Monday, August 18, 2014

Caregiver Stories- #1 Rider's Choice by Tammy Kalp


I am starting a new blog series for caregiver guest blogs. 

Why? I am involved in online support groups for caregivers and have met many amazing individuals that have so much to offer and share with the world. What a better way to get it out there is for those going through their caregiver journey to have a place to share their experiences.
--------------Jane


A few weeks ago, I received this post on Facebook from one of my caregiver friends,Tammy Kalp, titled Rider's Choice. When you read her story, you will understand why I needed to share this story with you. 


I was asked to write a piece that landed in our local paper. I hope it speaks to you all as well:

Rider's Choice

Rider's Choice they say self-righteously.

Riders Choice that the individual motorcyclist has the right to choose whether or not to ride with a helmet on their head; This helmet either protecting one of the most important organs of their body or attached to the motorcycle protecting nothing.

Let me share with you the choice my husband made on September 15, 2012 at about 8:50pm. He made the choice to jump on his motorcycle to visit me at the nightclub I managed and within ten minutes our lives changed and his almost ended.

This Rider's Choice came with some serious consequences. These consequences resulted from a split second decision on his part not to wear his helmet, a novice driver's decision to pull out in front of him, and the subsequent collision
Paul's injuries were extensive- He broke everything on the left side of his body, punctured his right lung, suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury and lost the use of the right side of his body.

Paul did nothing to cause this accident- He was maintaining proper speed and being a responsible rider except he exercised his Rider's Choice not to wear his helmet. Had Paul worn his helmet, he would have been released to go home from the hospital on September 26th. Instead, he was sent to a rehab facility until January 11, 2013.

What Paul had to go through was horrific- He had to start from the very beginning including dressing, shaving, tying his shoes, opening bottles, reading, writing, speaking, and toilet training. EVERYTHING! It was difficult to watch, but, over time he has become my walking, driving jabbering fool! I love this man and am amazed at what he's been able to accomplish through this ordeal. Unfortunately, this is a typical story many motorcyclists make- the choice not to wear a helmet.

Now let me share with you what his choice cost me. At the time of his accident we were not married. While he did have a Will and Power of Attorney drawn up for me, he hadn't yet signed his Advanced Medical Directive (His accident was on a Saturday and literally Base Legal called me Monday to let me know it was ready for his signature). Without this document in place he left our lives in the hands of his family as his sister took over. All I could do was support and love him as best I could as his girlfriend.

For the first three months he was basically in his own Happy-land and doesn't remember most of his initial recovery. But I lived it, I lived it every single day for the both of us. Once he began to come out of Happy-land, decisions had to be made as to where he would live and who would care for him. I had to jump through hoops to prove he belonged home with me so that we could rebuild our future. I had to attend training, meet with a psychologist, and do an EXTREME HOME MAKE OVER to prove I was worthy and capable of this huge challenge.

So because of the Rider's Choice, Paul actually CHOSE FOR ME as well. He chose that I would now be his full time care giver, chauffeur, nurse, maid, chef, teacher, personal trainer, speech therapist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, accountant, administrative assistant, building maintenance crew, gardener, verbal punching bag and even his own brain. I used to joke with Paul I wanted to be a kept woman. When I made the joke I was thinking pool side or on a yacht with cute cabana boys bringing me cocktails and Bon Bon's! I never meant like this!!!

I have been yelled at, spit on, hugged, loved, stressed, kissed, held, pushed away, married to and threatened to be divorced from, and called many names that don't include my own. I have been called Mum, Dammit, Barb, Jesus Christ, Chris, Sue, etc. All because he didn't wear a helmet.

My real Paul would never ever do anything to upset me. He would rather cut off his leg than hurt me. This TBI Paul can't help it. I get it, but it doesn't mean this doesn't hurt. That split second decision stole so much from us. Paul probably will never ever look at me with the same love in his eyes that he did before his accident. That hurts like nothing I can describe. I had to mourn the loss of old Paul and truly embrace this new guy. This new guy in many ways is the same, but really quite different. If you ask this new Paul if he thinks helmets should be law mandated. He would answer "Yes, it's serious!"

Rider's Choice?!? I completely disagree. I haven't even told you how his children had to decide whether he lived or died, how the girl who caused the accident still wakes with night terrors and refuses to drive, or how it affected the whole family dynamics.

Do you have someone to love you unconditionally? Do you have a spouse that can leave everything and solely attend to your new needs?

Do you have a parent that can do the same thing? Perhaps your children? Or would you become a ward of the state and end up in a group or nursing home?

Do you actually want to put this on someone you love? When you exercise your Rider's Choice not to wear your helmet, you are making a selfish and irresponsible choice. You might not be as fortunate as Paul. You might actually die. You might actually end up in a wheel chair. Think about it long and hard. The choice is yours but remember you are also choosing for your loved ones.