Going out for a bit

Yesteday I did something I hadn’t been able to do since my stroke — I went out to lunch with a friend. Getting in and out of her vehicle was easier than getting through the doors at the local Mexican joint here in Mt. Vernon, MO. Once inside it was great — good food (although I couldn’t even eat half), a menu with numerous choices and nobody taking my blood pressure or giving me medications. So being at a restaurant out in public was a great feeling — like my life is getting back to normal. I’ve had outside food a few times in the last six weeks (brought to the hospital) but most has been so-so hospital food. So far I’ve lost about 10% of my body weight.

Food aside, being among the general public was the real reward. Granted we were not in public space such as a sidewalk or park. In a town of 4K they don’t typically have bustling public spaces. A restaurant near the freeway exit had to do.

We should never underestimate the importance of space where the public gathers — be it privately owned or truly public. You never know what someone else is going through.
We went out again for dinner last night and lunch today. Perhaps the folks in this town are a bit more used to seeing people in wheelchairs but nobody batted an eye as I wheeled into the three restaurants. All three would have been a challenge for me on my own (door locations, small access areas, tall thresholds, etc). However all were happy to hold a door and with my friend pushing we did just fine. Still, being able to navigate the chair myself would have given me more dignity.

Forty years ago today

I was just 13 months old when Dr. king was shot down outside his hotel room in Memphis. King certainly played a huge role in the 60’s civil rights movement. I can’t help but wonder where we’d be had he not been shot. Could he have helped mitigate white flight (and black flight too)? If so, our cities would not have been left with large sections of poor blacks. Schools would not be what they are today. We can only speculate.

One of King’s areas of passion had to do with economics and the poor — fighting to improve their plight. Today the task is daunting as there are so many poor and the good paying factory jobs are now helping the poor in China. How generous of us to export the jobs that might help our own citizens. But hey people want cheap products so the jobs go oversees while our country goes to hell. I just wish that Dr. King had been around these last 40 years to add his perspective to the discussion.

Just North of $3/gallon

As I am sure everyone has noticed, gas prices have risen sharply. World demand for crude oil continues to increase while the supply remains maxed out. Many blame the oil companies, who are making record profits, for the high prices. I don’t fault then for making a profit but we need to end the tax subsidies they receive — they can invest their profits as most companies must do to stay ahead.

Back in December I suggested that Dubya might try to get gas prices reduced to keep a Republican in the White House. A few of the comments went like this:

“Can someone explain how the President has any effect on gas prices?”
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He doesn´t. Only an idiot would suggest that he does. Oil prices, and by extension gas prices, are set on a world market. It´s that pesky supply and demand thing.
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The sad part is, these idiots are allowed to vote, which is why we get the “leaders” that we do.

The answer was the President controls the strategic oil reserve. Yesterday truckers staged protests of high fuel prices — diesel now costing far more than regular. From an AP article yesterday:

Using CB radios and trucking Web sites, some truckers called for a strike Tuesday to protest the high cost of diesel fuel, hoping the action might pressure President Bush to stabilize prices by using the nation’s oil reserves.

Just as with the Federal Reserve putting new cash onto the market, manipulating the nearly 700 million barrels kept for emergencies can have an impact on the supply/demand equation and thus the price we pay.

I personally like the higher prices as I think they are more likely to curb our drive everywhere mentality … I’d still raise the Missouri gas tax. Yes, poor individuals that drive and businesses are impacted by the rising costs. Items that are shipped will begin to have price increases where the market allows. It will be harder and harder for companies to offer “free shipping.” The trucking industry will shrink — not all will make it. Rail will take over more transport duties. Hopefully we will source more of our food and goods locally.

The question becomes at what price do people take transit or buy the more efficient vehicle?  How expensive must gas be for someone to decide to buy a house in St. Louis Hills or Kirkwood rather than way out in St. Peters and drive to work in Clayton or downtown?  Those with kids are going to claim the need for the 7-passenger minivan or suv and I can understand although many families were raised without such vehicles.  Plus our demographics are heading to more single person households.  Most of you reading this probably drive your own car to work by yourself each day.  Do you need that much car to get yourself from A to B?  Hopefully gas prices will have a long term impact on people’s buying choices from vehicles to homes to food and other goods,

Two Month Anniversary

Yesterday marked two months since my stroke and today marks two months since my friend Marcia found me on the floor of my loft. I started rehab on Feb 25th — first at SSM/ST. Mary’s and as of March 21st at Missouri Rehab in Mt. Vernon MO. I’ve come a long way in that short amount of time. I want to clear up a few things so everyone knows how I am doing.

First. I am still in rehab and will be the entire month. When I do return to my home in St Louis I will be independent but I will still have some serious mobility limitations. I will be able to walk limited distances with the use of a cane. I will have a wheelchair as well for longer distances. While I am working hard toward a full recovery it will take months for my brain to reprogram itself to handle functions I lost. In the meantime I am learning to become right-handed and how to do daily tasks such as showering and getting dressed with the use of only one hand. I can stand for only a couple of minutes at a time so showering, for example, is done from a seated position using a hand held shower and a brush on a long handle.

The last five weeks have been among the most challenging of my life.

What keeps me going is the continued progress: the movement and strength I am getting in my left leg at the knee and hip. I have some very limited movement in my left arm and fingers.  Just when I am ready to rest the therapist will say, ” give me 10 more.”  The work is hard but the payoff is big.

Coming up I will go into the therapy kitchen with a therapist and cook lunch for myself. Friday I am getting cast for a brace that will help hold my foot in the right position as I walk.  I will be fitted for my own wheelchair soon.  I am car shopping online as I will not be able to manage the scooter in the short term. Between therapy sessions I am reading online and writing new posts here — helps pass the hours.

I hope to have some sort of event just after my return to St. Louis.  Stay tuned.

Wal-Mart backs off the Shanks

A few days ago I did a post about Wal-Mart, the world’s biggest retailer, suing a former employee to recoup medical expenses.  The woman was injured in 2000 and left brain damaged and living in a nursing home.  Wal-Mart sued three years after she received a settlement from the party at fault.  This story has been all over the news of late.  Today I received the following from WalMartWatch:

After years of hounding Debbie Shank and her family, Wal-Mart says it will finally do the right thing.

Today, Wal-Mart agreed to allow the Shank family to keep the money they won from the trucking company responsible for Debbie’s injuries.

Finally, the Shank family can put their fight with Wal-Mart behind them and focus on taking care of Debbie.

This was all possible thanks to the tremendous support from people like you.

Jim Shank released the following statement today thanking you and the rest of Debbie’s supporters:

“I am grateful that Wal-Mart has seen their error and decided to rectify it. I just wish it hadn’t taken them so long, this never should have happened. I sincerely hope no other family ever has to go through this.

“My thanks go first and foremost to my lord and savior Jesus Christ for the strength to bear up under all this. Thanks also to the citizens of the United States – it wasn’t me who made this happen, it was the outcry of the people, and if there’s a lesson in this story it’s that ‘we the people’ still means something.”

You showed Wal-Mart that we will not sit back while the retail giant takes advantage of a working family in need.

On behalf of the Shank family and all of us at Wal-Mart Watch, thank you for your support.