Me and my walking stick

[smartcarkaz]

Here's a little something I wrote about my walking stick, I'm hoping it will give me the courage to go out alone with him for the first time on Friday.... wish me luck!

Karen x

karenlawrie.wordpress.com/2...

[lou60]

Do you feel self conscious when out with a walking aid, I did, but I found using crutches looked better than reeling about looking inebriated. Lou xx

[smartcarkaz in reply to lou60]

I do indeed, but one of my best buddies has one so I need to take a leaf out of her book and walk tall! It's just hard when no-one moves out of the way on the bus, then not only am I struggling to stand after a day at work, and hold my bag, but my stick too. I've even had elderly ladies tell me I don't look disabled so can't be, therefore should not sit at the front of the bus even when seats are available

How do you find using crutches?

Karen x

[lou60 in reply to smartcarkaz]

Quite cumbersome needed as much for balance as for walking though. Lou xx

[Ian123]

First time out using oxygen I thought everyone would stare it felt like standing in the doorway ready for a parachute jump, a time when the sanity of jumping out of a perfectly good aeroplane has not been overcome by the freedom of flying.

When we are younger we worry what others think of us as we get older we realise they are just so busy with their own lives hardly any notice is taken, a real shame with such a well accessorised walking stick that it should not draw admiring glances

[smartcarkaz in reply to Ian123]

It is indeed to pretty to hide away! Maybe we need to pimp your oxygen container so it's super cool too?! x

[Ian123 in reply to smartcarkaz]

Have a portable oxygen concentrator that hangs from the shoulder like a handbag so worrying about what people think "super cool" or not really will not change the freedom from tethered indoors - the other option not really worth considering.

[Betty67]

I don't currently use one but have done in the past. However on Sunday I nearly fell down steps as there was not a hand rail, not a good look. After a couple of people grasped me I had a panic attack. Pride goes before a fall was very true.

[smartcarkaz in reply to Betty67]

Sorry to hear about your fall, hope you;re feeling better

Karen x

[Betty67 in reply to smartcarkaz]

I was shook up but did not do any physical damage as two people caught me - one a friend and one a stranger. Then thinking about what could have happened I had a panic attack, which then made me embarrassed. Every one was so kind, it was actually a positive experience.

[Lucyhobbit]

I bought a black, discreet walking stick in my early twenties. Whilst being embarrassed to use it, particularly because I don't need it every day, it was a great help. Zoom forward nearly 20 years and I've ditched the old dull one and now have a pretty floral one - I no longer care much what other people think of me using a stick. I still struggle with the embarrassment factor of needing it one day and not the next, but I've always taken care of that by just using it for a day or two, and briefly explaining that my fibro is up and down.

In my experience no-one notices it much, if I feel the need to sit on public transport I will ask someone if they would mind moving for me - few refuse.

[Arthur11]

I use a NHS grey crutch with a arm rest and I can't really do without it,I do get frustrated that I have use it but I wouldn't be able to get around and in work especially.people do say when are you going get rid of that but if only they knew.A pysio I had took my other one off me he said I didn't need it . He was horrible he used to keep on about how fit he was whilst doing pressure points on me until it went numb ,he had me in tears .still I told him I has another stick at home which he said , if I see you with it I will take off you. Never went back to him again horrible person x

[smartcarkaz in reply to Arthur11]

That's awful complain to PALS about him, that's what I had to do with my rheumatologist. Sending hugs xx

[Arthur11 in reply to smartcarkaz]

All I can say is what comes around to him but he was horrible I'm just glad I don't get him no more,and hopefully I will stand up for myself now I know what I got fyb .at the time they were just putting it down to my op and I was thinking I was just a wimp ,but Thank you lovely as I said before to be able to speak to people who have similar experiences

[TheAuthor]

Hi smartcarkaz

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us all. I really enjoyed reading it. It came across that you were 'uncertain of yourself' when you use your stick? I could be wrong? I use a tri-walker (it is in my favourite colour, purple), and since I have had this I have become a Jedi Knight known as Luke Tri-Walker by my family and friends!

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken x

[smartcarkaz in reply to TheAuthor]

Luke Tri-Walker - love it, I must tell my friend about that, Michael Caine will love it! xx

[Lillee76]

I have Parkinson's Disease (the falling type) as well as Fibro and PMR. My cardiologist put me on a blood-

thinner because I was having atrial fib events. My rheumatologist told me I must use a cane or walker

all the time because being on a blood thinner, if I fell again, I might bleed internally and, if I hit my head,

I might bleed into my brain. I have a cane upstairs, downstairs, and one in my car but I am still unhappy

about having to use a cane all the time. I need both hands to carry laundry baskets, groceries, etc. and

it's hard to do while using a cane. Good luck on Friday. I think your cane is beautiful.

[smartcarkaz in reply to Lillee76]

Thank you for your lovely comments, Johnny is pretty isn't he. Remember, we're in this together, we can do it! xx

[Hidden in reply to Lillee76]

Hi Lillee I have a pull along shopping trolley that can be pulled by one hand with stick in the other.

I use one of those big plastic buckets for laundry and pull it along behind me with a strap tied to one of the handles, It always amuses hubby when i come bumpety bump down the stairs.

[Lillee76]

I have Parkinson's Disease (the falling type) as well as Fibro and PMR. My cardiologist put me on a blood-

thinner because I was having atrial fib events. My rheumatologist told me I must use a cane or walker

all the time because being on a blood thinner, if I fell again, I might bleed internally and, if I hit my head,

I might bleed into my brain. I have a cane upstairs, downstairs, and one in my car but I am still unhappy

about having to use a cane all the time. I need both hands to carry laundry baskets, groceries, etc. and

it's hard to do while using a cane. Good luck on Friday. I think your cane is beautiful.

[Sniffer8]

I've been using my stick for over a year now. Felt very self conscious at first and gradually increased usage. It's a necessity now as I have paraparesis which is weak legs or partial paralysis. It's a process of adapting to using one effectively and confidently. I would not be able to use a bus. I walk my dog and am amazed at the selfishness of people who don't factor me in and see the difficulty I'm having. I walk very slowly and am mindful of my environment. I feel every dip and rise of the pavement. I find more adults cycling on pavements and won't dismount or use road to get around me, similarly joggers charge at me regardless

[smartcarkaz in reply to Sniffer8]

Cyclists and joggers think they rule the world here in Brighton - my fibro started after being hit by a cyclist who felt the need to run a red light. Keep strong, we're all with you! xx

[paulapips64]

Love it love your little Johnny ive only started using a stick too I blinged all mine up too lol hope you get on ok it's just getting used to it you will be fine x

[smartcarkaz in reply to paulapips64]

Thank you, we blinged up my friends stick with glowsticks on a rare night out once. I think Johnny is in need of a little sparkle! I also pimped my perching stool, it;s now pink and purple painted with free sample pots from Dulux! xx

[fenbadger]

I'm just assuming a stick is a bit like a leg plaster. Tells other's there's something up. Otherwise they assume you're nuts as "there's nothing wrong with you".

In the same way deaf people are not stupid, normies just assume they are.

[smartcarkaz in reply to fenbadger]

Good point, even though I don't look disabled, people need to stop assuming I can run a marathon when I can barely walk to the bus stop for work. xx

[fenbadger in reply to smartcarkaz]

Perhaps we should get a new label. How does this sound "But You Don't Look Ill" comes out as BYDLI.

I like the T-Shirt slogan. "I don't look ill? Funny, you don't look stupid"

Enjoy the theatre.

[smartcarkaz in reply to fenbadger]

Brilliant, I want that T-Shirt for Christmas! xx

[smartcarkaz]

Thank you everyone for your lovely comments - I will update you all at the weekend. It's just me and Johnny going to the theatre, so he's being a brave lad!

Have wonderful evenings.

Karen xx

[Lillee76]

Hi, smartcarkaz and mayrose54, thanks for your comments and suggestions. I will look for a

shopping trolley. I have a plastic laundry basket that I can tie a rope to--I just had not thought of that.

We are having Thanksgiving tomorrow and I am thankful for all of you on this site. I have learned a

lot from all of you about Fibro and PD.

[Lillee76]

Hi, smartcarkaz and mayrose54, thanks for your comments and suggestions. I will look for a

shopping trolley. I have a plastic laundry basket that I can tie a rope to--I just had not thought of that.

We are having Thanksgiving tomorrow and I am thankful for all of you on this site. I have learned a

lot from all of you about Fibro and PD.