Further to my last post about my shopping experience, this morning I spent the whole time in Morrisons Coffee Shop unable to complete a circuit even with my rollator. Onto the hair dressers, took ages to get out of car, am now going to get a mobile hairdresser, have a name already. The upshot is I think my weekly shopping trip is well and truly over. If I could type two swear words I would!
Border Betty aka Penny.
Penny,
Your condition with throw challenges at you all the time. Some of those challenges will be mundane things like going into your favourite shop! Which you can't do now because of access problems. But don't give up, ask for help all shop owners are there to help and will, many have access ramps and will set staff to help. If they can't or won't help it's not worth shopping their.
Keep defeating your new challenges, don't give up there is always a way and 9 times out of 10 it's the word "help"
Good luck and keep pushing on
Paul
Don't give up! Don't be too proud or independent to use a wheelchair. If you don't have one already then OT can help with referral or borrow one at supermarket. There are trolleys to fit on the front. You have just brought back a lovely memory when taking my Mum on Xmas shop. We did as described. You know how berserk we all go at Xmas. 2 families shopping precariously piled up. Mum was hanging on to everything for dear life and couldn't see a thing around her as a result 🤣
Ps. We managed to get mum to fuengirola with wheelchair. Plus we hired an electric power chair for her at the resort. She loved it! Xx
Hello Penny
I absolutely agree with Paul's reply - please don't give up, adjust yes but don't let this beast get the better of you.
We always say that this isn't the retirement we planned but we are going to try and make the very best of a bad set of cards.
One of the big changes Jax had to get used to was accepting help. Previously she was always the person who 'did things' for others and losing some if her independence was tough.
We've found however that the vast majority of people are so willing to help they only need to know how.
Do keep fighting and there's lots of people here who you can let steam off to if you need.
Take care, Ian
Thank you Ian, I'll post again when a little time has passed and I've sorted things out. Thanks also to Paul and Alison for suggestions, I'll work on them.
Penny, one thought to be aware of. Jackie found the rollator great to begin with but then she found it would 'run away from her'. As Alison has said, a wheelchair is often easier.
I don't know what the wheelchair services are like in your area but local to us they are excellent, once you are face to face with their clinical staff but the organisation behind is atrocious!! It took us ages to get an appointment and so I would recommend you start the process as soon as possible if you are not yet 'in the system'.
Take care, shout out if you need advice or just an electronic shoulder to cry on!
Ian
Yes - Adjust don't give up! As a physio in a previous life I always encouraged people to see their body as only a means to get their being to where it wants to go so accept that sometimes wheels are a better option than wobbly legs. We have an adapted car now so that there are no worrying transfers in and out and Geoff can travel up front with me and comment on my driving- if he dares! But we go out shopping and for visits and generally try to do what we can.
As you said take some time to think it through but also get advice from as many professionals as possible.
Hope today is a better day.
Diane
Penny why do these things happen in Morrison's? My husband came home one day looking really worried. He said he wanted a walking stick which I had tried to convince him to buy. Why did he want it then? Because he had a bad experience in Morrison's and couldn't walk straight. He said he felt like he was drunk! So we got the walking stick. Later we got a wheelchair! So ask them for one asap. Then you can go shopping again. However watch your driving. I noticed he wasn't driving well but he didn't. Hugs to you.
Marie
Thank you Marie,I handed my driving licence in last year. Will have a closer look at what Morrisons can offer next week. I'm lucky, the husband does a brilliant job shopping and indeed cooking, I hate to think what will happen should he not be able in the future. Getting care packages sorted is not easy, we live in the sticks.
People are kind with their suggestions aren't they ?
Penny.
Penny people are kind as you say. Most have been in your position or have cared for a loved one who has been. Live your life with help from your husband he sounds very good. Don't stop doing things until you have to.
Marie x
Not been pposting for a few days because I went on a Viking River cruise to Russia with a friend. Brilliant holiday but not for wheelchair. Russians are oblivious to steps and allow them to breed like babbits. (that must be a freudian slip combining rabbit and babushka which is Russian for granny - I shan't bother to change it.)
Get to the point, woman.
My friend has limited mobility - he can walk but not too far and definitely not at a brisk pace. He is fiercely independant and when Airport Assisance was suggested he was very much against the idea of being pushed in a wheel chair. It was brilliant Not only did we have help but everything was done for us and we were wheeled through the side gate all all queueing points and taken up and down in lifts. At Franhkfurt the plane was relocated.at a distant part of th airfield and we tere taken off and givena whirlwind tour of the bowels of the air port before being deposited by our gate. I hate flying but that help made the process not only easy but possible. Don't be too proud to be helped
Hello Freda, your holiday sounds ideal. I am a bit antsy using a wheelchair but the time is coming fast, like this lunch time, we'll see how I get on. I have my care package organised thanks to a very good OT. Good to see you back in print!
Penny.
Hi
Use a wheelchair all the time, I am 52 now don't like people to have to push when out but I do in the
Flat I can push myself x
Ask for help
Hi Penny, if I wasn't a gentleman I could suggest a few swear words for you! Please don't give up on your shopping trips, it's what gets you out and about, why not contact your OT she/he may be able to get you an electric wheelchair, you will never know unless you try
Don xx
MSA
Needing opinions or facts with MSA-C
I hope this will help someone…
Scared about the future 
Hospital Bed the next step? Other sleeping arrangements? May need to use a Hoist in near future.
