New Videos of Me Bracewalking

[Mcguive7]

Check out my new clips at:

http://www.micksluck.com/Media/Video/index.html.


I've been working at this for about 3 months now, and it's coming along. It's definately tough though, and while I haven't fallen yet, I know that when I do it is going to HURT!!! Let me know what you think.

[cathy j]

Hey Mick,
Couldn't see the movie, but saw the pics, and you look great. Best of luck in all you do. You are blessed with a lot of return .
Cathy J

[MikeC]

Hey Mick, who taught you to walk like that with crutches? You sure move a lot faster then me (I step through with crutches just like with my walker). I'll have to give your style a try.

I fell for the first time last weekend. I was sweeping out my garage (one hand on the walker and one hand sweeping the broom) and I forgot that I had a broom in my hand instead of a crutch and fell right over. No harm though - my fear is that I'm going to fall with the forearm crutches and break something in my arm or shoulder.

Looking good!! Mike

[darlagee22]

Mick,
What is your injury level and what muscles/strength do you have? Are the braces AFO's?

[Mcguive7]

I think the vids might be a bit misleading, but I'm using full leg braces (KAFO's). I'm an L1 skeletally, however I think that my dysaesthesia starts around T9. I'm getting little bits back here and there, but not enough to not need full braces. I learned at my local outpatient rehab clinic in Santa Rosa, Ca along with my great PT Susan.

[Leif]

You are doing fine. I’m also doing some walking with the walker and by the use of crutches. When it comes to falling I have done that a couple of times, in general I don’t think it will hurt you if you do fall. Although I had a fall in my slippery shower cabinet and in that incidence I fall like a sack of potatoes on top of my legs, and it happened really fast, I could not adjust the fall at all, cause I think its better to fall on the sides than directly down on top of the legs. I did get a sprain in my right ankle which did set me back for a couple of months and during that time I had a very reduced exercise program, so there is good reason to be careful as well. Keep up the good work.

[Sim]

Looking good, Mick! Way to go!

As with so many things, I found that the harder I worked at it, the easier it eventually became. Generally, falls haven't been a big problem for me. I don't fall as much as I used to, but my balance still isn't as good as I'd like. I've been lucky and not had any serious injuries resulting from falls. A broken finger is the worst I've had to deal with.

MikeC, I was taught the method you use when I was in PT. Living in the city, it wasn't a very practical for me to get around so I taught myself Mick's method based on how AB's use underarm crutches when they have to use them. I figure I get around at least twice as fast, which works out ok for me. My only question is if there is a reason I was taught the other way. My guess is that it is more beneficial in terms of exercise and trying to prepare me to walk again, but as it takes me forever to get around that way, I mostly only use that method to get around the house.

Sim

[MikeC]

Sim, I agree with what you've said. I'd like to learn the quicker way of using crutches for those times when I need it. Otherwise, for exercise I'll keep walking along. I'm impressed that you taught yourself how to do that. I've stood there a few times since I've seen Mick's video and told my legs to swing through but they wouldn't do it. I'll try a bit harder - I've used crutches that way before and find it odd that my body isn't cooperating now. Maybe I need to put one leg in a cast (ha). Mike

[Sim]

Mike, give yourself some time. I think I was 4 or 5 years post before I figured it out. I don't remember how long it took me, but it certainly wasn't an instant success.

I forgot to mention in my earlier post that I'm glad your fall wasn't serious. It's those kinds of situations where I tend to fall, when I'm not paying attention to what I'm doing. After I got acclimated to being on crutches, I mostly only fall while I'm doing something stupid.

Sim

[mr_coffee]

That walking looks awesome man! keep it up! You have great balance it looks like and your really quick, do you walk on your crutches usually or use the chair?