Helen Keller: “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”
Yesterday was a good day. The 4th of July, after all! After researching and not finding anything about fireworks on Montrose Beach, very close to my apartment, Rebecca and I decided to head downtown and meet up with friends at an apartment in Streeterville, with an amazing view of the fireworks. They also had great Sangria, Caipirinhas, and BBQ. A true american hodgepodge of cultures and traditions. What we didn’t think about was the insane amount of people headed to Navy Pier for the fireworks. The bus took an hour to get there. Once there, throngs of people were told by police that the Navy Pier was at capacity and to find a place to watch the fireworks elsewhere. I didn’t even know that was possible! But it was a good night.
Earlier in the day, after a late brunch, I hit a new record with my KAFOs, walking about 1400 ft. Rebecca and Goldie walked around the roof while I worked out and made some new friends.
This morning, after not a ton of sleep (thank you for pooping your Cage again, Goldie), I got to therapy at 9am and jumped (read: slid) into the pool for a workout with Jeremy. He had me walk around mostly, but also some stretches for back and hips and some strength exercises.
After drying off and changing, I met with Tiffany for some treadmill training. I mentioned how I had gone 1400 or so ft with my KAFOs. She asked if I took breaks or had supervision. No, unless you count standing as a break and Rebecca and a dog 200 ft. away as supervision. Then, a first - she told me that she was watching the way I was walking and didn’t want to change anything. I disagreed - I’d like to change a number of things, such as getting rid of the treadmill, AFOs, and having far more strength in my legs!
I noticed she was recording me with her iPhone (without permission.. cough, cough… just kidding Tiffany!). She said she wanted to compare my form with a normal gait (i.e. fully-functional person walking). After 25 minutes there we did some single-leg half squats in the parallel bars and then some stretching and strengthening. Rebecca surprised me and showed up for the last 20-30 minutes to watch and join me for lunch.
Later on, I got a voicemail from Tiffany. She had shown the video to someone in orthotics. They had decided that I was ready to turn my KAFOs into AFOs! I can’t tell you how much easier that’ll make training at home! That means I lose the thigh pieces and knee joint, and all the clunky junk and metal that goes with it. It means I can throw on the gear much faster (and less painfully) to do my training at home. I’m pretty excited. I’m supposed to bring the KAFOs in on Monday and the orthotist will cut them down. I figured I’d get the right leg cut down but I guess they are doing both since the tone in my left leg is so consistent. All good news!
I hope everyone had a good 4th! Have a great weekend. We will most likely be hitting up a Rib fest, neighborhood tasting, Cubs game, church, and maybe some cool places to eat/drink with family and friends.
G’night!
Chip
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