(ceda) When to use a wheelchair

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone, I am Suzanne from Virginia.

I have a question about wheelchairs. When do you

give in to the pain and stop walking? I can not use crutches

or a cane because of my shoulders dislocating. My hips dislocate

at night. When I walk my knees are both subluxating and causing

me much pain. I never know when my hips will go too. I am in

a great deal of pain from walking around my house. I can no

longer go up and down stairs. I wonder if I am now at the point of

having to use a wheelchair. Not just for mobility but for pain relief.

Please any advise would help. Thanks

Love to you all,

Suzanne

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/23/2001 12:32:07 PM US Mountain Standard Time,

Whtkatwmn@... writes:

<< wonder if I am now at the point of

having to use a wheelchair. Not just for mobility but for pain relief.

Please any advise would help. Thanks >>

Suzanne,

I know how difficult this whole transition can be, but you must do it. A

chair is a tool to stop us from getting to that point of hardly being able to

walk, or having any mobility whatsoever. A canopener is a tool right, we use

it because we need it. Use your chair now to prevent further injury and pain.

It sounds as if you need it!

I have a great scooter and I use it for trips to the neighbors, the mailbox

and doggie walks. Then when I am at home, I have the energy to do other

things because I have conserved so much energy.

s are also really great tools, they can help you lean and sit when you

are tired, they are also smaller then a chair or a scooter. You may want to

try this first, that is if you think that it wouldn't strain your shoulders

and hands too much. Just food for thought from another wheelchair EDSer.

Hugs Chris

[Guest guest]

Suzanne,

I have found that using a wheelchair does not mean committing to being

" wheelchair bound " . It is a tool like canes and crutches that you can use when

you need it and leave it at home when you don't. Determine which activities

cause you the most pain and use a wheelchair to eliminate them. For me, it was

going to the mall and other long outings that hurt the most. Using a wheelchair

for those activities allowed me to save my strength for the smaller stuff.

If stairs are a problem for you, consider moving to a home without stairs or

installing an elevator or stair lift.

-Barb

[Guest guest]

Suzanne. don't wait any longer....I too felt that I wouldn't give in

especially as years ago that IF I even lived to age 50 I would be in a wheel

chair. So I have a scooter. It is So wonderful to get on the bus and do my

shopping...browse shops etc. I have serious back pain..2 bad knees ankle

that has to be fused...but it was the strokes that gave me the scooter.

At our local pharmacy they have hand outs of several scooters, some much more

portable than mine even though I can take this down and put in a car. I

dread when i visit my daughter in Denver...they live on the second floor with

no where to put it. I also haven't tried it on the air lines yet. But it is

great! I enjoy being out so much more and don't have to rely on pain

medication. Katharine

[Guest guest]

I would have to say that this a very personal thing. If you feel that you

can no longer get around with the help of an aid, such as a wheelchair, then

talk to your doctor or OT about it. They may have other suggestions. I use

a wheelchair when I need it, which was every day last year, but only about 3

times this year (I'm speaking in terms of school years!! So, even if you

do get a wheelchair, don't think you're gunna be stuck with it forever. You

never know what may happen. I found the pain to be too much, and that was it

for me! For other people, they can't keep their joints in without it.

Depends where you're at!

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[Guest guest]

Dear Suzanne,

The best thing I ever did was to buy a second hand power wheelchair. I

named it Freedom. That is exactly what it gave me. Yes is was a very

old model and very heavy to lift out of the car but at least it let me

go shopping at the town centre. In the U.K. all shopping malls don't

have wheelchairs or scooters that you can borrow. I am currently on the

Shopmobility Subcommittee trying to get funding for the equipment to set

up a Shopmobility Scheme. We have had the offer of premises, rent and

service charge free and now the race is on to get it up and running.

I was also issued with a manual wheelchair which is great when I have

someone to push me about!!!! It is useful for very short journeys but I

am finding it is increasing the pain in my hands, wrists and shoulders.

I have been assessed for a power chair and should get delivery in 6 - 8

months. Yes that is the priority waiting list time.

The other equipment supplied by the O.T. is a stair lift - absolutely

heaven when the fatigue kicks in and I need to go to bed in a hurry

before falling over. A bath lift so that I can get in and out of the

bath safely and at any time of the day or night. I don't have to wait

until someone is about in case I need help. Again, another God send

expecially when the joints cause havoc with my sleeping. A steep in a

hot bath is wonderful.

I also use elbow crutches to get to the car parked outside the house. I

have a collapsable walking stick I use in the house when my balance is

affected and of course, I use the furniture, door frames etc. to help

with my stability.

All these have their uses and when times are bad believe me, I would

rather use them than be confined to the house. I have a choice. I can

go out or stay in but that decision is mine. I do not feel a prisoner

in my own home which brings on reactive depression.

Many a time I choose to stay in and 'talk' to my friends on-line and

that too means I am less isolated. My CEDA friends around the world are

just an e-mail away and I love you all dearly. Your support and

unconditional love keeps my world looking a lot brighter. Chicken Soup

for the ...... Soul is spiritual food for me and the daily motivator

keeps me on a positive note - well, most of the time. You also educate

me. What more could any one ask for. You are all a wonderful family

and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Love, greatful thanks and prayers to all who need them today.

Lilian