Saturday 23 June 2012

Summer Memories of the Lake

Today I am at the lake, remembering.  Nicholas used to come with us here - to swim in our crystal clear water, to play charades with family (Jim and I met on the lake, so there are a lot of us here) and to share in family meals on the front porch.

Now, summer at the cottage must be without our Nick.  Here, we have no staff for day or night, no ceiling track hoists or rooms of medical supplies.  The cottage does not offer alternating electric air mattresses for sleeping and resting without risking pressure sores.  Nick is 6' tall now and no more can we throw him over our shoulder to carry him down to the lake.

Here are some photos of the old days...


We'll try to get Nick to the cottage this summer for the day.  I feel hopeful about that, but I understand it might not happen.  Our young man has a good life now, but today I feel sad that we can't relive the best days of our past.  On the other hand, Natalie is not here this weekend either, she's in the city at a rock concert.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dearest Donna and Jim,

I look upon pictures of Nicholas and realize, "How truly fortunate I am." However, your son has something that I will never know or experience: two parents who will not merely do whatever they can for their son, but whom will go to the mat for him every time.

Getting Nick to the cottage will be difficult, but not impossible. For instance, you'll need some medical equipment and a generator. You already have a few staff who care about Nick, and would be willing to help, if you asked. It's also time for Natalie to get her hands dirty, whether Nick likes it or not. He's going to be angry, and both Nick and his sister will shed tears, but it will bring them closer. I may have not met Nick, but believe in Natalie. Lastly, a good life is having the ability to choose. Let your son contemplate and decide the potential risks to his health. Life, whether one has a disability or not, must be worth living.

You both love your son. Please, "Let this, and the joy of life, be your greatest gift."

Wholeheartedly yours,

Matt Kamaratakis

The Caregivers' Living Room said...

Hi Matt, you are right, we adore our children! And Nick will have to decide the risks he wishes to take. But we also have to weigh that against reasonable expectations of his helpers. I think though, that the biggest obstacle will be the pain. It's a long drive to the cottage and a very bumpy road. It will be sore for Nick and we'll have to think about pain control and if the whole thing is worth it. But we'll leave that up to Nick and make sure we have planned for every possible scenario. Thank you as always for your thoughtful comments!

Anonymous said...

I see that the 60 HP Evinrude is that your boat
Boy Donna - you can ask Jim about what I said about it and how I pronouced the
word Evinrude

You should post the boathouse parties too