See, telling friends isn\u2019t the difficult part. The real grey area is telling acquaintances one used to make polite conversation with. It doesn\u2019t help that my voice sometimes abruptly stops working whenever I get emotional. It even happens when I\u2019m speaking normally. I started avoiding contact and prefer someone stays by my side to assist me in case things go awry. It really impacted the kids, too. However, it\u2019s amazing how accepting children and how well they adapt to new circumstances.<\/p>\n
There are lots of new appliances in our home: a lift, a wheelchair, a raised toilet, a tricycle. The lift was immediately tested and approved by the kids. They especially like playing with the buttons. Floor is troubled, however. Neighbourhood kids are kept outside. Recently, when one of them asked why there is a wheelchair in our car, Floor didn\u2019t answer and went inside. There she told me that she found it difficult to tell them. I thought that they wouldn\u2019t mind the wheelchair in a theme park, but when I suggested a fun day out Ward said: \u201cNo, let\u2019s not go to a park, otherwise mama would have to go in a wheelchair.\u201d Obviously it\u2019s more of a sensitive issue than I thought. It\u2019s logical. At the park the kids bickered about who would be allowed to push the wheelchair. They sat in my lap while Hein carted us around. It is nearly Floor\u2019s birthday. It won\u2019t be an easy one for her. On the whole they are most gallantly dealing with the current circumstances: being helpful, accepting and supportive. Ward keeps tally of every time I take a tumble. \u201cThat\u2019s the fifth time, mum.\u201d Floor panics whenever I fall.<\/p>\n
And then there\u2019s the tricycle. Really coming out. The neighbour immediately asks what\u2019s the matter. \u201cYeah, a muscular disease\u201d, I said with a cramped mouth, but I\u2019m in a hurry, so off I go. Last week the same thing happened with another neighbour. There\u2019s a street barbecue on Sunday. \u201cJust go to the barbecue,\u201d I thought, \u201cbut don\u2019t arrive too early and make sure there are other people sitting with us. The kids would like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
see also: “Scooter adventures”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
See, telling friends isn\u2019t the difficult part. The real grey area is telling acquaintances one used to make polite conversation with. It doesn\u2019t help that my voice sometimes abruptly stops working whenever I get emotional. It even happens when I\u2019m speaking normally. I started avoiding contact and prefer someone stays by my side to assist … <\/p>\n