>> Paw.
>> Welcome to the Kowaleski household.
Paxton and Fenway [assumed spellings] greet all visitors.
>> Good. Hey, what's that?
Come here?
Thank you so much.
I moved to Connecticut in 1993, after meeting my husband,
and I became an instant mom because he has three kids,
and they were ages 12, 6, and 4.
We ended up getting married in August of 1993,
and we just celebrated our 24-year anniversary.
I'm a step-mom, and a mom.
My daughter was actually born 9 years on the day,
on the anniversary of my injury.
Weird, just happened that way.
So, quite frankly, she has absolutely no regard
for the fact I'm using a device that rolls over her shoes,
and her junk, and what have you.
She treats me like she treats everybody else.
>> Shortly after Vicki moved to Connecticut,
she became a vocational rehab counselor for the state.
Work was a major part of her life for more that 20 years.
Like in any job, Vicky had to prove herself.
Having a disability made that even more necessary.
>> Like, with work, I felt like I had to prove myself.
That I had to make sure everything was turned
in before it was due.
Because I, you know, I had an experience with an interview
where the person didn't accept me
because that person had had a bad experience
with somebody else with a disability.
And, I'm like, you don't know me, all of us aren't the same.
As far as keeping things straight, and keeping, you know,
a balance in life, I, you know, while I was working it was hard.
It got to a point, and this is why I ended up retiring,
that I was spending so much time working that I was living
to work, and it got to where, you know,
I realized, I just can't do that.
My health suffered.
>> Having more time allows for Vicki to participate
in more wellness-related activities.
Those come with their own challenges, though.
Not because Vicki can't do them.
But, because many places, including fitness centers
and pools aren't accessible, or lack accommodations
that would allow Vicki more independence.
>> When I was working, our leisure time was going
to movies, or just hanging out with family,
and that kind of stuff.
Now, I've actually tried yoga.
I go to a naturopathic place where I'm getting back
into working out, doing some weights and stretching.
Acupuncture, which is a new thing for me, and you know,
sometimes we have our grandchildren,
and we take them out.
And, about, I'm a giant stroller for the kids.
They fight over who's going to ride on me.
31 years I just celebrated using a chair.
So, you know, it's like, I'm proud of that.
You know, I'm proud that I worked.
>> While Vicki has retired from her career
in vocational rehabilitation, she continues to work
in her husband's supermarket, assisting with accounting tasks.
The flexible position allows for greater work/life balance.