Graduation

Last week, I graduated from physical therapy.  I started after my trip to Cuba and the struggles I had there (which were more significant than what I face in my daily world) and I knew I could do better.  I was referred to the Balance center that is part of TOSH which is a great orthopedic center in Salt Lake.  I was assigned to Julia.  My first impression was that she was super fit (as you would expect from someone that does exercise for a living) and a young Mom. And while these things are true, I quickly learned she was kind and understanding and really wanted to help me meet my goals.

My goals were simple:

• Get more steady on my feet in my daily activities
• Lose the cane as much as possible

Julia didn't know much about Myositis nor IBM but she was intrigued and wanted to help.  Within my first 2 weeks, she had studied up and learned more about my disease.  She was excited and wanted to help me avoid falls and live the best life I can.  We had some ups and downs learning what my body can do - how to handle injuries and illness and discouraging results.

She explained that balance is 3 parts: hearing, seeing, and feeling of the ground.  I had developed some bad habits in my fear to not fall.

What I left with:

• The ability to walk a 6 minute walk at my fast but safe speed increasing 1/2 lap in speed
• How to use trek poles effectively
• Walked on grass with no aid
• Go up and down a curb
• Walk on a sidewalk confidently
• Navigate uneven surfaces and unexpected terrain
• How to walk with my head up and looking around (instead of studying the ground)
• Gain confidence when out at night/in the dark
• Practice fall recovery and how to get off the floor
• Ability to stand on one leg 10 seconds
• Ability to walk on soft surfaces like foam
• Ability to step over double stacked boxes
• Ability to walk backwards
• Ability to walk and turn around and walk backwards and back forwards without stopping.

All these things improve my daily living.  I had no idea I would get all these things too!  Each and every one opens up my world just that much more.

I am going to keep in touch with Julia.  I will be continuing to work at home on my home program.  I am going to report back how things go in Bermuda and on the ship.  We will see how it compares to the Cuba trip.

I feel like Julia and I became friends.  We laughed so much and made up names for my exercises (Confident walking, shopper walk, date skills, No Core Core exercises, the Jimmy Fallon exercises).   We would talk about the challenges of being a Mom.  We also shared a love of Jimmy Fallon.  We had a good time and often laughed often through my hour.

I am going to miss Julia but I know she is just one PT order away.  I have her email and will keep her posted so I can keep getting better.  The Bermuda cruise is just a skip away but the next challenge will be Moab and getting around there.  Then the big goal is the Panama Canal cruise later this year.

It is such a nice surprise when you run into someone that not only is great at what she does but she is a great person too.  One of those providers that become friends and a great caring provider.