WIM Newsletter March 2022 - Back on the Beach

BACK ON THE BEACH

When I got hurt at work, one of the first things that hit me was that I would not be able to do some of the things I used to do.
Having to use a wheelchair means that I just can’t physically get to some places.

One of these places is the beach. Sand and wheelchairs don’t go well together, so I had resigned myself to the fact that I’d probably never be able to get back on the sand.

But a little while back, I had the opportunity to purchase a Magic Mobility Extreme X8 off-road power chair.

After I got it home I used it a few times, around the yard, up to the local park, I took the dog for a walk occasionally, but I never really took it “Out”.

I’ll admit I was a little embarrassed to be using a power chair. I mean I’ve pushed my own wheelchair for over 30 years, a power chair is only for people who can’t push their own chair right?

Last weekend my daughter went to the beach with her friend for the weekend. The adults they were going with said “Why don’t you come down for the day?”

Normally I would have said “No I don’t do the beach” but instead I said “Okay.”

Vanessa helped me to load “Camo” into the back of my ute and we headed down to Inverloch beach, unloaded the chair and I hopped in. I was tentative at first, as I had never been in a busy public place in a chair that I didn’t have to push myself.

I got down onto the sand and made my way towards where our group had set up a spot. I was surprised how easily the power chair coped with the sand.

Once I got to our spot, I just sat in the one place and took it all in. I watched the kids play, the other beach users, seagulls, boats and jet skis passing. All things I had never seen from the shoreline and usually just observed from the car park or from a path high above the beach.

But then I decided I was going to see how far I could get in my new “Freedom” machine. So I set off up the beach on my own. I met up with Vanessa who had been for a walk with the kids and we decided we would continue up the beach for a while.

Okay, this is going to be hard to put into words, but I had the most amazing time on the beach that day that I’ve had since I got hurt. I was on the sand, metres away from the water, seeing, smelling and feeling things that I thought I never would again.

We walked past a rock formation that had been carved by thousands of years of tides and water. I was awestruck by how amazing it looked up close and in real life. I could hear waves crashing in the surf.

I guess the reason I’m sharing this is that I have just experienced something that was removed from my life after I got hurt. Some of you may take for granted a walk on the beach, in the bush or climbing a hill but when you can’t do some of these things as a result of injury and then for some reason you get to experience it again…….

It makes you realise just how much you missed it!

Stay Safe Australia.

Managing day to day life is different from what confronts us.

For me on an individual and personal level, I find that my coping mechanism is to keep myself ridiculously busy.

It doesn’t eradicate the issue at hand, and it could be something as simple as walking, jumping on the treadmill, crocheting, writing or cooking.

But for me these things help calm my level of anxiety. When our family lost Alex, this was on an entirely different level, as anyone could imagine.

I talked and continue to talk about him and that tragic day… it helps me to get out of bed every day knowing that he is with me on this tragic journey.

It has helped me in the biggest way that I never envisaged, but it was right for me.
I am in a better place mentally because of what I do with regard to ‘speaking’, that’s not to say it will always remain this way.

But the positive of all this, is that I know how to manage it and that’s an important aspect of my life.

Take care and be kind to yourself.
Michelle

For many public speaking can be quite daunting but for me personally, I absolutely love it!

Having the opportunity to share one’s lived experiences and learnings to others and positively impact an audience is worth its weight in gold. There is no better feeling of taking an audience on a journey in their minds, weaving in and out of life experiences, the ups and the downs and bringing the audience to the pinnacle of the session.

Now whilst I said I love public speaking, it’s imperative that I also look after myself following my talks by taking time out to unwind.

So, what does a normal post-talk process look like for me?

Upon leaving the venue, I will find somewhere close by and meditate for 10 minutes to once again clear my mind.
I shall make time to grab a tea or coffee to reflect on how my pre-talk preparation and the talk went. I run through a process of asking myself what worked well and what I can improve on to ensure the client receives an informative and inspirational add-value session for their organisation.
Equally important during my reflection, I am checking to see whether my day’s process has included looking after my own mental health and wellbeing.
If I have no talks or urgent business commitments scheduled in the following day, I shall ensure that I get a 30-minute massage, meditate for 30 minutes at the beach or park and get some mindful exercise, which usually involves taking a brisk walk along the beach using all my senses (sight, sound, touch, smell and taste).

I have found for me personally, this process to be extremely beneficial and forms a holistic approach to my mental health and wellbeing.

What do you do to unwind after a taxing day at work or a week that has a busy schedule?

There is no right or wrong thing to do, every individual is different but it is taking the time out to find what works for you and reward yourself with this quality time to unwind.

Your body and mind will thank you for it!

I've touched on this in previous newsletters but I thought I'd share it with you again.

Do you have any idea how much it costs to modify equipment?

So I drive a car using hand controls, the brake and accelerator are controlled by my right hand and I steer with the left hand. These controls cost between $2000 and $15000 depending on if they are mechanical or electrical.

This means that you and I could go to a car dealer tomorrow and buy two new cars but on top of the price I paid, I need to find an extra $2-15K to get hand controls fitted.

I’m also looking at what I can do to protect my shoulders getting into and out of the car, so the choice of a ramp, a hoist or a plate that raises up to the seat, and then maybe a wheelchair lifter so that I don’t have to manually lift it in and out of the car.

I spoke with a vehicle modification specialist and he was rattling off figures of $10K, $18K, $25K and on and on. He actually told me that some people can spend more money on modifications than they spend on the vehicle purchase!

This is where I get annoyed when people say to me “If you get hurt at work, Compo will fix things”

Trust me on this… Compo doesn’t fix things!