Life's Not Easy, But Consider the Alternative!
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I think we give the impression that much of our life is one big outdoors adventure, and that we spend our time cycling and carelessly romping through meadows. Well, that's true, and then it isn't.
Robb cycles at least forty miles a week, but that's mostly because if he doesn't, the muscles below his waist seize up in painful spasms that last for hours. We don't fully understand the "whys" but there is something about the rhythmic action of pedaling his trike that lessens his spasms.
And as for the hiking, well that's not all it's cracked up to be, either. Robb has limited range, in terms of walking. Because of the neural damage, his muscles don't get the right information from his brain, and they just cannot summon up enough strength for much walking. Also, walking often triggers bouts of painful spasticity.
But, on the other hand, if he doesn't continue to walk, he will weaken even further.
So, we get outside, and do the best we can. Robb has a huge amount of discipline and determination, and he just keeps going. Our outings are always punctuated with lots of rest breaks. Robb lays down on a bench and tries to work through his discomfort, and I wander around, looking at nature. This is one of the reasons that I take so many photos of plants and animals, and so few pictures of Robb. All that concentration isn't very pretty.
But what's the alternative? We can't just stay at home, hoping that Robb will spontaneously get better. That's never going to happen. Even if it is a painful slog, we've got to keep moving.
I think we give the impression that much of our life is one big outdoors adventure, and that we spend our time cycling and carelessly romping through meadows. Well, that's true, and then it isn't.
Robb cycles at least forty miles a week, but that's mostly because if he doesn't, the muscles below his waist seize up in painful spasms that last for hours. We don't fully understand the "whys" but there is something about the rhythmic action of pedaling his trike that lessens his spasms.
And as for the hiking, well that's not all it's cracked up to be, either. Robb has limited range, in terms of walking. Because of the neural damage, his muscles don't get the right information from his brain, and they just cannot summon up enough strength for much walking. Also, walking often triggers bouts of painful spasticity.
But, on the other hand, if he doesn't continue to walk, he will weaken even further.
So, we get outside, and do the best we can. Robb has a huge amount of discipline and determination, and he just keeps going. Our outings are always punctuated with lots of rest breaks. Robb lays down on a bench and tries to work through his discomfort, and I wander around, looking at nature. This is one of the reasons that I take so many photos of plants and animals, and so few pictures of Robb. All that concentration isn't very pretty.
But what's the alternative? We can't just stay at home, hoping that Robb will spontaneously get better. That's never going to happen. Even if it is a painful slog, we've got to keep moving.
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Anna and the kids (I love that I share my name with such a wonderful little creature!!)