Day 36 - Crutches, Basketball

Days til brace off: 43

Days til move out of RIC: 18-27?

Today was certainly interesting.  I prayed in the morning for a better attitude, more energy, guidance, healing, etc. and God gave me all of it.  Thank you, God.  

9am - Patrick for PT.  He didn’t waste any time challenging me.  We put on the braces (KAFOs they’re called - Knee, Ankle, Foot Orthotic).  After he tied me to this thing hanging from the ceiling for support, I attempted standing with forearm crutches.  

There’s an example for ya.

It was awkward as heck.  You have to swing your hips forward and kind of look at the ceiling to stand up.  I failed the first two times.  Then I did it once with a lot of help from Patrick.  Then he stopped helping.  I failed 2 more times before I got up in a very unorthodox way.  Like I said it was awkward.  But I got up at least!  Hopefully next time is better.  No pics or videos as I didn’t have my loyal fan base at the time (parents and Rebecca).  

At 11, Jaime, Tony and I went with Mike to try out wheelchairs made just for basketball.  THAT was fun.  We had a good time and we did it outside in the nice weather.  I’d do it tomorrow again if I could.  Here’s a couple pics.  I’ll post a video in a sec.

That’s Jaime about to transfer to the bball chair.  See how the wheels are slanted?  It also has a guard in the front for ramming people, I guess.  Pretty cool.  Jaime’s always smiling.  

Tony, some rep from Nike that sponsored some of this, and me.  Today I moved into Tony’s room, too.  That was a huge improvement for me.  I’m looking forward to quiet nights.

You have to watch the video I post - this one guys showed up that plays professional wheelchair basketball.  Anyway just watch the video.  

Other things today included apartment searches, group therapy outside, and dinner out at a cool BYOB pizza place.  

All in all, a very good day.  

G’night,

Chip