I've been on internships for physical therapy all semester. At every place the Lord provided places to rent or stay and lade my path out before me. I only have two weeks left at my final internship and will soon be graduated; however, let me take you back with some pictures to my second clinical. (The only one I've had a camera at...) I was privileged to be the only student from any college studying my degree to do an internship at the second most premier hospital/clinic in the world this semester! Here are a few photos of my time at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. The Lord is so good! I'm not sure how to describe the pictures, so the first one is part of the main Mayo building, second Saint Mary's hospital, third/fourth me in my lab coat, five our desks after work, six the transplant house for patient's to stay while waiting for a new heart, kidney or whatever to come in, seven my clinic instructor and couple other employees, eight the view outside the hospital while I was walking to work in the morning during a snow storm.

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

I have but a min. to write for now... I am home in Bigfork and my whole family is gathered together from their distant locations.  The snow outside our cabin is thick and full.  Branches hang down well loaded with white.  Wood smoke floats in the air and I am thoroughly enjoying having nothing I have to get done.  : ) It is great sleeping in up in the loft, reading some of the books on my long ‘want to read’ list, skiing through the still woods, and spending time with family.  Yes, it is very nice to be home for Christmas and New Years!  It has been several years since we have celebrated Jesus’ birth here and it is good to be back.

After another intense semester my in-class work is all finished for my study in physical therapy and I will be off to my internships starting January 6^th.  The Lord had provided housing and everything I will need.  I am excited for this next stage in my training, but am thoroughly enjoying being home with family first!

 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” -Isaiah 9:6 

Happy New Year!!

 

            For one of my class projects I was assigned the task of taking on the role of a person with a spinal cord injury that paralyzed both my legs for a 24 hour period. Basically, being in a wheelchair and not able to use my legs for all the waking hours in one day while going to college, shopping and being generally in public places. I chose a small sport wheelchair (pictured below). My experience was very enlightening and made me more than a little grateful that God has blessed me with two good legs for this time. To start, it was impossible to even get into the place I rent because of steps at every entrance. If I could have gotten in, every door is too narrow and the halls too cluttered. If I was really in a wheelchair, I would have to move.

            In a way, I felt a little like I had become a kid again. Maybe it was because I needed to look up to everyone and felt that people saw me as someone they wanted to protect or take care of. However, my self-esteem really didn’t change much, since I was still very active physically and interactive with people. I felt myself fitting into the role and wanting to see how far I could excel in it. The feeling and image reminded me of times I have worn a new very distinct outfit/costume in public. Once the realization was over that I was different my confidence seemed to blossom because of knowing I was unique. There was no way to hide that I was unusual, but if I could be comfortable in my “new clothes” (the wheelchair) people were very positive and even had a kind of respect for me being different. It was difficult at the grocery store though. I started to feel frustrated when a lady apologized in an irritated voice for going through the double entry doors at the same time as I when there was plenty of room for both of us. Another lady moved aside in an isle with kind of a frown on her face giving me the uncomfortable feeling of being in the way. I guess normally I would have just marked it off to each having a bad day, but in a wheelchair, I found myself taking things a little more personally. Then it was hard to see over the checkout to view the clerk, and nearly impossible to hear him since I couldn’t see his face well and he was a mumbler. Still overall, I found other people’s attitudes toward me reflected my own. If I looked frustrated people avoided me, but if I was happy and energetic even though I was in a wheelchair I got a very positive response especially from those sitting down (perhaps because I was on their level) and those in the park.

Since I knew I was going to do this project ahead of time, I did some extra push-ups during the couple weeks before to prepare, so my arms held up very well. They did get quite a work out though. Normally, I can walk for miles and miles, but going down the boardwalk (Lake Walk) near the harbor for only about a mile had my left shoulder in pain for a little bit. Even hardly noticeable little hills were a challenge, and the ramp to get to the new building at college was a real trial (It’s a good thing there is a rest in the middle) as was the driveway up to my house. No one with weak arms could ever maneuver either of them.

I have to admit, I was quite proud of myself for being able to figure out how to transfer in and out of my car plus get my wheelchair in and out without any help from my legs. At first, I didn’t think it was possible, but I found that I could use my hands to throw my legs in and then transfer my self with just my arms. To get the Wheelchair in, I twisted to disassembled it next to my door, put the wheels in the back seat and then moved my seat as far back as it would go so I could squeeze the chair between me and the steering wheel to the passengers side. I almost got kind of good at it by the end of the day, but it sure took a lot longer to get anywhere.

So in conclusion, I now have a greater respect for anyone who is mobile and functional even with a healthy upper body like I have. Everything takes longer, there is more obstacles to overcome, and personal attitude seems to make even more difference on how you are treated by others. It was a good project, but I am very glad I am back to using my own two good legs. :)