It’s February! Meteorologists tell us it is the coldest month of the year, our history lessons tell us it’s the month of Presidential birthdays, and our gardens (hopefully!) tell us spring is coming. But retail stores and online shopping sites tell us it is the month of love! Everywhere we look, red boxes of candy abound, florists are gearing up for their busiest day of the year, and card shops are flooded with Valentines. We are bombarded with the clear and urgent message: buy something for the one you love!
Now I am no curmudgeon, and I can be as romantic as the next guy. I love celebrating Valentine’s Day, including giving and getting Valentine’s cards. But in the rush of romance, I offer another take: this February, show yourself some love!
Everyone needs care. Everyone needs to be loved. That is a human need and a human emotion. And some of that love needs to come from inside of our own hearts and minds. For those of us with paralysis, this love is even more important than for many other people. We need a special kind of love to help us doing daily chores, or just getting through our morning routines. Some of us need the love of those who offer medical or nursing help. Some of us cannot drive and are dependent on others to help us get around.
We must know our bodies, have a clear picture of our physical and mental abilities, and always take care of ourselves. We must be our own best advocates when we need care. If we don’t speak up and ask for help from the doctors, physical therapists, and other professionals, as well as our family and friends, we risk a decline in our health. But if we ask for help and follow good advice, many of us can make great strides to improve our quality of life.