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AUGUSTA’S MOST SALUBRIOUS NEWSPAPER • FOUNDED IN 2006 Editor’s note: Author Naomi Williams created and wrote the Exceptional Living column in the Medical Examiner as a chronicle of life with her differently-abled son Noah and his congenital disabilities. She took a sabbatical last year to focus more on Noah’s care and health. She offers this update on recent events.
Joy I
t has been nearly eighteen months since I’ve written an article for the Medical Examiner. Not because I didn’t want to but because I couldn’t. I wasn’t in a good head space. I was too negative. I was too wrapped up in what was going on in our life. There was too much stress at home, with Noah, with school and with work. I wasn’t sleeping well. My body was in constant pain. I was barely eating and what I would consume wasn’t even close to healthy. I wasn’t coping well. No, let me be honest...I wasn’t coping, at all. At the beginning of 2014 I decided to turn things around. I knew I had to start living for me. For once, it had to be me first. To illustrate, you know whenever you fly the flight attendants go through the required safety protocol, including the part about oxygen masks. I’m a seasoned flyer, but it wasn’t until the beginning of this year that I finally truly understood the concept of putting my oxygen mask on first in the event the cabin begins to lose pressure. I found myself in a situation where if I did not stop and take care of myself, then there was a good chance that I wouldn’t be around to take care of my most prized possession, my son. I couldn’t see how I was going to fit in my own
Through the Journey by Naomi D. Williams
life, my appointments, impending carpal tunnel surgery and recovery, all while juggling my son’s many doctor appointments, therapy appointments, school appointments, impromptu sicknesses, etc. The the emotional fatigue was being manifested physically, to the point my body was not just protesting but actively revolting against me. I had my surgery — so very glad that I did — but it left me completely dependent on others for three weeks. Thankfully, I was able to figure out how to shower and use the bathroom on my own (I’m sure my helpers were more thankful than me). While I recovered, family and friends stepped up and into my world to take care of my son. The entire time they were here he had no medical concerns, issues or scares. But the first week when I was back in the saddle caring for him on my own again, it seemed like all hell broke loose. Looking back at it now I would say that is was a massive dam that broke, and we are currently living the all hell breaking loose part. There were three hospitalizations in less than four weeks. There were several trips to the emergency department. There were countless sleepless nights, which quickly seemed to become the norm.
MAY 2, 2014
GET OUTSIDE! EXERCISE is one of those rare topics in which the hype actually delivers. Other than not smoking, there is no other action you can take that offers greater health benefits than exercise. ANY increase in exercise of physical activity is good — especially if you do it regularly. YET only about 30% of adults report that they get regular exercise. WALKING is one of the best, easiest, and cheapest ways to enjoy the outdoors and reap the benefits of activity. The Aiken-Augusta area is blessed with many excellent walking venues, many offering the added benefit of great natural beauty. THE WEATHER is perfect. Why not start today?
Please see JOY page 15
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