Marcia's boss has graciously given me the use of two motorized chairs. I was finally ready to go jogging with Marcia and Adreann on the "outdoor, all-terrain, helmet required chair" ... we left the house and got to the stop sign before leaving the subdivision, when I felt I was not going as fast as they were. I then screamed - over my tunes on my iPod - I was turning around because I thought maybe I was "running out of gas," so I would see them at the house.
I turned around to head home and that was as far as I got. I managed to get mostly out of the street and onto the sidewalk ... a little catywompus, but out of the way. I decided if my back was to the street drivers approaching the stop sign would stop and drive on. My tunes playing loud I am sure I was a lovely vision ... head bopping, body dancing, singing louder than my iPod ... but I did not think people would bother with me.
Well, every car that stopped either yelled louder than my music or tapped their horn to offer their help. This chair weighs about 170 pounds, but each truck that stopped asked if they could help me home - they could load the chair on their truck. Those kindly people did not look like Hercules. The people in cars that wanted to help me home ... what was that process going to be, me holding on to the door handle while they "towed" me in? Very loudly (over my music) I politely responded "thanks, my tow truck is on the way" or "thanks, I am OK ... I beat my fellow joggers and they will be rounding the corner in just a few."
This went on for what felt an hour, but what was maybe 15 minutes. Singing with George Michael & Aretha Franklin, "I knew you were waiting ..." Marcia and Adreann rounded the corner to see me. Laughing, they were somewhat surprised to see me, but more surprised at the task of pushing me back to the house. In shifts Marcia, then Adreann and together on the final uphill push to the garage. More tired than their jog, I was fine and apparently told them I wanted on my "indoor chair." I was told I could wait until they got their breath and cooled down ... I acquiesced and sat still until they were ready to help transfer.
I have not jogged lately. To end this, the only car that did not stop and ask if I needed help ... two police cars that I saw paused and "chatting" ... and it was during one short period when no other trucks or cars stopped and got my attention. At the time I only thought, "gee, I hope they don't stop and ticket me for improper parking." I guess they were hungry, it was around 6:30ish. Hhmm.
I will start posting my adventures with ALS every other week. You will get special posting next weekend from the French Quarter and my adventures with my sisters and niece, Cindy, Marcia and Adreann. Until then ...
