Home Sweet Home

The concept of home is difficult for an expat. I've read sentiments that express an expat can never fully come home because she has left part of her heart in different places. I don't know how I feel about all those sappy statements, but there is some truth behind them. I struggled with the concept of home before I even considered moving overseas, yet I'm stubbornly sure Portland will always be the home of my heart. Even so, Kandern is also my home. So is REHAB Basel for now though it's a home I'm eager to transition out of.

Part of my transition happened this morning as I visited Kandern for the first time since my accident. I went to visit a possible apartment option and see if I was able to get around the school and the grocery store. It was pretty emotional for me as I drove with Isabelle into the town I had grown accustomed to being a pedestrian in during the fall. However, there was a lot of work to do as I wheeled into the flat and figured out where I'd need handrails installed and if I could get myself into the shower.

Once we established what I'd need to make the flat safe for me alone, I wheeled down the familiar path to the back of the school. I kept my plan to come to campus pretty quiet because it was for therapy rather than a social visit, but I knew I couldn't avoid being spotted. I'm a little conspicuous - it's the hipster glasses. And the wheelchair doesn't help. Before we even made it inside, a parent walking by stopped me to let me know he's been following my story and praying for me and a colleague gave me a hug to welcome me back.

Although I couldn't open the door myself, I managed the small wheelie necessary to push me over the threshold of the side door to JB - I'm still miles away from managing the step at the front door. I immediately met Lexi outside the door of her yearbook class and promptly paid for my copy of the coolest BFA yearbook yet.

While Isabelle discussed the possibilities for making the door easier for me to open with Myriam, one of my former Bible students came out of yearbook to give me a hug. The rest of the class smiled and waved from inside the room when the door opened again, and I made my way to the end of the hall with my mini entourage to try out the bathroom. My wheelchair doesn't fit in the stalls, but there's a lock on the staff bathroom that I didn't know existed (the staff bathroom, that is, the second floor staff use the student bathroom on the second floor instead of this hidden first floor staff bathroom) so I'll be able to use it. I finally realized what the other patient told me about how useless bathroom skills were if you couldn't walk though. I won't have a problem with my catheter in a locked room - though let's be clear, I'm still praying for return of both walking and bathroom functions.

Brant procured the elevator key for me, and we traveled up to JB 2 where I saw my senior NHS officer coming up the stairs with another staff member. I was excited to give Alice a second hug in a week before I told her to keep quiet because I wasn't here for a visit and couldn't see all my students. It was really hard to know my kids were so close by and I couldn't hug them all, but I had to stay focused. I traveled around Jill's classroom to see how easily I could maneuver in a class. We talked briefly about possible student help in arranging desks and how I could use the room before I headed to the staff room to hide during passing period. I passed a math class full of my freshmen and inadvertently ruined any hope Mrs. Martin may have had of keeping their attention on geometry. Fortunately, it was almost time for the bell to ring, and she stepped out to tell me they were all excited to catch a glimpse of me.

As soon as the tardy bell rang, we returned to the elevator and I caught sight of another one of my former Bible students wandering out of class. Of course I was overjoyed to see her and give a hug, but I had to quickly send her off to class. I would have loved to spend an hour talking to her about her semester, how she survived AP Euro History, and so many follow up questions to her final reflection paper for my class; unfortunately, I was on a schedule. The last thing we needed to check was if I could wheel myself into the auditorium of the main building - we already know I can't make it to the offices upstairs in the elevator-less building. I successfully made it in and out and sat talking with Isabelle, Myriam, and Brant about the details we would need to make my days successful when I caught sight of the reflection of three students running towards me.

I tried to repress a smile as Brant warned me of their coming. "Miss Hewett!" Emily shouted as she ran up with two other students from my Bible class. Just as before, I was delighted to see them, but tried to send them back to class. They claim they asked to leave after they saw me from the window, but the last thing I ever want to do is take away valuable classroom time. I seriously doubt I would have let students out of my class to see someone, but I give my sincerest thanks to my colleague who let my precious students brighten my day. I love those kids so much.

I still had a lot to so though as I worked out my arms on the upward slope back towards the apartment and the grocery store. I wheeled myself into the store to find all the bumps and slopes before Isabelle and I made our way back to the car. It was hard to drive away, but it know I've still got a long way to go before I'm safe to stay in Kandern. I'm back in Basel now ready to give my all at therapies and training to prepare me for my next home.