Question
 

for those of us who have had MS a longggg time - and whose legs don't work well and am in wheelchair - how do you get up if you fall ?? Husband tried to help but I could not push up with my legs - had to call the EMT's - if that isn't an option - then what ???

Sometimes you just can't do anything, sometimes my Mom-Gyver stuff works. Being an Ex-Special Ed teacher but not big (5"1') I've toileted grown-men in chairs myself. I've talked my son through it. The drop-dead gorgeous EMT who slipped in through an unlocked bedroom window easily lifted me into my wheelchair. The five burly beer belly firemen (volunteers) firemen who once came, broke my storm door and in their eyes I could see unless they threw me over their shoulders like in a fire they didn't have a clue what to do so I talked them through it. Stay calm, instruct as you think best, etc. You know what is best for you, everyone is a little different. That you are thinking about this before it happens and what to do is good. Fear and panic are never good.

Use knees, not backs. Yes, it sucks but somebody should know how to do it.

Wish I had asked this before I fell in my bedroom. At least it was on carpet! I didn't have a phone with me (I know, I know.....stupidity at it's best) so I had to wait for my son to call and call with no answer and finally come over to check on me (8 hours after the fall).

Had to call the EMT's because I had no strength to pull myself up on the couch in my room. It's the strangest thing when you can't even pull yourself up.

I don't know what I'd do if calling 911 wasn't an option. That's my last resort.

You could get yourself one of the Amazon Alexa's (or several of the smaller, cheaper Echo Dot's) and place them in areas of your house.

Then enable the skill called Ask My Buddy. If you fall down, and your Alexa is able to hear you, you can say "Alexa, Ask My Buddy to call...whoever you've put in for a contact. I found a link that should explain it better. Can Alexa Call 911? | POPSUGAR Moms


I've had the skill on my Alexa, and I've never set it up, but I'm going to probably do that tomorrow. My mom and I are moving to an apartment within the next month. I have 3 Alexa's, and the apartment is small. So, she should be able to hear me from wherever I am if something happens.

This hinges on whether or not the free wifi the apartment is going to provide s with will support an Alexa. Hope it works. I'm going to have to test all the best spots in the apartment to plug each one into.

We're moving into an "independent living" apartment complex. It's for people ages 55 and up. (I'm going to be 49 in 22 days, but my mom is 77. She got me in). They have all sorts of services, provide basic cable, wifi internet, 3 meals a day, activities, valet parking, 150 seat movie theatre on the main floor. I'm kind of excited. I'm going to be the youngest person living there. I thought I would feel weird about it, but we've gone up there several times now to eat meals already. Everyone has been very nice. I think 90% of them are in better shape than me. I've never lived in an apartment before. Hopefully I won't annoy anyone too much.

Using Alexa is a great idea! I had not even thought of that.

Congratulations on the new apartment. It sounds wonderful. I hope your Mom adjusts to it well. And you, too. It will be an adjustment for both of you but it can be an adventure.

Like all of us will have to address at some point (some sooner than others) it's good to research your options before you need them. That way you can make the best decision for yourself based on your circumstances.

will be at lake - over an hour and a half to get to us - if telephone works

I have one weak leg and one good leg. I am able to crawl over to a chair, use my hands to get my weak leg in a bent position and lean it against the chair while my hands(on chair push) and good leg gets more under me and then up. If I can't make it up my significant other can put his arms around me and pull me up from the position I'm in.

Thank G-d this still works for me !

Linda

Hi Karen! Is there some where your husband can go to get trained on how to lift you in case of an emergency? Maybe the local fire department? Red Cross? Since you will be (or are already there) at the lake and emergency medical services is so far away, this might be a worthwhile option to check into.