Sunday, September 23, 2012

If Not Now, When?


Thinking I would be in New York for a few weeks at the most, I left all my furniture, clothing, books, personal belongings and many precious memories back in Missouri. Four years later, I am not home yet, but all things going well…we are heading home soon.

After four years and a life-changing accident, many things have changed and home has a whole new meaning. Pre-accident, my son Michael left home after high school graduation. I became a single again woman on the go, and I might add going as I pleased.

Post-accident, the “I” has again become “we.” And my new normal has become advocating and caring for my recently brain injured and amputee adult son.  

When I left Missouri, it was sudden and without warning. Being totally unprepared, I feel I have become a bit of a vagabond in the process. I am not sure where home is anymore, but if home is where the heart is, as the saying goes, I am in the right place. I am so blessed to be able to care for Michael and so thankful to God for his life. Each day I get to see what a miracle looks like.

Choosing to care for Michael at home meant staying in New York indefinitely because relocating in his condition was not an option. He had been in the hospital four months and another 11 months in a nursing facility/rehab. He had come so far but still had a long way to go. I got a small apartment in the area. Finding a place with wheelchair accessibility proved to be quiet the feat, but I found one just in time to meet my goal of having him out of institutionalized life by Christmas. We moved into the apartment on December 1, 2009. We had nothing much, a couple of beds and a dining room table--but it was the best Christmas EVER!!!

Now with all the progress Michael has made, we can finally put down some stakes—yes, we are going to finally put some pictures on the wall, make a special place for his collection of baseball caps and settle in. But where—New York, Missouri….or somewhere else?

I’ve done some research and given it a lot of thought and prayer. Now it’s time to decide.
 
I am going to be presenting some information about housing needs for the disabled, posting some of the houses we are considering and maybe even asking you to vote. Then at the end of this class, I will reveal our new fully wheelchair-accessible home.
So stay tuned as we search out the next place we will call  home in our new normal life.