I typically go to physical therapy on Tuesdays and Thursdays but this time my appointment was on a Monday which was different.  That should have been a sign that something different was going to happen.  I started my session by warming up for ten minutes on the stationary bike.  To the right of me was an apparatus that I typically use to help support myself when I use the stepper, however, this day there was a trampoline in front of the apparatus.  While I was riding the stationary bike, I glanced over at it several times and wondered what in the world anyone would do on that and then my thoughts drifted off to other things.

After my time was done on the bike, Kelly my therapist informed me that the trampoline was there for me to use and that we were going to try something new today.  In my mind, I thought “oh shit” Kelly is just crazy!  But she is exactly my kind of crazy.  I love her proactive approach for helping me to move closer to my goal of walking again.

I have to say that I was a little scared but very excited to try this.  I was afraid of failing yet I was excited for potential success.  I got onto the trampoline with Kelly’s help and she instructed me to do squats, being careful of my foot placement and my ankles.  I had to be careful not to roll my ankles.  This exercise would also help my ankle proprioception.  I was surprised that it was so hard to do this exercise.  It required me to think of every move and motion of every rep.  I will never take for granted how easy it is to move any part of the body without having to think about the process.

Anyway, after that set of squats, Kelly instructed me to do another set of squats but to come up quickly from the full squat position.  I said, hmmm, like jumping.  And after a few times of trying, I actually jumped!!!!!!  I jumped and my feet came off of the trampoline!!!!!  Now, I have to say that I was also holding onto bars for stability and balance so it wasn’t a full fledged free jump off the ground but it might as well have been for me!!!!!  I have not jumped in 5 years or more and I was just so elated.

I was overcome with joy and happiness and gratefulness for God’s grace and mercy.  His blessing is all over my life and I am so thankful.  In that moment, I thought of all that I have been through and how much progress I’ve made and I just started to laugh and cry at the same time.

On September 11th, I will have reached the 5 year mark since the onset of Transverse Myelitis and it has been quite the journey!  I’ve met people, gone places and have done things that I never would have done if it had not been for this disability.  And for that I am grateful.

Thank you team UTN (united Therapy Network) for all your hard work and positive encouragement.  You guys rock!!!

WATCH OUT WORLD….. I THINK DOUBLE-DUTCHING IS IN MY FUTURE – LOL