As a powerchair-user with congenital muscular dystrophy, I am at high-risk of developing serious complications should I contract Coronavirus.
So, I’m kinda hoping I don’t!
As much as I love them and couldn’t be without them, my folks have adopted a rather casual attitude towards the whole situation, disregarding it as, “just one of those things”.
I won’t sugar-coat, there have been arguments and tears of frustration. It’s pretty tense and stressful in our house at the moment, as I’m sure it is for many.
My big bro called the ‘rents a few times to enforce the importance of social distancing. It is comforting to have some back-up, especially coming from my great defender!
Sometimes, I do feel like I’m banging my head against a brick wall.
It was only on Saturday night that my Mom announced, “I’ve never known anything like this in my lifetime”.
It really was a light-bulb moment! The seriousness of the current situation seemed to finally hit home.
My brother is a teacher, his wife a business woman, and my two year-old nephew, who I see every week, attends nursery. They are therefore in contact with many different people on a daily basis.
Naturally, this lead to discussions about what we do going forward. He basically told me, “it’s your call!”.
Now, I’m not remotely materialistic and am somewhat an introvert. Missing out on holidays, going to the cinema, to restaurants, pubs and shops doesn’t particularly bother me. It isn’t forever.
All that really matters to me is the people I love – soppy cow! To be without them really is a killer!
It’s a case of weighing up the risks, being safe and sensible but also not denying ourselves life itself.
So, this week, instead of having my gorgeous nephew at home with us, we’re going for a woodland walk. We will be enjoying each other’s company, while keeping a “safe” physical distance.
It will, no doubt, be a challenge with an affectionate little boy who doesn’t understand what’s going on (and, thank feck he doesn’t!).
But, at the end of the day, it is what it is. We’ve all got to make do and get on with it, in the best way possible.
