When to go into a wheelchair?

When to go into a wheelchair?

There is only one answer to this, when you absolutely have to!!! Stay on your feet as long as you can. Once you’re in a wheelchair full time your legs will weaken making walking more and more difficult. I know this all but here’s my problem, walking is getting more and more difficult for me. I have both good and bad days but let’s say I go to the small grocery store and walk with my rollator, I can walk maybe 100-200 feet and I’m wiped out. However, even walking from my car to a restaurant can be a daunting experience or from my table to the bathroom. It all depends on my strength for the day but no matter what, there is a maximum and that number isn’t high.

I know I can have my aid wheel me in my portable wheelchair. I can put my travel scooter in the car and have my aid put that together so I’m not walking yet have my independence. Better yet, have my food delivered. These are all options,but notice each one of them has me not walking anymore. I think I’m writing this because I know in my heart how difficult it is becoming for me to walk. I think my blog has become my first stage of the acceptance process. I see my neurologist in November again, I’m curious what her thoughts would be. However, I suspect they’d be the same. Be on your feet as long as you can!!!

I’m fine around my apartment, it’s just anytime I go out. It is a slow go for me walking and each step is difficult to make and very carefully maneuvered to avoid tripping. You know your slow when the 80 year old woman says “hi” as she passes by you with her walker. I always make the joke, “I’ll race you” because you got to keep this sh@t light. Everyday I see things getting harder for me. Everyday I see the future coming faster than I would have liked. I’ve said in so many posts part of what makes this disease challenging is accepting that you need help. Accepting the need for accommodations. Adapting to that need in your life. Sometimes the Ego is extremely vain and doesn’t want to accept that new device or accommodation. I think we’ve all been there. I just know the wheelchair is getting closer and closer to being in my everyday life and eventually I will need to accept that and adapt.

8 thoughts on “When to go into a wheelchair?

  1. I agree, keep walking as you can. Our MS support leader had an offer of a free wheelchair after a bad fall. She took them up on it. Now she cannot weight bare. If you can continue walking in your apartment, and only need assistance outside, that may be a good way to transition.

  2. I am with you on this. I am currently finding myself using my chair nearly every time I go out now, due to a mixture of pain, dislocations and dizziness/fainting. Yet I still feel lazy for not trying harder to walk – all in my head as no one else thinks this. I am able on a good day to use a neighbour’s treadmill to walk and this I can manage – indoors, warm, rails acting like a rollator, steady pace and staedy gradient. At least it is keeping some strength in the muscles. I have also used my blog and online community as my support as I transition – considerably earlier in life than I ever imagined!! x

  3. You my dear show how strong you are by not using a wheelchair all the time. That means you are able to still be able to push yourself to walk still. I do not see you being in a wheelchair full time anytime soon! Just remember do not push yourself too much and walk when you can! I am thinking of you sweetie!!!

    1. I’m only in the wheelchair if I’m in a situation that requires a lot of walking. My error is sometimes I should take the wheelchair and don’t and choose instead to exhaust myself walking.

  4. You my dear show how strong you are by not using a wheelchair all the time. That means you are able to still be able to push yourself to walk still. I do not see you being in a wheelchair full time anytime soon! Just remember do not push yourself too much and walk when you can! I am thinking of you sweetie!!! Love Alyssa

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