The trike and Skeeter

As I've said before, Skeeter affords no direct exercise.  She is, however, an effective 'enabler' in that she keeps me off the floor.  When you have ataxia, that is no small deal.  Nonetheless, I could tell that the predictable neurological progression was gradually diminishing my leg strength.  A big fear is not being able to get out of a chair.  I've learned that some loss is beyond my control and some isn't.  Fortunately, I don't have to deal with persistent chronic pain or nausea.  At the risk of sounding pollyanna–ish, they are far more debilitating than weakness and loss of balance.

I am surrounded by people who, although possibly experiencing a decline in muscle mass for one reason or another, keep their bodies in motion.  They run, walk, bike, participate in sports, garden, or chase after small children.  My heart is with them—my lower body, not so much.  It's OK, really.  Sometimes, I'm content to stay home...alone...in the dark... (cue pity party)*.

A friend once described herself as an outstanding pool floater.  "That's what I do —I float" (truth be told, she was actually an educator embracing her 'float' persona).  We all have our talents.  I am an experienced, highly skilled, and accomplished sitter—on the couch, on patio furniture, at a party, and of course, on Skeeter.  Of course, I can move too.  Providing there is a good battery charge, Skeeter can handle both inclines and declines and I rarely worry about getting stuck somewhere.  Steep terrain may be more work for the scooter, but not for me.  Sitting and scooting is easy and a guaranteed "no fall state".  I can get outside, go where I want, no physical strength is required, and everyone can relax.  So, what could possibly be the downside?  Well, for one thing, no strength is maintained.

My tricycle gave me back some confidence** and it has it's parking spot in the garage.  However, it haunts me whenever Skeeter and I go for a scoot.  With Skeeter, I can choose my destination and go independently on the spur of the moment.   Riding the trike requires a fair amount of advance thought and a lot of human support to go anywhere.  Earl installed a grab bar to facilitate entry and exit, but it's still not pretty and it takes forever.  I'm grateful for the trike on family vacations, as joining the group for a bike ride is one of the best parts of the trip.  Skeeter's top downhill and uphill speed is 4mph.  Like a bicycle, the trike downhill speed is only limited by my death grip on the brakes.

I need more experience with the gearing and riding only intermittently insures an ongoing learning curve.  So, if I want to practice gearing, braking, or riding, I'm faced with going up and down our driveway (boring) or up and down our street (agony).  Then, it occurred to me that some exercise is boring and agonizing.  Certainly, time wasn't a major limitation.  I could manage boring exercise—OK, not great, but OK.  One thing both Skeeter and the trike can do that is a huge deal to someone with no balance, is stop on a dime.  I can pause and chat with friends, don't have to put my feet down, and I don't fall.

About midway through my third trek up the street, a neighbor, wanting to be encouraging commented, "Good for you.  That looks like fun!"  Wanting to visit, but be honest, I responded, "Thanks!  This is so not fun."  My neighbors have learned not to even ask if I want a ride or need help.  I'd take the ride and should I need help, they'll be able to tell from my panicked expression.  But I have to say, it's nice to be able to stop and visit without incurring injury.

Getting clip pedals for my trike helped me get up inclines without slipping off or out.  Unfortunately, I still look like an upended turtle.  You have to wonder, why go up that street?  Who needs it? The answer is, if I can get up my street, I'm not as likely to get stuck somewhere.  I need the assurance that I can get there eventually as opposed to 'Forget it.  It's not going to happen'.

The lesson:  Being close to the ground is so reassuring, no matter how long it takes to get on and off the trike.

* Previous post: Pity Party––Underrated??
**Previous post: I need a job–or something