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Crutches are not a fashion accessory...

Posted , 5 users are following.

anonymous333
anonymous333

At least not until I decorate them accordingly.

I just walked to the supermarket and back. On the way there, I crossed at the lights, but was too slow. They changed before I was across. A car just started driving right at me with no sign of slowing down. I stopped in the middle of the lane and just stared at the driver until it occurred to him to stop and wait.

On the way home, I was making my way uphill on the path when someone came up behind me pushing a pram. He went off path and cursed at me as he passed for "hogging" the path. Honestly, if he'd asked I've have moved aside and waited for him to pass. That rudeness was uncalled for.

Do people think I'm getting around at snail's pace on crutches just for the fun of inconveniencing them?

2 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • anonymous333
    anonymous333

    Posted

    Also, second day in a row I've dropped a crutch on the way home when trying to adjust the shopping bag strap on my shoulder. How do you pick them up when there's no one around to help?

    I've worked out a kind of arabesque move, where I flip it on its side with my good foot, then stick my bad leg out at the back and bend over to grab it, but I'm sure that's not ideal. Not confident about knee-bending to get it. I don't think I'd be able to get up again...

    • Ian_B
      Ian_B anonymous333

      Posted

      I solved the crutch dropping problem, by standing still and upright on both legs so I'm safe and then fishing the dropped crutch using the top of the remaining crutch. Practice it first to work out best method for your style of crutches, but works easily with my NHS ones.
    • sue1957Geo
      sue1957Geo Ian_B

      Posted

      Ian, i found that works to. Lee I think that you look at life so differently now, when i went out yesterday, sainsbury was packed my sister was getting stuff and i was pushing one handed and walking on one crutch, did try without but couldnt, people were bargung past, cursing me cos i wasnt quick enough. I am putting it down to the stress of christmas, after the holiday, wack em with your crutch😛
  • renee01952
    renee01952 anonymous333

    Posted

    Dearest Lee, 

    rolleyes I know, right .... what is wrong with people ...  

    I live in rural Holland at the moment and honestly, people here in the small villages are very kind - they get me stuff I forgot, pick up things I dropped or from bottom shelf --- at the cashier they are patient while I am stressing out and apologizing constantly ...

    however .... in the "big" city it is a different story -  doesn;t matter if I walk with my trolley, they bump into me, push me aside and hit my heels with their shopping cart - oh, and the meanest are the ones who also walk with walker/trolley or scooter ..... of course not all of them, but still .... 

    maybe you can wear something with neon stripes and be visible - that is the thing I am worried about -

    Walk proudly and thank them, throw them kisses etc ....

    big warm hug

    renee

  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK anonymous333

    Posted

    Amazing how people just 'cannot' see you isn't it .....

    I have had this, so now I avoid the busy days in town.

    I even used to get this on mymotorbike - big noisy bright red motorbike, headlight on, rider over 6 foot tall, over 20 stone (I was then), flourescent jacket - and drivers just could not seem to see me, it was like I had a cloak of invisibility on.

    I do now tend to 'push out' the one stick that I use, I find that people notice more if the stick is moving in their direction just a bit.  Failing that, I just stand still and hold my ground - they get the message eventually.

    I have used Ian's method of recovering crutches, as he says it's easier with the NHS ones woth 'L' shaped handles.

    Graham

    • anonymous333
      anonymous333 Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      "Amazing how people just 'cannot' see you isn't it"

      I may have been guilty of that myself in the past (not bumping or cursing people; just not "seeing" them).

      Was out at a major shopping mall on Friday on the way home from getting my stitches out. Only there about half an hour, but it did strike me that suddenly a LOT of people around me were walking with canes. I'd never really paid attention before and all of a sudden there they were... 

    • sue1957Geo
      sue1957Geo anonymous333

      Posted

      I noticed that, around where i live in london, insee Lot of people with a crutch or a cane, made me think alot of people have new knees and hips. 
    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK anonymous333

      Posted

      My wife has commented on the number of people with canes / sticks / crutches around the place - and we are sure there never ever used to be so many.

      Are hip replacements the new 'tonsil removal' of the 50's & 60's ?

      Graham 🚀💃

    • sue1957Geo
      sue1957Geo Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Graham funny you saying that, my surgeon's registrar told me not to worry, hip replacements are just like having your tonsils out, they do so many.
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