A new intern, Madison, helped me get out of my car. I introduced myself and asked what school she went to. We had some small talk as I told her that I have MS and have been coming to Barwis for a little over a year now. I also told her about my 386 yards and 2 steps. Maybe to remind myself that I WAS making progress.
Phil was sitting on the table waiting for me. (I was talking to another woman who trains at Barwis as well). Phil put me on the table and stretched me out really well. After some time of him stretching me, I looked up at the rafters and told him that I like being stretched. It feels good. My legs relax and feel loose which it A LOT different from how they feel most of the time.
After he stretched me for a while, he had me sit up and dangle my legs over the side of the table. He sat in my wheelchair (as he usually does) and began kicking my feet. He kicked them about 4 or 5 times before I asked him why he does this. He said to see how they react, if they bounce up or not. I asked him how they reacted and he said, “Good” with a few more kicks. Then he had me lay back down for some more stretching. He stretched me until my time was up.
I got into my car MOSTLY by myself. After he stowed my chair away, he just grabbed my hand and forced it into a fist, shook it, yelled, “Joystick!,” and shut my door laughing. I sat in my car for a little while and realized how TIRED I was; because I was! I drove home thinking that I haven’t walked in FOREVER but then also thinking that the walking will come EVENTUALLY. For right now, a stretch will have to suffice and I continued to drive home feeling good.