Hi Kate,
Just a quick thought I just had when you were talking about your long house and the kids taking your crutches...you should buy another pair of crutches and leave one set at each end of the house. I had a small apt when this mess started 5 years ago and left one crutch at the entrance to my bedroom and one at the entrance to the kitchen and wheelchaired in between. It worked for me and I thought it might work for you. You are my hero with four children AND RSD. Gosh, you deserve a medal or something. Keep up your GREAT WORK!!!
God Bless,
kathy d