BOOM

Here it is, July 16th and I am finally writing about my experience on the 4th of July.  

My family has a cabin on Hood Canal outside of Lilliwaup, Washington.  Because of our rotating schedule, I have not had the cabin during the 4th of July for many years.  The community rules are the same as the county rules, safe and sane fireworks only.  With this rule in place I made the decision to spend the week at the cabin with friends and family.  I can only say, WHAT WAS I THINKING?!

My husband Chuck, who thinks ahead, bought me some Bose noise canceling headphones, and I had a suitcase filled with various medications including 4 kinds of THC.  I was ready.

Oh wait a minute, I forgot the part about one of my neurological symptoms being Dystonia.  Dystonia refers to very painful, sustained muscle contractions, frequently causing twisting, repetitive movements or abnormal postures, leaving me in the shape of a pretzel for between 5 - 20 minutes, depending on the trigger.   Dystonia can affect any part of the body.  In my case I start by flailing my arms and using hand signals that must translate to A SHITSTORM IS COMING!  I start contracting in my right foot, and like lightning it travels up my right side, twisting me to the far left, including my face and jaw, which often dislocates from the strong muscles contracting.

I have a long list of triggers, just looking at carnival rides, cars, children or balls moving fast towards me,  loud or unexpected noises, dental exams and many medical procedures.  I had a bad reaction in a MRI machine a couple months ago, you can not imagine how quickly they can get you out of the tube and how many people can suddenly appear in such a small room.

Anyway, I was already wearing my headphones when a very loud explosion happened a couple cabins over.  Not legal, placed in long pipes a shot up and out over the water.  I had a small reaction, my cousin, who had never seen me perform in this manner thought I was taking a nap.  No nap, and I was pissed.  I actually though that maybe that was the only one they had, but no.  A series of explosions followed.  I saw neighbors gathering and it was clear that they too were unhappy about the half-sticks of dynamite being set off.  So I grab my walker and go out on our deck and yell, ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THOSE FIREWORKS?  They said they were.  Please note that to have a conversation I had placed my headphones around my neck.  I started to say that I have a neurological condition and BOOM!  For a moment I froze, then began my arm waving and personal sign language.  Knowing I was going down, I leaned against my walker, then my daughters and husband helped me to the deck and kept pushing me back so I did not fall of the edge.  This whole shebang took about 30 minutes before I could get up, with help, and back to the cabin.  

My daughter ran over to the cabin setting off the bombs and arranged a cease fire until Chuck and I could get packed and leave.  Which we did post haste.  

I am thinking about going somewhere else next year, maybe Canada.  Even though we were on the way home I dosed up and enjoyed the ride, right through the Reservation with at least 20 fireworks stands with names like " Ill Eagle".  yep, they were illegal for sure.