Phase 1. The recovery plan: Phase 1

It's hard to believe it's been nearly three years since I had my Last fall and first entered rehab. I now feel that if I don't start taking more personal responsibility for my care, I'll be here forever. I'll be the first to admit that this place has acted as a shield from all the things in the outside world that I feel will destroy me.

Not only is it critical for my mental health that I be discharged. It is also essential for my physical health.

In more ways than one, it is time to get strong enough to walk on my own two feet and support my weight again. Because I am not an involuntary admission, technically, I should be able to leave whenever I want, but I'm not ready. If I left now, it would be a matter of days before I was back here or somewhere else.

Because the Veterans Administration's patience with me is not infinite, and I cannot count on them continuing to authorize treatment, the farthest I can walk is 74 feet. I've decided to place myself into self-therapy to build my strength and coordination before I ask to be re-evaluated. I estimated 6 Months of daily work should get me to a point where I'm dramatically improved.

The cornerstone of my program is following Qi Gong and Tai Chi exercises on YouTube. For the next four weeks, I'll be following a beginner QiGong video series, teaching fundamental movements and breathwork.

[Watch the video here](https://youtube.com/watch?v=gXACNSMeOvk&si&si=4FbLNS99atjofGbd)&si&si=4FbLNS99atjofGbd). For a person who is used to standing, this should be elementary, but for someone who has fundamentally used a wheelchair, such as myself, for three years, it will be a certified challenge.

Another thing that will prove helpful in my recovery efforts is Thriving Beyond 50. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8S8YCNR?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_digi_asin_title_351_1 I downloaded the electronic version to my Kindle. The author, Will Harlow, has many YouTube videos demonstrating the correct and safe way to perform his exercises. I tried one for a minute. The result was that I became extremely dizzy, as well as putting myself through a mini balance routine. It's a good thing he starts with a safety primer. I could have easily fallen over.

Although the result should not be to strut the runway like a supermodel, a worthy goal would be to achieve that https://youtube.com/watch?v=jOJLx4Du3vU&si=eFaJcv0_5hY02FDY. Not only is it visually attractive, but it also makes it less likely that you will fall and do some severe damage.

Growing older does not mean becoming decrepit. In the famous Blue Zones of the world, a 60-year-old, like me, is considered young.