You know you're a SCI caregiver when ...

[frogga]

I'm a newbie.. I'm not SCI but I'm a quad from a degenerative neuro crap thing.. but I'm 22 and my boyfriend and I reckon you can tell you're a caregiver for me when....

... I can pass out and he can just carry on a conversation, tidy up around me and ignore me until I regain consciousness...

....when James and I can discuss pharmaceuticals and painkillers like specialist drugs and discuss at dinner with friends whether I need more injections, tablets or whether I am ok.

...when you get so used to feeding or holding cigarettes for someone you start holding them for someone else. Then wonder why they look oddly at you.

....when you are out with friends and you automatically go to take them to the bathroom if they need to go.

...when you are no longer embarrased to go into a girls bathroom if there isn't a disabled one around, pick your girlfriend up over your shoulder, take her knickers down and wipe her arse and accept there are generally (in clubs) lots of drunk 19 year olds giggling at the pair of you/ bouncers threatening to throw you up out for "funny stuff"... (yeh... sex... he just gets so turned on wiping my bum.. it's just.. well... the stuff of every mans dreams isn't it!?!? lol)

....when you realise you have a whole dictionary of medical words none of your friends understand and nurses ask you to stay because you know what to do.

...when you know more about the disease than any specialist...

....when you realise you haven't slept for 48 hours because the person you care for has been ill and you aren't complaining because it's normal. The fact they've screamed for hours, you couldn't get a doctor, they're at a toxic dose of medication and been fitting seems normal.

... when everyone tells you how "brave" you are for "taking on" that "girl in the wheelchair!!"

much love

Rosie xxxxxx

[1 Fine Spine RN]

Robynbird YOU GO! The same is true for my 37 year old husband. It only happened once in 7 years though, but boy did we celebrate!

One of the funnest things I have ever seen was when I came around the corner downtown DC one spring day and saw Cisco wheeling down the road with Jenn chasing down the sidewalk behind him. It was the energy they had. I don't know I never forgot the image.

M

[spinky88]

you can tell you are a caregiver when...

...a stranger walks up and talks to you about the person in the wheelchair like he isnt there. after all, if a person is in a wheelchair he can't possibly be capable of hearing, understanding and responding to another person!!!!

...when you are walking with your companion who is in a wheelchair and some idiot walks up, looks down and says...how lucky you are to be able to ride everywhere you go! wish i didnt have to walk and deal with hurting feet!


...when you go out in public and park, and when you return some idiot has parked in the grid meant for wheelchairs and you have to back the van out and load up the wheelchair in the middle of the driving aisle. even more fun when it is raining!

[nicci65]

.. when your wheelchair boud husband holds a door open for you and other people look at you as if to say "what a bitch"...

... when he's going up a steep ramp and you're walking beside (or in front of or behind) him and people look at you as if to say "what a bitch"

... when he's taking the garbage out to the curb and people look at you as if to say "what a bitch"

[CowboyCrip]

.. when your wheelchair boud husband holds a door open for you and other people look at you as if to say "what a bitch"...

... when he's going up a steep ramp and you're walking beside (or in front of or behind) him and people look at you as if to say "what a bitch"

... when he's taking the garbage out to the curb and people look at you as if to say "what a bitch"

C'mon Nicci! The poor bastards in a wheelchair... He shouldn't be doing normal man things like opening doors and taking out garbage. Geez...

Yes, I'm kidding. The post made me laugh. I swear I recognize that same "what a bitch" look from people towards my wife when I take out the recycling/garbage. People are funny.

[nicci65]

C'mon Nicci! The poor bastards in a wheelchair... He shouldn't be doing normal man things like opening doors and taking out garbage. Geez...

Yes, I'm kidding. The post made me laugh. I swear I recognize that same "what a bitch" look from people towards my wife when I take out the recycling/garbage. People are funny.

Yeah.... i know they're thinking "why doesn't she help him"... truth is, if i tried to help him, he'd be pissed!!!

[sjean423]

I can relate to that one. There is a threshold to get into our house from the deck, that if I don't hit it straight on, is tough to get over. We had company a while back, and I went in for something, hit the threshold crooked, and had to struggle in. I thought one of our friends was going to kill my husband for not getting up to push me through. (Hubby, of course, KNEW I didn't want help.)

[Obieone]

you can tell you are a caregiver when...

...a stranger walks up and talks to you about the person in the wheelchair like he isnt there. after all, if a person is in a wheelchair he can't possibly be capable of hearing, understanding and responding to another person!!!!

....... even Bill's Mom does this (like he's a two year old child) ..... drives me ..... INSANE ...... so I'll just say ...... "Mary ...... why don't you ask him .... HE'S SITTING RIGHT HERE ......"
because he is currently living with his Mom until our reno project is complete this situation has been coming up .. alot .... she continually "mothers" him and he's actually starting to allow it ..... could be trouble folks !!

I only assist Bill if he specifically requests me to do it .... so I get that evil eye pretty often too .......

So I guess you know you're a sci caregiver when you realize your definition of the word HELP has has been somewhat .... redifined !!

Obieone

[waters3]

when you can read all this and it is normal