Saturday, September 16, 2023

HOW LUCKY AM I?

I am very lucky to still be living in this house by myself. I could very easily be in respite care. I thank God that I am not. 
How lucky am I?

Missouri is an "at-will" state. That means if the administration here chose to they could kick me out. Hello, respite care. I received my notice in the spring. My housemates are gone. I am still here.
How lucky am I?

I toured a house that was totally not power-chair friendly. Wheelchair-accessible houses are hard to find. That day I realized people \like me belong in nursing homes. That statement pushed disability advocacy back one hundred years. It is the way I feel.
How Lucky am I?

I came here with a stick up my buttt. I thought I was better than the other clients, I was too cool for school.  The truth is I am like them. They are like me. They are pretty cool. The stick was removed with the help of behavior therapy and common sense. We went to the movies. We saw Barbie. My new friend, Etta rocked out to the music. The movie was fun. The best part for me was watching Etta have fun  That's what it's all about.
How lucky am I?

I have been going out. doing activities with other clients. Today at the office, I made a stress bottle, hung out, and had some chips.
I have been invited to a client's birthday party next week.
How lucky am I?

There are staff members here who do not want me to leave. One staff member told me she'd start a petition.
How lucky am I?

I failed here. It's my fault. No one else's. I am afraid to try another group home. I am just as afraid of being in a nursing home I don't want to spend the holidays in a new place. I pray I am allowed to stay here for them.
How lucky am I?

If 2024 is predicting an LTC community for me. I want my friends to remember me here, on the patio sipping a Margarita and eating a cupcake.
How lucky am I?