As we continue to work on our current conundrum [my wife visiting out of town], a situation occurred that has significant influence on the decision.
Last week I had to give my wife a phone call from the floor of our bathroom. I had fallen getting from the toilet back to the wheelchair. 'Fallen' makes it sound bad. I lost my balance and, in slow motion, sat down on the floor. Of course, I can't get off the floor without assistance.
This was not the first time. So, I reached for the phone that dangles from my wheelchair for exactly this kind of problem. I went through my list of people I call when I'm in trouble [an honor and curse to be on THAT list]. Five of five NOT home. So, I called the last on the list, my wife who happens to be in the community working. She'll get home asap.
Unfortunately, it was a long 2 hours waiting for her to arrive. Using the Hoyer Lift, I was back in my wheelchair inside of 15 minutes. No physical damage, just emotional.
I am the person who seems to have the most health problems in the family. For that reason, I frequently get most of the attention from friends and acquaintances.
What was a real eye opener, though, was how MY problems turned into THEIR problems, too. I became aware that my illness or my injury has a greater effect on each person in the family than I had considered. My disability really is OUR problem. With that in mind, I have to remember to reach out; make comfort and support available to everyone. Share what is going on even if I don't feel like talking about it.