"I've fallen, and I can get up."

"I've fallen, and I can get up." 

Gardening from my wheelchair has presented many unique challenges. Someone once asked me if I ever fell "out of that thing", obviously referring to my wheelchair? My answer was "yes, of course I do." Without hesitation, I told them that if I didn't fall occasionally, then I wouldn't be living my life the way I wanted to. They seemed a little puzzled at first, and then I could tell they understood what I was implying. I think so, anyway. As I get older, I try to avoid falling. After living the last 28 years as an incomplete quadriplegic, I know that my bones are weaker. The possibility and likelihood of breaking something increases for everyone as they age.

I never intentionally fall, but it happens. There is always a weed just out of reach, or a sinkhole that catches me off guard. My biggest fear, other than breaking something, is the fear of landing on fire ants. (I live in the South.) The advantage of falling on mulch is that it cushions the fall. I try to land on my side and forearm. Never my wrist. I try to keep my phone very close by, and I keep a step stool in the garage. I'm usually more embarrassed than anything else, and I always hope that no one saw me. 

Last Spring I fell between an Agave and a Rosebush, and on a downhill slope. Ouch! Getting back out was even worse. The Agave broke, and the rose dug in. Then it proceeded to rain on me! I managed to drag myself across the lawn to some steps where I was able to get back into my chair. Once I was safely back in my chair, I started laughing. I was a bloody mess, but nothing serious. Times like this remind me that I have way too many plants with thorns (prickers), and maybe I should think about getting the brakes fixed on my wheelchair. Maybe one of these days....

I have a plan on how to handle a fall every time I head out into my garden. It's not an issue of if I should fall, but rather when I fall. I know that I can get up. Maybe that is why I reach a little further, and act more careless than I should. As it becomes more difficult for me to get back into my chair, I will probably tend to my containers more and spend less time leaning over to reach the ground. I will also take the time to go to the garage to get one of my many long reach tools. Hopefully this season, I'll fall a little less often.