Vera & Fred - escape in the electric wheelchair

October 27, 2002

Hi Ann:

Yeah! see Ann you still can look forward to Al trying to leave home on the

electric w/c . Fred also tried a few times to leave in the car, but I

wouldn't give him the key's. Thing with the electric w/c there is a place in

the back where you can push it up on both sides and it keeps the w/c from

moving. Fred has a hard time pulling it back into place, so that's one way I

can keep him from leaving. I'm sure I haven't seen the last time he'll try to

leave. I don't think you have either.

I know of other woman caregiver's having this problem , but not sure if the

male caregiver's do.

It's a good thing we can laugh at it, but it drives me nuts at the time. )

and it keeps us in shape running after them.

Good luck

Vera

**************************

Hi Vera,

I rolled with laughter over your story about Fred wanting to leave home in

his

electric wheelchair! I called out to Al and said " hey you've got a twin

brother whose just like you " !

Al is always threatening to leave home - especially when he was still able to

drive - he hasn't got his wheelchair just yet.

One night after he had another one of his little episodes, I heard the car

being driven out of the garage. I flew out the back door and was thankful

that

he had stopped, as he was already a big risk on the road driving. Fortunately

he had forgotten where the headlights were and nearly pulled the whole

dashboard to pieces. No amount of smooth talking from me could convince him

that if he wanted to go anywhere I would drive him. Finally he roared at me

" where are the headlights " ? I calmly replied " there aren't any " . " Since

when " ? he gruffed back at me - " oh they haven't been working for quite a

while

and that's why I don't do any night driving " I calmly replied. More pulling

at

knobs on the dashboard and he found the lights! Panic! I thought as I tried

to out run the car down to the front gate to lock it. He being smarter and

having 4 cyclinders under him then put his foot firmly down on the gas petal

and shot out of the gate!

Fortunately for both of us he was back in five minutes after coming to his

senses that he really shouldn't be driving a car on the road especially as he

wasn't as capable as he thought he was driving. It took a couple of days

before

he handed over the car keys " never to drive again " . Now I'm beginning to

wonder

what he will be like when he eventually gets his electric wheelchair!!

Many thanks for the laugh we both enjoyed it.

Ann

October 27, 2002