I 'tried' crutches once! All at the hospital as well as I felt that I would be safer with either a walker or cane[s].
Luckily I figured out that canes come in different heights...and have adjusted mine for that. A too high cane, or too low, makes you more miserable than you need to be. Hurts our backs, hands, wrists, elbows, feet you name it if it's not right.
A silly question during my last PT set of sessions I was able to learn that I needed about 1-1/2" of one cane, and it made such a difference! Plus a 'lesson' on how to walk properly with one or even two.
Joe, I gotta admit, I have had some dramatic falls [tho no one ever saw them?] but that series of events of yours has got to be in the top 10 of all time?

What should the 'prize' be? Maybe a faux-gold-plated cane of the perfect height? [Simply could not resist!]. Of course, we will have to find a 'sponsor' to donate the cane[s]. Sigh.

May we all toodle or toddle tenderly - j

I did that ayear ago,no one and I mean no one asked me to weigh in
agin. But i do get wieghed on a scale in a wheelchair...You could always bop
croops on the head. Never mind you might fall trying.....Hugs Sue

Don't give a "hoot" about what people think. Do whatever it takes to get you around safely.

I have a bright blue cart on wheels, also with a basket and a seat. I didn't want people to know I even had it, that is, until I took it to a quilt show and my friends saw it. Every time I left it to walk into a booth, I would come back to find one of them sitting on it, wanting to borrow it...

Cathie

Then again, there always the "Scooter Store".
They guarantee that if Medicare doesn't pay for it, its 'free'.
(gotta meet their requirements, and get an Rx for it first, I suppose)
the TV commercials make 'em look like they're fun.

I also have walking sticks. I had never seen them until a year ago, when on vacation a bird-watching couple in my group was using them. I knew it was the way to go, and asked for them as a birthday gift from my kids. I've got the kind that collapse, so they can be packed or stuck in a bag, to be pulled out when needed. They're great for uneven ground.

Hi - I have one of those scooters (but not paid by Medicare - they have super strict regs like you cannot ambulate at all I think) but I got very small one that is supposed to come apart and will fit in a car (but one I suppose would have to read directions to do that!) but its very lightweight and I use to get just around the neighborhood - but they are SLOW! Max 5 MPH - which is better then nothing! But yes, do use whatever you need to help you stay safe! I have a cane with a "foot" - a rolling walker - and also a manual wheelchair - use whatever needed to keep me safe - taken too many headers and who cares what others think is right - you need to stay safe! Crutches, agree with others - used them several times when healthy for broken bones, torn cartiladge in knee, etc... I was always getting them tangled up in my legs and falling down - found very difficult to manuver around on.... (and if someone is really rude to use - oops -did I just I poke you in the foot with my cane - sorry!) ok, slightly evil.... but it is interesting to see peoples reactions sometimes to assistive devices - because we now have something that can be "seen" - most people are kind - some are not... (tough!)

folks being kinder to you with a cane, my experience is they either keep a very wide berth [if they see you] or just try and run you over [I guess it's the walk and talk on the phone issue for them?].
The only other thing I've found is that with the cane, many start talking LOUDER to me....because of the cane. When that happens I simply start to speak even more softly than I normally would...HEE? As you can guess it's a pet peeve of mine?
Happy trails to all ....no tripping allowed! - j

My foot cane is adjustable - and I was using it one day when a group of people over - it kept feeling stranger and stranger every time I tried to use it - and they finally confessed that every time I wasnt looking they were shortening it one notch.... so - can be entertainment for all too!

Is great for me. But you can not reach top s thing you must wait
for help,a glass jar hurts. My hands even with those reachers are to
weak..Clean up on aisle2 My chair is big people have bummed,
banged ran in to mine,with me in it..I have been hit by bread ,
meat,beer,and ect. carts. Oh my a college town hard to go downtown.
Not to mention Van lift so. Mine goes 10 miles a hr. and Honest
I love it,you can go up to 25 miles. But I would love to be able to
walk on a Mo. walking Stick...Sedalia ia a pretty town Bob. Sue

Kmeb, I can believe that happening? My walker didn't quite 'lock' the adjustable legs at first... Had to go to that durned 'web/internet' thing the docs CURSE to find instructions! The docs forgot that very important part?
Sue last year while doing 'time' in the wheelchair, I really hated trying to fix anything at all to eat cause the counter was at sort-of 'nose-level'? If I ever do get to the 'remodel' stage...well there will be an ostensibly 'kid friendly counter area', but we all will know different, rite?
I am finding I am only 'shopping' in stores that have those electric carts. Many of them near me have tall flags on poles. Unfortuneately that only works for folks coming at you from behind. Not those coming at you. I just do one really loud imitation of a BEEP BEEP! as someone who appears brain-dead approaches. Sort of 'Road Runner' style. Usually penetrates the 'fogs'. I only wish those store carts had rear-view mirrors, you know?
As for walkers, chairs or scooters in my house? I am afraid that my home's inside doorways aren't all 'accessable'. I hate the process of having someone come in and do work to make it so. Not to mention the costs - there are soo many surpises in such work - I really wouldn't tolerate it all too well, you all know?
I still hate it when people automatically talk at you louder tho.... Hugs to all - j