Crutch and such

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I never thought that at age 29, I would be shopping for mobility aids. Nevertheless, a hip kit (grabber, shoe horn, sock puller-upper and shower scrubber) and red Millennial crutches will be arriving at my apartment in about a week! I feel like a big geek because I'm actually excited about getting them and trying them out. Pretty sure that feeling will wear out quickly!

For some reason, when I was younger, I was always jealous of people who were on crutches. I sprained my ankle a number of times during my basketball and volleyball escapades and secretly wished I could use them. But I was too tough to ever go to a doctor and just limped around until the coaches would let me play again.

I find myself seeing things as a "mobility-impaired" person would see them. I look at doors of public places and wonder how I would open them while on crutches; I cringe at high curbs and steep sidewalks; and I take note of all the handicapped spots when driving around parking lots. Not that I was unhelpful or rude in any way before this, but now that I'm more aware of it, I'm especially careful to help anyone who looks like they're having a hard time getting around. Maybe that will boost my good karma so folks are helpful toward me. Or not, according to some stories I've heard from my hip sisters! Just glad I'm not in New York!

Comments

MY PAO STORY said…
I never got the Millenial Crutches - although I wish I had! The "regular" ones hurt my armpits! I got my hip kit at the hospital. I used the grabber a lot! I never used the shoe horn - only because I live in Fl and wear flip-flops! The sock helper is great for when you need to put on the TED stockings. For the home I had a wheelchair (which I used quite a bit the first few weeks) and the toilet seat (which I also used in the shower as a seat). It is great that you are preparing for all the things you will need! I bought everything except the wheelchair (I rented that). I may have to use them again for my other hip! I actually am letting my mother-in-law borrow everything as she is having her knee replaced in May!
Beth
March 29, 2008
LH said…
Hi Cass -

I have to laugh at myself because when I looked into Millenial crutches, I honestly thought they went the other way (with the back side being open.) I couldn't figure out why anyone would make a crutch with a downward sloping, open ended hand grip and ruled them out immediately. D'oh!

It's good to start looking at your world in light of how you will manage things once you're on crutches - thinking things through in advance. After my experience, I think that any architect who designs public buildings should be required to spend at least one week on crutches and one week in a wheel chair. There are so many little things that will drive you CRAZY while you are temporarily a disabled person. Like, why is the handicap stall always at the farthest corner of the restroom???

Enjoy your gearing up. It was also oddly enjoyable for me in a nesting kinda way.

best,
Laura

PS - I think you're probably tough enough to handle NYC!
March 29, 2008
JenXer said…
Heh. I just ordered my Millennial Crutches (also red!) in preparation for the PAO on Ol' Lefty. I plan to order some vinyl flame decals to put on them. :)The regular crutches killed my wrists the last time.

Hip Chick,

I am an architect, and I spent 6 weeks on crutches/ in a wheelchair after my PAO. I had always understood and followed the accessibility design codes prior to needing surgery; but after having to physically navigate the "built reality" of those codes, now I especially believe "wheelchair time" should be a requirement!

I still get angry whenever I see someone park in a HC space without a tag and/or mobility impairment.
March 30, 2008
Paige said…
Cass,

I am so happy to know that I am not the only person excited about Millenial crutches! I thought I was a complete dork...

I am ordering my red Millenial crutches tomorrow. My mom has a hip kit which she received at the hospital when she had her hip replaced. If I don't get my own, I will use hers. Now I just need to find a really cool cane. (Hmmm, that's an oxymoron, isn't it?)

Paige
April 03, 2008
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