Sorry about the decline in the number of posts. I've recently started grad school and due to an increase in my work load, any posts have been through my facebook page. A lot has happened over the past few months and here is a quick overview.
1. School
Last fall I started grad school at Johns Hopkins, studying Bioinformatics, which is essentially combining computers and microbiology. I learned a lot that first semester but I feel more comfortable switching to Biotechnology, which had most of the same requirements and cool electives. Biotechnology is more centered around bench work, small in-person labs, and I really enjoyed doing lab work. In class we're going to do bacterial cloning and a bunch of other fun experiments.
Poor billy...
2. Work out
I've actually been fairly faithful to my work out schedule lately. I keep a calendar my sister gave me for Christmas on the wall, writing down whatever exercise I do on that day's square. It's not a perfect system but so far it has worked.
This is from the calendar she got me. A cat yoga calendar... you know me so well.
It doesn't take a genius to realize that I haven't written anything in a while. I've been busy, my attention taken by school, physical therapy, and art. The first priority for the past few years has been working on my bachelors degree. I am proud to say I have earned my degree in Biology! They even wrote a little press item on the graduating CSU students and my 6 year journey to graduation.
Peter was in a traumatic car accident on Dec. 29,
2009 when his family was driving down the freeway and their car spun
out of control, braking suddenly for stopped traffic. He shattered
two of his vertebrae, broke both arms and suffered extensive internal
damage, ultimately requiring a wheelchair and rigorous rehabilitation. He went through several surgeries and regained motion in his legs and
was eventually able to start walking with a brace and walker. Despite
wanting to resume his education at CSU, health problems made it
difficult for him to be successful on campus, causing him to return home
to North Carolina. There, he resumed his CSU education online. Since
then, he is recovering more and more and has made such great progress
that his wheelchair now serves as a bed for his cats. He is set to
graduate this May with a degree in Biology. He also has applied to
several graduate schools and is interested in Bioinformatics, the
merging of genetics work and computer programming. In the future, he hopes to work in a lab doing research.
I'm glad simply to have made it this far, physically and academically, though I've a long way to go still until I'm satisfied with either. Physically I've been improving by leaps and bounds. And by that I mean I can actually jump (even if it's not very high).
Who knew I could jump higher than the average house!
I'm currently up in Baltimore for another round of Boot Camp, the two weeks twice a year where I get pushed by spinal cord specialists to improve the best I can. The exercises are tailored to my injury and how much recovery I've made. This generally includes some work in the pool, work on balance, strengthening, using treadmills, or all of the above. Today was the first day and was mostly tests, evaluations, and deciding which exercises required more work and which were too easy. According to their tests, since last Boot Camp I've gotten stronger, faster, and better coordinated. The real work starts tomorrow and I know after 3 hours of grueling work I'll sleep like a babe.
Well... maybe not.
Finally, I've been busy painting. This past Christmas instead of buying gifts for people I gave each person a painting instead. This has started me on a painting rampage which continues today. I work mainly with acrylics on canvas and have come up with a few nice pieces. I've also begun Art Journaling, a combination painting and scrapbooking, layered with inks, stencils, stamps, stickers, and million different mediums.
Sawfish, Spotted Eagle Ray
Crying Robot, Green Coffee Cup, Red Coffee Cup
Blue Coffee Cup
Green Coffee Cup
Red Coffee Cup
Blue Coffee Cup
Painting outside on a warm day.
Dragon on a teacup.
Winnie the Pooh art journal page.
"What day is it?" asked Pooh.
"It's today, " squeaked Piglet.
"My favorite day" said Pooh.
"Life is art, live yours in Color."
The first layer of an art journal page.
You have no idea how much I love turtles!
What happens when I get bored and have only highlighters and sharpies.
Darth Vader Art
A Whale in Love
A City in Flames.
Dragon on a cliff.
The Peacock, done in highlighter.
If you like the art, are a fan of my recovery, or just like turtles, 'like' The Turtle Walks on facebook. I'll start keeping the blog updated but my facebook is where I spend most of my time online. Also check out theturtlewalks.tumblr.com
I haven't written anything on this blog in a while but the anniversary of my car accident is a date I couldn't ignore.
If you happen to be reading this blog for the first time, read this post first, explaining my story. (If anyone wants to see how things have changed you can check out my First Post After The Accident, Year 1, and Year 2)
This year has been one of continuing progress. I've had 2 different leg braces, ending the year using the Allard Toe-OFF AFO, an ankle brace that makes use of carbon fiber to make it durable and light. This is my smallest and lightest brace yet, compensating for the lack of ankle movement in my left leg.
Some of my old braces took about 5 minutes or more to get on. This takes about a minute.
I've still had my share of medical issues. I've had multiple surgeries for an ongoing infection that's gotten all the way down to the metal in my back. Once metal hardware is infected (especially necessary hardware that you can't remove) it's very hard to get rid of. Precautions have been taken and every measure is being taken to try and eradicate the bug in my back.
I finished another semester, leaving me only one more until I graduate with my bachelor's degree in biology. I'm already applying to graduate schools for next fall, where I'll study bioinformatics (a combination biology and computer programming).
I've been continuing to explore my new found passion for painting. This year I painted my Christmas gifts for people, coming up with a few really great ones. Some are better than others but I had fun painting each and every one of them.
The tabernacle of a church, painted for my mother.
The Four Seasons, for Q. Try looking at it upside-down.
The final painting turned out really well, though this picture didn't do it justice.
The original.
The Nightmare Before Christmas, for Kayla.
Batman Celtic Knot, for Philip.
The Sun Over Lake Michigan, for my aunt.
Minas Tirith from Lord of the Rings, for my dad.
My friend Cat asked for a picture of me and I painted her this.
There are still a couple of others in the mail that I won't post. Needless to say I've been spending countless hours working on these. The best part is that from all my brainstorming sessions of what to paint for people, I have a giant stack of painting ideas and sketches that I can still use.
Lastly I want to thank everyone who's helped me along this past year. I've worked hard but no one gets anywhere without some from help of those around them (family or friends). I first want to thank my Mom and Dad, who've been there to kick my butt over the years when I'd already given up. Dad, thank you for being there for advice, counsel, and a fresh pair of eyes. Mom, you've been there since since the beginning and have carried me kicking and screaming down the road to recovery; I love you both more than words can convey. To my siblings, thanks for being there to dish out the family gossip, to commiserate, to give me a patient ear when I've needed it, and helping to keep my life in perspective. Thanks Philip, a true friend through anything. Thanks Kelley, my amazing faghag, who helped keep me sane no matter what was going on in my life. Thanks Tony, for reminding me to relax and enjoy life and not to take things so seriously. Thanks Kayla and Eli, the cutest family I know, for reminding me what's important in life. Thanks all the staff of Coastal Rehab (though especially Mindy and Lynn) for tireless working to keep me improving. Thanks to all the staff up at the Kennedy Kreiger Institute and The International Center for Spinal Cord Injury (Kristin, Meredith, Brooke, Stephanie, Marjorie, and so many more) who've been the driving force in my rehab since I was first injured. Thanks to all the doctors (there's dozens), nurses (hundreds), and other staff who've helped me with my ever climbing number of medical visits. Thank you to the orthotists who've worked tirelessly to make sure I have a working leg brace, without which I wouldn't be walking at all. Thank you to all the people who've read my blog, followed me on facebook, tumblr, etc; though this may be just a way to pass time for you, the support I've received from all of you has kept me going for all these years.
I'm currently up in Baltimore for Boot Camp again, so expect updates to follow in the next few days.
I've been absent from my blog lately, a hiatus caused mostly by school work.
Here's what's new:
ToeOFF AFO
I've been walking more and more using the Allard ToeOFF AFO. It's been working great. I was finally able to ramp up the amount of time I spend wearing it so now I can wear it all day (with breaks to give my skin a break).
My leg brace with extra padding in the background.
I love that this brace gives me the ability to raid my closet for shoes. Now that I'm not wearing my bulkier brace I fit into some of my old shoes, some of which I haven't worn since before the accident.
It's like my feet are going back in time to before the accident.
Wound VAC
For those of you who remember this little bad boy right here, I went through a stint on the Wound VAC.It sucked out all the unwanted buildup in my back in order to help fight the infection I was dealing. It's healed up (finally!) but I still have to be careful.
WoundVAC with complementary awkward man-bag.
Once it's had a few more days to heal I can...
Return to the Water!!!
It's difficult to convey how extremely excited and overjoyed at this I am!
I've been exiled from the water since last year, when I had to wait for my surgery scars to completely heal. Every few weeks I'd get excited that I might get to go back but to no avail. I'm not making this whole post all about that or it won't happen.
School
School is kicking my butt as we move toward another round of finals. I've got to get through the fall and the spring and I'll have my bachelors in biology. After I graduate I'm going to be looking for a career in bioinformatics. This fascinating field is all about paring microbiology and computer programming. I never expected to love computer programming but I seem to have a real knack for it. I'll soon be looking at grad schools for next fall.
Painting
I've been filling my spare time with painting, an activity I picked up recently. I currently have several underway. Here are a few fun one's that I've done recently:
