avengers is much better when seen in a movie theater.
I have still been able to enjoy some time outside, and look forward to starting my “garden” this week. Donna surprised me with a nutrient rich planter kit that she dropped off this week. I plan to pick up a few tomato plants from the nursery. I’ve decided to go with grape tomatoes this year and 86 any notion of hanging a topsy-turvy tomato sack. My experience last year did not end up looking like the pretty TV commercials I was suckered and seduced by. Although I did find out that strawberries are quite the hearty fruit, as last year’s strawberry plant is already in bloom.
Some quasi-good news to report, I finally heard from the IRS regarding my nonprofit organization. Unfortunately, this delay seems to be all for naught. Apparently, the efficient machine that is the IRS misread one of my answers. I believe the matter has been cleared up, but had they correctly reviewed my application when they first received it, I would have been granted my 501(c)(3) status by now. I am hoping that my determination letter will arrive in the mail within the next few weeks. I have some ideas I want to get started on regarding partnerships and fundraising activities.
I have been offered the opportunity to participate in an experiment that looks into how the remaining voluntary control in my neck and upper shoulder can be translated into arm movement using a powered mobile arm support. The study would be conducted to help support the submission of a grant that would further the research. As I understand it, my arm would be placed in a forearm splint that is connected to a device that can support my arm against gravity. My arm would then be free to move in a horizontal plane, so that small movements of my neck or upper shoulder would cause my arm to move. The study is different than the evaluation I underwent last year to be considered for the FES implant device. That project is still awaiting funding. But in the meantime, I’ll try anything and everything I can to further increase my function and independence.
Finally, I want to wish a happy Mother’s Day to all of you wonderful ladies who have what could arguably be the toughest job in the world! I hope everyone takes a moment to truly appreciate and give thanks for their mother. For those whose mothers are no longer with them, I hope you will find solace in taking a moment to remember that remarkable lady who brought you into this world. I am so very grateful to the Lord for allowing me to share the day with my mom! I Love You, Mom!
Stand Strong!
Scott