Finding Revised Independence

It's often a long, bumpy road recovering from a brain tumor or spinal cord tumor. The effects of a neurological condition can profoundly change ones world. My brain tumor surgery left my left side with limited use. Over time I've learned to walk again but with a pronounced limp and regaining use of my left arm is slow going. The hand may never come back. Because of these “side effects” I lost a considerable amount of my independence. I'll be honest, losing independence is still a hurdle I can't quite clear. It pisses me off but I have to learn to live with it...at least for now.

As a fiercely independent soul before surgery, it was tough to need a Personal Care Assistant help me bathe, trim my nails, do my laundry and various other tasks that are easily taken for granted. I struggled to find something to make me feel less dependent.

Before brain tumor surgery I did it all and cooking was one of my favorite things to do so I talked with one of my therapists about wanting to cook again. She turned me on to some tools that would help me get back in the kitchen, one of which was a one handed, Swedish cutting board complete with a vice and spikes for holding just about anything you want to chop or slice. It was a little costly but worth every penny. With just a little ingenuity, I found it also helpful with opening jars and even perfected a beer pour by using the vice to angle the glass!

While I suck at folding clothes and still need help with many day to day activities, I've re-entered the world of cooking. It takes a little longer now and I have to be patient with myself in addition to admitting the need for help with some things in the kitchen even with my fancy Swedish cutting board.

-Swedish cutting boards available on Amazon.