Final Plans

Today I had an appointment to get my wheelchair assessed to see whether I should try to get this one fixed up, or get a new one.  I've had this one for over 10 years, so it's time to start making some hard decisions!  You kinda grow attached to something you sit in quite often...in fact, I call him Wilson!
(Side Note: Me and my mother watched the movie 'Cast Away' (with Tom Hanks) shortly after I got the chair and even though I found the movie incredibly boring-  him talking to his volleyball which he named Wilson I found entertaining.  I began referring to my chair as Wilson and for awhile had one of those Walmart yellow volleyball's with the smile on it that I set on the top of the chair when it was in the car so it looked like a 'passenger'. You have to understand that I was only 16 -and I've always had a wacky sense of humor!)
The doctor said that I could probably squeeze another year or two out of this chair if I replace all the parts aside from the frame on it.  The way I put my chair into the car rubs the front of the frame against the asphalt and concrete and it will soon wear through. So I figured if the doctor prescribed a new one for me, I'd end up just going that route.  However, he then went into detail about what our insurance would cover.  I was under the impression that they were going to cover 70% of the cost.  BUT (of course there is always a but) it only goes to a max of $2,000-so if I go that route I'll still end up paying $3,000-$4,000 for it.  Bummer!  It's crazy how much wheelchairs cost. 
Anyways, I met up with Barb and Ro after the appointment to go over our final plans for placement training. So when I got out of my appointment I didn't see Barb and thought that maybe she was in the building across the parking lot next to the one I was at.  So I decided to go over and check, and the security guard asked if I was looking for someone.  I was like "Actually yes, have you seen someone with a service dog around?".  When he said he had and they were right around the corner, I was thinking 'Wonderful! How many service dogs could there be?'  Well...even though I rarely see them, evidently they are around because it wasn't them!  I ended up going back to the other building and finding them, then we went to go to the food court and the man that had the Saint Bernard as a service dog began asking how old Ro was, and when I adopted her and such.  I definitely am not very good about explaining what Ro will be doing for me yet.  It's like I draw a blank when put on the spot...which is odd because I talk to kids all day and even with adults I don't get nervous. I feel like I don't do her justice saying 'She helps me pick up things' because that isn't all she does and will do.  I better start working on a script or something!
I was very excited to see her and she had her tail wagging when she saw me to! ;)
It's going to be a lot of fun (and busy) during training.  I think things will go well, but I worry that I will forget things easily.  For instance, getting off the elevator- I totally left Ro and Barb behind!  We are supposed to go through together and I knew this from the manual I read-I guess it just isn't second nature quite yet and will become so as we practice together more.  (At least that's my feeling right now)  I am grateful for how calm and patient Ro is and know this will be a blessing as we start working together.  I might have a lot of the cute 'What do you want me to do?' looks in store from Ro, but I'm sure we'll figure out our groove soon enough!  I did talk to Barb about having Ro help me with my feet when they start falling off my wheelchair.  Sometimes when it slips I have a hard time getting it back on my foot rest (especially when carrying something on my lap), and Barb thought we'd be able to figure out some way of Ro helping me with that!  Well this post has turned out very long, but I will try to post about how our training is going.  At the least I will take lots of notes (and photos if I remember) and then post after wards about what we did.

Getting Ready!

Hi again everyone! I have been super surprised by how many people have already been reading the blog! Thanks for all the great comments! I hadn't really told anyone about it yet, and was planning on letting people at work and such know about it after we had Rowena living with us! :)
Anyways, I had asked Barb a few weeks ago what type of things we should get ready for Ro both at home, and in my classroom so that I could start (because if you know me I need to have everything organized or I panic!). I have been looking online and keeping my eyes pealed for some good deals, and today in the mail arrived her new grooming table! It seems to be perfect for me to be able to get under and check her coat and such! I hope that it works as well as I'm imagining once she is actually here and I am attempting to groom her!
We also found a slightly used kennel for the classroom for only $20 (thanks to a tip from a parent at my school)! It will be great for her to have a spot that is all hers incase she needs a nap during the school day. Also, my good friend (who also happens to be my paraprofessional at work) bought her a beautiful pillow to put in it so that it will be nice and comfy. Her food bowl and food containers are all ready to go...so exciting!
I can't even tell you how thankful we are to all the families at my work. Thanks to all the money that they raised, we were able to not only pay for her adoption, but we had a bit leftover to buy all these amazing things!
The girls are also very excited! At night we always say "Goodnight" to everyone, and Anya has been saying "And 'Wena too?" (We are working on saying Ro or Rowena...haha!) And Alexis says "Yep, but she can't hear you yet" I'm so glad they are as excited as me!