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Imagine your favorite pair of shoes. Now, imagine wearing them all day, every day, and they start giving you blisters. Not so great, right? Or think about an uncomfortable bra that just never sits right. For me, my wheelchair is like those shoes or that bra. It’s my exoskeleton, my mode of getting around, and if it’s not comfortable, everything feels off.
Right now, my wheelchair is not comfortable at all, and it’s seriously affecting my ability to function. I know that might sound dramatic, but think about it: if you’re in pain all day, how can you focus on anything else? How can you enjoy your day when all you can think about is how much your butt hurts or how you just can’t find a comfortable position?
Lately, the discomfort has even started affecting my sleep. It’s hard to get a good night’s rest when you’re in pain, and when you’re not sleeping well, everything else gets harder. It’s a cycle that’s hard to break out of, and I’m caught right in the middle of it. I even have an adjustable bed, and right now, I’m using that to get comfortable during the day when I’m at home.
But here’s the good news: as I’m writing this, I’m actually on my way to get my wheelchair fixed. I can’t tell you how excited I am! It’s going to be like slipping into that perfectly broken-in pair of shoes that fits just right or finally getting out of a very uncomfortable bra. I can’t wait to feel comfortable again, to move around without thinking about it, and to sleep peacefully through the night.
Flash forward a few hours later, and we’ve got my back all fixed up. I’m sitting up straight now. Well, straight as in my posture, not my sexuality, because, fun fact, I’m bisexual and swing both ways! But hey, whether it’s about liking both genders or just keeping a good posture, I’m all about sitting up straight!
The doctors did try to straighten me out by putting rods in my back. When that didn’t work, they tried using my wheelchair. There’s still a little bit more work to do, but we’re definitely getting there. Each small adjustment brings me closer to being pain-free and comfortable. It’s a process, but it’s so worth it. This experience has made me realize just how crucial comfort is for everyone, especially those of us who rely on wheelchairs. It’s not just a chair. It’s my freedom, my mobility, and my connection to the world around me.
And thank God for caffeine! It’s the only thing keeping me comfortable while we fine-tune everything. So, here’s to a pain-free future with my new and improved exoskeleton!
Megan Fry 