Let’s Go Walking! Join me for a virtual walking support group

@gingerw
Hi Ginger,
I am curious about how good your balance is and why you use them. Do you ever fall? Have they prevented you from falling or are they more a confidence builder? Do you think you’d fall without the cane or sticks? When I was in the hospital a physical therapist saw me and suggested that I use a walker. I told her I wasn’t ready to rely on any type of walking aids primarily because when I start to fall I can’t usually stop the fall. She told me that I just didn’t know how do use walker properly. She told me to lift the walker up when I begin to fall and then place it back down but she assumed that I can always get my balance back which isn’t the case. So the walker prevents my movements even more. Guess I better go clean up my dinner mess. I made spareribs and when I took them out of oven I dropped them on the stove and onto the floor.
Thank you,
Jake

Thanks for your nice note. I haven't been much of a walker but would like to change that now that I'm vaccinated and am getting out more. I haven't been feeling very steady on my feet and have been overly concerned about falling for some time. I recently figured out my paralyzed diaphragm was causing my sense of not feeling/being secure while walking. I think these walking sticks are going to make a big difference but can get one of those tall upright walkers if they don't. It's really nice to be getting outside. I love reading your posts and being part of this group will help motivate me. Thanks for being so welcoming!

@nla4625
Regarding the upright walker. My Mom had one of those and after a few tries she refused to use it. I tried it and went straight over. Since I can fall out of a chair I guess I’m not the best person to evaluate upright walkers. Just be careful when using it.
Jake

@jakedduck1 Well, before this morning's walk I would have said my balance is so-so. I fell as we were walking around to the next street, to a yard sale! I think I didn't pick my left foot up enough [I have drop foot] and it caught on some uneven ground. This was with my walking sticks, but it happened quick. My husband was with me and helped me up. Nothing broken, just bruised pride.

As mentioned, I have drop foot on left side, and no feeling from mid-calf down. Using a cane/walking sticks, keeps me feeling more comfortable in walking, slow as it is. There is no stigma, in my mind. While I know I am moving so much slower than a year ago, and not so far, I am grateful to be moving at all. The sticks get me to keep a better walking posture, and help me balance as I move forward.

Did you get all the juice cleaned up from the spareribs? It can be pretty sticky!
Ginger

I have gotten over the early embarrassment of tripping over lines in the pavement. At least I'm moving! Fortunately my drop foot ended when the nerve healed- now I guess I'm just going too fast for my brain. But that figures- my mouth does it all the time. My grandson just says "you'll be okay."
Sue

Thousands of steps in my yard again today. Only a few plants left to put into the ground, and all the drip irrigation is set up and tested. No leaks-yay! Enjoying the splashing fountain from the shade on the patio .
Have a great weekend everyone.
Sue

Lovely idea, Ginger, but..Poppy goes all over the place! Because he is blind, he uses his sense of smell triple. And he stops on a dime which makes stop and get pulled backward! I’m very careful though!

Thank you for the warning...I really need to do my homework before I get anything. I haven't researched walkers at all, but the upright ones seemed so much better because you don't bend over them. I hadn't thought about how stable they are. I was encouraged to learn my balance problems will probably improve if I have the plication surgery to tie my paralyzed diaphragm down...but I'm putting that off for as long as I can. Nancy

@nla4625 I've used a "regular height" walker for years with no problem. Recently, I was blacking out in the washroom and for some silly reason thought I should make my way to my recliner in the living room some 15 steps away. I was heading in that direction with my walker but I didn't make it. I completely blacked out, firstly hitting my walker which was in front of me, and then hitting the floor HARD. When I woke up, moaning and in considerable pain, I pressed my medic alarm and the ambulance and paramedics soon arrived and took me to the hospital. The miracle was- no broken bones but a concussion from hitting my head on the walker. It was thought later that the walker broke my fall, saving me from a disastrous broken hip or worse. Although I had serious pain for some time, and still a tender bump on my head, I'm thankful my trusty walker pretty much saved the day! Just be certain you buy a walker at a medical supply store, where they know how to measure you and adjust your walker accordingly. I stand very upright with excellent posture while using mine...even better than when standing without it!

Good morning - @artist01 gives us a very good reminder - walking aids and medical appliances need to be chosen and fitted for each individual. This is best done by someone with the proper training - like in a medical supply store.

If you have one of those insurances that gets an Rx for one from your doc and just sends it to you, make sure you get a PT appointment for a proper fitting and lessons on safe use, especially going up and down curbs, stairs, etc on your own!
Sue