@januaryjane
I can totally relate. I hate using stairs and luckily only need to use them when going up and down the stairs to my basement and a couple stairs in and out of my house.

What I need to do is be very conscious and focused when using the stairs. I can’t carry much and I need to have a good grip on the hand rail. Lighting stairways and walkways is important. I always need to wear good fitting, sturdy shoes and I look down at my feet and the steps and I go down, one at a time. When I go up stairs, I need to use the handrail to pull me up one step at a time. By looking at the rail/step/my feet, it helps me make sure my foot is firmly on the step before advancing my movement. Sometimes I find myself tapping my foot in the step before stepping on it as if I am consciously trying to connect my foot sensation to my brain. Be careful around rugs and trip hazards and remove them when possible.

I have fallen a couple times and broke my foot. I have had spine surgery on neck and lower back and have fusion/metal in my spine plus I have bilateral carpal tunnel in my wrists so don’t want to fall again. I have a new herniated disc pressing on my spinal cord and need another surgery. If I fall in a certain way, I could become paralyzed so falling is not an option.

I have dogs and cats and also need to be careful not to trip on them, their toys or lose balance when my dog pulls me while walking.

I wear glasses and need to make sure I always wear them when walking/using stairs.