One Nightstand

Seriously, I need your help. Recently my wife commented how sad and depressing the nightstand on my side of the bed had become. You see, I’m ambitious in my plans to read everything I can to help me figure out my life situation. But I tend to read at night, and only make it through a handful of pages before I fall asleep. Books have been piling up for months. A list of what I say ‘good morning’ and ‘good night’ to lately:

• Rowing Without Oars: A Memoir of Living and Dying
• I Remember Running: The Year I Got Everything I Ever Wanted--and ALS
• The Anatomy of Hope: How People Prevail in the Face of Illness
• The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
• Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness
• Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting
• How to use a Patient Lifter: A positioning and transfer guide
• A Father's Legacy: Your Life Story in Your Own Words
• The Alpha Course Manual: An Opportunity to Explore the Meaning of Life
• My journal
• The Cheerios Play Book
• Daddy Kisses

Talk about a buzz kill for daily living right? I mean, literally all books feel heavy to me now, but this is ridiculous. With the exception of those for Eva (and the occasional toy she leaves), having all of this on my nightstand has become a mental and emotional burden. I may still read them, but I can’t let them sit there like a pile of work anymore. I need a change of pace. I need to lighten my reading load.

And that’s where you come in. I’ve cleaned up my nightstand. Nothing but a lamp, my journal, one book, and a few pictures. I’m looking for something new to read and I’m asking for your suggestions. What have you read that was riveting, intriguing, and perhaps totally brainless? I only ask that it be fictional and not anything remotely resembling a Harlequin romance. Seriously, add a comment to this post or send me an email, and perhaps one day I’ll share the meaning of life with you. If I ever get around to reading it.

Going Downhill Fast

How about some good vibrations for a change? We took a trip to Colorado recently and after two years of thinking I’d never ski again, I found myself going downhill fast, and it was spectacular.

Of all my past sports and hobbies, I miss skiing the most (see To Ski or Not To Ski). I knew there were adaptive ski options out there, but I was hesitant to try them. I wasn’t sure I could enjoy it the same as I have when healthy. But then I saw a short film at Sundance last year called ‘Beyond Iraq’, about disabled veterans taking skiing lessons, and rediscovering the abilities they still had. Soon after, my mother-in-law sent me information about the Breckinridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC), a non-profit who helps people of any ability enjoy activities like skiing, snowshoeing, canoeing, rafting, hiking, and rock climbing. I was still doubtful I’d ever go to the mountains again, much less go racing down the slopes.

But the seed of hope was planted, and so this winter I finally decided to stop feeling sorry for myself and get back up there. I made a reservation for an all-day lesson without having a clue how it would actually happen. How would they get me up the hill? How much control would I have? Would they just push me over the edge? Could I still fall and break my goggles like I’ve been known to do before?

Following a fairly smooth trip to Denver and into the mountains (an ALS patient and a 1.5 year old notwithstanding), we arrived at Keystone for my 9am lesson. We tried out a few different models of bi-ski, essentially a bucket seat sled with 2 skis mounted underneath, to see what would fit me. Imagine forcing a Sasquatch into a baby stroller with skis and you get the idea.

Anyway, we made it work and headed to the chair-lift. They just lifted the bucket seat onto the chair and we were off. It was exhilarating. The sky was a magnificent blue, with no clouds in sight. The air was so cold and crisp, I soon realized my nose hair was frozen. And I loved it. I’ve daydreamed about that atmosphere for a long time, and I was finally there.

The first run down was amazing. Turns out I had more control than I expected. With two-outrigger skis on my arms, and the instructor helping guide me with a tether, I could turn back and forth by gently shifting my hips. When needed, the instructor could reign me in and take control with a handle bar behind my head. Two other BOEC skiers helped block traffic, as well as pick me up when I fell, which I learned is indeed possible.

We took seven or eight runs throughout the day, with a warm-up break for lunch. My feet were locked into the sled with little circulation, so it took awhile for them to defrost. I could go on for days trying to describe the whole adventure, but instead I’ve posted some pictures and video, which make it easier to see what I’m talking about. Plus my hands are shot from typing. Suffice to say I’m very glad I took the opportunity to go. Thank you to the folks at BOEC for making it possible. And thank you to my family for encouraging me to never say never again.