Hold on: Seeking Stability

Searching for stability is an eternal quest for someone with a Movement Disorder.  We know intellectually it's not going to happen, but that doesn't stop us from looking.  An evidence trail of my search follows me—dirt, shoes, and scuffed baseboards.  The door jams in the house, my favorite place to hold, are grimey at about my shoulder height.  The housekeeper knows to wipe them down routinely and not say anything to me.  I was never a 'shoe–loving' person.  But seriously, I only have four pair that are safe to wear.  For those out there who consider that reasonable—never mind.  I suspect that if Earl were widowed, one of the first things he'd do is have the marred baseboards repainted.  Maybe not, but I would if I were him.

Meant for grabbing
When we remodeled, we had everything professionally installed and reinforced*.  There are plenty of safety bars in the house and I'm grateful for everyone of them.  I realize there are good and bad things to grab in an effort to prevent a fall.  That said, I don't always have a choice.  Maintaining balance may be done proactively with a fingertip or comforting hand.  Preventing a fall is a whole different thing and is often reactive in nature.  I would never actually pull on a closet rod, but even minimal pressure sends it and my clothes to the floor in a heap.  Putting clothes back takes for–evvver.  I can't believe the number of times I've had to pick it all up off the closet floor. 
Not meant for grabbing
If I had a dollar for every temporary shower grab bar I own, I'd be rich.  Travel is an important part of our lives and safety in the shower is also a priority.  I just can't get used to going without bathing.  Go figure.  One bar I ordered came with a built–in, loud, and very annoying "I fell and I can't get up" siren.  So, what's the problem?  I keep buying shower grab bars that don't hold to anything but a completely smooth surface.  Tiled showers prevail and generally aren't smooth (duh).  Ironically, the better the shower quality, the worse the adherence.  I never know what kind of shower is in any given setting. I keep buying, packing, and hoping the bar will work.  Earl keeps installing the various bars on different surfaces.  They keep falling off.  The good news–I don't depend on them.  The bad news–I can't depend on them.  The search goes on.

Last October, Heidi decided to pursue a weighted vest to give her more stability**.  This year, I decided to try it out as well.  My experience was similar to hers.  There's not an observable, objective effect.  But, some subjective benefit was my modest goal and better is better.

 The Lesson: If you're going to use something for stability, is it up to the job?

*Previous post—Bringing Down the House
**Previous post—Mother Daughter Act

Comments

  1. Grandma2BSeptember 24, 2013 at 4:11 PM

    Tam, Hope the weighted vest really helps.....be sure to post a follow up blog after you have had it awhile.

    ReplyDelete

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