Photo Description: Codee’s Bitmoji looks a little schocked and scared.
A train journey can be super fun. Out, on an adventure. Often with a nice view and yes… I always bring my own chair. So I always have a comfortable spot. But sometimes you have to go through a tunnel, then you literally can’t see past the end of your nose. Unless you’re Spiderman or some other Marvel character who can see through walls. And if the train unexpectedly changes tracks, you just have to make sure you sit well and hold on to something. Otherwise, that train becomes a rollercoaster.
Unwanted passengers… you sometimes get those too. My service dog and I experienced one of those about two years ago. A few days after the very first lockdown was initiated, a new but already well-known, and oh-so-feared passenger boarded. Just like that… without a ticket. A fare dodger! Rubella has been around for so long that there really isn’t room for a second virus to travel with. But he still traveled for 8 whole weeks. Fortunately I didn’t have to get off at the hospital, but the journey was tough, with a number of track changes.
Finally I was allowed to visit the rehabilitation center again. I was planning to rehabilitate there 12 weeks ago. For something completely different. But when the virus got on my train, it locked the doors and I couldn’t get off the train. Once back in rehab, I soon got to hear some broadcasts that I would have preferred to skip. “You will no longer be able to reach this destination in 4 weeks.” “After learning some muscle maintenance exercises, you won’t have any business here. Recovery no longer possible.”
The fare dodger had achieved exactly what he wanted to achieve. At least on my train. Congenital Rubella Syndrome already has a major influence on my muscles and during those 8 weeks, Rubella and the fare dodger have become good friends. They even learned a lot from each other. Oh yes.. that unwanted passenger knew exactly which train he was boarding. That is why my assistance dog had to get off the train after the summer. At a destination where he could just be a dog and because of the track change, he no longer had to experience any stress. Assistance dogs are good train buddies, but when the train suddenly becomes a rollercoaster and the limit of weak muscles is reached, neither dog nor female bossie will be happy. Because they can no longer take care of each other.
Now there are a few seats available. I decided to temporarily give the first one to a mental health worker. She was allowed to travel with me for a while so that I could get support in processing that last track change. After a few months the question came; “Who actually gets your assistance dog’s seat? Because it is not feasible to make this journey all by yourself.”
I had to think carefully about my answer. Finally, I decided it was time to hand over that seat to the community care team. If I could get help with the morning routine, I would have enough energy to stay awake for the rest of the day, so I could enjoy the journey again. I went online to submit an application. It was answered the same afternoon. The next day an intake interview would take place. Good I thought. In a few weeks someone will come to take over that seat, but the train had other ideas. It raced at top speed to the next stop. We arrived the next morning. ‘The next station is Community Care Station. Prepare yourself to be helped out of bed. Our new passenger will assist you in showering and dressing in a moment.”
The new passenger happily stepped inside. ‘Good morning. I’m here to help you.” Um… the last time someone got me out of bed and helped me shower and get dressed, I was only 8 years old. It’s now 30 years later. So what is it like to have to surrender as an adult so that someone can help you? Well, I think this experience is different for each client. Curious about my experience? Then stay put and feel free to grab a cup of tea or coffee from the old lady who walks back and forth with the snack cart. The train will continue as soon as possible.
CRS Life 