WALKING IN TOWN

[poolboy]

I went into town( crawley ) to buy a cd, I found myself really nervous of walking into people coming the other way. I think it is because I cant move sideways very well.

[wobblybee]

Hi poolboy😊

The simplest outings can present difficulties😏

I hate being in crowds, it makes me disorientated. Not being able to see the ground clearly in case there are any steps or obstacles, and just having to concentrate on lots of things at once is too much😁

Just take things at your own pace and you'll be fine 😊xB

[poolboy in reply to wobblybee]

tHANK YOU WOBBLYBEE. MY FRIEND SAID TO ME , BUT YOU LOOK SO NORMAL! I SAID I AM BUT I CANT WALK IN A STRAIGHT LINE.

[sheild in reply to wobblybee]

Ha! That brings back some memories... a couple of years ago I had a neuro appointment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, needed to pop to the loo and managed to walk across the super shiny slippy floor all by myself to get into the ladies. Coming out I stood in the doorway as people trundled past on the way to xray, couldn't navigate across the corridor to hubby it was so scary.

Eventually he realised my predicament and came to the rescue.

Just had my first trip out in the wheelchair in Worcester city centre, what a nightmare, the pavements are terribly uneven, loose blocks in some parts, many parts with a camber that totally throws my balance even sitting down.

On a plus side, two people actually waited for me as I struggled across bumpy paving, one actually smiled! Loads of people just made a point of going out of their way deliberately to avoid getting too close, and there were the usual folk who assume that you can navigate better around them especially if they suddenly step backwards... Oh yes a learning curve in tolerance.

[Vion]

Hi, i can't walk for longer than 10 mins, so the fact that you can go to town and walk about is fantastic, don't worry about people some will stare some don't care. Peace

[sylviagreenhalgh]

do you carry a stick?- this can be useful to alert others that you may have a mobility problems. nowadays I can only go out in a wheelchair and find someone to push me so make the most of walking independently !!keep smiling!! Sylviax

[Iain_100]

Using a stick, when you don't need it all of the time, has its own problems as well Steve.

As you've alluded to above, people expect a disabled person to look like a disabled person. And if you don't look disabled enough.... (I've actually encountered actual animosity when carrying a stick).

Also, using a stick won't stop everyone from walking straight through you. Especially the people who walk around reading/sending texts on phones (I reckon it's only a matter of time before a stick-phone "accident" happens).

Having said that, I would def recommend carrying a stick. It does alert some people. And it gets you used to always having the stick with you, before it becomes a necessity.

Have a great weekend,

Iain

[wobblybee]

On Tuesday afternoon I went to the Metrocentre at Gateshead.

You'd think they were giving things away to wheelchair users and people with walking sticks. The malls were awash with people like us.

It was definitely the best time to dawdle around, so relaxing😊

After half term this place starts to hot up, parking can be horrendous. But, this year I have a Blue Badge and intend to put it to full use, probably on a Tuesday😊xB

[poolboy]

I DONT WANT TO USE A STICK UNLESS I REALLY HAVE TO , BUT I KNOW ITS COMMING. HOWEVER THE FACT THAT IT ALERTS OTHER PEOPLE TO INFORM THEM YOU HAVE A MOBILITY PROBLEM IS A GOOD POINT . THERE MAY WELL BE MILEAGE IN THAT.