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@Leisha_Lou 

Last reply

Leisha_Lou

Walking stick/cane users…help!

Hi lovelies, For those of you who use a cane/walking stick, when did you feel you needed one? I know MS is different for everyone so I know people probably started using them at different stages of their diagnosis. I ask because due to my aches and pain, back trouble, issues with veering off in the wrong direction, issues with walking long distances without being in agony and also completely unrelated to MS but also the suspected tendonitis in my ankle, I feel like I need something to keep me moving. I’ve never fallen yet for which I am grateful but sometimes I just feel like I could do with a helping hand but I don’t want people thinking I’m being insincere using a cane so early into my diagnosis (1 year diagnosed but 7 year suspected RRMS) or milking my condition because that is not the case at all. I love ‘having to justify’ myself…not! Thank you Leisha xxx
Hartlepool, United Kingdom
8
@MelanieMann
@MelanieMann
 

Hi @Leisha_Lou, I pushed against using a walking stick for many years until I read a post from someone on this forum saying a stick gave him more freedom to move about in the world than fighting against it and staying home. The same can be said for using a wheelchair versus staying home or limiting where or how far you can go under your own steam. When I then started using a walking stick it enabled me to walk around the city, using the underground, shopping escalators etc without having people around me tutting and complaining when I am very slow or have had to stop suddenly. I found when using a stick people gave me space and time to move ahead or step aside. This gave me the confidence to go out on my own and not feel I was burdening anyone. To boot, the actress Selma Blair gave using a walking stick the big thumbs up when she used one on the red carpet and later still using a wheelchair to move around a Disney Park with her child. I now have several sticks of different colours and even a glittering one (hark me!) and I now do not feel I am having to 'justify' myself, to use your words, but it did take me a while. I now also have a DDA badge but still feel guilty when I step out of the car rather than 'drop to the floor' to quote a comedy sketch. I'm sure I will get over this in time as I did with the stick. Get yourself one and chant inwardly 'I do not need to justify myself' whilst moving around with greater ease. 🙂

3
@deano
@deano
 

You know when you need a cane when you need it for Balance and it helps make you feel safer - good luck