Yesterday I drove to the pool. Finally, most of the Alina-drives-a-car pieces are in place. I had no idea how complicated this was going to be. Like that hand controls cannot be installed without a prescription from a “driving occupational therapist,” who needs a prescription from my doctor, etc. That there are pages and pages of medical information I have to fill out for my driving OT and for the DMV. Is this feeling of being crazy what learning patience is like? Anyway, I’m really excited to hit this milestone. It is exactly what I need at the six-month mark. I know this makes little sense, but I thought I would be further along in my recovery by now. I decided this while at the hospital, when my doctor gave me a disabled parking placard that expired in six months. So I’ve been struggling lately with the slow slow nature of the changes.

But one important realization: now I have completed the three goals I set for myself at the beginning of April. In March I was feeling really negative about my rehab options and my ability to improve them. All that has changed. These were large goals and I am still shocked that I ticked all of them off. I have managed to find a rehab place in the Bay Area that I like (Absolute Center), I have secured a means of getting there (I will drive myself!) and I visited Neuroworx in Salt Lake City. Importantly, I have figured out the finances of doing all this… at least for the next six months. I applied to a ton of SCI grants in April.  So far, I have heard back from two. The Getting Back Up foundation provided me with funds for my first trip to Neuroworx and a month of rehab at Absolute. I am also really excited to be sponsored by the High Fives foundation. They are based out of Truckee and support athletes injured in mountain sports. Their very generous grant will pay for my second visit to Neuroworx (in the fall… I can’t wait!), five months of rehab at Absolute, and for a wetsuit! So really, all I have to worry about now is hard I work. It is a huge boost of confidence that I was able to identify my goals and, shortly after, meet them.

Lastly, I want to thank everyone who has donated to my recovery. I have used those funds towards my travel and lodging during my Neuroworx visit. And towards the $2k it cost to get my hand controls. Thank you!