So here I am in Barcelona looking out to sea. Coming to the end of a fabulous cruise. Fabulous apart from a small incident involving fatigue. Whilst walking round La Valletta in Malta on Tuesday my legs starter to ache and go wobbly. I sent my friends off to enjoy the day and I made my way very slowly to see the guns at midday. By now walking was becoming quite tricky and I clearly looked like a drunken man, I even got the disparaging looks and tuts to go with it. After the guns I went back to the ship where I had to stand in a queue. After 5 mind of this I promptly collapsed. Some very nice and helpful stewards found me a wheelchair and got me back to my suite where I spent the next 36 hours bed bound. My question really is, does anyone carry a walking stick about for this type of occurrence? Iām not sure if the stick would help me walk but it may just let others know Iām not drunk. Cheers all.
Yup, any indignity felt by having a stick is slight in comparison to falling or requiring help to get up. My physio suggested an extendible ski pole type stick that gave the effect of a āGandalf staffā rather than a hunchy stick, I think it looked better and it put my hand at shoulder height which also reduced stooping.
Any stick will give that little bit of confidence. Good luck
Mick
One that folds up might be good for you so you could pop it in a bag and then get it out to use when your leg starts to play up. You can get sticks in all sorts of colours and patterns these days
Idecided at an early stage that the embarrassment off the stick was better than the pain after falling however I still went splat amongst the morning shoppers one day funny how nobody step forward to help me up goodness knows how often I would have fallen by now without my stick bought in a mobility shop much better looking than the thing provided by the physiotherapy department witch lives in the cupboard.
I agree with Floopy on the benefits of a folding stick if you donāt need one all the time. They come in a variety of colours and patterns, so you should be able to find one that you like. I also agree with Mick on the merits of a hiking pole, having used one for some time because I didnāt want to look like an old lady with a walking stick. (These days I look like an old lady with a rollator.) The only problem with a hiking pole is that you canāt tuck it away in a bag when you donāt need it.
I understand your concerns that a walking aid may be OTT when you donāt need one all the time. It took me a while to accept that I needed help with something Iād been doing for years. Most people wonāt give a walking stick a second glance. Iāve even had people being helpful because of my walking stick or rollator. Find a stick that you like and get used to carrying it around, even if you seldom use it. Any embarrassment over using a stick will soon go away.
No a stick is not OTT. Frankly its preferably to ending up on your arse cuz you are too knackered. Couple things to learn here. HEAT affects MS. So does fatigue, making you feel more exhausted faster. Learn that your body has limits and need a rest.
Donāt be afraid to TELL people - like those stewards - "hey I can#t stand in this queue, I have MS. Can I have a chair please?"With luck they will whizz you to front of queue.
Iām using a wheelchair now but if I walk, but if I had to walk, think HALF as far as you can manage. Because then you have to come back. And you donāt want to risk running out of mojo.
I started carrying/using a stick because I was so aware that on-lookers would assume I was drunk. Staggering and bouncing off shop windows and walls, if youāre lucky, does make you appear to be inebriated. The stick did wonders for my confidence and in my case made an easier transition to using a rollatorā¦what next I wonder!
I started to use a stick when I realised I was walking like one of those weeble toys and it does help with balance issues. I also found that people give you a slightly wider berth which is helpful especially, if like me, too many people moving around you affects balance. I do get a bit grumpy with mine however as I tend to leave it places and then only realise itās missing when I canāt walk straight.
Thatās what I call OTT.
for those who saw Crocodile Dundeeā¦ āNo This is OTTā
It was a strange time when I first thought about a walking stickā¦ didnāt want to get one particularly, but after an Episode when walking back from the post box in massive heat and ending up in a ditch suddenly, I thought twice and got one. Itās a folding one, which means that if I donāt feel the need I donāt have to use it, and it can stay in my bag. But if I do need it, itās thereā¦gives me confidence knowing that.
If I may be so bold thatās what I call a good bit of kit - either would be very beneficial in Morrisons!
Thereās not much of a problem with muggers in my area so I may avoid the last couple posted. I think I shall start looking for something now. Weāre half way round Barcelona now and again beginning to tire. Thanks for all the really helpful and supportive advice so far.
Good luck Cheetah -have fun in Barcelona
Mick
I was scared to get a stick at first. I felt as though I needed āpermissionā. Then I got one and started using it in spite of feeling a bit self conscious at first. Then I saw an amazing pink crutch being used by someone in Sainsburys and immediately wanted one. So I graduated to a crutch. And honestly never looked back. Crutches are (I found) better than sticks cos you can hook them over your arm when out - they donāt fall over. And are more supportive than a stick. There is no such thing as OTT when it comes to walking aids (with the possible exception of Scudgers sword stick and Micks āgun stickā). You use what you need to stay safe and keep you as mobile as possible for as long as possible.
Sue
Folding stickās are very useful. I secure mine with a matching colour hair bobble so it stays closed. Bobble goes round the handle when the stick is in use.
If you buy a stick make sure itās the right size. Handle should be at your wrist joint. Most are adjustable but being 5ā3āā I had to buy a shorter stick.
Yes people are more understanding and give me a wider berth when Iām moving around.
Youāll make new stick buddies too!
Jen
Some good points there goldrat although I may have the exact opposite issue with size as Iām 6ā3". I like the idea of new stick buddies, sort of you show me yours and Iāll show you mine.
[quote=āalbrecht durerā]
Thatās what I call OTT.
[/quote] When in Barcelona.
Not surprised you found Valetta challenging it is, and not the best or easy place to walk around. You need a stick it keeps you safe.