Dependancy

Being dependant on others is, I suppose, the main change to my life. I spend most of the day in my wheel chair which allows me a degree of mobility and hence some freedom. Once I transfer to the bed in the evening my options are much more limited. Being dependant upon her has increased the burden upon my wife. It is not easy to judge how big the burden is and I do not want to be, or even appear to be, demanding at all. After all, if things get too much for her it will do neither of us any good. I try to go with the flow and accept what is offered on the basis that she is doing the best that she can with my interests in mind. That is not to say that we necessarily agree about what is in my best interest.

We both also depend upon friends and neighbours for help with shopping and small errands. It is good to know that we have such caring people around us. I also have a carer come for a time in the morning to help me get washed and dressed and to tidy the bed once I've transferred to the wheel chair.

Having access  to the internet allows me to to get a fair amount of our grocery shopping on-line as well as some non-grocery stuff. At  the moment I am using a laptop lent to me by a friend but I have bought a new one for myself which should be delivered on Monday. The internet is a bit of a lifeline in other ways too. I can keep in touch with family and friends and use on-line forums to extend my (virtual) social life.

I've not been home very long yet so we are still learning and adapting to the new circumstances. No doubt things will get easier over time and the stress on my wife will lessen. I do hope so.