Think before moving

When one has the toes and joints of one’s foot surgically repaired, one must go for several weeks without putting weight on said foot.  That means using assistive devices, such as crutches, in order to walk and move around. They’re not complicated to use, but what one does normally without much thought now requires consideration before application.

For example:

• going up or down steps. This is a skill that in two weeks I have not mastered. I confess, I haven’t worked daily on it, but popping up and down the steps has now become a somewhat fearful undertaking.
• walking through doors. Not a major skill, but it does require looking at the door you plan to walk through and determining if you can do so without turning — and since you’ve recently added 18 to 24 inches to your width, this might take some extra thought.
• sitting and standing. This skill is a fine art, particularly if there are other motions involved in the process of rising. The art of moving one’s body downward with grace and without collapsing whatever you’re landing on requires planning and strength. Rising insists on thought and strength as well.
• getting dressed. Obviously, clothing the upper part of the body is basically the same, but when putting on shorts, pants, underwear, etc to cover one’s lower regions, thought must be given to not put that foot down for balance or just that quick moment to slip the clothing on the other leg.
• preparing and eating food. Moving around to prepare food is not difficult. It’s the carrying of items that becomes nearly impossible. Consider carefully, because you’ll need both hands to maneuver those sticks and trying to add a bottle, plate, bag or other item can seriously change one’s balance and ability to use the crutches.

While my amazing husband stayed with me for four days solid, using the crutches was a reasonable choice for an assistance device. Halfway through those days, though, I attempted carrying something from the kitchen — a simple bottle of water — it was not pretty and not at all graceful.

I decided that a knee walker would be much more in order. While some of the same thinking must still be done, it is done with much more balance and affords the capability of caring for myself in the absence of someone else at home. The only issue that is added to the thinking needed for the use of this device is to beware where one’s foot is in relation to the wheels. It is incredibly easy to run over one’s foot or toe before you know it!

There are many things we do without thinking. Walking, preparing a meal, opening doors, going down steps, bathing and more. Maybe even speaking. I wonder how many of those things we need to put on crutches or a knee walker and examine well.

Might be something to think about.

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