Birthdays and Holidays While Social Distancing

This last week was supposed to be filled with multiple birthday parties and Easter celebrations, but with the current state of the world....you know, global pandemic and all that didn't happen!

My son Taylor was the first of the April birthday's, I made a giant sign out of poster board that read "Honk for a Happy 15th Birthday!" Sadly not many people honked for him, he had about 6 total I think. Throughout the day a family friend, and 2 school friends drove by, we were both feeling pretty discouraged. This was nothing like the videos people had been posting of their communities coming out to wish kids a Happy birthday.

His Aunt's, Uncle, cousin's and Grandma drove by in the evening with Happy Birthday playing from the cars. Taylor felt pretty special in that moment, especially since we had just taken his sign down and decided that was it for the day.

Mine and my nieces birthday were on the 8th. We didn't really do anything for my birthday, which sucked because I haven't done anything for my birthday in a loooong time (we won't get into the why of that for now) and I had actually decided that I would like to do something this year. I really should've known better....

My first attempt at a shadow box!
I'm now obsessed with making them!!

As for my niece, luckily I had done most of her birthday shopping before everything closed so I at least had a gift for her! (Unlike for my boys who I had to scramble for and hope everything shipped on time, luckily everything has arrived) My boys and I painted a happy birthday banner to stand at the end of the walkway with, we had Birthday by the Beatles playing from the car but I don't think they could hear it, and we dropped off her gifts. One of the gifts was an Eiffel Tower shadowbox (I had to drop it off the next day since the frame didn't come in time) that I worked hard on (there was blood, sweat, and a few f-bombs that went into making it) and I just had to leave it on the doorstep.....that has to
be the saddest way to wish someone a happy birthday!

Next up was Easter, we hadn't planned on a big turkey dinner for the 4 of us but the boys decided that they MUST have turkey! So we made a turkey on Friday, and offered to make plates for the Grandparents that could be left on the step for pick up.

On Saturday we delivered Easter gifts to one side of the family. (the other side is holding out hope that this will all be over soon so I saved theirs for now) Braden has a giant dress up bunny head so He brought it along so he could surprise everyone with being the Easter Bunny. Once we were done our drop offs it was time to wait for Grandma to make her rounds.

Now with all of that you'd think we'd be done with celebrations, but we're not! We have one more birthday to celebrate on the 16th. Lucky for us the thing that makes Braden the most happy is when someone will play a game with him!! So even if he doesn't get a lot of honks I think he'll be happy with his day as long as the 4 of us can play a game!

This isn't how any of us want to spend birthdays and holidays, but for now unfortunately it is the new norm and we really do just need to make the best of it. I'm not saying that it will be easy, \i'm not great at it myself, but I am trying!

How was your Easter? Are you missing out on other celebrations? What are you doing instead of gatherings?

MS Walk 2020

Today, April 7th, marks 3 years since I left the hospital after my MS diagnosis. April 7 is also the day after my oldest son's birthday and the day before mine and my nieces. My younger son's birthday is also in April, on the 16th. We did not expect to spend our birthdays in isolation , but here we are.

It was also right around this time 3 years ago that I discovered the MS walk! I just happened to be scrolling on my phone and there it was, right away I knew I was doing it!! I mentioned participating to Trevor and our boys and they were all on board, as well as my sister-in-law.

We walked in 2017 and 2018 (Taylor and I were speakers at this one), missed 2019 due to a family function but my boys still hosted their bake sale in support of the MS society. To date I think our team has raised around $5000!!

This year though, things are looking a little different due to the COVID-19 pandemic....
With the schools being closed there was no school bake sale, our grocery store bake sale has also been cancelled for obvious reasons as well. Normally my boys and I are busy creating items to sell or auction off in support of our walk team but with social distancing and trying hard not to share germs we haven't been able to do a lot to raise funds. We knew that things would be different this time, we just weren't sure how different...we're still not 100% sure!

As of yesterday when I received a call from my local MS Society to tell me that the physical walk has been cancelled! While I absolutely understand this decision, it definitely makes me sad! This walk was the first thing I did after my diagnosis that made me feel like I could actually do something about this monster that has taken over my body, and now that is gone too!

While I'm sad that the physical walk is cancelled I'm being told that a plan is being made to do a virtual walk on May 24th....I'm not sure what that will look like but I'm excited to see what they come up with!

As you read above, Taylor and I spoke at the 2018 walk and this year my family as a whole was asked to speak and tell our story. I'm sure Trevor is happy that he's not going on stage anymore, haha! The MS  Society is still wanting us as guest speakers, we just need to work on how that will look going forward.

So, I am going to continue to fund raise while I wait to hear how this years walk is going to look! If you are able to donate to this cause I will be forever grateful, no amount is too small!! I have linked all of my families walk pages though out this post and we will all be updating our "why we walk" stories shortly!

Me and my mobility aids

In about a week I will be turning 35, I am a 35 year old with 4 different mobility aids!!! This is not how I imagined my life....
I know that my mobility aids are meant to help me function in the daily world, but I would really rather not have to use them.

I own a cane, rollator (walker), wheelchair, and power scooter. I use all 4 for different things and at different times of the year.

Of the 4 I use my cane most often, I mainly use it for my daily errands. I fought the idea of using a mobility aid on a regular basis until my chiropractor said to me one day "it's not always about the cane helping you, it's a reminder to those around you that you may be a little slower and to be patient with you." I had never looked at it this way, but it makes a lot of sense to me!

I use my rollator (walker) mostly in the colder months or when my fatigue us getting the best of me. You see, when my body thinks it's cold EVERYTHING gets stiff and it makes walking almost impossible.  I've also used my walker when I would like to go for a longer walk with my family, it was a good place to rest when my legs got tired.

I also have a wheelchair, I don't use it a whole lot though.....for many reasons. I am unable to use my wheelchair on my own because my arms are no where near strong enough to move the wheelchair. I'm also not a big fan of bossing my husband around when he has to push me, (he swears he doesn't mind) or the looks I get from people if I stand up from my chair!

 I have used my wheelchair for bigger shopping trips with my family, our first MS walk, and while camping the first summer after my diagnosis. It's not my most favourite mobility aid but it definitely has it's uses.

I think my boys favourite mobility aid of mine is my power scooter, I don't mind it either. I bought my scooter from our local lending cupboard, which I think is a great way to get what you need for a lot less money and helping out a wonderful community organization. I bought the scooter to keep up with my family's outdoor activities, and I must say it definitely helps me keep up without the exhaustion.

While I'm not a huge fan of having to use mobility aids at only 35, I do realize that it is for my own good!