Darwin (Wednesday 2)

Well today was a bit more laid back than yesterday. I started reading Jodi Picoult's 'Handle With Care' again this morning. I read it a few years back, but its interesting to read it again with a few years life experience under my belt. The thing I'm taking away from it this time, is the effect on the family of Willow (a five year old girl with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, or brittle bones). How everyone is so focused on Willow, that no one even notices that her older sister has an eating disorder, and has moved onto self mutilation. While my accident hasn't had quite that drastic an effect on any of my siblings, I do know they have had a hard time.When I first had my accident, I was so worried about Mum- I couldn't imagine how hard it must be to have to watch your child got through what I was going through. I wasn't worried about me; I have known all along that I was strong enough to survive, even thrive in my situation, but for Mum to watch her child in that position and to be completely helpless to do anything. That would be unbearable.
 Over the past few months though, I've been thinking of just home much it has impacted the rest of my family. Dad lost his wife for almost four months. My siblings lost their mother. Since then though, there are so many instances when I have overheard someone asking about me, but having no interest in any of the other kids. I find that hard- I can't even begin to imagine how difficult it is for them.I know when Becca got to grade 11, that was one of the factors in her deciding to change schools. She needed to go somewhere where she was simply Bec, not Katherine's sister. It wasn't that she didn't want me, it was that she needed to be known as her own person. And within a few months, I was invited to come speak to her sports class, and to do a wheelchair basketball session with them. It meant a lot to me, to be invited into that one piece of her life that wasn't already contaminated (for lack of a better word) by me, and my wheelchair. So Becca, in case I never told you (and I suspect I didn't), thank you, that meant a lot.
I often find it hard to know how to respond when people complement me on how well I am doing. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't be where I am now without the support I have since my accident, but sometimes its a bit overwhelming. I mean if someone congratulates me on my basketball achievements, that's great, because I worked hard to get there. When someone watches me get in the car and tells me I'm doing great, I don't know what to say. For me, it's no harder these days for me to get in the car than it is for you. So I never know what to say....I'm not complaining- just mulling it over.

Anyway, after my big D&M this morning, I headed off to the cinema, to go see The Sapphires. I really enjoyed it. It was quite funny, but not overly ridiculous. I recommend it!
After the movie I headed into Darwin CBD to have a look a western wear store I had seen advertised yesterday. If you're ever in Darwin, you should go visit Delaney's in Knuckey street. It's a great little shop with lots of character. They even have a lovely big leather chair, with a stack of old cowboy books, and old saddles and horse gear decorating the place. They didn't have the boots I've been looking for, but they did have a name for me. Runaway. The irony is not wasted!
Heading to Casuarina, I went to meet Mandy to go swimming. We went to the Casuarina Swimming Centre. I was tired after one lap, but I kept at it for six, and it was a 50m pool... Mandy kindly brought along a floaty- I was feeling like a three year old. But better a live three year old than a drowned 23 year old! 

Check out those guns!

After my swim, I headed back to the house and did some more reading and had tea. Now I'm going to try for an early night!