I’m finally starting to feel settled in my new home, but let me tell you, it hasn’t been the smooth transition I thought it would be.
If you’ve followed my journey, you know I’ve been living with a disability since 1997, thanks to a failed back surgery that left my lower spine in rough shape. So every little thing becomes a big challenge, from packing and unpacking to arranging each room just right, all while sticking to a disability income. I’ve been slowly investing in helpful tools and products that make everyday tasks more manageable, from grabbers and rolling carts to lightweight cleaning gadgets and adaptive kitchen tools. I’m still tweaking things inside to make life easier, but I’m finally getting into a rhythm with my yard, which has been a whole different kind of adventure.
Yard Work After Disability: A Learning Curve
After my surgery, I made the move to an apartment because yard work just wasn’t realistic anymore. So now, many years later, owning a home again has brought new challenges. I knew I’d have to step up to maintain my yard and meet the city’s expectations, and let me tell you, it’s been a learning curve. A year and a half in, and I’ve gone through a lot of trial and error just to get to this point.
Figuring out how to care for the yard without aggravating my back has taken time. I first tried using one of those old school manual mowers. No gas, no cords, just push and go like the ones my parents used back in the 50s and 60s. It sounded like a good idea at the time: no vibration, no engine to mess with. Just a few blades and elbow grease. But honestly, I couldn’t wait to get rid of it. It might work for someone with a perfectly flat lawn, but that’s definitely not what I have here.
Tools That Make a Difference
Eventually, I invested in a self propelled electric mower, and that’s been a total game changer. There’s no real pushing involved, just a button to start and a speed setting I can control. It pretty much moves on its own while I guide it. Holding the handle helps me balance, even if I’m not zooming, speed’s not the goal.Getting it done safely is.
For trimming, I went with the lightest weed eater I could find, just a pound or two. It’s not the most powerful tool out there, and I’ve gone through a couple of them already, but it lets me tidy up without flaring up my chronic pain. It might not be fancy, but it lets me breathe in some fresh air and feel productive.
Thankfully, my brother-in-law and sister still visit from Texas a few times a year to help with big jobs like tree trimming and yard work. When my back flares up and I’m down for a day or two, other family members help where they can.
Maintaining a yard with a disability is doable, it just takes creativity, trial and error, and letting others help when needed. And when you do have to pause and ask for help, don’t see it as giving up. Independence is a journey, and it’s rarely a straight path. There’ll be setbacks and tears, but just take a breath, reassess, and see what’s worked for others too. Be kind to yourself, and above all, keep going.
