Adapting...

[Jesmcd2]

We all have to adapt at times to limitations... No matter what they are... Cause we all have um! 🤣

What are some of yours? And how do you adapt? 🤔

🤗💕🌠

[lbenmaor]

Since my accident 2 years ago, I have not been driving.

Leslie

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador]

My balance and gait are not what they used to be but I have many assistive devices that help me, Jesmcd2 🤗

[hairbrain4]

Until my MS went into remission 2 years ago I had pretty much given up driving, working with electric tool like saws & drills unless my husband was there. I didn't take showers if I was home alone. I stayed out of the heat or wore a cooling vest. Now I can do all those things again. I do still have problems with recall but I'm thinking its age related since I'm 68 now.

[Tazmanian]

My right leg doesn't work right so I gave up driving

[falalalala in reply to Tazmanian]

Same here.

[DM0329]

I have three canes that I use sometimes. I have never been able to do the "tandem" walk as I have always had balance problems due to the lesions on my brain stem. Two standard canes, one black and one brown.

But, I just recently got the Hurry Cane and I love it because not only does it stand up on its own, if you have to move away for a moment, I also find it very helpful if I am weeding in my yard (I usually sit down and do that) so the cane stands up on its own so I can use it as a pole to hold on to to steady me as I rise).

Who knew I'd love it so much! 😍

[falalalala in reply to DM0329]

I have a Hurrycane as well but make sure you don't step on the base as you're walking as it will collapse and cause an adventure....ᵃ ᶠʳᶦᵉⁿᵈ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵐᵉ

[DM0329 in reply to falalalala]

OMG: Thanks for the tip!

[falalalala in reply to DM0329]

You're welcome.

[Cwright170994]

I can no longer walk a long distance, and so I have a walking stick and both a manual (for going around a supermarket) and an electric (for getting me to town by myself) wheelchairs. I used to be able to be on my feet for 12+ hours working, but that's long gone. I used to be able to confidently go down & up the stairs at my local train station, as the company hadn't bothered to install a lift and so I could no longer get to work. I have lost money because of MS, but I've applied for, and now receive, a benefit payment of £550 every 4 weeks, and then another benefit payment of £595 every month because my husband is now, technically, my carer when he's not in work 😜 I do have another carer come in on those days, but it's only for 2.5 hours so I have someone to talk to. I cannot drive, as my 1st symptom started before I could pass a test, but hubby and carers can, so I don't need to waste money on getting taxis 😁 I think I've adapted my life pretty well, and fingers crossed I don't get much worse from here (got my clinically definite diagnosis when I was 21, and I'm now 29. Met my hubby when I was 20, and I'm thankful he's stayed my rock since meeting ❤️)

[falalalala]

I can't run anymore so I run my mouth.

I also use a cane, rollator and wheelchair at different times.

I recently bought a grabber, thanks to goatgal & it has helped quite a bit.

The most recent thing I'm dealing with is Dupuytren's Contracture.

I blamed it on MS for the longest time and I was wrong.

Sorry MS.

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to falalalala]

Ouch thats got to hurt🙁 does the pottery help or hurt with that? 🤗💕🌠

I blame everything on ms... it can take it. 🤣😂🤣

[falalalala in reply to Jesmcd2]

😅

It doesn't hurt much at all but it's fairly early.

Unfortunately, it doesn't.I've adjusted the way I throw and it's working alright but drawing and painting is more of a challenge.

[whwiechm]

I bought pants with reinforced knees because many times I have things to do that I can't do while using my Riollator, do I am on my hands and knees.

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to whwiechm]

Thats a good idea! 🤗💕🌠

[CV97]

I bought this garden seat, which is so much more useful than it seems! As a tall person, the ground is soooo far away! My back and legs cannot tolerate bending over for long periods.

This seat is steerable while sitting (best on solid ground). It has a handle for pulling, which doubles for stability while getting up. There is a tray for supplies and a basket that can be attached & moves along with you.

It's worked great for picking beans and pulling weeds in the garden. I have also used it for cleaning baseboards and floor grout. I've even used it as a garage seat when my husband needed a second hand when working on our car.

It's far more useful that I originally thought it would be!

Garden seat with basket

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to CV97]

Hi CV97 that looks pretty handy! Does the seat swivel? Where did you get it? I use a step stool for all that now, but that looks so much easier! 🙂🤗💕🌠

[CV97 in reply to Jesmcd2]

Yep, the seat swivels and the height is adjustable! I got this one from gardeners.com. It cost more than some of the others, but also holds up to 400 lbs. You can find a variety of features and prices for similar ones on the internet. Google "rolling garden seat" or "garden scoot".

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to CV97]

Wow, they do have all kinds! Im looking at one that l can pile tree branches, sticks on to transport! Im sick of using a cardboard box and dragging it🤣😂🤣TY for the wonderful idea! 🤗💕🌠

[CV97 in reply to Jesmcd2]

Yes! Anything that holds my stuff is a bonus! It's the same with the basket on mine (holds a 5 gallon bucket). It's so much easier to pull weeds without having to move my bucket separately! Glad you found something you can use too!Thanks for asking us to share!