The Slave Driver and The Better Parts of Caregiving

I only call this blog, The Slave Driver and The Better Parts of Caregiving, because I don’t think I’ve ever seen Robert this busy in two day.  Trish has had him writing his holiday cards, which he was able to complete twelve yesterday alone (a new record, last one was 5).  He went with us to get our trees, yes I said trees.  If you know Trish you know why I say this, over the past several years we have been able to only put about 2/3 of our ornaments on the large tree that sits in the living room (here’s this years).

 

 

 

 

So we’ve always had several box’s of ornaments that would go back out into the Holiday Shed.  Yes a shed given as a birthday gift because we were running out of room in the garage (one of my better gifts).  we now have and Roberts on his feet or moving for 1/2 the day minimum and it not even 5pm, Saturday.  Sunday we get moving and Robert get ready, watch’s some church while myself and Trish finish stinging the lights on the larger of the trees.  By the time were done there are 1800 lights combined on the trees and Robert has already be instructed to work on his Christmas cards again.  We are now working on the ornaments when Robert finish’s with his mid-day rest room run and he is asked if he would like to join us in decorating the tree, he agrees which I knew he would, however I only figured he may help with a handful of them, get bored or miss Jeopardy and want to go work on his puzzle book and watch his favorite show.   Was I surprised and happy that he stayed through four box’s of ornaments.  

Trish had him walk into the living room and we had him sit in his walker, turned it to face the tree and pushed his close enough to where he could reach the tree and hang ornaments.  Only a few fell of which the majority were caught by the tree itself and none broke and best of all He was loving it.  I have to say, I gave out before he did.  After four box’s of standing, twisting, bending, etc and so forth my back was in knots and needed a stretch break.  Trish asked Robert if he wanted to continue or not and he replied with, “I think I need a break also.”  I feel real bad when I’m out done by Robert, not that it a bad thing just shows how different injuries or conditions are affected differently.  SO through this whole experience everyone had an “EXCELLENT” time, Robert stepped out of his comfort zone and went with a Peppermint Hot Chocolate instead of his normal Chocolate Chip Frappachino after we picked up the trees, me and Trish had our usual’s.  And from what I understand Trish is not done with Robert, she has a special project the two of them will be doing this afternoon.  Hang on Robert we’ve created a monster and “It’s Alive.”  What I’m trying to say from all of this is no matter what one abilities or inabilities are everyone wants to be apart of the family and be included in the routines of the holidays.  If you don’t think so, pick your favorite holiday and then sit back and do nothing on it and see how hard it is to not help, offer advice or spend even $1.00 on it.  Some people think that being disabled means being unable to do, but lets show them that being disabled only means, we do it differently.  Think about how your caree can help you this year with the decorating, cooking, cleaning, chores, it may take a little bit longer (or a lot), give them a gift let them try.

From our house to yours we all wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  May everyone have the most wonderful 2014 you can.