Strange as MSA is, it attacks everyone in a different
manner. Movement had always been my strongest asset and yet it has been in that
part of my brain that the gremlins had launched their biggest attack. I see and
read of patients taking their dogs for a walk and wonder how that is possible. On the other hand my speech has remained unaffected thus far, for which I'm thankful. Lately it has
become impossible to get me into the car - not even with the help of two strong
men. Many a transfer from the wheelchair to the car has ended up in a disaster,
further robbing me and all concerned of our confidence.
I am not yet ready to give up outings, and need to get to
doctors, dentists et cetera. Therefore we started investigating the option of
acquiring a vehicle suitable for adapting so the wheelchair can roll in via a
ramp.
I had high hopes that this would be financially possible if
I trade my car in and use the donation given to me in December last year.
This happened in a most miraculous way through a friend who walked the Camino
in Spain. My benefactor stipulated that it was for future medical costs. I am thankful for this miracle in our storm.
We started looking out for suitable second hand vehicle, and
someone with the know-how to do the necessary conversions. Soon everybody was
excitedly swept up in the search and the car-to-be was, prematurely, named the
'Coffee-Mobile'.
I imagined myself sitting in the back of the Coffee-Mobile
driving through the beautiful autumn vineyards on the way to lunch at a wine
farm with my Sissi Karin in the driver's seat. Or a trip around the mountain
along the ocean with hubby on a weekend, enjoying the view from my wheelchair.
Or some retail therapy and coffee in the mall. Or parking at the beach to watch
the sun set. This was going to make life so much easier, less stressful, and therefore more fun for all.
My son went to see the local engineer who does said conversions
to vehicles. After he came back stating the engineer's vehicle preference and
the cost of the necessary conversions, our dream was shattered; the costs would
not be covered by our budget.
Disappointed, I felt like throwing my toys out the cot - not the best way to handle life's disappointments.
I haven't given up hope that the Coffee-Mobile might happen someday. There is nothing like hope to keep one going. Whoever said this spoke the truth; "our defeats nurture our dreams".
In the mean time I will be content to stay at home and travel
through the beautiful photos posted by my talented friends on facebook;
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Spectacular Strand beach. Photo Laurette's Photography
|
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| I get to see the sun set at our beautiful beach. Photo Laurette's Photography |
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| The last rays of the sun turned the ocean into liquid gold. Photo Laurette's Photography |
Douwleen Bredenhann walks me up a colourful path...
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| ...to this beautiful pergola at Somerlust guesthouse |
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| A stunningly beautiful cloud formation at sunset, captured by Douwleen Bredenhann |
"There is one thing which gives radiance to everything. It is
the idea of something around the corner." — G. K. Chesterton
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content
with what you have, because God has said,
never will I forsake
you.”
I thank my friends
Laurette and
Douwleen for the use of their photos
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