Oh happy day!

[bruceb]

Well, I thought I would share my good fortune with my friends on TMC.

I no longer have one of these

or have to do this

I can actually do this .
Well, not exactly, but you get the point.

However, for the moment I mostly do this

I can only say that it is great to be able to walk into the kitchen and make an espresso standing up, walk out carrying my cup and drink it wherever I like. Three months in a wheelchair made me appreciate mobility

[Steve]

Great news, pleased your fit and well again

[lukas]

Great, Bruce! Freut mich für dich!

[Slimboyfat]

Congratulations Bruce - glad you're up and about
Regards
Slimboy...

[dliefbroer]

Indeed, that has got to be a great feeling. Congratulations!

[GeorgeW]

Nice one Bruce.

[Gouezeri]

Great news Bruce!
So back to sorting out all the rooms in the upper levels of your house eh? Still who knows, you might find more long forgotten stashes of beans!

[bruceb]

No more beans, please! After learning that they are all going stale I am toying with buying a 2 sack Probat and throwing 'em in all at once and finally having enough roasted coffee. What a blend that would be! I could probably cause caffeine poisoning of our whole village.

Actually, I'm sanding and painting door frames and doors, putting up dry wall in the bathroom on the first floor and reorganising the workshop. It really feels good to be able to do these kinds of things again.

[bogner]

congratulations - and may I also take the opportunity to congratulate you on being the king of Smileys good stuff!

[bruceb]

Aw gee....

[BazBean]

i am extremly pleased for you buddy...
I bet you appreciate your mobility having been in that situation .
just makes me think just how much i take for granted on a dialy basis.

[bruceb]

Boy, no kidding about taking one's health for granted - when it's good. A funny side effect of sitting and reclining for nearly 3 months is that upon standing up one is completely surprised at how tall one is. I kept thinking, "WOW! I'm way up here, looking down on the table or other objects which had become only visible from the side. I had to laugh repeatedly at this impression.

Less humorous is the muscle degeneration that follows lengthy disuse. It is going to take a long time for my legs to regenerate even with the help of physical therapy and use of the home training bike. It's just part of the game, though. I'm just delighted to be able to get back to work on this house again!

[motoman]

Dammit Bruce! you have spoiled my plans to stand by your wheels and patronise you. "Does he take sugar" and shouting loudly and slowly at you coz you are obviously daft and deaf too.

You probably now appreciate most of the errors that people make when talking to you;

1. You are not wheelchair bound, you are using a chair for mobility.
2. Don't talk down to me, come down and talk."
3. "we don't get many like you in here"." Build a ******* ramp and you'll get a lot more business".

Good luck with the rehab mate.

[bruceb]

Hilarious! Sorry I spoiled your chance, Moto. Mostly, people left me alone, perhaps because I always went out wearing a Hawian shirt, a top hat, knickers and a green paisly bathrobe. It was good for me, though, because I learned to recite long passages of Henry V in a deep growly voice.

More on the sober side, however, Germany is extremely handicapped friendly. There are more laws about ramps and toilets, than one can believe. People are also, for the most part quite reasonable and thoughtful. A number of times I was pushing myself along a cobblestone street (just to see if I could do it) and someone politely asked if they could help. All-in-all it was not unpleasant, but again, it's great to be back on my feet!

[monkey66]

Congratulations Bruce, must be a great relief....now can we chrome and powdercoat the chair?