[ElaineD]

So dearest Neurotalk friends,

A doctor's appointment at one of the Duke Hospitals required a long long walk last Friday.

It was like walking at the airport. I had to keep stopping and resting and trudging on again. I don't walk with a cane because I am so unsteady I wind up putting pressure on my hip and then I have another pain to deal with!

I went to the same place on Monday (yes, I live at doctors' offices) and this time I requested 'transportation with a wheel chair". How amazing to watch the distance fly by as the transporter pushed the chair. I was exhausted just seeing how far I would have had to walk. And I ordered a chair to go back to the lobby and get my car from Valet Parking.

So I decided the time had come to get a walker, one with a place to carry things and a seat to sit on. I ordered two different ones, both aluminum and lightweight. I will try them both and return the one I don't like as much.

I got a handicap hang tag for our cars two months ago and it was the best thing I ever did and I waited far too long to think of it! My neurologist immediately wrote the authorizations and I got them the same day.

Now even when my husband drops me at the front, if I'm with him, he can park close and return to help me into the building. But I drive alone sometimes, so the hang tag, plus the walker should make me much more independent, and much safer. Duke puts the yellow 'risk of falling' ID bracelet on me....but then I go staggering away on my own! Now I will be much safer I do believe.

To soon old, too late smart. That's me.

Hugs, ElaineD

[zkrp01]

Too soon old, too late smart. Thats a pretty crowded boat. I got my car back and the hang tag was gone but you can go to a motor liscense agent where you bought your registration and get another hang tag. I have to be aware of how far I am from my vehicle, maybe a sitting platform would fix that. Good Luck, Ken in Texas.

[DejaVu]

Hi Elaine,

Thanks for sharing about your experiences.

I think all of us hesitate to start using assistive aids and to give in to accepting a handicapped parking tag.

My PCP and my DH have just talked me into my first set of handicapped parking tags. I have fought this for so many years now. I hope I do not always have to use these; however, the truth is I do need to use these today... now. I use a forearm style of a crutch, as I find it more stabilizing than a cane. I have also had to use wheelchairs lately while at the large hospital. Maybe not forever, yet I find it a relief for now.

Sometimes, we simply must give in and take good care of ourselves, knowing we are doing the very best we can do in any given moment.


DejaVu