RE: Cane? ? scooter?

[Guest guest]

I just went out and bought a cane. I didn't have medical insurance at

the time and it was very difficult to walk much more than around my

apartment without anything to lean on. As an " experiment " I tried to

walk around Walmart carrying an item or two without leaning on the

basket. NOT POSSIBLE! At least not for more than a few feet. And as

the day wore on and/or I got more tired I would start to limp.

Sometimes badly.

So now I have an assortment of canes, one for " dress " that folds up, a

ugly metal one with a cusioned handle for shopping, and a sleek black

metal one with a cushioned handle that I find myself using more and

more.

When my doctor saw me using one and I explained my situation he glady

wrote me a script to get a handicapped parking sticker. That really

made my life easier. There are times I wish I had a walker (for the

mall) or that you could rent a scooter there. I usually use the

scooter at Walmart. In a few more weeks I will have insurance that

will cover pre-existing condtions. Maybe then I can find out why I

really need the cane and have started to limp.

Kathy

>

> When did you get one? I am wonderiwng if I should be using one? Keep

> in mind my dr didn't even think about pain meds. Do I just go out

and

> buy a cane? Do I wait for it to be suggested? Would it help aleviate

> my pain? I don't know where to broach the subject wiht my dr?

>

> How did you come to the realization you needed this type of device?

I

> just feel surrounded by Drs who are not giving me interim options so

> it is up to me to request them.

>

> Jolynn

>

[Guest guest]

HI Kathy,

This sounds good to me. I am not limping though so I am wondering

if the cane would help with the general pain of my entire lower back

and hips. I may just go out and buy one and see how it helps.

Thanks for the post. I think I need to get over how much this

affects me. I try hard to hide my issues to everyone but family.

I just don't know that I could handle the breakdown when someone I

am aquainted with asks about the use of the cane. You know how you

are fine until someone says " are you ok? " . I already get those

questions not using a cane (because of my obvious look of

discomfort) but I am terrfied of them while using a cane.

I just find myself unable to stand and talk to someone with out

leaning on something for support. I always suggest we sit down or

something. I just dread the look of concern or pitty that may come

across the face of people I see day to day.

Jolynn

>

> I just went out and bought a cane. I didn't have medical insurance

at

> the time and it was very difficult to walk much more than around

my

> apartment without anything to lean on. As an " experiment " I tried

to

> walk around Walmart carrying an item or two without leaning on the

> basket. NOT POSSIBLE! At least not for more than a few feet. And

as

> the day wore on and/or I got more tired I would start to limp.

> Sometimes badly.

>

> So now I have an assortment of canes, one for " dress " that folds

up, a

> ugly metal one with a cusioned handle for shopping, and a sleek

black

> metal one with a cushioned handle that I find myself using more

and

> more.

>

> When my doctor saw me using one and I explained my situation he

glady

> wrote me a script to get a handicapped parking sticker. That

really

> made my life easier. There are times I wish I had a walker (for

the

> mall) or that you could rent a scooter there. I usually use the

> scooter at Walmart. In a few more weeks I will have insurance that

> will cover pre-existing condtions. Maybe then I can find out why I

> really need the cane and have started to limp.

>

> Kathy

[Guest guest]

Jolynn

Just don't let it get to you. If people ask if I'm hurt, or have MS,

or whatever, I just say no I have a bad back, and no it will not be

getting any better. I have very little back pain until I try to " do "

something and then it gets bad quick so I just sit down. I try to

look as young and perky as possible. I don't dress like an " old lady

with a cane. " And I CAN go without it if I lean on my husband's arm.

I tend to need it more at the end of the day.

Kathy

> >

> > I just went out and bought a cane. I didn't have medical

insurance

> at

> > the time and it was very difficult to walk much more than around

> my

> > apartment without anything to lean on. As an " experiment " I

tried

> to

> > walk around Walmart carrying an item or two without leaning on

the

> > basket. NOT POSSIBLE! At least not for more than a few feet. And

> as

> > the day wore on and/or I got more tired I would start to limp.

> > Sometimes badly.

> >

> > So now I have an assortment of canes, one for " dress " that folds

> up, a

> > ugly metal one with a cusioned handle for shopping, and a sleek

> black

> > metal one with a cushioned handle that I find myself using more

> and

> > more.

> >

> > When my doctor saw me using one and I explained my situation he

> glady

> > wrote me a script to get a handicapped parking sticker. That

> really

> > made my life easier. There are times I wish I had a walker (for

> the

> > mall) or that you could rent a scooter there. I usually use the

> > scooter at Walmart. In a few more weeks I will have insurance

that

> > will cover pre-existing condtions. Maybe then I can find out why

I

> > really need the cane and have started to limp.

> >

> > Kathy

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Jolynn,

You don't need a doctor's approval to get a cane. You can buy an adjustable one at any medical supply store for about $25. There are websites for pretty canes. As for nosy people, of which there are many in this community, when they ask why I'm using a cane, I smile and tell them it's my new fashion accessory. As for acquaintances who look at me with pity and questioning eyes, I say I am fine, just hurting. (Yeah, right, "just" indeed). Friends are just thankful I use a cane because it makes them worry less about me, knowing I have the support I need. I'm thankful, too, because it gives me increased mobility and that's all that counts. But I am a bit vain, so I have pretty canes to color coordinate with clothing.

Bonnie

[ ] Cane? ? scooter?

When did you get one? I am wonderiwng if I should be using one? Keep in mind my dr didn't even think about pain meds. Do I just go out and buy a cane? Do I wait for it to be suggested? Would it help aleviate my pain? I don't know where to broach the subject wiht my dr? How did you come to the realization you needed this type of device? I just feel surrounded by Drs who are not giving me interim options so it is up to me to request them. Jolynn

[Guest guest]

--- You can also buy a regular cane and do like my daughter

did...wrap it in lacrosse tape...or any kind of sports tape..I am

purple and white, school colors!mARY,PA

In , " Bonnie " <bonnie@...> wrote:

>

> Hi Jolynn,

>

> You don't need a doctor's approval to get a cane. You can buy an

adjustable one at any medical supply store for about $25. There are

websites for pretty canes. As for nosy people, of which there are

many in this community, when they ask why I'm using a cane, I smile

and tell them it's my new fashion accessory. As for acquaintances

who look at me with pity and questioning eyes, I say I am fine, just

hurting. (Yeah, right, " just " indeed). Friends are just thankful I

use a cane because it makes them worry less about me, knowing I have

the support I need. I'm thankful, too, because it gives me increased

mobility and that's all that counts. But I am a bit vain, so I have

pretty canes to color coordinate with clothing.

>

> Bonnie

> [ ] Cane? ? scooter?

>

>

> When did you get one? I am wonderiwng if I should be using one?

Keep

> in mind my dr didn't even think about pain meds. Do I just go out

and

> buy a cane? Do I wait for it to be suggested? Would it help

aleviate

> my pain? I don't know where to broach the subject wiht my dr?

>

> How did you come to the realization you needed this type of

device? I

> just feel surrounded by Drs who are not giving me interim options

so

> it is up to me to request them.

>

> Jolynn

>

>

>

>

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Bonnie,

I bought the cane today it is silver and was on sale for $13.74. I

was expecting it to be a bit more because I specifily wanted a

silver colapsable cane. I used it at the mall and OH MY GOSH DID IT

WORK! It really helped with he amount of pressure on my back. Also

it seemed to comand people to open the door for me, which my kids

thought was cool.

I then went to the library with out it and I missed it. The

librarian looked at me and said " wow, you really have some back

problems! " (they know me well so it is fine) I almost fell on the

floor with laughter because I thought the cane would be the real

indicator of my back pain, apparently it is written on my face.

Now I just need to think of a name for it.

Jolynn

>

> Hi Jolynn,

>

> You don't need a doctor's approval to get a cane. You can buy an

adjustable one at any medical supply store for about $25. There are

websites for pretty canes. As for nosy people, of which there are

many in this community, when they ask why I'm using a cane, I smile

and tell them it's my new fashion accessory. As for acquaintances

who look at me with pity and questioning eyes, I say I am fine, just

hurting. (Yeah, right, " just " indeed). Friends are just thankful I

use a cane because it makes them worry less about me, knowing I have

the support I need. I'm thankful, too, because it gives me

increased mobility and that's all that counts. But I am a bit vain,

so I have pretty canes to color coordinate with clothing.

>

> Bonnie

> [ ] Cane? ? scooter?

>

>

> When did you get one? I am wonderiwng if I should be using one?

Keep

> in mind my dr didn't even think about pain meds. Do I just go

out and

> buy a cane? Do I wait for it to be suggested? Would it help

aleviate

> my pain? I don't know where to broach the subject wiht my dr?

>

> How did you come to the realization you needed this type of

device? I

> just feel surrounded by Drs who are not giving me interim

options so

> it is up to me to request them.

>

> Jolynn

>

>

>

>

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

HI Jolynn,

Glad you find it helpful. Me, too. I've also noticed that people holds for me. Kinda nice. Even more important, kids who are runnig, and their Moms, are careful not to run into me! That's a relief.

Bonnie

[ ] Cane? ? scooter?> > > When did you get one? I am wonderiwng if I should be using one? Keep > in mind my dr didn't even think about pain meds. Do I just go out and > buy a cane? Do I wait for it to be suggested? Would it help aleviate > my pain? I don't know where to broach the subject wiht my dr? > > How did you come to the realization you needed this type of device? I > just feel surrounded by Drs who are not giving me interim options so > it is up to me to request them. > > Jolynn> > > > > > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates > > > >

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Great idea!! Now if I can find teal colored tape ..... I am going to search for it!

Bonnie

[ ] Cane? ? scooter?> > > When did you get one? I am wonderiwng if I should be using one? Keep > in mind my dr didn't even think about pain meds. Do I just go out and > buy a cane? Do I wait for it to be suggested? Would it help aleviate > my pain? I don't know where to broach the subject wiht my dr? > > How did you come to the realization you needed this type of device? I > just feel surrounded by Drs who are not giving me interim options so > it is up to me to request them. > > Jolynn> > > > > > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates > > > >

[Guest guest]

One day as I was walking down the hall, I was looking down instead

of trying to stand up straight to walk and discovered that it didn't

hurt as badly if I walked bent over. After a couple of days, I

bought a folding cane at WalMart, partly because it doesn't look as

odd to be bent over a cane as it does to be bent over without one.

The cane really does help add some stability, and it is very handy

to lean on. It also comes in handy at work -- kids don't really run

too closely to me, or I might trip them.

I also like my 'sport seat' that I bought in the golf department of

Academy Sports. It is a cane with a built in seat. It is very

important if I am going somewhere that might involve standing in

line (like the post office). I also use it when I go to see a big

name reggae band in a bar -- the tables are usually all taken out to

make room for as many people as possible to squeeze in.

I had been considering a scooter for a little while. There are so

many places that I just don't go because they require too much

walking -- especially if my husband doesn't want to go with me and

drop me off at the entrance. We have an annual arts festival

downtown in the spring and my son usually performs -- but we have

never seen the rest of the arts festival because it is big. I

haven't been to a mall in years -- unless the store I want to go to

is near an entrance (and I have been known to call stores at malls

around town to find out which mall has the store closest to the

entrance). So, not being able to get a parking place at work last

week was the last straw and now I have a scooter. I haven't

actually used it yet, but I was tempted this morning! I am usually

most sore on Mondays after working so hard around the house on the

weekends (and YIPPEE!! I finally got my daughter's room unpacked

and organized this weekend -- 9 months after moving!!) Now, I just

have the attic and garage to tackle, and pictures to hang on the

walls.

I need to try out my scooter and figure out how I am going to manage

my rolling computer bag while on it. I could get a folding basket

for the back, but I don't know if they are sturdy enough for my

computer bag, if I can lift it that high, and if it would be safe

from the students when it is behind me where I can't see it. One

middle school student one day told me I should zip it better so

somebody wouldn't try to take my computer (and tried to demonstrate

how it could be done), but when I turned around and showed him what

I could do with my cane, he decided my bag was fairly safe after all.

[Guest guest]

For myself, I first used the cane to help keep up with my husband when we walk together and to help reduce the amount of pain that I was feeling when I did walk any distance. I didn't wait for the doctor to suggest it. I actually had inherited some items from my parents and grandparents and a couple of canes were among those items. Since I was starting to lean forward and I found that leaning on something helped that the cane would also help.

As the DDD progressed and my walking distance started to shorten again, I found that the walker helped both even my gait out so that I wasn't limping as much and I could go that longer distance again. The walker also helped, like a shopping cart, in carrying items so that it wasn't adding to my back. The walker also helped when I had to move my mother because I could put the box on the walker, then slide the box onto the wheelchair lift (that we have for my brother and his powerchair) to move into the van.

I was lucky to also have my brother's old scooter so that I could go the longer distance (1/2 mile, one way) so that I would have the energy at the end to do what I needed to get done. Because that scooter has heavy duty, I was able to put several bags of groceries in the back basket to get my shopping done. That scooter was a little too big to really fit onto the wheelchair lift or into the van, so it didn't really work for me when I went into the city for additional shopping. I have recently bought a foldable scooter so that I can transport my scooter and my brother at the same time in the van. It is very light-weight, especially compared to the other one, and it does help save on my energy so that I can keep going for looking after my mother and brother. To me, it's about maintaining my quality of life and my responsibilities that I have for others. I try to keep active, but I also have learned to pace myself so that I can continue with the other parts of my life.

I view the mobility aids as being no different than having to wear glasses to see. It's just another item that allows you to live the best life possible, with the condition. Depending on your insurance, you likely don't need doctor's approval, to be able to claim and some doctors are nice enough to back-date the item, if you show that the item does help you, for claim purposes.

Llweyn

-----Original Message-----From: [mailto: ]On Behalf Of leominsterhsgSent: March 5, 2006 2:56 PM Subject: [ ] Cane? ? scooter?When did you get one? I am wonderiwng if I should be using one? Keep in mind my dr didn't even think about pain meds. Do I just go out and buy a cane? Do I wait for it to be suggested? Would it help aleviate my pain? I don't know where to broach the subject wiht my dr? How did you come to the realization you needed this type of device? I just feel surrounded by Drs who are not giving me interim options so it is up to me to request them. Jolynn

[Guest guest]

Suzanne

This line " ... but when I turned around and showed him what

I could do with my cane, he decided my bag was fairly safe after all. "

cracked me up....the kids at your school must adore you! Cam