Driving!

That's right. You heard correct. I said driving. I have started going to some places. Neighbors, church, dentist. My therapist said it wasn't as hard as it looks. I don't use balance and there is little body movement. As Pete said, I've done it thousands of times so don't be scared.  I am mostly concerned about my concentration, sight, and reaction time. Brain things. I keep it slow and only turn right or find a light so I don't dart into traffic. I take smaller streets that don't have a lot of traffic or speed. I have to have someone with me as a second pair of eyes and don't drive at night where it has a lot of glare. And I don't go too many places. I still get rides. :)It was a very big emotional thing. I had a bad week last week and part of it was feeling trapped and helpless. I couldn't run for milk, or a present or even down the street to pick a kid up. Now I can choose.

My face is slowly getting feeling on the right side. I can sort of half smile but I look cynical at best in pictures. I am doing better with eating out, a little bit less self conscious. Although Pete is good to subtlety tell me if I am wearing what I ate rather than eating it.  Some of my mouth is still numb so the dentist found a spot I had been biting and hopefully I can take care of it with super strength mouthwash.

I did stairs, curbs and grassy hills in PT but I failed at walking on the curb like a balance beam. Lets hope I don't get pulled over. I can throw a ball with my right hand in front of me instead of behind, if I concentrate really hard. I'll try overhand soon.  I wasn't so good at it last week. I was first base and PJ threw it to me a little low and to the left. I leaned in and ended up like a turtle on my back. I can "run" bases better than Memorial  Day, but I still can't run.

Toddlers don't look away so I ask them if they like the eye patch. They are too scared to answer. Adults wonder but they are too polite to ask. It is a little awkward at times.  I wish I had a shirt or pin to explain the problem so they would know. Friends ask, I just hope I don't talk  too much about it. I present like a stroke victim.

The summer is getting better because I am starting to plan things. it is far from normal but I don't think that is bad for the kids.