I spend most of my waking hours hanging out in my favorite chair with one or both of my pooches glued to my lap. Simon, the liver-and-white English springer spaniel, is my constant companion while Bo, the ebony cockapoo, is a less-frequent visitor who often has more pressing matters to attend to, such as following my mother around the house or standing guard in case anyone happens to drop food onto the kitchen floor. Bo’s got his priorities straight.
I spend most of my time with my feet up. Otherwise, my feet and lower legs swell, a nifty complication from my spinal cord injury. Believe it or not, the dogs, especially Simon, actually help keep the swelling down by laying (lying?) on them. I’m really sure how the mechanics of it work but for some reason, when Simon (and to a lesser extent, Bo) plops onto my lap and settles in, the warm mass of his furry thirty-five pounds squeeze the excess fluid out of my lower extremities better than TED compression stockings (TEDs) ever could.
Unfortunately, I can’t live my life in the comfy recliner entirely. If I’m just running errands, going to an appointment or visiting friends, I don’t wear the TEDs. They’re hot, uncomfortable, and let’s face it, ugly as hell.
But there are times when I know I will be on my feet all day, especially when I’m traveling, that I will wear the damn things. Last week, I went to Washington D.C. for a short vacay. Since my feet would not be elevated at any point during the day, I knew I had to wear the TEDs. Still, I decided I was going to look good doing it. I put on a cute dress, white TED compression stockings and my favorite Converse sneakers.
I call this look “disability chic”. I’m sure the fashion bloggers will be touting TEDs as hottest new accessory in no time.
Sigh.
If only.
