The Hoyer lift has been living in the corner of Kiran’s room for years. Covered by insurance, I made sure we got it before Kiran got too big and caregivers had trouble transferring him from his wheelchair to other locations (the couch, his changing table, his bed).

As experience has taught me, and as Kiran has gotten heavier and heavier (70 pounds now!), I realize he is capable of helping enough with transfers that we don’t need the restriction of the Hoyer lift. Nana and Papa recently gifted us a different transfer device that allows Kiran to stand with a seat behind him and transfer from one location to another. I have been meaning to take the Hoyer lift to the basement, to store it there.

Because we will still need it. In passing, flippantly in conversation, I’ve mentioned in the past few months that someday when Kiran has his open heart surgery, we will need it. There are lifting restrictions that will require its use during recovery time.

So, naturally, today, I decided it must go to the basement immediately.

Because, just maybe, if it’s stored in the basement, he won’t need it next summer. We will be able to go the less invasive route and intervene on his heart in the cath lab again, and we won’t need to worry about weeks of recovery and lifting restrictions and using this Hoyer lift.

And then I think: But what if he doesn’t need it.