Sometimes being mum of a child with special needs can make you feel extra vulnerable. After a day and a half in A&E earlier this week I am now waiting for an operation to have my gall bladder out. A straightforward procedure, keyhole surgery, day admission only, home the same day, just a few weeks to recover at home with no lifting and straining. Oh that's ok then.
Hang on.
<rewinds tape>
Say that last bit again?
A few WEEKS with no lifting and straining?
<major panic>
For most people the no lifting and straining is straightforward enough. No lifting boxes, no carrying shopping. For me it means not being able to lift and support my 5 year old with cerebral palsy. Eek.
Despite the cerebral palsy being one-sided and mild, Nathan needs to be lifted in and out of bed, onto the floor, onto my lap to have his teeth brushed, supported in standing to be washed, placed on the floor, dressed and undressed, lifted in and out of the bath, carried down the stairs, supported walking up the stairs, helped in and out of chairs, on and off the sofa, lifted in and out of his high chair, supported on and carried off the bus, lifted into his car seat, lifted in and out of his walking frame, trike and buggy, there are still nappies to be changed and a myriad other moments in time when he needs to be picked up or otherwise supported. And there are the all important and much hated leg stretches.
I have a wonderful husband who pulls his weight anyhow and will do whatever needs doing for those weeks. I have wonderful friends who will chip in if needed. But like many special needs family, in ours things work just so as long as they work. It gets a lot more complicated if the child in question has autism or behavioural difficulties as that will often make it much harder for others to help out, so we are lucky in that respect.
So yes, it's a minor procedure, and everything will be fine. But maybe this explains why I'm just a little bit scared and worried!
