The sun is shining....

By angelica

Sun 10 Feb 2008 11:37

It is a beautiful day. The sun is shining, the sky is blue and I am longing to go for a walk outside. The question is how. I haven't got any care for my husband and I can't leave him on his own because of his amnesia etc. Anyway I ought to take him with me and more than that I want to take him with me. He needs some sunshine to top up his Vitamin D levels and boost his immunity (especially important I understand when someone is taking epilepsy medication). The thing is he can walk a bit, but very slowy and not far because amongst other problems he has hemiplegia and partial sight (so he has to hang on to my arm) and I'll have to take the wheelchair in case he has a seizure. But there aren't any really wheelchair friendly walks round here and they have to be fairly friendly because although he isn't overweight I'm not very big.
I went on holiday to Cornwall a couple of years ago and was pushing my husband in his wheelchair in the tropical dome at the Eden Project. It was very hot and uphill for the first half. After about five minutes I was bright red in the face and puffing (and I'm fairly fit because I dance). I heard a woman behind us say to her male partner, "do you think you should offer to help" his reply "no I sure she's used to it!!!!"
Why are so many places advertised as accessible and wheelchair friendly places unfriendly to carers? (apart from the local shopping mall)
I am going to prise my husband out of bed now and try the local park. Not sure yet how we're going to navigate the bit where the roots have started growing up through the path. But I sure we'll manage somehow - after all I'm used to it!!
P.S. Must be heaven to just put on your coat and go for a walk!!