Okay, don't laugh! I walked 2km on my own steam today with only a very short break. I know it doesn't seem like much but it really was a challenge for me. It is very deceiving how I can stroll around a grocery store or put in the same number of steps at other time without the feeling of fatigue. It all adds up and it's all movement but when I "went for a walk" the last time I had a walker with me. I had walked the 2km quite easily at that time. When the snow arrived I put that walker away knowing when spring arrived I would walk without it.
I have been steadily getting stronger and with the weather improving along with me, I decided to go for a walk. While Barry was surprised at my progress I was a little disappointed with needing a break. I thought I would do that walk easily. I hadn't realized how much the walker had helped me. I had put my pride away and used that thing to keep me moving. My physiotherapist and doctors all said it was the right thing to do but so many of their patients don't use a walker because they are embarrassed by it.
I have to say I was embarrassed by it too. I'm not sure what it is in our society that doesn't allow us to accept the tools and support we need to help us in our time of need, but there is something. I'm guessing it's pride. That said I am grateful I had enough sense to swallow that pride and use the walker. If I hadn't I now know I wouldn't have gotten up to that 2km mark. I am barely there now all these months later without it.
In my case it was a walker. In yours it may be a cane, a brace, a wheelchair or even a psychiatrist. Use the tools you need to get where you want to be. Put pride away. Thats a false pride anyway, the real pride comes when you can do it yourself after you have done the work with the support you needed.
I have been steadily getting stronger and with the weather improving along with me, I decided to go for a walk. While Barry was surprised at my progress I was a little disappointed with needing a break. I thought I would do that walk easily. I hadn't realized how much the walker had helped me. I had put my pride away and used that thing to keep me moving. My physiotherapist and doctors all said it was the right thing to do but so many of their patients don't use a walker because they are embarrassed by it.
I have to say I was embarrassed by it too. I'm not sure what it is in our society that doesn't allow us to accept the tools and support we need to help us in our time of need, but there is something. I'm guessing it's pride. That said I am grateful I had enough sense to swallow that pride and use the walker. If I hadn't I now know I wouldn't have gotten up to that 2km mark. I am barely there now all these months later without it.
In my case it was a walker. In yours it may be a cane, a brace, a wheelchair or even a psychiatrist. Use the tools you need to get where you want to be. Put pride away. Thats a false pride anyway, the real pride comes when you can do it yourself after you have done the work with the support you needed.
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