Re: Physical Events At Xmas Party and AFOs

[Guest guest]

I used to hate those types of activities. If they see a cane or a crutch

even a knee brace and they let up.

Especially if you hit them with it. It reminds me of an old episode of

Oprah. She was insisting that a man in the audience stand up to ask his

question. Finally he had to say I can NOT stand.

In a message dated 12/7/2010 4:43:13 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,

bobpegoh@... writes:

These are things I cannot do because I have my AFO braces on. Is there

anyway I can inform the company, the entertainers or the audience that I am

unable to participate in many of these events? If they think you are just shy

they get more persistent in getting you up in front of the group. It is a

very awkward situation.

[Guest guest]

Hi Bob - I'm 60 yrs old with CMT. My balance is severely compromised as well.

I don't wear AFOs however. I use a cane when outside my home. The appearance

of the cane does much to inform others that it's a bad idea to insist that I

participate in those types of physical activities. Before accepting any

challenging activity I assess any danger of potential falls. If my quality of

life can be compromised I would graciously decline those activities. Your

company should understand.

wheels

[Guest guest]

Hi Bob,

You could tell the management and/or entertainers. If you can have your name

excluded from the original draw, that would be a start. The company could also

send a memo prior to the event asking employees not to pick you for that event.

Still, there is no guarantee that they would remember in the midst of the show.

Another suggestion would be to take along a cane or walking stick of some kind,

even if you don't really need it on a daily basis. People can't see or

understand AFOs but a cane is a visible notice that people tend to respect. And

if they don't, you could always whack em with it. Ok, not really, but they

don't have to know that! ;-)

I use a trekking pole for balance and support when I go walking, or if I am

going to be in a crowded area, or standing a lot. You can get trekking poles at

most sporting goods stores or even one of those odd-lots kind of places.

>

> Saturday I attended the Christmas party that the company I retired from has

every year. It's a very enjoyable evening with a good dinner, door prizes and

live entertainment. As in the past the entertainers get the audience to join in

and have a lot of fun with silly games and activities. They select their

participants by drawing names from a box. Then the next round they have those

people go out into the audience and pick anyone they want at random for the next

activity. Some of these activities get rather physical like musical chairs or

going up on a stage with no hand rails to hold onto.

>

> These are things I cannot do because I have my AFO braces on. Is there anyway

I can inform the company, the entertainers or the audience that I am unable to

participate in many of these events? If they think you are just shy they get

more persistent in getting you up in front of the group. It is a very awkward

situation.

>

> Bob

>

[Guest guest]

i would say something to the promoter at the beginning of the evening. It's kind

of like when guys used to pull me off my stool to dance and when i say

i can't, they say awww, i doubt that and i will teach you (LOL)

jackie

Physical Events At Xmas Party and AFOs

 

Saturday I attended the Christmas party that the company I retired from has

every year. It's a very enjoyable evening with a good dinner, door prizes and

live entertainment. As in the past the entertainers get the audience to join in

and have a lot of fun with silly games and activities. They select their

participants by drawing names from a box. Then the next round they have those

people go out into the audience and pick anyone they want at random for the next

activity. Some of these activities get rather physical like musical chairs or

going up on a stage with no hand rails to hold onto.

These are things I cannot do because I have my AFO braces on. Is there anyway I

can inform the company, the entertainers or the audience that I am unable to

participate in many of these events? If they think you are just shy they get

more persistent in getting you up in front of the group. It is a very awkward

situation.

Bob

i

[Guest guest]

Just say NO! You don't have to participate. And you don't need to explain to

others why.

[Guest guest]

Ooh, wear a neck collar like you have whiplash. Bet they would leave you alone.

smile Might get a few strange looks after the third or fourth year in a row,

but, hey, if it works!

From: lalbrecht02@...

Date: Wed, 8 Dec 2010 15:02:49 +0000

Subject: Re: Physical Events At Xmas Party and AFOs

Hi Bob,

You could tell the management and/or entertainers. If you can have your name

excluded from the original draw, that would be a start. The company could also

send a memo prior to the event asking employees not to pick you for that event.

Still, there is no guarantee that they would remember in the midst of the show.

Another suggestion would be to take along a cane or walking stick of some kind,

even if you don't really need it on a daily basis. People can't see or

understand AFOs but a cane is a visible notice that people tend to respect. And

if they don't, you could always whack em with it. Ok, not really, but they don't

have to know that! ;-)

I use a trekking pole for balance and support when I go walking, or if I am

going to be in a crowded area, or standing a lot. You can get trekking poles at

most sporting goods stores or even one of those odd-lots kind of places.

>

> Saturday I attended the Christmas party that the company I retired from has

every year. It's a very enjoyable evening with a good dinner, door prizes and

live entertainment. As in the past the entertainers get the audience to join in

and have a lot of fun with silly games and activities. They select their

participants by drawing names from a box. Then the next round they have those

people go out into the audience and pick anyone they want at random for the next

activity. Some of these activities get rather physical like musical chairs or

going up on a stage with no hand rails to hold onto.

>

> These are things I cannot do because I have my AFO braces on. Is there anyway

I can inform the company, the entertainers or the audience that I am unable to

participate in many of these events? If they think you are just shy they get

more persistent in getting you up in front of the group. It is a very awkward

situation.

>

> Bob

>

[Guest guest]

Jackie,

Did anyone ever succeed?

On Dec 8, 2010, at 7:38 AM, Jackie Sachs wrote:

>

>

> i would say something to the promoter at the beginning of the evening. It's

kind of like when guys used to pull me off my stool to dance and when i say

>

> i can't, they say awww, i doubt that and i will teach you (LOL)

>

> jackie

[Guest guest]

Hello Bob,

What I do is just pull up a trouser leg and say, " Sorry, no can do. " But, you'll

have to decide what and what not you can do. There's no sense in " begging off "

if you can manage some fun too.

EdM from NH

[Guest guest]

Hello Bob, I have been in similar situations. Outwardly I do not look like

someone with CMT so people do not suspect there may be something going on with

my legs. I do agree that having a cane or walking stick handy will give folks a

clear understanding of your condition. In my case....I simply smiled, waved my

CMT looking hand " No " , pulled up my pant leg, and pointed to my AFO. I wanted to

be very careful because the person approaching me was unaware and the last thing

I wanted to do was embarrass them. Over time people will know what is going on

with you and a general sense of understanding and awareness will take over.

Radshid

u

[Guest guest]

Jackie,

You just reminded me of one time when I was in a bar with friends, not long

after one of my ankle surgeries. I was in a cast, with my cast and crutches

propped up on the booth seat and this guy wanted me to dance. He couldn't

understand why I said no...DOH!

>

>

>

> i would say something to the promoter at the beginning of the evening. It's

kind of like when guys used to pull me off my stool to dance and when i say

>

> i can't, they say awww, i doubt that and i will teach you (LOL)

>

>

>

> jackie

>

>

[Guest guest]

usually when someone asked me to dance and they would not just take no thanks

for an answer, i was annoyed already! I never understood why someone feels ok to

ask you to dance but does not pursue just trying to talk to you.

BUT, if they show they don't care about the awkwardness of dancing with me and i

felt confident in them protecting me on the dance floor, then that was a BIG

PLUS for them. My husband is great at taking me out on the dance floor and

noticing when i am getting over tired. He also is good and keeping other

rambuncious dancers away from me. The best pick up's that worked for me was

anything that did not have to address the CMT!

Jackie

Re: Physical Events At Xmas Party and AFOs

 

Jackie,

Did anyone ever succeed?

On Dec 8, 2010, at 7:38 AM, Jackie Sachs wrote:

>

>

> i would say something to the promoter at the beginning of the evening. It's

kind of like when guys used to pull me off my stool to dance and when i say

>

> i can't, they say awww, i doubt that and i will teach you (LOL)

>

> jackie