Gait Belts are the ticket!

The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance - it is the illusion of knowledge. - Daniel J. Boorstin

And here is a perfect example of that quote played out. A week ago the OT came and one of the things she suggested was a gait belt for Mom. So when she left I called the medical supply company and ordered one and then I searched online to learn exactly what it was and how it was used. After that I thought, "whatever, Mom is not nearly mobile enough or strong enough to make one of those useful. That OT has just not been around Mom enough to know that." So I called the med supply company back, canceled the order and we continued on believing some things are just meant to be hard!

A couple of days ago the PT comes and she pulls out a gait belt and I think "Ha she is in for a big surprise, she has just not been around my Mom enough, that thing will never work!". But I am polite and do not say anything (thank goodness) and I go along with her waiting for her to discover that on her own. Whoa, wait a minute, did you see that? Did you see how easily she got Mom out of bed with that silly belt?

Ok, Ok so I will get one but it will never work for me, it worked for her because she is more experienced, she is bigger and stronger. But I do not want to be difficult to work with so I will go along. She comes again yesterday and now it is my turn to try it. She shows me how to stand and I listen, thinking, "Yea, uhhuh, right, I hope she is close enough to catch Mom when she slips out of my arms".

Here goes ... "Okay, Mom, lets try this, one, two, three". Up, over and there she is in the middle of the wheelchair sitting straight up! Oh my goodness! Now back to the bed we go, 1, 2, 3, up, over and there she is on the bed! And there was no sensation of strain in my back AT ALL!! The PT tells me not only did I do a good job but that I did a great job!

I cannot tell you how liberating this is! We do not have to wait on Louis ... we are INDEPENDENT WOMEN we told him. So this morning by the time he got home from work, Mom was up, dressed, teeth brushed, hair combed, and eating breakfast. Woo Hoo!

Alright ... go ahead and say it ... I wasted a lot of time because I "thought" I was sooooo smart! ;)