2009 included a series of stories about Rufus 1 and Rufus 11. Rufus 1 was Isabel's horse in the late 1940s. When teaching in a one-room school east of Saskatoon, she hitched him to a small two-wheeled cart (and a cutter in winter), and drove him the three miles to school with three students, an oat sheaf, a cream can of water, 4 lunch kits, and a large flour sack with her books. As Mum said recently to her physiotherapist "We were loaded!".
Isabel acquired her own power wheelchair a year ago and named it Rufus 11 because of all the paraphernalia on the tray behind her seat. This included portable ventilator, oxygen, suction machine, and emergency gear that added up to 400 plus pounds when she was in her seat. We quickly learned that when you went for a walk with Rufus and Isabel, it was best to wear steel-toed boots!
Rufus III came on the scene in December 2009. A family member described the contrast between Rufus II and Rufus III as moving from a rough Quarter-horse to a showy Clydesdale. Yes, Rufus III is certainly larger so Isabel's spatial perception is needed as she drives through open doors. The tray behind her seat comfortably holds all of her equipment. A raised digital control panel allows her to tilt with ease and change gears from a slow walk to a fast trot.
Isabel and her Occupational Therapist designed a wheelchair table with a high rim that holds her computer, call-bell, remote control, and notes - all at the same time.
A new friend brought sleigh-bells to hang on Rufus turning him instantly into a Jingle-Bell Horse.
"Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh! Hey!"
Rufus III has not yet tackled any drifted snow-banks, but Isabel has had him outside checking out this great January weather!
Rufus' name is proudly displayed on the back of Mum's headrest. There was much merriment on Unit 2-6 last evening when a new nurse was sent by old hands to the end of Mum's hall after she was tucked into bed. He was heard to say:" "Does anyone know who Rufus is? I was sent to find him down this hall but no one will tell me who he is. Is he a family member of someone?!" There were lots of laughs from the prankster nurses as they supervised re-charging Rufus "in the barn" for just another day "at the ranch".
