Guest guest Posted October 17, 2000 Report Share Posted October 17, 2000 > inspiring, congratulations!! __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2000 Report Share Posted October 18, 2000 << Walking around the neighborhood is very boring, but I think I will start with just walking up the length of the block and back. I think I can do that without it hurting too much. But then I want to find something like what you're doing, some sort of nature walk. It's hard in the concrete jungle in which I live, though. >> Robin, I'm so glad I could inspire you! But you know what? It doesn't matter where you walk. Just because I walk in the woods on the weekends, doesn't mean that it's any easier or any more fun than when I walk outside at 5:00 a.m. in the total darkness. I really don't pay attention to where I happen to be walking, but more on what my body is physically doing. So what if you have to walk in the concrete jungle. I bet you'll see things you never saw when driving by! You'll get a whole different perspective of things. What I like to do while walking is pay attention to my body. I think about how the muscles are flexing, how my heart is beating, how my lungs are expanding and contracting. It's really neat to try to visualize the blood flowing through my body, and how my mind makes it all happen together. It's kinda like a highly choreographed dance. The more I do it, the more precise and efficient that dance gets. Sure, when I first begin I walk around and look at the trees (on my weekend walks) or at the vague shadows of black and gray on the ground (on my dark morning walks), but the more into the walk, the more I start paying attention to my mind and my body. I hope you keep that motivation, Robin. And please don't let the excuse of " I don't have a nice place to walk " get in your way. Also, if it hurts too much for you, then that's precisely why you SHOULD bother! That doesn't mean run a marathon...all it means is move. Best of luck to you...and most importantly....HAVE FUN!! :-) Connie G. in IL VBG in 1997 at 484 lbs., lost down to 363, currently hovering around 410 lbs. BPD/DS w/ Dr. Maguire in OH (hopefully) In insurance denial hell with BCBS of IL.....might be self-pay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2000 Report Share Posted October 18, 2000 Connie!! Wow I wish everyone would read this post. I admittedly had skipped over it thinking " it hurts too much for me, so why bother, " but then caught someone else's reply and went back to your OP. I'm so glad I did. You have inspired the heck out of me. I *MUST* make the effort. I had previously bought a treadmill earlier last year, and had to sell it because it was not being used and we were in a pinch and needed some cash. Walking around the neighborhood is very boring, but I think I will start with just walking up the length of the block and back. I think I can do that without it hurting too much. But then I want to find something like what you're doing, some sort of nature walk. It's hard in the concrete jungle in which I live, though. Thanks for motivating me! Robin F Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 3, 2000 Report Share Posted December 3, 2000 Ann, The therapist will have to work with her on that also. There is no easy solution. The more she does not walk right, the harder it is to get the correct movement back. That is why we always say here " Use it or lose it " . My wife also walks (what she can) with bended knees. She had symptoms as early as 1987-88, diagnosed as PD in 1990 and MSA in 1995. Take care, Bill and Charlotte PS on the Jobst hosiery - doesn't Medicare pay for them? --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ann Pedersen wrote: > Hi again > About Walking... When Mom walks with the walker with PT assisting > her it is seldom she puts her heal down. It helps if she takes large > steps and the Pt assistant keep encouragening her. But as soon as > someone passing by says 'Mable your doing great' or something to that > effect, she looses her concentration and her balance. Mom told me > while she is walking she silently says to herself, Right, Left, Right > Left..like she is marching. Also she keeps her knees bent while > walking, which makes her stiff all over. When she is finnished > walking she is exasusted. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how > to get her to walk straight. Where the knee with straighten out and > the heal firmly place on the floor?? > Thanks...for all your input... > Ann > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 3, 2000 Report Share Posted December 3, 2000 Ann, My mother Joyce walked as much as such could (unfortunately, not always with the assistance she needed). I noticed last year that when she stood or walked, she often rose onto her toes, as though she was stretching. She was totally unaware that she was doing this. Recently, when she was being fitted for leg braces, the people sitting her said that the braces would do no god (her legs were twisting in) because her heels would not go down. In my mom's case, I don't think there was much she could do to prevent this -- she had PT. As for the walking -- I think the mental notations left, right, etc. are what is necessary sometimes. As far as I know, PD patients often have to think their way through the movements, one step at a time. Good luck, Debbie (daughter of Joyce Scaduto, died 11/00) Debbie White dwhite@... > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2002 Report Share Posted April 25, 2002 Okay Gang. whats the consesus out there for walking time without the crutches? I'm exactly 4 wks today, and I get the feeling from some of the emails that many of you were walking by now. I know everyones exp is different, but I need a frame of reference. Its hard to believe that in just 2 wks the requirements will be lifted and I shd be able to walk. thanks for your input, nadine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 26, 2002 Report Share Posted April 26, 2002 Hey, Nadine - Obviously, you got done in the U.S. where they use crutches & subscribe to a different weight-bearing philosophy for recovery. If you're feeling up to pushing yourself more, why don't you call your doc & see if you can't use a cane as a sort of transition & stability insurance while you're galumphing about? A crutch is much less cumbersome than crutches & you can cover a fair amount of ground without overdoing it or abrading your underarms. sheila > Okay Gang. whats the consesus out there for walking time without the > crutches? I'm exactly 4 wks today, and I get the feeling from some of the > emails that many of you were walking by now. I know everyones exp is > different, but I need a frame of reference. Its hard to believe that in just > 2 wks the requirements will be lifted and I shd be able to walk. thanks for > your input, nadine > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 26, 2002 Report Share Posted April 26, 2002 I Left my 4 week appointment with instructions to start using a cane. I was quite " wonky " on it. I would go back to the crutches when I tired. Then finally one of my crutches got destroyed/splintered at the stable and the decision was finalized for me. Do what is best for a quality gait....based on doctors' guidance. I am now at 9 weeks and forgeting my cane all over the place. It is a matter of time before one of my horses haul it into their stall and turn it into toothpicks too. Dannielle > Okay Gang. whats the consesus out there for walking time without the > crutches? I'm exactly 4 wks today, and I get the feeling from some of the > emails that many of you were walking by now. I know everyones exp is > different, but I need a frame of reference. Its hard to believe that in just > 2 wks the requirements will be lifted and I shd be able to walk. thanks for > your input, nadine > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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