My mom is 80 and has a lot of trouble walking. Pre-pandemic and post-pandemic, I would love to be able to take her to events and places that we can enjoy together. But I can\u2019t physically assist her because of my own disabilities. She has finally started using a cane full-time, but only because she is completely unable to get anywhere without it. She also has a rollator, which would give her and me the freedom of going on outings, but she very rarely uses it, especially in public places. This severely limits our activity choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Almost every time I have asked others to help encourage her to use her rollator more often, I\u2019m met with resistance. Pretty much every time the response is that when elderly people start using rollators, they quickly deteriorate. My guess is most likely due to emotional and psychological factors involved in needing one. But ummm…wait. What?!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How sad. This may very well be a common occurrence, but…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It doesn\u2019t have to be. Like with many other issues and things, we need a perspective change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From my own experiences with mobility aids I understand the mental and emotional struggles. After over a year of intense pain in my back, si joints, hips, etc. I wondered if a cane might be necessary. So for the next month I struggled with the following questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do I really need one?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What will other people think?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Will my doctors think I\u2019m being ridiculous?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How will my friends and family feel about my cane?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Will I embarrass my middle schooler if I use my cane during school functions?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Will people think I\u2019m too young for a cane?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Am I overexaggerating my physical disabilities?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do I even use a cane?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How will I carry things?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Etc. etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I read a comment posted recently by one of the insightful disability activists I follow. I wish I could remember which person so I could give them proper credit. But basically they said (in paraphrase) \u201cIf you are wondering if you would benefit from a mobility aid, you probably would.\u201d That is such a great perspective shift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After a month of thinking and worrying and agonizing and talking with my therapist, in December 2018 I finally ordered my first cane \u2013 a super cute walking stick by Switch Sticks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n