 Thank you message written by Linda to the editor of the Charlevoix Courier, March 10, 2010
"What a wonderful town I live in. Judy Seibert set up a delightful event with the help of Zonta, Quilting Friends, The Lutheran Church, Charlevoix Area Hospital, local stores, musicians, Charlevoix United Methodist Church and of course all the thoughtful people who supported the event. Lynn and I thank everyone for their help in making my return home easier. There are no sufficient words to equal your generosity but we give our heartfelt thanks." - Linda DeGrow
Photo taken at Mary Free Bed Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI. - February 2010
| In the photo: Linda uses the white straps attached to her legs to lift her legs to position them as needed. She is sitting in a top of the line fully electric wheelchair that was donated by the Charlevoix Area Hospital (where she worked for many years before retiring). She plans to use the electric wheelchair when outdoors and a manual wheelchair indoors, helping her to maintain her strength, making transfers easier. She has a long-handled grabber (not pictured) that is used when picking up things out of reach. |
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Thankfully, Linda has full range of motion in her arms and did not suffer brain damage. She spent a few weeks at University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor where she had surgery on her back to insert two rods that run the length of her spinal column, helping her to sit upright. Once healed enough from the surgery to transport, she was transferred to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids where she is presently in acute physical therapy.
Linda has been learning how to become independent again, doing everything she used to do, just differently. She has learned to get dressed, attend to calls of nature, balance without abdominal muscle control, and transfer to/from her wheelchair. She is learning to drive - using her hands for the brake and gas located on the steering column) - and has even driven on the roads once. She is making good progress in her rehabilitation, to include 'outings' in her therapy routine. These outings teach her how to tackle obstacles she will encounter every day when going to public places. She has had some issues with spasms that she is having throughout her midsection. They are strong enough to throw her body around when she is trying to do things such as transfers, which makes the task more difficult and dangerous. They are working on getting the spasms under control using medication, but they haven't found the one that works best for her yet.
Her home, for the most part, is handicap accessible. The back door ramp will need to be extended to provide the correct grade, but most doorways are wide enough for the wheelchair. Some of the doors have been fitted with special hinges to allow maximum door width. Bedroom carpet has been removed to provide less resistance for her chair. The bathroom on the main floor has been remodeled: to make it fully handicap accessible; and, to include the laundry (formally in the basement). She has work ahead of her to reposition things in the kitchen, closets, etc., so that she can reach the things she uses most, once she is released (scheduled for February 24, 2010).
Linda is in need of a new bed - one with rails (she uses these to pull herself up and out of bed), a manual wheelchair, a handicap van with lift, and a portable life....among other things.
She has designed how she wants her new RV to be laid out so that she and Lynn can continue to travel, one of her favorite pastimes. Her main goal is to be able to attend the International Convention in San Antonio, Texas in June. She has already purchased tickets, secured a handicap hotel room and the transfer from the airport!
Linda challenges every Zontian to attention convention....."If she can do it, everyone can!"
She is also actively prospecting every staff member she meets for the Zonta Club of Grand Rapids. Her goals are high, but with her un-ending determination and positive spirit she will conquer this adversity, like she has many other challenges and on behalf of Zonta.
Linda is now home! She would love to hear from you:: (231) 547-4109. To write Linda:12883 Evergreen Lane, Charlevoix, MI. 49720
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