and so it begins....

Let's start off by saying that disability isn't for wimps. Neither is this blog. The "C" word will be used on occasion......."cripple". That word makes some feel uncomfortable, I understand that, but for me it is just another word that describes my condition. I don't want to get caught up in words, or in being "sensitive" and "politically correct". I was raised in a family that did not talk about my disability, and I've gone through most of my adulthood believing that the best thing I could do for others was to 'not talk about it'. I'm 44 years old, and I am sick of not talking about 'it'. I am crippled, disabled, gimpy, limpy, handicapped, physically challenged, whatever. Being easily offended is not part of my character.

The idea for this blog has been on my mind for several years. I tried to come up with a less offensive title, really I did, but it has a certain 'catchiness' to it, don't you agree? It also goes well with my weariness of being all 'nicey-nice' about being disabled and the attempts by society, and sometimes myself, to 'soften' medical and disability issues to make them more palatable.

I have a neurological disorder that slows and eventually stops nerve conduction to my muscles, resulting in muscle atrophy and paralysis. It started with my lower legs when I was 14, and after being dragged around the country to various experts I was given the diagnosis of Charcot Marie Tooth disorder. It has nothing to do with my teeth. It is degenerative, meaning it gets worse over time. I have gone from using a crutch, to two crutches, and now to a scooter and sometimes a wheelchair, or an ATV, horse, whatever happens to be nearby :)

This is where the 'backcountry' part comes in. I ride about 400-500 miles a year horseback, on trails, often in designated wilderness and roadless areas. My husband accompanies me, and together we enjoy places most disabled people never go to, or even think they possibly could go to. The secret to the whole thing is the horse. Once I am on the horse I am almost the same as any other able-bodied rider. I can go as fast (well, almost as fast), as far (sometimes even farther), and on the same terrain (most certainly!) as everyone else. There is virtually no difference between me and everyone else, until I get off my horse and am once again disabled.

Here is the story of my horse Jypsi and I:





to be continued.....