I use a variety of canes, a cart, the dog, my husband's hand and a wheelchair for long excursions or nothing if I'm feeling lucky.😜
How do you get around?: I use a variety... - My MSAA Community
How do you get around?
Written by
falalalala
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
99 Replies
•
I have been very blessed that I don't need any devices to help me get around. I do have a rollinator that many years ago I used a few times I keep it close just in case
That's good! 
I forgot to mention that I also have a rollator. They're good for transporting coffee.
I also use a variety of canes… Sometimes just one and if I am outside on uneven ground, I definitely use two.. I am fortunate inside. I don't always have to use anything… Just kind of live on the edge a little bit! When things get really cranked up in my life, I have to pull out the walker. When I go to the grocery store or the big box, stores i hop in one of the carts and challenge my family to keep up with me… Lol I can move out as I drive it like I stole it! 😆
😆😆😆
I haven't tried that yet.
When I was driving, sometimes my passengers would scream.True story😜😂
😂🤣
OMG: I love the beaver with a cane picture. So cute, too!
FWIW, I have two traditional canes, one black wood and one natural wood. I've had these since 2008, but since upgraded to a Hurry Cane, which is great because it stands up on it's own. I still move quickly, and do everything fast like talk and move, but since I sometimes forget I have MS even after 30 years now.
Since I turned age 56 and have entered Menopause both the HOT FLASHES, BLADDER & BALANCE issues are kicking my butt. The hurry cane is great too if a am weeding in my yard, I can take it with me, just to have it stand by me, so I have something more steady to help me get back up, since I live alone with my Ali Cat! ☺️😽👍
I also have the hurrycane but one must be mindful to not step on the base as one walks, for it will come apart and one will auger into the ground.
That's what a friend told me.....😂😂😂
I'm very fortunate to not need anything or at least that's what I tell myself. Doorways & hallways are great for standing upright as you walk. Kitchen counters & dining table chairs are also helpful. When outside, railings, cars, trash cans, & the long pickem' up stick works like a cane when you are pretending to pick up sticks or trash. Also walking very slow while looking down at the ground keeps me from tripping & falling, most of the time.😁
Yep!👍
Rollator, walking sticks, furniture and walls.
I do fairly well in the house with walls and furniture and then am always surprised how bad my balance/walking is when I am in different surroundings.
A while back, I dragged the garbage can out to the curb and then had nothing to help me get back! 😜😆😆
I have done that! Once I had the bags on the rollator seat and as I took them off I bumped the rollator and it rolled off down the street!
I just saw this! I saw a story here about that.Was it you??
Yesterday, I was mowing the grass and the lawn tractor ran out of gas (Stupid me!) I had to crawl to the garage to get a gas can, then crawl back to the tractor. I have needed my Rollator for a couple of years.
Just saw this! Crawling back! 👍👍👍
Long crawl, about 150 yards each way. My wife was not home at the time, unfortunately.
I'm okay inside the house, although there are certainly times when I use the walls and furniture.
I keep canes outside all the exterior doors and have another that lives in the car. For trips to places like Walmart or Sam's Club, I need either my power chair or one of their motorized carts, but in smaller stores I'm usually okay just walking behind a buggy. I have a rollator in the closet, but I've never actually used it.
I have yet to try the motor carts It's probably a good thing.😵
Oh, they're fun! Like AquaZumbaFan said, you just take off and leave everyone in your dust. My son hates when I use them, because he'll think I'm right beside him and instead I'm already on the other side of the store, grinning and waving at him.
I prefer my wheelchair for things like that, though. It goes a whole lot faster than the grocery store carts. I once had my mother chasing me through a parking lot while I cackled with glee. 🤣
I love it!
I know I'd abuse it.😅😅😅
I rarely go shopping anymore, use mostly home delivery, but the electric carts are fun!
I was watching a movie last night that showed a baby walking and I realized it was very similar to my gait without the walking sticks 🤣
🤣🤣🤣🤣
😂🤣🤣
That otter looks like he's about to beat someone with that stick!🤣😂🤣😂🤣
It does! I recently saw a video about one that attacked some tubers on a river. ..but they look so cute!
I use a cane for office or stores and use a walking stick (I get compliments for that all the time) for walking or hiking outdoors.
My walking sticks look like cross country ski poles, I removed the bottom circle, very light weight, from Target $20 but they are adjustable and do the job
I really need to try mine.
PT had me try a cane, two canes, but I did better with the walking sticks.
I forgot I had the walking sticks until I posted this question.😅
Knock on wood and thankful that I do not need a device to walk currently. When I had a bad relapse in 2008 I used a cane because of the horrible vertigo that I had. I have a collapsable cane that I used when I traveled to visit my mom back then. I walk slow and try to watch where I am going. Occaisionally I will need to use the wall or counter. Somtimes I swear Reeses the cat is out to trip sometimes because she will come out of nowhere and run in front of me.
Norm does that and will lay in the path of my rollator 😜
Reeses will stop right in front of my and throw herself on the floor for a belly rub lol Silly kitty
She and Norm must've exchanged notes.😆
I use a power wheelchair to get around the city. At home I use a walker and my husband's arm when needed.
How long do the batteries last?
The batteries last all day. I charge overnight and ready to roll the next morning with no problem. This chair does everything. It tilts, recline, elevate and lifts my legs up.
It sounds great! You're able to elevate your legs/feet while moving?
I only elevate when I need to reach up for something. But when I am just relaxing around the house. I tilt, recline and lift my legs up to help decrease the swelling in my feet and legs. This power wheelchair is great for my MS disability. I can also ride at night. I have headlights and turn signals.
That's very good! I'm dealing with swollen feet too.
My hub and I tried out massage chairs.
I tried the"deluxe" chair.I
thought my foot was going to pop! It had a channel that you slide your bare foot into.I wore my shoes.
Big mistake.😆 It squeezed the life out of them.
My hub tried a cheaper model and he told the salesperson that he was being violated.😂😂😂
We left soon after.
Glad they didn't pop. My husband tried a massage chair, and he said he felt like his feet would pop too. Those chairs have their good side and bad side.
Thank you and yep, they sure do.
It is comforting to know I am not the only person with multiple canes! Last week, I got a big, ol' crutch that has a flashlight, a tiny horn and a knee rest (I didn't add the knee rest attachment to it). It's BULKY, but so far, I like it! Hard to get it in and out of the car, though.
That sounds really neat! But do you name yours?
Do ya'll name them too??? I thought I was just weird. One's name is Esmeralda, because she's light purple and funky. What's a good name for this one? It's more masculine looking. I am thinking maybe "Rambo." amazon.com/Generation-Ergob...
I like those names! I went with boring. Mine are Cain, Abel, and Seth. 😇
I don't know Nora'smom.. your names are pretty witty too! I have a pink flamingo 🦩 cane, a lovely modern subtle patterned one and a very ugly silver one that my cousin " gave me" after she no longer needed it.. I also have walking sticks that my husband made me… Right now I have a ganglion cyst underneath my wrist from using too heavy weights at the gym in the water and I can't use the walking sticks right now for that reason. They are pretty cool.
Wow! Rambo looks really cool!!
Thank you, AquaZumbaFan. He's a bit more expensive, but more stabilizing! I think I am going to like it more than my regular canes.
Let me know what you think after you have used it for a while.. don't you love the return policy of Amazon 😊
A flashlight and horn? That's awesome!😀
carolek572CommunityAmbassador
I have a forearm crutch to get around, falalalala , and I just purchased a wheelchair from a second hand store. I have yet to use the wheelchair but it should come in handy when I have a long walk ahead of me. 
I live for thrift stores! I'm not too happy with what Goodwill has become in recent years, but I got my transport chair from there, my rollator w/padded seat and storage, and an unused bedside commode (tags still attached), all for under $5 each. I've grabbed them as I found them, knowing that eventually I'll make use of them all.
Now, that is a good deal.
Wheelchairs are great for long outings and quite relaxing if you've got a pusher.
I got my chair from the garbage😂
I recently ordered a "backpack" for mine.
Oh, definitely a backpack! My chair's name is Sherman (as in the tank), and we call it "Sherman's suitcase". Then there are the organizers that hang off both sides to hold drinks, phone, and a book, and storage below the seat for tools and rain poncho. The only thing I'm lacking is a shopping basket. Needless to say, it's more of an effort to get Sherman ready for an outing than it is to dress myself!
I have yet to test mine out.
I have a pusher, falalalala ! He was tired of me using the excuse that I didn’t want to go because of all the walking involved. Now, I have no excuse! Going to goodwill was an excellent idea as it cost me $20 for a barely used wheelchair, NorasMom ! I go to goodwill for most things these days, and I asked them to give me a call when a wheelchair came in. Some might not do that, but it doesn’t hurt to ask if they can do it!
That's a good deal.
Hi! In the house, it's walls and furniture. Outside, I don't dare take two steps without my rollator. I did shop around and found a cute pink rollator that has been my constant buddy for years. People stop me all the time to tell me how much they love the color. It's a good conversation starter!
I use a single walking stick, for around the house or shorter distances, and then wheelchairs for longer excursions myself! I don't have a dog, and my husband's usually at work, but I've got carers that come in for 2 1/2 hours when he's at work just so I've got someone to have a chat with. They all offer me an arm anyway if I get a change to leave the house, even if it's for short distances, like to the car they park at the front of my house! They all know I'm not medically allowed to drive, because MS has also given me epilepsy and so I stopped trying to learn, but they're all happy to load my manual wheelchair into the boot of their cars, and are happy that I've got a blue badge to allow them to park on disabled spots when they're travelling with me! The only person that takes my electric wheelchair is my husband, especially when he goes for his platelet donation in the city centre, and I go with him so he can park on the disabled spot outside the donation centre while I go and do some "retail therapy" 🤣 He had to rebook his last donation, because he had a cold and it would be very unsafe for patients to possibly get his cold, so I couldn't go with him to do my "retail therapy," and instead I had a good, lazy day with him 🤗
Either way sounds nice!
I use a manual wheelchair most of the time. If I’m going somewhere with uneven terrain I have a power chair that I use.
Can your power chair go over sand or would you have to change the wheels?
If packed sand it would work fine but if it is loose sand it wouldn’t work no changing wheels
I have so many canes in various locations, 2 of them in the car because I want a color choice depending on my mood. 😁 But even though I have canes in all these locations, when I’m home I usually just use walls, furniture, & the trying not to fall-keep my balance dance! The dance usually gets me a scolding from my husband, so I try not to be seen doing it. I also have a rollator for really bad days.
I need to get a third cane for the main floor. I have one at the bottom of the basement stairs so if I fall down them, I can pop back up like nothing happened.😅
I like the idea of color options
😱 shame on your husband for scolding you when you're trying to walk by yourself somewhere! I joke and call it bimbling around the house, where I look like I'm doing a pregnancy waddle 😅 my husband doesn't mind seeing me bimble. He has even been happy to sit in front of me as we "booty-scooted" down the stairs before I got the stairlift installed!
Maybe "scolding" was the wrong word. It's more just, "Michelle, would you please use your cane..." He worries that I'll fall when he's not home, and it's not unwarranted because I did fall a few months back and struggled to get up by myself and tore the meniscus in my left knee. I just had surgery in early July to fix it. Knee-wise, I'm doing much better, walking is still the same and I am still stubborn. 😁
It's ok 🫂♥️ that sounds better 🤗
Many types of canes, 1 walker, 2 rollators and a partridge in a wheelchair. Had to say it falalalala. 😁
If I’m inside, in familiar surroundings, usually I can wall walk or use hurricane. Outside, always a cane or more. In stores I am currently using walker but the energy expended depletes me too fast. Motorized ones for use in store are either in use or out of power. It’s a big purchase and there are so many types available and medicare coverage is confusing to me.
I had no idea how good I had it in AZ . MS society very involved, big nice center with so many opportunities. Now in MUA (medically underserved area) with no in person support groups so I’m very happy I have all of you!
Any suggestions on motorized devices? Portability is important. I’m between places to live…still. I’ve seen lightweight folding ones. It would be nice to have one I could use outdoors on hiking trails.
Now that song is in my head. falalalala is bad enough!😅
I can't help with motorized ones but there are some here in this thread that can help advise. Good luck with your search.
I am happy to have found this group too, being in another underserved area. It is nice to know we are not alone!
I just bought my first rollator (an all terrain model) still awaiting assembly. After a few rough days when it was a struggle to tend my goats and hens, I thought it prudent to have one on hand. But I'll never look as dapper and fine as the gentleman in your post. My attire is never as elegant as his!
Are the wheels "puffy" on the all terrain rollators?
I wonder if they sell those wheels separately?
As for rollator outfits, something with a lighting bolt on it like the Flash might be appropriate? 😅Excessive speed and all....
The wheels are large and wide, not puffy or inflatable. It has a seat and carryall. When I had a fractured ankle and was using a walker, I found it impossible to use outdoors because the legs caught on uneven surfaces. Fortunately, I was not dependent on it for long but since it was loaned to me, I had to return it. I know they sell little ski attachments for walkers, so it may be possible to find larger wheels. When I get mine assembled, I'll send a photo. Unfortunately, there are no local otters to demonstrate how it works!
I otter look around for those wheels.
Ski attachments? That sounds adventurous!
I'd definitely like to see a photo.
I don't need anything. On the odd occasion I have done the wall and furniture thing. If I needed canes I would definitely name them and if I needed a rollator I would definitely push the speed limits! I really admire all of you!
I use all the same as you, and I occasionally use my granddaughters shoulder.
I keep a cane in my car and have a fold-up one in our camper. My mom had a ton of other items so when we cleared out her house I got them all. (Rollator, metal "regular" walker, shower chair, transfer board and wheelchair. If I get to the point where I need them, my husband can drag out whatever thing I need and we can brush off the cobwebs. I'm hoping I won't need them, but it's nice to know that we have them for "just in case".
Yep!
I use a cane in the house all the time except when my balance is really bad then I use a walker when I'm outside I use a rollator in some stores I use the scooters
I'm holding out for a pony.
On the worst days, my husband takes me about in a wheelchair. We love to tell people that I "tell him where to go", and that he "pushes me around." It sounds pretty shocking.
I like that!
Try performing a "miracle" by randomly standing up out of the chair and exclaiming,"IT'S A MIRACLE!" <I've done that one and think it's worth it.😆
There's also, "LOOK WHAT I CAN DO!" -I haven't tried that one
I say that every day! I wish someone were around to hear how hilarious I am.
You've got us here
Canes, walkers and rolloators are a thing of the past. I have progressed to needing a wheelchair all the time, although at this point I am still blessed to be able to transfer by myself, I am able to do all ADLs etc, I also do horse back riding PT for balance and core,. So although not where I want to be as far as mobility and independence I am very blessed.
Right now it’s a power wheelchair. Hoping to get back to walking with my UpWalker soon. Covid booster last November took my kegs out. Hey, that’s just one more obstacle to tackle and eventually succeed at.😁
I hope you do!
my horseback riding is at a stable that only does lesson for people with special needs. Thank goodness because I am not a rider. And yes you could stay on. I have a Physical Therapist who runs the session, a volunteer who leads the horse and a spotter in each side who walk along side to make sure I don’t fall off . Most importantly I have a horse who is smarter than me. He stops walking when he senses I am not upright or center in saddle. It is fun and actually has helped my balance and core strength a lot
That is good to hear.
Will they let you go solo if you've progressed enough?
I doubt it, because as soon as I get proficient at one exercise the PT has me do something else.😜
How long are you on the horse?
my lesson is an hour but the first 15 minutes I spend “grooming “ brushing and rubbing him down
Nice!
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
How do you manage stress
didn’t work for me. I also walk daily due to new dog this year. How do you free yourself from your...
Is anyone on Copaxone and how are you doing on it?
DMTs- what are you on and how are you doing on it? 
How Many Autoimmune Diseases Do You Have?
how do you measure how MS impacts your cognitive abilities?
