If there is one thing I would love for others to take away from my experiences in living with ALS it is to appreciate what you have right now and enjoy the moment! Having just lost two work colleagues whom I truly admired in 24 hours to cancer, it is a stark reminder to live your life now and don't wait to make your dreams come true.
Although I am saddened daily by the things I can no longer do (I had to open the milk with my teeth this morning), I never for a minute regret the amazing life I have lived and people I have met along the way. I try to always appreciate what I have, as opposed to grieving what I don't. For example, it's been awhile since I've been able to bend down to the floor, the positive side is that I no longer have to clean up cat vomit!
One thing that has made an incredible impact for Travis and I is the Direct Funding Program of Ontario. The program has enabled us to hire a caregiver who helps me get up and going in the morning. They help me with breakfast, showering, dressing, laundry, dishes and even my mental health. I was stubborn in the beginning, not wanting the help, of course I would rather do things myself, but the truth is I can't. I've realized how much I need it and don't know what I would do without it. What a wonderful country we live in. I'm so grateful for Canadian healthcare and the compassionate people who work in this industry.
Of course advocacy has played a huge role in my mental health. I have been connecting with some families living with ALS to try and be a support for others. If you can use even a small part of yourself to help others in this world, I promise that whatever you give, you will get back tenfold, and make the world a little bit better while you're at it.
A few weeks ago Travis & I went to go and see the leaves in Gatineau Park. We picked up Subway to have a picnic at a lookout with views, though when we arrived we discovered they had closed the roads for the season! Instead of being disappointed, we decided to keep driving to Wakefield as we had never been there. We ended up having a gorgeous French lunch at the Wakefield Mill. It pays to turn disappointment into adventure!
I've been appreciating the moment as best I can by taking advantage of sunshine, puzzling, making time to see friends, and of course playing with my cats.
If I'm having a hard time living for today, I try having something to look forward to, to keep me going. Right now, that is Travis's birthday, hopefully a weekend getaway with friends in December to welcome the holiday season, as well as upcoming travel plans that I have posted on the travel page of this blog.
Although I am saddened daily by the things I can no longer do (I had to open the milk with my teeth this morning), I never for a minute regret the amazing life I have lived and people I have met along the way. I try to always appreciate what I have, as opposed to grieving what I don't. For example, it's been awhile since I've been able to bend down to the floor, the positive side is that I no longer have to clean up cat vomit!
One thing that has made an incredible impact for Travis and I is the Direct Funding Program of Ontario. The program has enabled us to hire a caregiver who helps me get up and going in the morning. They help me with breakfast, showering, dressing, laundry, dishes and even my mental health. I was stubborn in the beginning, not wanting the help, of course I would rather do things myself, but the truth is I can't. I've realized how much I need it and don't know what I would do without it. What a wonderful country we live in. I'm so grateful for Canadian healthcare and the compassionate people who work in this industry.
Of course advocacy has played a huge role in my mental health. I have been connecting with some families living with ALS to try and be a support for others. If you can use even a small part of yourself to help others in this world, I promise that whatever you give, you will get back tenfold, and make the world a little bit better while you're at it.
A few weeks ago Travis & I went to go and see the leaves in Gatineau Park. We picked up Subway to have a picnic at a lookout with views, though when we arrived we discovered they had closed the roads for the season! Instead of being disappointed, we decided to keep driving to Wakefield as we had never been there. We ended up having a gorgeous French lunch at the Wakefield Mill. It pays to turn disappointment into adventure!
I've been appreciating the moment as best I can by taking advantage of sunshine, puzzling, making time to see friends, and of course playing with my cats.
If I'm having a hard time living for today, I try having something to look forward to, to keep me going. Right now, that is Travis's birthday, hopefully a weekend getaway with friends in December to welcome the holiday season, as well as upcoming travel plans that I have posted on the travel page of this blog.
If you are interested on the latest ALS research updates, check out the link below.
Wakefield Mill
 Travis wasn't giving Buddy attention, so he jumped on his shoulders! |  This was a new puzzle, I'm sure Buddy made off with the missing piece! |
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