Just Because It Can Be Done Doesn’t Mean It Should Be

With much excitement but a little trepidation, Lynn and I returned to church last Sunday. We had not been able to attend there since he started requiring the use of a wheelchair to get around. When he first came home from the hospital in 2010, he was too weak for almost a year; then as his strength improved he started using Rebif and just felt too bad. Finally, he switched to Tecfidera and was strong enough and felt well enough to return to church but then we measured the old elevator and realized he couldn’t get his wheelchair in it and then be able to make the 90^o turn to get back out again. So we resigned ourselves to listening to the previous week’s sermon each Sunday morning as our worship participation. Then our prayers were answered and after several years of planning and fundraising, the church expanded the building, and part of that expansion was a wonderful, large, smooth-running elevator!

Last week was the first week the county had given the church an occupancy permit so the elevator could be used. We got word on Friday that all was good for us to return on Sunday. I have to admit; we were nervous. For one thing, we were not sure about where everything was or how to use it but figured we could work it out when we got there. Second, while Lynn has periodically gone to doctor’s appointments for extended periods, he has not been in a setting where he could not move around, adjust his wheelchair tilt to lie back or be able to have other comfort measures performed for the period of time he would be in church. We prepared by limiting his liquid intake that morning while increasing his protein and carrying a smoothie for him to drink as soon as service was over. That seemed to work; no unexpected bathroom trips during the sermon.
Another concern was clothing. At home, he wears layers due to his difficulty in regulating body temperature. Also, his waistline is impacted by the baclofen pump implant so getting suit pants on was going to be a challenge. Therefore, we had ordered dress pants designed for people who used wheelchairs. The butt is “out” on the pants so that the back is a panel that wraps around and snaps into place. It worked perfectly. They were also lightweight but heavy enough for when he felt cool. A pull-over collar shirt completed the outfit. Since our church members usually do not wear suits, he would fit right in.
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