I'm sort of stuck.

pianodave · 07-09-2006, 11:03 PM

Hi everyone.

My girlfriend and I were at the fair the other day. We decided to wander around the fairgrounds for a little instead of sitting on the bleachers and watching the demolition derby.

I walk with a cane, but outside, I need to either hold someone's hand or have them walk next to me. Walking alone in an open space really paralyzes me...no pun intended...to the point where I feel that "on the edge of a cliff" sensation and my balance fails.

Anyway, I feel that I'm sort of stuck.

I don't use a wheelchair, but walking with a cane is a burden to my girlfriend. While she loves to hold my hand, she would like the freedom to go do things or see things and not have to bring me along. I don't move slowly, but I don't move fast either.

She has remarked to me that it's a very uncomfy "middle ground" for her. I can understand. For my own reasons, I don't wish to use the wheelchair, despite it giving me more freedom outside.

But it's just weird, being sort of stuck like this. I exercise, but I am not certain I will get more recovery back. Yet I don't feel physically or emotionally that I need the wheelchair.

Any advice?

Sincerely,

Dave

ButtMonkey · 07-10-2006, 12:25 AM

Valium. you'll be too mellow to be scared. hahaha better add that im j/k so the CC police don't arrest me for pushing drugs.
Would you feel safer with crutches maybe? Or is this some kind of psychological thing and you don't really NEED anything, but you have just become psychologically dependant?

ChopperChick · 07-10-2006, 12:51 AM

I don't want to sound rude, but maybe she should visit this site and read about our struggles and be grateful you can walk. I wish I could stand by Mike's side while we visit the fair. He won't even go to the fair.

Sorry if I sound rude, but you and her both need to count your blessings....

Ok, now that I got that out, what the heck does she want from you? If that is how you ambulate, than so be it??... If she is uncomfortable, maybe she can carry you or buy you some new legs??....

Sorry, I know I am terrible. I am just jealous Dave.

betheny · 07-10-2006, 01:46 AM

Chopperchick doesn't know what she's talking about. Counting your blessings won't get you across the parking lot.

When you're out like that, maybe get a walker with a seat. That's what I did, that's what MrCoffee did. Hopefully you'll get strong enough to not need it. Forearm crutch(es) might be good if you're past walker stage.

Chopperchick, we're allowed to post our problems about walking. We know we got fortunate, nobody needs to tell us that. Nonetheless, we have our own set of problems and they are significant. We can't tell where our feet are. You can't talk well when your mouth is full of Novocaine...and my feet and legs are full of Novocaine.

pianodave · 07-10-2006, 01:48 AM

ChopperChick,

She doesn't want any more than I can give.

You're not being rude. I know how risky and insensitive it may be to post my own dilemmas, knowing what some of you here go through. But as we are all friends, I wanted some advice.

We do count our blessings. But that doesn't make it any easier to get up in the morning, as all of us here know.

My point was that just because we are grateful doesn't mean we are completely happy and have the luxury of ignoring the burden of SCI.

Anyway, it's not that my issues are any better than yours or anyone else's, it's just interesting the nature of my situation.

I have plateaued, but at that plateau I find myself uncomfortable because I am not easily doing things that could be done by either wheelchair users or ABs (i.e. traversing outside).

I hope you understand what I'm getting at.

pianodave · 07-10-2006, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by betheny

Chopperchick doesn't know what she's talking about. Counting your blessings won't get you across the parking lot.

When you're out like that, maybe get a walker with a seat. That's what I did, that's what MrCoffee did. Hopefully you'll get strong enough to not need it. Forearm crutch(es) might be good if you're past walker stage.

Chopperchick, we're allowed to post our problems about walking. We know we got fortunate, nobody needs to tell us that. Nonetheless, we have our own set of problems and they are significant. We can't tell where our feet are. You can't talk well when your mouth is full of Novocaine...and my feet and legs are full of Novocaine.

Thanks, Betheny.

Buck503 · 07-10-2006, 02:09 AM

Dave, do you wear AFO's? If you are able to visit a therapist, i'm sure
they can help you figure out how to maintain your balance.

Buck503 · 07-10-2006, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChopperChick

I don't want to sound rude, but maybe she should visit this site and read about our struggles and be grateful you can walk. I wish I could stand by Mike's side while we visit the fair. He won't even go to the fair.

Sorry if I sound rude, but you and her both need to count your blessings....

Ok, now that I got that out, what the heck does she want from you? If that is how you ambulate, than so be it??... If she is uncomfortable, maybe she can carry you or buy you some new legs??....

Sorry, I know I am terrible. I am just jealous Dave.

I'm sure he and his girl are both greatful for the amount of function that
he has.

You and your boyfriend should be greatful that he is not a vent dependant quad.

Please don't take this the wrong way. I understand your frustration.

ChopperChick · 07-10-2006, 02:16 AM

I know, sorry you guys. Like I said, I am just jealous. forgive me Dave. I can't really answer intelligently anyway since I am not the one with the injury, my husband is.

Vent all you want, I always do!! Sorry to sound so insensitive.

pianodave · 07-10-2006, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buck_Nastier

Dave, do you wear AFO's? If you are able to visit a therapist, i'm sure
they can help you figure out how to maintain your balance.

Yes, Buck, I wear an AFO on the right leg to maintain dorsiflexion.

It's weird though, my balance must be a mental thing.

Put me in a grassy field without my cane, and I could walk all day. Put me in the middle of an empty parking lot, even with a cane, and I'll be incapacitated with fear, unable to move.

07-09-2006, 11:03 PM	#1
pianodave Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: East Brunswick Posts: 328	I'm sort of stuck. Hi everyone. My girlfriend and I were at the fair the other day. We decided to wander around the fairgrounds for a little instead of sitting on the bleachers and watching the demolition derby. I walk with a cane, but outside, I need to either hold someone's hand or have them walk next to me. Walking alone in an open space really paralyzes me...no pun intended...to the point where I feel that "on the edge of a cliff" sensation and my balance fails. Anyway, I feel that I'm sort of stuck. I don't use a wheelchair, but walking with a cane is a burden to my girlfriend. While she loves to hold my hand, she would like the freedom to go do things or see things and not have to bring me along. I don't move slowly, but I don't move fast either. She has remarked to me that it's a very uncomfy "middle ground" for her. I can understand. For my own reasons, I don't wish to use the wheelchair, despite it giving me more freedom outside. But it's just weird, being sort of stuck like this. I exercise, but I am not certain I will get more recovery back. Yet I don't feel physically or emotionally that I need the wheelchair. Any advice? Sincerely, Dave

07-10-2006, 12:25 AM	#2
ButtMonkey Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: California Posts: 480	Valium. you'll be too mellow to be scared. hahaha better add that im j/k so the CC police don't arrest me for pushing drugs. Would you feel safer with crutches maybe? Or is this some kind of psychological thing and you don't really NEED anything, but you have just become psychologically dependant? __________________ Don't think of yourself as an ugly person, just a beautiful monkey. Always remember: if the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off.

07-10-2006, 01:46 AM	#4
betheny Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Oklahoma,USA Posts: 18,333	Chopperchick doesn't know what she's talking about. Counting your blessings won't get you across the parking lot. When you're out like that, maybe get a walker with a seat. That's what I did, that's what MrCoffee did. Hopefully you'll get strong enough to not need it. Forearm crutch(es) might be good if you're past walker stage. Chopperchick, we're allowed to post our problems about walking. We know we got fortunate, nobody needs to tell us that. Nonetheless, we have our own set of problems and they are significant. We can't tell where our feet are. You can't talk well when your mouth is full of Novocaine...and my feet and legs are full of Novocaine. __________________ Blog: Does This Wheelchair Make My Ass Look Fat?

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07-10-2006, 12:51 AM	#3
ChopperChick Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Northern California Posts: 815	I don't want to sound rude, but maybe she should visit this site and read about our struggles and be grateful you can walk. I wish I could stand by Mike's side while we visit the fair. He won't even go to the fair. Sorry if I sound rude, but you and her both need to count your blessings.... Ok, now that I got that out, what the heck does she want from you? If that is how you ambulate, than so be it??... If she is uncomfortable, maybe she can carry you or buy you some new legs??.... Sorry, I know I am terrible. I am just jealous Dave.

07-10-2006, 01:48 AM	#5
pianodave Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: East Brunswick Posts: 328	ChopperChick, She doesn't want any more than I can give. You're not being rude. I know how risky and insensitive it may be to post my own dilemmas, knowing what some of you here go through. But as we are all friends, I wanted some advice. We do count our blessings. But that doesn't make it any easier to get up in the morning, as all of us here know. My point was that just because we are grateful doesn't mean we are completely happy and have the luxury of ignoring the burden of SCI. Anyway, it's not that my issues are any better than yours or anyone else's, it's just interesting the nature of my situation. I have plateaued, but at that plateau I find myself uncomfortable because I am not easily doing things that could be done by either wheelchair users or ABs (i.e. traversing outside). I hope you understand what I'm getting at.

07-10-2006, 02:09 AM	#7
Buck503 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: PNW Posts: 6,294	Dave, do you wear AFO's? If you are able to visit a therapist, i'm sure they can help you figure out how to maintain your balance.

07-10-2006, 02:16 AM	#9
ChopperChick Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Northern California Posts: 815	I know, sorry you guys. Like I said, I am just jealous. forgive me Dave. I can't really answer intelligently anyway since I am not the one with the injury, my husband is. Vent all you want, I always do!! Sorry to sound so insensitive.