15 replies to this topic

[KK*]

Just kidding, I am not looking for a relationship just some glimmer of hope if it is out there. I love my independence but there is a lot to say about having someone to come home to also. My motto is, I'd rather be lonely alone, than be lonely with someone.

So, my question is, are there any completes (T8/9ish) that lived alone before the accident/illness and have been able to move out on your own again? Can I ever be 100% self-sufficient again?


KK

[BillS]

T6 complete here and I live alone. I've been married and then divorced. I've lived and raised my daughter as a single dad. Now that she's older and married I live alone.

It's really not that tough. I go to work every day, clean the house as needed, cook meals, go on solo vacations sometimes, pretty much just normal stuff. The only things I can't do are things like changing high light bulbs. ;)

[KK*]

Thanks BillS,

You have given me hope! Thanks soo much. - kk

[The Black Sheep]

I'm not a complete, but I'm still completely dependent on my chair and I've lived alone for 3 years before meeting my husband. I rather liked it too. I was on campus and working full time, so when I got home I usually just zonked out asleep. We have some pretty harsh winters here in NY and those were the only times I worried about a serious problem. Without being able to walk through a foot of snow, heaven forbid I got stuck, I'd REALLY be stuck. there are better ways to prepare for it though, like parking in a garage, so you don't have to dig the car out, or living in an apartment complex that is regularly shoveled, snow tires help. I guess it depends on your climate, but living independently and on your own is entirely possible.

[Irish Wheelz]

I am a T6 incomplete. Moved out at 19 and lived on my own for 4 years. Luckily my work is right across the street so I can roll to it. The only help I need is getting grocery.

[The Black Sheep]

Irish Wheelz, on 12 September 2011 - 05:51 AM, said:

I am a T6 incomplete. Moved out at 19 and lived on my own for 4 years. Luckily my work is right across the street so I can roll to it. The only help I need is getting grocery.

Groceries are one of those chores I absolutely hate. I can't lug much around on my lap and even with a basket... it's tough. I usually do groceries in 2 trips if I need a lot. Otherwise I have to go to the store every 3-4 days.

[Tetracyclone]

Hey BS- Wegman's and Walmart have those electric carts just for you.

[tomsov]

t12 para just looking out. life is possible with this life. unfortunately it is not cheap. to buy a home and maintain it by yourself id recomend a riding lawn mower and an automatic four wheeler with a plow.

[ClaraTaylor]

The Black Sheep, on 12 September 2011 - 10:52 PM, said:

Irish Wheelz, on 12 September 2011 - 05:51 AM, said:

I am a T6 incomplete. Moved out at 19 and lived on my own for 4 years. Luckily my work is right across the street so I can roll to it. The only help I need is getting grocery.

Groceries are one of those chores I absolutely hate. I can't lug much around on my lap and even with a basket... it's tough. I usually do groceries in 2 trips if I need a lot. Otherwise I have to go to the store every 3-4 days.

When I lived on my tod I went the online shopping route for groceries. They'd even deliver to your kitchen table which was awesome and worth the £5 delivery charge! I HATE HATE HATE supermarkets (I hate shopping at the best of times).

[Trinity]

ClaraTaylor, on 13 September 2011 - 06:50 AM, said:

The Black Sheep, on 12 September 2011 - 10:52 PM, said:

Irish Wheelz, on 12 September 2011 - 05:51 AM, said:

I am a T6 incomplete. Moved out at 19 and lived on my own for 4 years. Luckily my work is right across the street so I can roll to it. The only help I need is getting grocery.

Groceries are one of those chores I absolutely hate. I can't lug much around on my lap and even with a basket... it's tough. I usually do groceries in 2 trips if I need a lot. Otherwise I have to go to the store every 3-4 days.

When I lived on my tod I went the online shopping route for groceries. They'd even deliver to your kitchen table which was awesome and worth the £5 delivery charge! I HATE HATE HATE supermarkets (I hate shopping at the best of times).

I normally do my grocery shopping online too, it's a life saver! I just go to the store to do a little top up

[The Black Sheep]

ClaraTaylor, on 13 September 2011 - 06:50 AM, said:

When I lived on my tod I went the online shopping route for groceries. They'd even deliver to your kitchen table which was awesome and worth the £5 delivery charge! I HATE HATE HATE supermarkets (I hate shopping at the best of times).

I'm not a fan of supermarkets either but when you need some of the basics, you kind of have to. I hate high shelves! AH! I want that can of soup but I can't reach it.

Now I drag hubby with me and he grabs it. I used to live off of Smart Ones TV dinners when I was at Weight Watchers. Good stuff, and all the freezers are sliding, waist-level.

I'll look into the the online shopping. I get almost everything from air conditioners to bug spray online anyways.

About the four wheelers and riding lawn mowers: I had a Yamaha Raptor a couple years back that was short enough for me to get on. But it stalled on me when I was out in the woods and I was stuck for 2 hours until dad starting where the heck Ashley went and came out looking for me. I'm afraid to ride it now =\ I have enough control of my left thigh muscle, thankfully, that I can control the brake on the mower and I only drive it in 1st gear so I never go anywhere fast =) You can get a stick that latches on, too, to control the brakes. That's what I had on the Raptor and the accelerator was hand controlled.


Tetra: I'd be afraid to use one of the electric chairs at WalMart for fear someone might borrow my manual one if I left it. My dad once put my chair in a trailer behind his truck and we went to drop off some clothing at the Salvation Army and someone came right up and tried to take it. Haha, but NO! I need that. I'd love to be able to donate it someday when and if I can.

[Irish Wheelz]

The Black Sheep, on 13 September 2011 - 01:18 PM, said:

ClaraTaylor, on 13 September 2011 - 06:50 AM, said:

When I lived on my tod I went the online shopping route for groceries. They'd even deliver to your kitchen table which was awesome and worth the £5 delivery charge! I HATE HATE HATE supermarkets (I hate shopping at the best of times).

I'm not a fan of supermarkets either but when you need some of the basics, you kind of have to. I hate high shelves! AH! I want that can of soup but I can't reach it.

Now I drag hubby with me and he grabs it. I used to live off of Smart Ones TV dinners when I was at Weight Watchers. Good stuff, and all the freezers are sliding, waist-level.

I'll look into the the online shopping. I get almost everything from air conditioners to bug spray online anyways.

About the four wheelers and riding lawn mowers: I had a Yamaha Raptor a couple years back that was short enough for me to get on. But it stalled on me when I was out in the woods and I was stuck for 2 hours until dad starting where the heck Ashley went and came out looking for me. I'm afraid to ride it now =\ I have enough control of my left thigh muscle, thankfully, that I can control the brake on the mower and I only drive it in 1st gear so I never go anywhere fast =) You can get a stick that latches on, too, to control the brakes. That's what I had on the Raptor and the accelerator was hand controlled.


Tetra: I'd be afraid to use one of the electric chairs at WalMart for fear someone might borrow my manual one if I left it. My dad once put my chair in a trailer behind his truck and we went to drop off some clothing at the Salvation Army and someone came right up and tried to take it. Haha, but NO! I need that. I'd love to be able to donate it someday when and if I can.

The grocery store is just right up the street from but it's a pain to go up hills to get thier. I usually take my backpack with and just pick up basic food that I need. All the food I eat are usually on the lower shelf anyways. I can also push the shopping cart in the wheelchair my self, I am very much independent. But when I need alot of food or supplies, I have to call a friend or family member to come help me.

[ebeth]

I've lived on my own for years. I get help with some things like shoveling snow and mowing the lawn. I also get help with grocery shopping, especially in winter. But for the most part, I'm pretty independent.

[pinkcloud]

hi kk

i lived on me own for years, still do now.

I never thought i was a young lady alone in the world as i was fit, very self sufficent and didnt give it a second tought.

strange but like some people never leave home for fear they will have an accident, when reality is...the home can be full of accidents waiting to happen..well so is home not a safe place when a certain person lived with me during erly adult life - the outside world back then was safer.

i went into slow paralysis so i got gently into it. Not untl sci hit, was i petrified... i walked wierd, put on weight and couldnt work did i think ooohh heck...a good dose of rubbish nasty carers solved that for me though..i would cope with anything compared to having them again.

i aint got all independant because i wanted too like some feminist robot....i just had to, to survive. I would have much rather had a bloke tp protect me like the pop group stars promised me with their love songs...

i have me friends and i love them..but hardly see them due to their family/work coommittments..i used to be the same so no sadness there. with a partner we see them more.

i spent most days alone and nights alone too as me boys are teenagers and i encorage them to live their own life too. Email/phone contact plenty with friends. only difference with their life is they work in the day...i have to be living with sci. at night they just flake out too.

if your asking are you on the rubbish heap due to being sci..yes to lots of people...but only like this is the case for everyone even abs. you are certainly not on the rubbish heap to everyone..and certainly not to th right one..i got me one of them after sci too.

reassurance there are thousands of very lonley pensioners of ill health and widowed and they live alone.....these alone gave me the kick up the butt i needed. i needed one, i froze and cried in them days.

no im not able to be self dependant as i need help to get off beds, make tea etc on some parts of the day..shopping no as i cant carry..cooking no i need help. well with everything lol.
sleep beckons me now, spaz have calmed. Feel free to pm any time :-)

[Tetracyclone]

I am only injured 3 years and I am married but my husband travels a lot. There were 3 months on my own in late 2010, then 3 more this past Summer. Both times I had neighbors who would carry groceries or move my car if I called. This past Summer I was most independent because the apartment building was quite wheelchair accessible so I bought in small quantities and carried one bag on my lap and another between the handles on the back of my chair. A C5-7 Incomplete who can stand and walk a bit, I am capable by crip standards. Back in Taiwan I am learning what stores I can access with my scooter. I have a rack on the back that holds my chair. I anticipate doing some of the shopping for us within the next period.

Edited by Tetracyclone, 14 September 2011 - 09:57 AM.

[greybeard]

Tetracyclone, on 14 September 2011 - 09:57 AM, said:

what stores I can access with my scooter. I have a rack on the back that holds my chair.

Pat, Could you please re-post pics of your bracket arrangement. I'm inclined to try something similar but need a good look at yours first. I can't find the ones you originally posted.
Thanks.