Accessibility Ironies

Food for thought on disability issues:
1. Why are only exterior doors automated? People with disabilities have to use bathrooms too. (Try to open a heavy bathroom door in a wheelchair)
2. Handicapped parking spaces aren't really big enough. If you are unloading from the side of a van with a ramp, the widest handy spot will not suffice.
3. Did you know that driving with a handicapped pass hanging is an obstruction to vision? I have a uncle who hit a pole because of that.
4. Many clothing stores isles are not wide enough to accomodate a wheelchair. Just lost my business.
5. How is it that a hospital does not have enough handicapped parking? Try parking at St Paul's or Children's on a weekday. Ongoing issue for myself (and many others I am sure).
6. People do not have to be old to need a handi-pass. It is called the "invisible disability". I was yelled at last week for using handi parking ( I asked the man if he would like to see the scars on my feet). A person may look healthy, but could have the following issues: Arthritis, Lupus, Cystic Fibrosis, Fibromyalgia, heart & lung problems, etc...
7. Pre-made cracks in sidewalks are VERY uncomfortable. Hope they are functional to some extent, because they sure hurt a surgered foot.
8. The paper towel far away from the sink in a handi bathroom. One gets the chair quite wet in this case.
9. Handi ramps placed right in front of the parking space. Try to go up a ramp when your car is parked there.

Brief Update

I am part of a yahoo group that discusses Canadian/Ethiopian adoptions. Often there is useful information posted. But, generally, I find the reading to be depressing; as it reminds me of how far we have to go yet. For instance, the group has a database of adoptions that shows how long people have been waiting. From that database I can see that there are at least 8 couples with similar requests ahead of us. Two, of which, have already been waiting a year. On the positive side, from the group discussion I have also learned that the agency is now dealing with 4 orphanages (up from two). So, hopefully, that will pick up the pace a bit.
Trin

When it rains, it pours.

I know that I am way overdue in writing a post. It is not due to laziness, but rather, illness. I have had a crazy couple months and am now feeling like I am on top of things around here. To give you an idea of my recent experiences, I shall list them off briefly: tissue infection in my surgery site-> 12 days intravenous antibiotics-> allergic reaction to the antibiotic-> severe vertigo from reaction-> ambulance ride to hospital with 5 day stay, edema from infection, good friend with possible lymphoma, trached little friend developed chest infection(could have been deadly), childhood friend lost aunt suddenly, Timmy started kindergarten...

But I just remember "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose". I can't imagine life without purpose from God. It is my hope in him that keeps me going.

Trin

Trina's Top Ten Benefits to being in a Power Wheelchair

Nothing to report on the adoption end. No new news and nothing really to make note of. I did say I would try and post once a month, so today I am going to write about something completely unrelated to adoption.
As per the title:
Trina's top 10 Benefits to Being in a Power Wheelchair:
1. I expend very little energy waiting in lines.
2. I can challenge seniors to wheelchair/scooter races.
3. People either stare or look away. So, I either enter a staring contest or do not have to acknowledge people. Both of which suit me just fine.
4. Wheeling in a city is an extreme sport. (Some people get "natural highs" from those).
5. Handicapped parking (or as Timmy calls it- Handy parking).
6. Wheeling on gravel or sidewalks is a back massage.
7. People offer to let you go ahead of them in lineups. (But, if you refer back to number one- this is really pointless as sitting in line is easier than standing).
8. Shorts ride up, so you get a great leg tan.
9. Berry picking becomes much more easier and enjoyable.
10. I hear that people in wheelchairs get to cut lineups at Disneyland. I have yet to confirm this, but intend to at some point in my life.

Trin

Not much to report here...

We have been waiting for 2 1/2 months now. It doesn't feel like that long. Let's hope the rest of the time passes this quickly. We received an email from the facilitator this week that told us they had purchased a new infant home. This home is bigger and frees up room in the original homes for older children, as well as having more room for infants. The email also said that they are working with 4 orphanages (I believe this is up from two). Of course I started wondering if this meant shorter wait times, so I emailed our worker. It seems that for siblings we are still looking at 12 months (at least). Apparently, it is so variable with siblings, that they have difficulty predicting the timelines. It just depends on what you ask for and who comes in. So really we have no idea when our refferal will come.

In the meantime I am recovering from surgery. I basically had my left heel cut off and moved over. The first few days were very painful, but it is much better now. I was VERY happy that I did not get nauseas from the anesthetic- I think that getting sick can be the worst part of surgery. I will spend 6 weeks in my chair with another 4 walking with the boot. Same drill as every time :) What's interesting is that in March Troy twisted his ankle while I was in surgery. This time, two weeks previous he actually broke his ankle playing ball. He can still walk as it wasn't weight bearing bones. We make quite the pair! I had the same nurse in surgery daycare and reminded her of what had happened last time. She remembered us and then said Troy must have sympathy pains when I have surgery.

Well, I am going to try and post at least once a month. Perhaps, I will post picks of my foot when I get the stitches out. Stay tuned...
Trin

In the Queue

Just a quick note to say that last week we were told that our file arrived in Ethiopia on April 30. We anticipate a long year ahead of us :)
Trin

Our dossier is leaving the country

We got a message this morning that our dossier is back from Ottawa and is being sent to Ethiopia! This is quicker than expected, as the wait time for authentication is 2-4 weeks (we only waited a week and a half). It should arrive in a week and then we are officially on the list and waiting. The estimated wait time for twins/siblings is 6-12 months. The more specific the request, the longer the wait. Since we are requesting twins 0-12 months old with one girl, our wait time will be on the longer end (barring a miracle). On a positive note: court dates have been coming faster and immigration processes have been moving quicker. This means that people are bringing their kids home 3 months post referral, as apposed to 6-9 months.

Trin