Went on a trip with some friends...

Went on a trip with my girlfriends. I flew by myself, managed being out all day, dozing in the car or sitting when I needed a break.

It was a big accomplishment to me, vêry freeing to go , making me feel capable of doing more.

What a good feeling...

Went to see FDR and Eleanor's estate in Hyde Park...

Went to see FDR and Eleanor's estate in Hyde Park... I didn't know much about or thought how he struggled through life having polio. Having to use a wheelchair most of his life because his legs didn't work.. But that didn't stop him from being President of the United States. 

But, his disability had to remain a secret in those days so he wouldn't appear weak.

A a least today we don't have to hide our disabilities or be outcasts from society. We have laws against   against people who have e ail needs.. 

We now have facilities for wheelchairs , special building codes that make room for wheelchairs, etc..

We are making progress , but still have a long way to go....

Kim's friend....

Kim's friend...I have been swimming for years and that is where I met Kim... Early on in my recovery I was at the club just trying to adjust being there and handling getting dresses, undressed and to the pool...

Suddenly I burst into tears, grabbed her and put my arms around her sobbing.. I coped pretty well most of the time,but that day I just broke down.... She comforted me and we often talked about that day that she comforts me...

Re e fly she told me about a friend who suffered for 20 years with vertigo, often staying home, filled with fear and not living her life. I told her to get her to the Chicago Dizzyness and Hearing Clinic which changed her life through their help and diagnosis she is now living her life...

What joy it gave me that Kim and I could help this woman get back to living her life...

That makes my suffering worthwhile because I could help someone live her life....

Not having migraines anymore ...

Not having migraines anymore since I have had Botox injections... My head still hurts from the surgical procedure , but the Botox and working on range of motion is helping to ease the pain..

For range of motion I practice turning

g my body to the left and I also work on getting my head to the middle while lying flat on the floor. It still makes me dizzy but I can tolerate it for very short periods....

Big eye...

Big eye is the name I dubbed my left eye which would not close after surgery... It was also so different looking than my good eye, kind of scary. Hello, Mrs. Frankenstein ...

I had to tpe it nd then open it constantly after putting gel into the eye so it won't stop working... This was damage from the surgery which I could not imagine my face looking like that.

I was always considered good looking and now my looks would be my badge of honor....

Went to a wedding....

Went to a wedding and saw cousins who I hadn't seen in years... It was nice to be able to go since I am feeling better...

As I was talking to one of them I was told that her brother had died...I knew he was ill and had only seen in a wheelchair. I never asked why nor knew his situation very well.. Was I surprised when she told me he had died at 52 of a AVM... Wouldn't have met much too me until I had my own brain surgery for a cavernous angioma....  What he had was an arterial Venus malformation , very dangerous, very deadly. And I never even tried to speak to him or pay attention to him..

You never stop learning and I am sorry I was as uncaring as everybody I have accused of being uncaring....