Someone ought to do something!

Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone...

Well, there's been a bit of a gap since my previous post! The summer holidays have come and gone, starting with the euphoria of no more school run, hurrah! (the only 'run' I do :D) then finishing with actually looking forward to the kids going back!

With no clear information on how my condition is going to progress I'm very much about making the most of things while I can, so we've really crammed it in! I might need another 6 weeks to recover.

The youngest child has started school this year. Whilst I'm pleased to have some rest time (the boy is a whirlwind of energy) I'm also left feeling a bit redundant. I'd told myself a few years ago that I'd be able to work more and get around to all the tasks/hobbies I never seem to have the time for. Life over those few years has adjusted course somewhat!

Those lyrics in the title above 'you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone' really seem to stick at the moment. The restrictions imposed by the pandemic have really emphasized that. I can't be certain which lockdown was the one that we struggled with most, but for me it's actually the aftermath of lockdown that is hardest. We can go out and do things! There's a new enthusiasm for the outdoors and making the most of stuff. Well deserved praise is given for the workers who kept the country running. These are all great things! I'm really wondering as we tiptoe towards things building back up 'What the heck do I do now?!'

I stopped my job as it just wasn't feasible with the leg issues and accessibility to venues. The youngest is off to school. Aside from my role as the kids chauffeur I'm left with a bit of a gap in my day.

It feels as though I've lost a big part of me. That need to feel appreciated and like you're doing something that matters seems to be woven into me. I'm not teaching or conducting weddings anymore. Money can't fix me, nor is it down to just trying harder! The holidays had presented lots of situations where I pushed more than I should and was duly punished. I'm definitely still adjusting. Apparently I like to learn the hard way!

The lesson here: Trade your expectations for appreciation and the world changes instantly.

Instead of focusing so much on what I can't do and the frustration that brings, I'm learning to frame things with gratitude and appreciation. The money that enabled me to buy a handbike came from such tragic circumstances. I'm very grateful for it, and at the same time painfully aware of the huge financial barrier preventing others from such an experience. No, the money can't fix my legs, but the bike is the next best thing. I get to continue being 'adventure mum' which is priceless.

Something I often observed growing up was the euphoric response to giving. The idea that, whilst it's lovely to be the recipient of a gift, there's a lot of, if not more joy to be gained from giving. This seemed a bit confusing when i was younger, getting something was better than giving something away right?! When I had my own children it really clicked just how nice it is to see the joy on their faces. Having gone through a considerable amount of difficult times in life I've watched people go above and beyond expectations to help. There seems to be a direct correlation between this and feeling appreciated.

Button
Button
Button

When it comes to deciding what to do with the money I have left it goes hand in hand with my aspirations of changing the world (or at least my little bit of it!) Having a gratitude for owning a bike is one thing, seeing others who would really benefit from it not having access to it though is the motivator. Hiring out handbikes would not be profitable financially for quite some time. I'd like to think people would already be doing it if it were a real money maker! It would however hopefully yield some smiles that would appease my need to be doing something useful. Perhaps it might even act as a legacy, continuing the importance of the joy in giving.

This blog helps me stay accountable to that commitment. Alongside my facebook and instagram accounts (Follow the tabs on the home page to find me!) I get to keep updated with the goings on in the lives of people who face similar, and often more challenges than myself.

I'm still waiting on the arrival of the bikes, but in the meantime I'm hugely excited to say that a loan of my bike will be occurring! I had thought I'd be too precious to really encourage anyone to use my bike but then I noticed an appreciation post on instagram from someone who had been to test out the xcr whilst being up country. Then I noticed that this person lives locally. I'd guessed by the long wait for the hire bikes to arrive that she'd be waiting a while before she'd be able to ride again. An opportunity to volunteer my bike had presented itself and, having read about her journey, I think I'm possibly more excited about sharing the handbike joy than she might be about riding it!!!

Those lyrics 'you don't know what you've got 'til its gone' were circling my head during an over ambitious family trip to a 4 day long festival (great, just got that ear worm back!!!)

Described as an adventure packed, activity filled four days of fun I was, in hindsight, very optimistic to think I'd be able to take such an event in my stride. We had a lot of fun, particularly on the crazy bikes at the circus!

It also was utterly harsh at times. Whilst it might have appeared to some that the tears running down my face from the poorly planned layout and massive walks to get to almost anything, the kids were buying my 'it's just hayfever' excuse. The building frustration and anger about not having my bike there serves as an appreciation reminder. It was going to be there when we got home and I could join in without feeling like my legs my just snap clean off!!!!

Button
Button
Button
Button

With the help of my wonderful entourage I was able to participate in the majority of things I wanted to do. The combat archery was a definite pass, I'd have been too much of an easy target with my inability to crouch down or move out of the way! On the final night the guys decided to try and hail a ride back from a guy in a buggy car. Don't ask, don't get eh! Well it was a don't get in this situation! Or so we thought...

We made our way towards the path back to the campsite and took on the big hill leading down (downhill hurts too). Waiting at the bottom of the hill was the buggy car. Waiting in the buggy car was a very compassionate guy who took pity on this leggy blonde and gave us a ride back to the tent!

At this point I might have been slightly delirious from the pain as I proceeded to chat to the guy (let's call him a hero, he deserves it!) about how my bike would have been the perfect solution. It's fair to say at this point that our hero might have been wondering 'how does she ride a bike if she struggles to walk?!' He very politely allowed me to rant on about how amazing the xcr is.

Having decided to do a kind thing I was repaying him with a rant, eek! Albeit one with solutions, it's still a bit rude! Rather than nod along and drive away as fast as he could after dropping us off, he enquired about making changes to the way things are done there. Accessibility meant something to him! Even better was that he was in a position to do something about it too. I'm glad that I shared my aspirations with him. Changes like this don't happen overnight, nor can I do it all by myself, but I have made a start.

“The phrase 'Someone ought to do something' was not, by itself, a helpful one. People who used it never added the rider 'and that someone is me'.”

― Terry Pratchett, Hogfather

Home

< Older Post Newer Post >

Thanks for visiting!

Someone ought to do something!

Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone...

Handcycle hire: At what cost?

Bright ideas

learning curve