Re: falling is no joke

[Guest guest]

,

My left foot has a fixed AFO, the right is a double upright.

I do trip, fall, lose my balance. If I can't laugh at myself, then forget

it. The foot drags, I watch where I walk, I don't look ahead, I look down, I

can stumble on a , pebble etc. It doesn't take much. I avoid stairs, in

fact

if I have to use stairs, they have to have a railing or I can't get up or

down. I can't use an escalator. I avoid any inclines that may arise, and have

walked a distance to do so. I am not complaining, and do laugh at myself along

with good friends. But it is embarrasing to trip at a reception hall cause the

floor isn't level. And if one trips it does not mean we have been drinking.

I wear long pants all year round, cause I am tired of the ignorant folks out

there who stare at the braces and ask some of the dumbest questions you can

think of.

Elaine

[Guest guest]

Elaine, I know what you mean. I was accused once of being drunk

before I got my AFOs or my cane. For some reason that hurt me

more than falling.

I hadn't had a drop of anything to drink except iced tea. Some

people who simply don't understand need to keep their opinions

to themselves. I rarely drink, and certainly never to the point

of being intoxicated. The comment really hurt my feelings. I

don't think I'll ever forget that one.

[Guest guest]

Hi, I agree that falling is no joke, and it is serious. Falling seems like

a natural occurrence, I am used to it. It is horrible and embarrassing. If I

dont make light of it, I think I would never adventure out anymore in fear of

the embarrassment. And I refuse to give in and not do things anymore. I

avoid what issues that contribute to me falling, but on occasion I go down,

and if I didnt laugh, I would cry. For me laughter is the best medicine.

I thought I was the only one who has trouble managing escalators. They

seem so simple, but they are a disaster waiting to happen. Thanks for sharing,

makes me feel so not alone.. Carol

[Guest guest]

:

You are so right. I know this from experience. Thru trying to make it

without the AFOs and joking a little too much about the falls,

I got myself in a real mess. Now, due to a terrible fall, I

have been thru a failed ankle fusion and now cannot go much

farther than the bathroom without my AFO. I have the hinged

type now and I like them alot more and really don't mind wearing

them. I wish I would have found them before the fall happened.

But back to the point, this disease can have serious injury

results and although it is very important to keep a positive

attitude, it is also imperative to remember what precautions

are necessary to keep us healthy....falling alot should not be

part of the plan. And it's not a laughing matter once it is too

late.

[Guest guest]

sorry if you are offended because I may take things like falling light but it

is my way of coping. life is to short to be serious all the time. I do take

care of myself and do the best I can to prevent falls. cathleen

[Guest guest]

Taking the matter seriously enough to strive in preventing falls is important,

taking a lighter approach to dealing with life after the fall is also important.

Face it, they say the only things certain in life are and taxes. Well, if

you have CMT it is , taxes and falling down. All three are not good, but

at least you can make jokes about falling. It helps my friends and family as

well. When I fall, if I get up ing jokes about inspecting the carpet they

know that all is well and my pride is probably the most bruised. If I am very

quiet, then they double check to be sure I have not really hurt myself. It

gives them a measuring stick by which they can judge my injuries with out having

to make a fuss, which in public I find embarassing.

[Guest guest]

You know on July 3rd I was with my family down town sightseeing. I was having

a good day. When I feel over a broken piece of sidewalk, even the traffic in

the street was held up by a concerned passerby. I was embarrased and when

the man in the truck asked if I was ok I smilled and said yes I was just

inspecting the sidewalk more closely. Well people gathered around laughed and

so did

I . yes I am hurt and I may have torn a cartledge in my knee. But hearing the

laughter and seeing the smiles and thumbs up I got was really healing to me

and these people qwill remember me when they have a bad day and it might make

them think twice before omplaining. I prefer to spread love and laughter where

ever I go. cathleen