Did you know twice as many people die in trips and falls at home than in car crashes? No, me neither until I read the cheery news over breakfast yesterday. Now I have another thing to add to my list of worries that keep me awake in the wee small hours.
Foot drop is the bane of my life. I trip over flat surfaces, the cat, pavements, dust balls and just about anything else in my way.
At Christmas I tripped up the stairs, then fell backwards, smashing into my bookcase and landing like a squashed spider on the floor, books raining down on me. The bruising was spectacular, but I did find a book I’d given up as lost.
There’s no way of knowing when foot drop will strike. One day it leaves you in peace, the next it’s shoving you around the high street with abandon. People give me a wide berth, as hey, I could be drunk. At 9.30 am. Kerbs taunt me, potholes are a logistical nightmare when crossing the road and cobble-stones are pure evil.
Sorry Shakespeare, but I am never, ever going to Stratford-upon-Avon ever again. A lovely little day trip turned into a day from hell when I got out the car and saw cobble-stones stretched out in every direction. I clung to my friend for dear life and quite possibly looked as if I was being taken out from a secure unit for the weekend as I muttered, ‘evil, evil things, I hate you’ under my breath every few minutes as he dragged me up the road.
Then there was the Gastro Pub Incident, when a friend took me out for dinner. A short stumble to the bathroom led to disaster as I cartwheeled across the floor in front of six bemused diners, ending up halfway under their table. To compound my misery, my friend hadn’t even noticed as he was too busy scrolling through his phone. I limped back to our table, face burning, sniveling with pain and embarrassment.
Anyway, the good news is, the sixth most common way to die at home is by drowning in the bath. Thank you, MS heat intolerance for making baths a thing of the past. At least you’re good for something…
HI fellow MS’ er
I too am a stumbler but at least I can make a colour statement with my sticks ….
five in total but looking forward to adding to my collection – the folding seat stick is great at festies like Glastonbury…..
http://www.switchsticks.co.uk/store.asp/c=6
Hi there!
People keep mentioning switchsticks to me, perhaps it’s time I joined the gang??
I could always roadtest one and write a blog post about my exploits (hint, hint!).
X
Hi,
Drop foot, I know all about it, wretched left foot. I’m a frequent faller, dislocated my shoulder on New Years Day ouch, ouch ouch. Try a MuSmate. Google it, wonderful device, has given me a new lease of life & it is fantastic.
Take a look on my website, put musmate into the search bar. Website is http://www.aid4disabled.com
Cheers, Patrick
Thanks Patrick!
Will definitely have a look at it. It’s my blasted right foot. Most inelegant, lol.
X
Also try a rollator, brill. I use a Topro. – only the Scandinavans could think of something like that.
Patrick
Scandis rock! (being, ahem, part Scandi myself…)
X
I just scream bugger at the top of my voice when it happens to me. It doesn’t help but it stops people staring at you 🙂
Hi Tony,
Must try that! Probably better than muttering ‘evil’ under my breath…
X
Between the drop foot and the balance issues, it is hard to not appear drunk in public, isn’t it? Going into dainty shops is quite stressful! Fellow shoppers do give me an odd, pitying look as I lurch about or, for no apparent reason, lunge to one side.
The bit about “…being taken out from a secure unit for the weekend” made me lol.
I often feel as if I am being taken out for the weekend. Even my mum ‘takes me out for a drive’. Far too old before my time, methinks.
X
Hello,
I honestly… Felt like I was the only one that was stumbiling around like I’ve been drinking at 7:30-8 in the morning??? I understand that it happens, but man… I’m just doing my best to get to work. It’s weird because really it’s nobodies business, but its embarrasing.
Glad to know I’m not alone on that.
Your friendly neighborhood MSer:)
Hey Joshua,
I know exactly what you mean. I look like I’m drunk all the time and bizarrely I look more normal after a few drinks.
It is very embarrassing and it doesn’t always get easier, but life is short!
You’re definitely not alone.
X