Hi
I have had several minor falls! Unfortunately on 6th August I fell backwards from the very top stair in the house! I have broken 4 ribs and cracked my T10 vertebrae! I spent 12 days in the Major Trauma ward in hospital! I’ve lost all confidence in moving independently! Does anyone have any ideas as to how best get my confidence back.
Thanks in anticipation
Oh l am so sorry this has happened to you. Take it slow... and easy. I have fallen backwards and it is such a helpless situation... wish l had words of wisdom to share about confidence building but l am still working on that one myself. My heart goes out to you. SendingHugs... Granni B
Thanks for your kind thoughts
I am sorry to read this; it’s really hard and terrifying too. It’s happened to me, but luckily I didn’t break anything. Except my confidence. A good physio suggested to always use a walking frame, the grab rails and when changing positions take it slowly. In other words: have equipment to help. I still fall, but less and usually manage to break my fall somewhat. The other part for me has been acceptance. Which was hard and takes time. Meditation and mindfulness help. To accept whatever phase of the illness I find myself in, accept the symptoms and inabilities. And express gratitude for what I still can do. It’s calming and positive.
I hope you’ll get confidence back and this helps a little.
From a carers perspective those falls are terrible. My husband was falling continually, ending in ambulance trips and so much blood. I can’t let my him move around by himself anymore because the idea of him injuring himself again or even dying as a result of a fall is unbearable. I feel as though I’ve taken his freedom away but he is so unsteady. He uses a walking frame and doesn’t fight it which I’m grateful for.
Thanks for your help, it is appreciated to know that I’m not alone in this
So sorry to hear. Have you a physio working with you to help you get your confidence back? Have you a stair rail and other grab rails about the house - they do help. Ask for an OT assessment. Do use your quad stick - walking aids tend to encourage you to lean forward a little, thereby making it harder to fall backwards. It is possible to buy pants which have extra padding to protect your hips if you fall. Good luck - it is good to keep mobile, it helps with so many other things, keep going 
Scary thought! It has nearly happened to me, and yes mindfulness and hang on tight are both good. Raise ur spirits a bit with the following? .... "There was a man of Birmingham and he was wondrous wise. He jumped into a gooseberry bush and scratched out both his eyes. And when saw what he had done he cried with might and main, and jumped into another bush and scratched them in again!" God rest you merry gentleman .... and best wishes - TimbowPSP
I am so sorry to hear you have reached this point in this insidious disease. My husband, too, has had many falls. This will, unfortunately for all who have this, just get worse. My hubby uses a walker but has reached a point where he can only manage a few steps before he transfers to a wheelchair. Even then, he is always being assisted by me or his caregiver. If he is not being assisted, he will always fall. You should plan for this eventuality by getting a really great gait belt ( they are not all the same). My sweetie has one with handles and the medical personnel who have been called to assist when he falls love his belt as it is very helpful to them. Also you should start looking for a comfortable wheelchair as you will need it in the not too distant future. I don’t know how long you have been battling this disease but we have been in the fight for about 4 1/2 years now and the decline in my hubby has been breathtaking. You are in our prayers.
Thanks! I’ve had it for 4 years and it’s really affecting my left side, I have no use of my left arm! We have just started having Carers to get me out of bed, washed and dressed and they put me to bed at night!
Please could you advise on a gait belt for my dad.
Thank you
From Amazon.: Vive Transfer Belt with Handles - Medical Nursing Safety Gait Patient Assist - Bariatric, Pediatric, Elderly, Handicap, Occupational & Physical Therapy - PT Gate Strap Quick Release Metal Buckle
It is a great belt with horizontal and vertical handles.
They are a little pricey but you can put in a chair rail system to help getting up and down stairs. What I noticed with a lot of people they forget to breath as walking up stairs especially for some reason. Then I've had some over think the walking process which has lead to falls. But practice is maybe the best thing you can do to build your confidence back up. Best wishes
Oh my heart aches for you. I remember before my ex’s diagnosis, he’d fall down the stairs.
Finally, he moved his room to first floor and just avoided that issue. Perhaps this is something you can think about??
I’m soooo sorry you’re experiencing this marker of psp.
Sending hugs.
Thanks! We’ve just finished converting the garage into a bedroom with wet room! Unfortunately it wasn’t quite ready when I had my fall. It’s made life a lot easier because I’m now too scared to use stairs
Hi a Jazz. I just read you’ve converted your garage into a bedroom. We have stairs with a chairlift but movement for my husband is becoming very difficult. Unfortunately he’s had two falls today. I can’t even make him safe by being right beside him! He’s ok but he doesn’t bounce back very well. I’ve been having conversations with my daughters about building a room in the garage with a wet area. I can’t imagine how it will work. It was really nice to read of your conversion.
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