This entry was posted on February 18, 2014, 6:51 am and is filed under Motivation. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
I can relate to the ego. I have the birth defect Spina Bifida. As I grow older my health declines. I have always been in a wheelchair but it was manual. In my mid-20s my body was screaming it could no longer handle the strain. I refused to listen. I felt like going into an electric wheelchair was defeat. Strangely, the idea of it made me feel disabled.
One day I went to check the mail. When I turned around to go home the apartment suddenly seemed so far away. It took me a long time to get back and my arms, shoulders and back felt like I'd been beaten. Why I could make it there and instantly could not make it back, I can't say. I do know that's the day I decided an electric wheelchair was in my immediate future.
The day I got my chair – I regained the freedom I didn't even know I had lost.
Like you, I opted to stay home on many occasions, missing out on life. Now, I had that back. I could actually go grocery shopping without having to stop every few minutes to rest or have someone push me. I also realize the gift I gave to my family and friends. They were sad that I was missing out on life and also upset that I was allowing my ego to lessen the quality of our time together.
I had never thought about how it affected others. It was almost 'me' 'my ego' 'my life' 'my feelings'.
Swallowing my ego down and getting an electric chair was the greatest gift I could ever give myself and those who love me.
I hope your new-found freedom and the joy you gain from being able to spend time with your family will make the transition easier.
Ugh, no matter how many times I proof-read I always spot an error after I've posted. When I said "It was almost" I meant "It was always". (If this post twice it's because my computer is acting glitchy and decided it likes to repeat itself).