As a welder, shop assistant, seamstress, sail maker, and steel worker (a little bit of one), most of my activities involve moving some part of my body, particularly my hands. And unfortunatly, unlike Doug and Carl I do not have a clear sense of body in space (as the physical therapists call it). Which means at times I have no idea of how to coordinate my body with my brain. I don't know where my feet are in reference to their environment. I am terrible at positioning my self when welding, cutting, holding on, lifting, etc. (there's lots in that etc.).
However, while frustrating at times, the positive aspects of physical labor is that when my pain level is high, I still have lots I can do. Sewing seams does not take a lot of brain power. Nor does sorting sockets, bolts, tools, and other clutter around the shop. And I think straight line, flat welding or plasma cutting doesn't take a lot of thought, though it does take attention to detail. And I think I can handle that job at a level 2 without having taken narcotics (probably not a good thing to use tools that create as much light and heat as the sun, in much smaller amounts, of course.)
So on the days I can't write or weld, I can clean and organize. My life hasn't diminished, which is one fear that people with chronic pain often face. In fact, building a boat has enriched it. I now do things that challenge me, yet provide a sense of satisfaction because there is concrete end product. I can watch my welding get better or faster.
Today, my pain level is at a persistent 2 after lots of sleep and valerian. We'll see how the rest of the day goes. And even if my pain level increases to a 3, I still can be a productive person. That sounds rather Stalinistic but it is accurate. :)
0 comments:
Post a Comment