Clumsy

[Jacqui-A]

Hi All,

May I thank you in advance for reading my post.

My mother used to say “do a job and make a job” and that’s exactly what I do.

I am so clumsy now and get round my small bungalow with a trolley on wheels.

Two years ago I walked in to the neurologist unaided, now I can’t walk without support. If I go anywhere on my mobility scooter I can’t get from A to B, so I tend not to go out.

It takes me forever to do the things that I could do in a few minutes, I can’t manage steps anymore.

I live on my own and life can be very lonely at times, I used to be very active, drive a taxi, now I wouldn’t dare get behind a wheel.

I can’t reach like I used to, I have to be very near now. My speech is deteriorating, I can still be understood but it’s very slow.

When I use the keyboard I’m forever missing the right keys.

Any help and advice would be much appreciated.

Jacqui

[wobblybee]

Hi Jacque-A 🙂 Change is not always a good thing is it...I’m spending far more time sitting because being on the move disorientates me. The one good thing that’s come out of this is, I’ve got time on my hands and can do research..tracking down stuff for our move to a bungalow 🙂

Lots of things have changed for me over the last few years too, I can still walk but I need a walking stick, or rollator to keep safe, my eyesight isn’t great and I’m not comfortable being out on my own. When I was younger and running around meeting myself coming back, I couldn’t imagine how drastically life could change.

I can’t manage my iPad without using a stylus, my fingers tend to hit multiple keys 😬 And I have to proof read everything these days, what I type isn’t necessarily what appears 😉

Driving was something I took for granted, I was like a taxi driver collecting and transporting my children from various activities etc...then everything changed. I don’t drive now, after years of coping with eye problems and then finally having corrective surgery, I now find Cataracts are creeping in 😶

My speech comes and goes as far as accuracy is concerned 😉 sometimes this can be embarrassing, other times I can laugh it off. But we’re all different aren’t we, basically we cope with similar symptoms, but they’re all challenging in their own way. ((Hugs)) 🙂

[turner47]

Hi Jacqui.

I cant give u any advise im afraid. But reading your article is like listening to myself. This is exactly how i am Jacqui.

It has come on so quickly these last 3 years as well.

[winch]

Hi Jacquie

I feel exactly the same. Things take so much longer to do now, I could clean our bungalow through all in the same day, now it's one room each day! The same with the garden which I love; I cannot risk doing anything for fear of falling. I use a 3 wheel walker indoors and a 4 wheel rollator outside. I also have a bad tremor which makes it difficult to do my hair, make-up etc. and especially for cooking meals. My husband, who was also very active, had a laminectomy four years ago and although we give thanks that he is not confined to a wheelchair, he now walks with a stick and it has affected feeling in his hands. Fortunately, he is able to drive short distances.

We have to have help in the garden and until lockdown, were having a cleaning lady once a fortnight. At the moment we are afraid to take any risks and I now do all cleaning, ironing etc.

Like you, it has all come on at a quickening pace. There is no answer. We still try to be very independent, sometimes to the detriment of ourselves!! It must be hard for you living on your own.

When we go to the hospital, we look at others and think there are so many worse off than us and give thanks for what we are able to do. We also have a loving family.

With love

[penelope2]

Jacqui-a although I am not as badly affected as you are with this horrible condition called ataxia, I feel your pain and sympathise.

Am sending you lots of positive vibes.

Take care.

[ConantheLibrarian]

Hi Jacqui. Sorry to hear about your difficulties. I live alone too and sometimes feel lonely.

Have you thought about getting a mobility scooter or a powerchair (electric wheelchair)?

I used to use a mobility scooter and now I use an electric wheelchair. Even if you have problems with your eyesight they are easy to use-you just sit in them and off you go.

I don't know about your finances but if you are strapped for cash you can apply to your local wheelchair service and they can give you a voucher for one (see below for details:

nhs.uk/conditions/social-ca...

God bless

Jonathan