Success

Finally after 2 months plus of not being able to take pictures I had success. I have been stuck in bed after my injury this whole time wondering if this trip would happen and it did. There were many times on the way to Yellowstone National Park that I wondered if it would happen as well.

First there was the trip out to the Uber venturing down steps for the first time. My leg was still unsure if I would make it to the end of the drive way. As I mentally said yes to my leg and tried, it happened. Even better the Uber driver showed up on time and we did not have to wait long at all. Getting in the Uber vehicle with only a little bit of trouble was wonderful. Success.

Then we got to the airport. My wife had talked to the airline about having a wheel chair for us. All we were supposed to do was ask for a representative and they would come out. No one was out there. No problem Marcia went inside and I waited on my legs and crutches. A bench to sit on would have been helpful but there was none. So I waited and waited as my legs started to complain from long disuse. Still no one there to help. Finally Marcia arrived and told me the airline needed me to walk in. If I need wheel chair how was I going to do that. At that moment a company employee. I do not remember her name but will be forever grateful because she went and got me a wheel chair and help. Success.

Next they put me on an automated wheel chair that took us to our gate. The only problem was it was unfamiliar to the crowds and kept stopping to avoid people who only realized they needed to let us through until the last minute. Not a major hassle but definitely an experience for a man who had now seen hardly anyone for 2 months. Success.

The next challenge became obvious when my filling bladder saw the bathroom but sailed right by it. How was I going to get all the way down there from the gate? A the bathroom got further and further away I started to think of all kinds of issues. Once we got to the gate I was able to make it to a chair. My wife asked the agent about a wheel chair to take me to the bathroom. They were very helpful but the wheel chairs were locked up. Really people steal them? I am sure it happens of they would not do it, but really wasn’t helping me at that moment. Finally a kind person showed up, unlocked the chair and got me over to the bathroom. Relief at last except for the increasingly easier process of managing two legs and crutches. Success.

When it got time for getting on the plane we had to navigate several ramps. First there were the ramps to get down to the runway. Another lady brought the chair and wheeled me down. We got to the second set up to the plane and another lady joined her to push me up the ramp. They were very kind and eager to help. This made it hard because now I needed to walk up a simple metal plate to get over the gap between ramp and plane. Several attempts later I was in my seat. The stewardess was so concerned about it that she talked with the other airport to ensure we would help on waiting for us. We did.

Now we come to a simple yellow border at arrival between plane and the gate entry. I was not able to put my weight on it I was told so I was thwarted as I could not make a simple step over it. I had visions of slipping and having my leg caught between plane and gateway. The kind agent put me on the chair an did it for me with the wheel chair. Success

We were met at the gate by another man named Nick who wheeled us to our rental. He didn’t have to, but he did with great kindness. We talked about wildlife photography and State Route 20 at home. He is going to take his parents there next year. He even waited while I used the bathroom. Success

Getting into truck which is knee high can be a challenge even with two good legs. I was tired and had to think about it. Would I be best to put my good leg up and hold myself up with the bad one and thus not have to stress the knee? Or would it be better to balance on the good leg. I settled for staying on good leg and straddling up. Success.

We arrived at our Airbnb after getting a stool (Collapsible so that we can take it with us). I was able to get down easily and then the next challenges faced me. I needed to walk up an incline and then traverse 4 steps into the house. Easy right? Well as it turned out I managed it fairly easily but not without some sweat and noises :). We reversed this process this morning when I got into the truck and we ventured out. This picture here is the result. Success