Acccommodating, Adapting, and Substituting

Interesting title you are thinking. Yes it is, however it took me several years to realize these ideas. I was just coming to terms with them but didn't really know how to describe them until the other day when I read an article by Marilyn M Willison in the Fall 2015 MS Focus magazine.

A short history will aid in your understanding.  I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis when I was forty.  I took the cutting edge MS drug at the time and was able to function personally and professionally as if nothing was wrong for about six years. then moved into a less physical demanding job. It broke my heart and spirit to resign my commission as a police officer.  I worked a couple of years in an administrative position in my department. It was not a good fit and I  applied for a position in a state agency in our capital as an auditor.  I tried to recreate myself as a great auditor and manager.  After about fourteen years I was unable to perform that job because of the cruel MS monster. Fortunately, I had enough years to retire.

I was angry, hurt and probably not the easiest person to live with.  I was in my fifties and couldn't work. I felt alone all my friends and others my age were still  employed at the upper level of their careers.  Nobody to fish with, nobody to go to coffee or just hang with. I was not adapting to my new life. I was bored and had less income. My retirement paid only half the amount I had been making.  I had allowed my job to be my identity. A fiend suggested I start a blog about my experiences in my various police officer experiences and the "Sally Shield Says " blog was born.  It gave me a purpose and I could live on the streets through my posts. Physically I still struggled with trying to be the person I once was. I resisted using a cane and allowing others to help.I completed a rough draft of my first novel. It needs more work. I allowed personal issues to interfer with further work on it.

 For about a year I have been using a cane regularly. Its that or fall down or not be able to move, There are days I would not be able to walk ten feet without a cane because my legs don't want to move without using the cane and my upper body strength. I was adapting to what was needed for me to walk Several months ago I purchased a used recumbent three shell bicycle. An adult with a tricycle.  Tricycles are for kids, right? My balance is bad, thus a two wheeled bike was not an option. Its metallic red with a black seat and a basket in the back. I was able to ride around for fun and good exercise. I was substituting a trike for a bike. I was adapting to my abilities. A month ago I actually succumbed to buying a walker. Not one of those you see the "old folks" using with the tennis balls on the two front legs. I found a three wheeled walker, red metal flake frame, chrome forks, tires large enough to take anywhere. This I will use.  I still have issues with having a disability, but through accommodating, adapting and substituting I can do almost anything I ever could do. Often a bit slower, as the popular country song went "I'm not as good as I once was, but once I'm as good as I ever was". I like to think that at least.