[tomd]

Tuesdays with Morrie is a memoir by author Mitch Albom about his visits to his former sociology professor Morrie Schwartz as Schwartz gradually dies of ALS.

[tomd]

I took Dagmar’s recommendation and got from Amazon a Drive Nitro Euro-Style Aluminum rollator Standard Height. I like it a lot. I use it around the house and it helps me walk better and gives me stability. The height is adjustable from 33.5 inches to 38.25 inches. I second Dagmar’s caution to be careful if you are sitting in it and try to get up while the rollator is in a locked position on a tile floor. If your pushing away from the rollator while attempting to stand, the rollator can slip backwards on the tile even if locked.

[tomd]

One modification I made to my bathroom that I’m glad I made was to install a toilet seat bidet. It’s great when you have weak arms and loss of dexterity in your wrist and hands.

I had to get an electrician to install an outlet next to the toilet and then hire a plumber to install the seat. Well worth it

[tomd]

I can still drive but its hard. My difficulty is not so much my legs but my arms, I can’t stretch them out in front of me. I have little turtle arms now, so it’s hard to shut the door and hard to reach for the steering wheel, I put the seat far forward toward the steering wheel and lean into it to get my hands on the wheel. Once I get my hands on the wheel I’m okay. Bill in his post mentioned a wheel spinner, but I don’t know what that is or where to look at one.

[tomd]

“Let nothing disturb you

Let nothing frighten you

Everything passes

But God does not

Patience obtains all

Whoever has God lacks nothing

Only God sufficies

St. Teresa of Avila

[tomd]

I live in Arizona. The Ariz Chapter has monthly support groups, which have been virtual since the start of the pandemic. While virtual meetings are not as conducive to making connections with others as an in person support group would be, still I like attending not only to learn something new, but also because it makes me aware that others are struggling and coping as I am, plus you get to know the folks at the ALS Chapter. who conduct and moderate the support groups. In addition to support groups, the AZ Chapter has been having monthly virtual socials. For example, last month they had a trivia contest, where they had 50 or so questions, and I thought was fun.