Natalen

By Natalie Ledford

Two years ago, in October 2022, I made the decision to buy a La-Z-Girl recliner for myself. I had a special place to put it—in the bump out by the patio doors in my remodeled bedroom suite. There I could look out at the green space and rock outcropping behind my house and watch the squirrels frolic outside my window. I realized that my ability to get up out of a chair was rapidly diminishing and that I needed somewhere to spend my time that was comfortable, relaxing and which accommodated my limitations. Previous to that, I had been able to sit in my little sofa in the nook by my fireplace (or anywhere for that matter) but time was ticking, and I needed a new solution quickly.

At 44, it was embarrassing to me to have to buy a recliner with a lift, but I bit the bullet and went deeper on the journey into “old age”. It felt as if I was aging decades in a period of months and my pride and dignity were severely tested as my body wasted away and would no longer cooperate. But thankfully, there were good options out there that accommodated my needs. I had to act quickly to outdistance the specter that was chasing me, to least be comfortable and safe as the realities presented themselves.

I began to look at my options and realized that while a chair was covered by insurance, the ones that were “medical grade “were not that great. After the hassles we had had with insurance and durable medical equipment companies for other items, I chose to go the retail route and get what I wanted, which was a massage feature, heat and separate controls for legs and back. I found that La-Z-Girl made what I wanted/needed and was my best option. I didn’t have the time or inclination to try every choice out there and my husband wanted to go with a trusted brand with a local supplier.

Len was busy with work, so I had to rely on a caregiver with limited life experience for transportation and assistance and verbal support in talking with the salesmen. I wove through a few furniture stores, which were not wheelchair or scooter friendly. I tried the small recliners that were pretty but not very comfortable and decided a roomier one that had all the features I needed, felt comfy and came in a soft neutral color.  Thankfully, a friend joined me when I was nearing my decision and helped me with the purchase and delivery process. She and her husband graciously delivered the chair to save the delivery fee and made us feel loved and supported.

I got the chair none too soon…it was ready for me only a few days before my surgery to get a feeding tube and I spent the next several months in it! For one, the surgery took about ten days to recover from and I didn’t want to be up and about, plus the emotional toll was extensive. For another, it was turning into winter, and I could no longer hang out outside, so I needed to look out the window to get my nature fix. I spent my time binge watching Downton Abbey in comfort and looking out the window. In spring, I regained my spunk and rejoined the world as things warmed back up. I didn’t choose to spend as much time in the recliner the next winter but still it was a comfy place to get away.

In the evenings, the recliner is my go-to. We have a tv in our bedroom since the remodel, which helps us relax and spend a little time together. Since I was in my recliner to watch tv, it became easy to just stay in the chair overnight. About a year ago, I quit sleeping in my bed entirely. There were reasons I liked the La-Z-Girl. Primarily, I didn’t feel as helpless in the morning. When in bed I would have to wait to sit up and put my glasses on until Len woke up or came in or the caregiver came, and I hated it. I have found that for my mental health, annoyance mitigation and self-reliance/autonomy is at the top of the list. I can’t see without glasses, can’t be understood by Len and most people without my eye tracking device, can’t walk or turn in bed, can’t move my blanket when I’m hot, can’t dress or eat without assistance, and the list goes on. Any relief is welcome. (Some people choose to sleep in their recliner to help them breathe better at night, but I am not having trouble breathing. I could lay horizontally just fine.) The advantage of controlling my own movement and elevation is what drove my decision …‘twas much nicer than feeling helpless.

Through this year, my hand has become less able to push the buttons on the controller. I can now sometimes move myself and turn on the massage. It takes greater effort, and the controller has to be in my hand just the right way. I can no longer control the separate leg/back adjustment or heat as needed. If the controller falls out of my hand, I can’t retrieve it. But still, I feel more autonomous than I would in a bed. I can still do standing transfers and would rather not be slung around with a Hoyer lift. If I was sleeping in the “nice” medical bed Len got me, which people graciously moved into our bedroom, I would have to be moved in and out of it with a sling and I don’t want to go there yet, not just for my sake but Len’s. It’s an added layer of complexity getting me on the bed and neither of us need that at bedtime. Things are already hard enough at bedtime for both of us, so I continue to sleep in my chair. I’m so glad I bought my La-Z-Girl. I don’t know what I would do without it!