Re: darkness, walking and balance

[Guest guest]

Hi Brit,

I to am affected by darkness. In particular, I lose my balance and

start to fall every time I close my eyes or cover them with a towel, shirt,

etc...even for a moment. My doctor tells me it is because I

can't tell where my feet and legs are in relation to space, that I use all my

senses to maintain my balance; with sight being the most important of

those. My equilibrium is equally thrown off balance by taking various

" downer " prescriptions for the same basic reason.

Bob

[Guest guest]

Britt and everyone:

I have always loved the dark and now as an adult, I have to be so

cautious in the dark. I cannot close my eyes and stand up without

falling over and when walking I cannot walk in the dark without

feeling a sense of panic because my balance is affected so. If I

can focus on a light in the near distance, I am better but no dark

dark. I was walking out of my son's basketball practice one evening

(going from the light to the darkness) into a dark parking lot and

totally lost it. I had to grab onto my son and have him lead me to

the car. That is how darkness affects me. I am learning how to deal

with it by being conscience of what happens and remembering that I

have a problem.

Sharon O.

A positive attitude ensures a positive quality of life.

At , we are not a glum lot! We absolutely insist on

enjoying life! The key to this enjoyment is acceptance of

our CMT, because acceptance means freedom.

Acceptance is:

Attitude Covered Clearly (in) Experiential Posts Towards

Awareness Now Creating Expression!

is Charcot Marie Tooth Universal Services - for you, your loved ones,

the medical and scientific community, and anyone who wants to learn

how CMT/HMSN affects each of us through experiential sharing.We're

here for YOU!

[Guest guest]

I too have trouble with this issue. Even in high school (when I had

no idea I had CMT) I had trouble walking on bleachers, risers-for

choir. No I hate to walk in the dark! Part of the time I carry a

very small flashlight that fits on my keychain. This really helps.

A positive attitude ensures a positive quality of life.

At , we are not a glum lot! We absolutely insist on

enjoying life! The key to this enjoyment is acceptance of our CMT,

because acceptance means freedom.

Acceptance is:

Attitude Covered Clearly (in) Experiential Posts Towards Awareness

Now Creating Expression!

is Charcot Marie Tooth Universal Services - for you, your loved ones,

the medical and scientific community, and anyone who wants to learn

how CMT/HMSN affects each of us through experiential sharing.We're

here for YOU!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/15/2002 9:19:46 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

dolphin99sharon@... writes:

> I cannot close my eyes and stand up without

> falling over

After I read this it hit me. If we can't keep our balance with our eyes

closed, darkness would do the same thing.

I have to have a timer on my car lights and garage door so I can get in the

house before the lights go out.

jenny

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/15/2002 9:19:46 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

dolphin99sharon@... writes:

> I had to grab onto my son and have him lead me to

> the car. That is how darkness affects me.

I grab onto my daughter after girl scout meetings . She walks me to the car

in the dark. I tell her she is my seeing eye dog.

jenny