I Feel Old, but it's Good News!

Strangely, former students have come out of the woodwork recently bringing us their children to teach. Maybe it is because of the horrifying economy. I know at least one of the alumni has been laid off and had to move home. Our enrollment has been dropping, as it has many places, as the boomers’ children grow up and birth rate declines. So much panic and worry around me about what will happen to our tiny school. I think I worry less about it because I think my time for work is always on the verge of ending because of my lovely MS.

Anyway, it does make me feel old to see former students with children of their own. In our rural area, most every child grows up and moves away for school or work. But it is also nice to see them return, happy to reconnect with our school community. Maybe they will save us in the end!

I Surprise Myself

Boy, did I surprise myself today. I recently got a prescription for a power wheelchair from my neuro. My world has been shrinking and I have started to notice it. So, today as I was driving to work, I realized that if I do get this chair, I will be able to go outside at school again. It has been a long time since I could safely walk out there. Our old school grounds are very uneven and gopher holes abound. The driveway is gravel, and any variations in terrain are hard for me. As I reflected on this possibility, I was surprised to see I started to cry. Imagine, driving to work and wiping tears. When I went in the building, people saw my red eyes and asked about what was wrong. It was so weird to say that nothing was wrong, it was a good thing that made me cry.

I don’t think I have given a lot of thought to how much has changed in the last ten years for me. It creeps up an inch at a time. MS sux!

So, next week, we drive to Spokane and start the process. If I get insurance approval, it will be done. I find it unimaginable to celebrate getting a wheelchair, but I think I will. And I also plan to take it to school for the spring and go OUTSIDE for recess and my students’ PE. Keeping my fingers crossed!