Courtesy and Compassion (Or Lack Thereof)

I have always tried to be courteous to people with disabilities. I will hold doors, help someone reach an item on a higher shelf if needed, not shown impatience if I'm slowed down walking behind them in a crowded store. It's not their fault. They have a disability; they are doing the best they can. I figure nothing in my life is so damn urgent that I can't wait a couple of extra minutes....no reason to be impatient or rude.

It's the way I was raised - - be kind, be courteous, and show compassion. It's too bad that there are so many people out there who do NOT practice this.

For the past month, since my foot surgery, I have had to use a kneewalker to get around, since I am not allowed to put any weight on my right foot at all. When grocery shopping, I have been using the battery-operated carts; if one is not available, I have to use the kneewalker. During the time so far, I have run into the best and worst of people out there - - the kind, courteous ones, and the jerks. I have had doors help open for me (thank you!), and I have had people literally push in front of me, to the point where I almost fell off the kneewalker (idiots!).

But one of the worst things? Is at the checkout. I use my Debit Card to pay, and the little machine that you swipe your card through and then have to punch in you PIN? And also answer some stupid questions (cash back? donate? etc., etc., etc.)?

It does not tilt down.

So here I am, in a narrow checkout lane, sitting in a battery-operated cart, because hey - - I am not able to put any weight on my foot - - and I am having to try to stand up in the damn cart to swipe my card, punch in my PIN, and answer all their nosy-ass questions.

It's not easy, people. Not easy at all.

So hey, Walmart! Kroger! County Market! How about a little compassion here! Okay?

This time off my feet is a real eye-opener. If anything, it's made me even more aware of how much farther we need to go to make things more accessible for persons with disabilities - - better sidewalk access from parking lots, automatic doors, displays in grocery store aisles (THOSE things are a freakin' menace!) and more.

I don't know what it will take - - writing letters, talking with store managers - - but I intend to at least try.

Grace In Small Things: 38/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• A knitting "play date" with my dear friend Judy, who taught me to knit a couple of years ago....I was going stir-crazy and needed the company - - thanks, Judy!
• Wendy's BLT Cobb Salad for supper...yum!
• Squeaky-girl kitty cuddling up with me in the early morning, keeping me nice and warm
• Sachima (a Chinese snack cake) from my dear friend Lily....she knows how much I love it!
• As usual, my Dear Mr. Dizzy, for taking such good care of me during my surgery recovery. Yes, blessed I am.....
  

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Grace In Small Things: 37/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• My new Kindle! :-)
• A good post-op checkup report from my foot surgery
• Pot Roast and roasted veggies for dinner
• Mr. Dizzy, the MOST WONDERFUL husband in the world, for all the help and caring he has provided me the past 2 weeks following my surgery
• Andee, the best hair stylist EVER, for actually coming to the house to cut my hair, to make it easier for me

I am SO blessed!

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

My New Toy!

Guess what I got??





I have wanted one of these since they came out....and I am madly in love with it!

I'm having so much fun with this.....

Post-Surgery Update

I went for my second post-op checkup this morning. The Doctor is VERY pleased with my foot's healing progress! But, I am still going to be off work for at least another 2 weeks (oh, DARN....LOL).

I am also fighting a sinus infection....*sigh*....we stopped at our Family Doctor's office on the way home and talked to the nurse. She spoke to the Doctor and got me a prescription for an antibiotic, so I'm on meds for another 10 days. Hope this kicks it, it's making me miserable!

Grace In Small Things: 36/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• My foot surgery went EXTREMELY well!
• I have virtually NO pain from the surgery, which means the Vicodin is doing its job
• Dear Mr. Dizzy is home on vacation for 2 weeks, so has been here to help me out when I need it (which is A LOT)
• My first post-op checkup went very well....the Doctor thinks things are looking good
• My friend Connie dropped by with homemade brownies....she makes the BEST brownies ever!

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Surgery Update

Foot surgery went well! I am now in and out of "Vicodin Land"....which is a strange feeling. But it helps keep the pain at bay, so it's a good place to be!

Yesterday we got to the Hospital at 6 AM, and they took me back right away. Got the IV put in (which was a NIGHTMARE) (thanks to the tech who messed it up) (TWICE!). I was in surgery by 8 AM and out around 9 AM, in recovery. Since they used an ankle block and Twilight, I was alert and "with it" very quickly, and was discharged and home by Noon.

So now it's all a healing process....my foot is uncomfortable, but the pain is managed by the Vicodin pretty well. I have my first post-op appointment with the Doctor this Friday morning, so we will see what he has to say. Hopefully he will have good news for me!

I'll keep ya posted.....

Grace In Small Things: 35/2010

This week, I am going to change things up a bit....

Tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept. 7th) I am having surgery on my right foot. The Doctor has already told me that I will be off work for 3-4 weeks, will be using crutches or a kneewalker for 6-8 weeks, will not be able to drive for 2 months, and cannot return to the Gym for 3 months.

Therefore - - I am grateful that I have a job with people who are considerate and understanding, that I have health insurance benefits that allow me to take care of a medical problem when it arises, and that I have people in my life who truly love and care about me. This is being shown as follows:

• My employer has granted me Medical Leave so that I can be off without worrying about losing my position.
• My husband has scheduled his two weeks vacation to coincide with my first two weeks off, so that I will have someone here 24/7 in case I need something....I am SO blessed to have that man in my life.
• My Medical Benefits is allowing me to rent a kneewalker to use instead of crutches, which is SUCH a blessing; I tried crutches, and my wrists hurt so bad I could hardly do anything.
• When I am finally able to come back to work, my supervisor is allowing me to flex my work schedule to match my husband's, so that I don't have to worry about how to get there and back home again.
• My friend Connie has given me many magazines to read, lent me her pair of crutches to keep around in case they are needed, and has offered to stop by every week and pick up my timesheets/time off forms to turn into my supervisor for me. She has also offered to stop at the Farmer's Market on Saturdays and pick up some fresh produce for me.

Wish me luck, and please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Lil Dude and His Posse

Updated: I have added a past picture of Lil Dude from back in January, when he first joined our family, to use as a reference:

Remember this little guy?

Well - - Lil Dude isn't so "LITTLE" anymore!

He's such a sweetie! And such a Brat! And.....well, he's a kitten; what do you expect?

AAAAANNNNNDDDDD of course there are the other two sleepyheads.....

Yes, Dude is my "Baby", but.....Those two will ALWAYS be my loves!