Thanksgiving, TSA, and the joy of using one crutch
Post-op day 111 / week 15.
Happy belated Thanksgiving (possibly not applicable outside the United States). I spent a lovely few days with my parents in DC.
I'm finally walking again, but not easily or far, so I arranged for a wheelchair to get me through the airport. My first wheelchair pusher was new to the job and unsure of standard security procedures. A TSO checking ID and boarding passes watched him fumble and said, "First day at the airport?"
I had never gone through security in a wheelchair, so I didn't know what to do beyond the usual (shoes, jacket, laptop, baggie). My options for forward movement stopped with a TSO and a backscatter machine. The TSO seemed to be waiting for me to stand up. I finally asked him what he wanted me to do.
"You got any metal implants in your body?" he asked.
"No. Uh, yes." I keep forgetting.
"Can you stand for a few seconds with your hands up?"
"Not without my crutches," I said. This is not entirely true, but close enough. Better a pat-down (which was inevitable) than a fall.
The TSO sighed irritably. "You got, like, a foot problem?"
"I have six titanium screws in my pelvis," I said. "I'll take a pat-down."
And I did. The TSO was very professional and didn't touch my junk (as it were), but what a drag. The return trip was the same song and dance, albeit with a more experienced wheelchair pusher. I think the current TSA procedures are bullshit, really. I'm lucky I don't have a prosthetic breast or a urostomy or an insulin pump (TSA reportedly told one traveler to "leave it at home" next time). There must be a better way to keep planes from blowing up than treating passengers like criminals.
Anyway.
I'm getting stronger. I'm using one crutch to get around at home. I never feel as though I'm really using it, but walking without it is ridiculously hard. Calling it a penguin walk would be kind; it's more of an unsettling lurch. Seatmate always thinks I'm going to fall.
The coolest part about being able to use one crutch is that I have one hand free. I can carry things! It's kind of awesome. Little victories keep me going.
I leave you with this video of crazy people doing gymnastics outside:
... and part two.
Happy belated Thanksgiving (possibly not applicable outside the United States). I spent a lovely few days with my parents in DC.
I'm finally walking again, but not easily or far, so I arranged for a wheelchair to get me through the airport. My first wheelchair pusher was new to the job and unsure of standard security procedures. A TSO checking ID and boarding passes watched him fumble and said, "First day at the airport?"
I had never gone through security in a wheelchair, so I didn't know what to do beyond the usual (shoes, jacket, laptop, baggie). My options for forward movement stopped with a TSO and a backscatter machine. The TSO seemed to be waiting for me to stand up. I finally asked him what he wanted me to do.
"You got any metal implants in your body?" he asked.
"No. Uh, yes." I keep forgetting.
"Can you stand for a few seconds with your hands up?"
"Not without my crutches," I said. This is not entirely true, but close enough. Better a pat-down (which was inevitable) than a fall.
The TSO sighed irritably. "You got, like, a foot problem?"
"I have six titanium screws in my pelvis," I said. "I'll take a pat-down."
And I did. The TSO was very professional and didn't touch my junk (as it were), but what a drag. The return trip was the same song and dance, albeit with a more experienced wheelchair pusher. I think the current TSA procedures are bullshit, really. I'm lucky I don't have a prosthetic breast or a urostomy or an insulin pump (TSA reportedly told one traveler to "leave it at home" next time). There must be a better way to keep planes from blowing up than treating passengers like criminals.
Anyway.
I'm getting stronger. I'm using one crutch to get around at home. I never feel as though I'm really using it, but walking without it is ridiculously hard. Calling it a penguin walk would be kind; it's more of an unsettling lurch. Seatmate always thinks I'm going to fall.
The coolest part about being able to use one crutch is that I have one hand free. I can carry things! It's kind of awesome. Little victories keep me going.
I leave you with this video of crazy people doing gymnastics outside:
Click to view... and part two.