Great Skort!

Often times people assume they understand the difficulties of having a child in a wheelchair. 90% of the time, that understanding involves the perceived emotional impact. That is part of the difficulties, of course, but it ebbs and flows and some days it is not even on the radar. No one thinks about the little things, the everyday inconveniences.

One of the many inconveniences of Maggie’s disabilities is the way she is secured into her chair. It takes seven straps and buckles to hold her in place. That takes a lot of time to complete a transfer into or out of the wheelchair. One of the straps is specifically “Maggie proof” requiring a pen or similar sharp object to unlock. That was necessary because she spends her days fumbling with the latches. She has figured out how to undo several of them. The “Maggie proof” latch will keep her from falling onto the floor in the event she unlatches enough of the others. She will not look good in the chair if that is the only latch still locked, in fact, it’s likely she’ll be hanging at a scary angle, but she won’t actually fall out. Presumably, someone is near enough to her at all times that the scary angle will alert him or her to a major problem. One hopes so, anyway.

Two of the straps, probably the most important of all in terms of her safety and proper positioning, come up between her legs holding her hips and pelvis down. Because of the configuration of these straps, Maggie cannot wear dresses or skirts. It’s just a “glamour don’t” for her. We have recently discovered skorts, the small skirt with shorts underneath. This gives Maggie some ability to dress “girlie”. Still, it is kind of a drag as we shop for graduation clothes this week or that special Christmas or Easter outfit that we can never choose the pretty dress. She does not care, but I do. It is just something a mom gets to do – dress her girl in frilly clothes. It is a small thing, but it is there.

Maggie’s graduation outfit is set; she will wear a cute matching summery pants outfit. That’s just the way it is and it’s fine.

There was an exciting development here, though. My son Tim secured full time employment. He starts Tuesday. It is in a very nice, rather upscale, Scottish import store in Union Square.

One of the job requirements: he has to wear a kilt.

Turns out, I will get to see my child in skirt after all. Different child, different effect, but my wishes are general, not specific.