Broken wrist

I got a phone call from mum today. Apparently she has broken her wrist. She had a fall yesterday morning out near the barbecue area (nice even flat pavers). They have put a back slab on the arm and she'll see the ortho on Friday to see if she needs a full cast.

She must have had about half a dozen falls this year at least. Things are obviously getting harder and harder for her to do, she still tries to do some things, but they live on a large 2 acre block which is in a hilly area, lots of uneven ground, steps, rocks, etc. I doubt she even goes off the paved and concreted areas these days mostly, but still manages to fall very regularly. She's becoming a prisioner in her own home. She can't go up to the clothes line (up a set of concrete steps, surrounded by rock walls). She really doesn't drive all that much anymore, and the shops are far too far away, and she's on a massive hill, so walking or even riding a mobility scooter is not an option as the hill is really steep.

Dad says they won't be moving until it's time for her to move into a nursing home because she just is so uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings, it would be too much for her. But she's stuck there, she can't do anything but sit in the house. I can't help but thinking that if they lived in the town, she could at least get a mobility scooter and get around safely a bit. If they moved into a smaller flat with all the disability aids she needs to help her around the house.

But, I have no say on the matter, so that is that.

Goodbye to a girl so young

Today I went to a funeral for a 9 year old girl. Her sister goes to school with my oldest daughter. She was very sick for 5 years, and it was anticipated that she would die, but was still a shock when it happened. I am lost for words really. It was so sad to see the family have to cope with their oldest daughter and her passing after 5 hard years of her becoming more and more disabled with each passing year. She out lived her life expectancy, and I'm sure it is something of a relief that she is now freed from being trapped inside her broken little body.

I feel for the family, although they will probably sleep better at night now that they don't have to sleep with one eye open, they don't have to go in each morning wondering if she'll be dead or alive, but they'll still have guilt when they have a good night sleep, and they'll be able to enjoy doing all the things that they couldn't do with a wheelchair bound child, but still the guilt follows each time you enjoy something when part of your family is missing.

Rest in peace little angel, I hope heaven is better for you than the earth was.