I pulled up to Barwis and Deeds helped me get in. The weather had finally broken and it wasn’t so warm but instead was on the verge of being REALLY cold. For now, it was tolerable sweatshirt weather. Phil took me a little early because I arrived early (my appointment wasn’t until 6). My legs were EXTREMELY stiff and Phil stretched me extensively at the chairs.
After awhile, he told me to go over to the boxes. He changed out the height of the middle one so it was a little bit higher than the seat of my wheelchair. He helped me to stand and after a moment, he picked me up and put me on the box. My legs stuck straight out in front of me because my legs were SO tight while I sat on the box. Phil talked me though to get my legs relaxed. They FINALLY did. I had sat on the boxes so many times as of late, I asked, “What are we doing?”
He pushed my shoulders down in response so I was bent over at the waist with my head shoulders hung down a bit. He held my shoulders down for a little, let go, and told me to sit up. I was able to almost with ease. He told me that these were, “low back hypers.” We were going to do a set of 10. On the 3rd time, I was FINALLY able to get into first position before extending my arms to the side. Phil rolled his eyes. It got a little more difficult at 6 or 7. I figured out that if I balled my fists up, it was easier to do. So I did that every time. I did 4 sets of 10. My lower back kind of burned but it felt good.
Phil pushed me out to my car and I asked him what he thought of my showing. He told me that it was good. REALLY good. He then added that it was impressive. SCORE! It’s about time! It has been SO long since I have felt proud of my showing and my work at Barwis. I got into my car mostly by myself. Phil got my legs in and stowed my chair. We had our fists out but instead hand-clasped again. Phil told me to stop trying to hold his hand as he shut the door.
I was again tired as I drove home but it was a really good tired. My body was relaxed and surged with warmth. I truly felt that maybe I was on the upswing again now that the heat maybe had subsided a bit before the extreme cold set in. We’ll see…