Friday, August 11, 2006

Wheelchair Skills

One class that Mike looks forward to is wheelchair skills every Thursday.  Yesterday he practiced doing “wheelies” and wheeling around pylons with one hand turns.  One of the exercises involved transferring a bean bag from a chair on one side to his lap and then from his lap to a chair on the other side.  The trick was keeping his wheelchair in a “wheelie” position (on the back two wheels only) the whole time he transferred the bean bags.  He had to keep one hand on his wheel at all times balancing his body and chair so the front two tires stayed suspended in the air.  Trust me, this is not easy!  

He also practiced falling out of his chair (they were nice enough to do this exercise on a mat!) and though he doesn’t have enough strength at this point to get himself back in the chair, he learned how to direct someone else to assist him.  He also learned that if you have cute girls helping you, you can ask for their phone numbers at the same time.  Mike felt this was valuable information indeed!  

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I LOVE IT!!! Mike, you can have my phone number anytime cutie!!!!

Anonymous said...

It is such a blessing to read about your journey, Mike. You have such a great personality, I wish we'd gotten to know each other better as kids. Keep it up! God will reward you!

Faye

AndreaJ said...

Hi Mike!

Great news! Now you have a new tactic for picking up the ladies. And once you've got their attention you can show 'em your sweet moves, poppin' wheelies! Alright!!

It's so exciting to hear of your progress Mike!! I am so proud of you!

Continuous prayer for you and your family.

God Bless,
Andrea Evans

Anonymous said...

The Barker charm...eh, good in ANY situation. Love the updates.

Leanne

Anonymous said...

It actually sounds like you guys are having fun over there in the city. We are so glad for your positive outlook and perseverance. Thanks for all the updates. Mike, I can still see you passing me on the highway between Holowachuk and town with arm hanging out the window - such a cool reminder, you are still you! Take care and we are thinking of you always. Dreschalda

Anonymous said...

Hey Mike,
Just wanted to let you know that Jesse and I are still praying for you. I love reading the blog and seeing how you are doing. You are an inspiration to me and I have done a lot of soul searching since your accident which has brought me closer to God and closer to the people that sometimes I keep at arm's length. Know that you are a blessing to so many around you even if you don't know it, or even know them. Don't lose your sparkle and charm (which by the sounds of it is thriving). God bless.

Sheleena Kent

Anonymous said...

Hey mike,

It's good to hear that not all Glenrose classes use ancient videos. And wheelies, awesome! I still freak out going no-handed on a bike (not a chicken, mind you, lol). You're awesome!!

Britney
: )

Anonymous said...

" You cannot live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."-John Wooden, UCLA basketball Coach

Anonymous said...

Hey Mike and family: So sorry to hear about little Max. It's been awhile since I've been able to read your updates, and it's great to hear your continuing to make excellent progress. Whenever I feel down about little things, I think of you, and your positive attitude, and how you haven't let this accident keep you from achieving your goals, and how you have kept your positive attiutde, and your enormous strength and love of God - I feel so dumb - and I have to thank God for all the blessings in my life. Thanks for helping me so see the light. Your friend in LLB
Phyllis A.

Anonymous said...

Hello,

Glad to hear everything's going good in the ol' CA.
God bless,
Britney in MI

Anonymous said...

Keep it up Mike.
I think even without the fancy "wheelies" you won't have any problems getting pretty girls to help you. You will have so many numbers you won't know what to do with them. ;) LOL
Don't break too many hearts.
God Bless
-Julie-Anne

DaveKerwin said...

Mike, you can't have my phone number, unless it is wanted for purely plautonic purposes. I wanna see a wheelie pic.

Anonymous said...

Hey there,

Good to hear (see, i guess) that youre having fun.

Brit

Anonymous said...

Hey mike,

Be proud of youre mad skills, man. :)lol. Thought I'd leave some of my inspiring verses.

Numbers 6:25
Joshua 1:9
Nehemiah 8:10d
Psalm 91:9
Proverbs 3:5
Psalm 1:6a
1 John 3:1a
Ephesians 3:20

Live life like it's going out of style,
Britney