Flare ups of Patti’s Multiple Sclerosis and/or summer weather can take the usual enthusiasm out of driving electric carts for her. As a spouse caregiver, trying to maneuver those electric beasts from the side or rear is definitely NOT fun, so we opted to try their ADCO "Rover" (combo wheel chair and shopping cart).
Kind of cool the way it works, opening and closing like a shell. It’s pictured in front of vehicle tires for perspective. Pushing around this ‘big dawg’ felt like pushing around an adult Tonka Toy.
Finished with our toiletry shopping we decided to take a nostalgic roll through the toy department, pushing “try me” buttons. Well, until Patti decided to respond to Elmo’s invitation to sing a long with “Who the hell cares you weird little thing!” We both dissolved into laughter and to giggles from kids and parental stares we escaped to an older toy aisle.
An aisle dominated by Barbie and Shrek figures only made the laughter worse as somehow the conversation shifted to whether Barbie and Shrek ever “did it”. This image alone may keep me from sleeping for a week. Anyway time to roll out before we were thrown out for having too much fun.
Successfully transferring Patti back to her own wheelchair at the entrance/exit to Walmart, I was accosted by the cart herder with “Dude! You are one strong dude!”
At my age, ANYTIME a youngen calls me dude not once but twice this is the start of a good conversation. He explained he pumps iron and was most impressed with the way I transferred Patti using only neck, shoulder, and arm muscles. “You do everything wrong but it works, awesome!”
I am trying to remember the last time we had so much fun, laughed so hard, complimented, and spent so little money. Hey! It’s Walmart admission is free.
Caregivingly Yours, Patrick Leer
web site: http://caregivinglyyours.com/
videos: http://www.youtube.com/daddyleer
musings: Patrick Ponders ...
I imagine you and Patti spread just as many smiles as you were given. (Hugs)Indigo
ReplyDeletePatrick - great to be able to turn errands into such a fun expedition. The chair and cart reminded me of Skip and I navigating various airports with a rolling cart of too much luggage. BAck when Skip was still using a manual chair all the time, she'd push the luggage cart and I'd push her. It was a bit like turning a battleship when we needed to do any fancy navigating through the airport, but it did the trick.
ReplyDeleteThat is pretty cool wheelchair and I can just picture the 2 of you laughing away, makes me smile.
ReplyDeleteI don't think our WalMart(s) have this; it looks like a great idea!! sounds like you two had quite the adventure and fun exploring your local WalMart!! simple pleasures like this are always fun :)
ReplyDeleteokay......now I have Barbie and Shrek in my mind..............ewwww!!
betty
Hello Patrick,
ReplyDeleteI came upon your blog. My mom has multiple sclerosis. She is able to walk with a cane or use a scooter that she has. She is doing well so do continue to enjoy life with Patti. Tell Patti that its nice that she is still getting around and I hope that she continues to do well. Take care.
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