Full Circle

For the first time since my accident, I swam a continuous 1000 meters this morning. I used both arms, and could actually swim free, back and breast instead of adding in kick sets or drills to make the distance. Other than soreness in my upper right trap, I am fine and feeling very ELATED!!!! My love of water and moving in water continues to amaze me.  It's a place where I can I tap into parts of myself that would never get my attention otherwise. If I hadn't been expected to meet Matt and his sister, Cindy, who is visiting for the week, before they left on an overnight trip to the Sand Dunes, I would have stayed in longer to have played like a dolphin as a way to celebrate my accomplishment.

Yesterday at PT with Sandy, I got another home exercise. I think I am up to 50 exercises by now. (I do about 15-20 per day when I am on a roll). The new one is for balance. She reminded me that it was the same exercise she had given me before my accident. What's starting to happen in physical therapy is that I can't go forward without also dealing with my left and ride side compensatory patterns, mostly due to a leg length discrepancy from a broken femur at age 14. The good news is I have healed enough from the accident for this to be happening.  As one PT put it..."Beth's in the abnormal abnormal category of clients instead of normal abnormal."

My work with Sandy Bertrand began because of back pain in 2008. The lift I wore only in my right shoe stopped working for my body. I had to stop running the pain was so bad.  The first thing she did was stabilize my pelvis by adding lifts to both shoes. Sandy's knowledge of my body is invaluable. Get this.....she can still remember how certain parts used to work pre-accident!  On my end--- I am finally in a place to do the work that will lead to change because I want to really listen to what my body is telling me and I am no longer afraid to feel the emotions that arise when I do listen. I used to go to PT to get put back together so I could trash myself again.  It's a totally different mindset now. I still skip my home PT exercises on the days when I don't have the centeredness or energy needed to be present. Even though I still don't enjoy doing the exercises, I am committed. Hopefully, a time will come when I can find the joy in it since I am a lifer.