Question about pushing myself in my chair...

[Oli]

Yes, I agree with that. I saw a video with a woman who was missing one leg and used a prothetic but also used a wheelchair for longer distances. She was in and out of the chair all the time and made it look totally natural. It got me thinking for sure.

At this point there are two things. One is that I have noticed one of my front wheels doesn't change direction as easily as the other. Have a post on the 'equipment' area. The other thing is that I am trying to get stronger and the only way to do that is to practice practice practice! Hehe

I guess in my original post here I just wasn't sure if I was doing something terribly wrong to be having so much trouble. It simply sounds like I need to build up a lot more muscles before I will make it 'look' easy.

Now that my mom is gone I am going to really start taking the chair with me so I can build up that strength so when I need it I will have it. There is no sense in not being able to walk far and not be able to push myself in my chair far. Then I just can't go ANYWHERE! Hehe

[fuentejps]

its all about repetition. as for steep ramps, i go down backward. sounds crazy, but i lean forward and press on rim tire w/ palm and forarm to control speed. do it w/ a spotter 1st.

[Sue132]

Hi Oli,
You and I are in THE same boat. Don't know where you live but if you're near Chicago look me up. I've had two major reconstructive spine surgeries and have rods, hooks, and screws in what's left of my lumbar spine. I can walk PERFECTLY FINE for about 45 seconds, literally. Then the trouble starts: severe pain. I, too, have a chair (Colours Spazz) and I'm encountering the very same issues that you are: tilted sidewalks, steep ramps, relatives (boyfriend in particular) who for some reason feel ashamed to be seen with me when I decide I need to use the chair (I'm giving in to the pain, or they tell me: "I have back pain, too, and I don't use a chair!". I'm trying to build arm strength but am developing some shoulder and elbow pain. Look me up via PM if you'd like to chat. :-)

[DestinationUnknown]

relatives (boyfriend in particular) who for some reason feel ashamed to be seen with me when I decide I need to use the chair (I'm giving in to the pain, or they tell me: "I have back pain, too, and I don't use a chair!".

That's not right and I'm really sorry to hear that you have people in your life that just don't understand.

[Oli]

Wow I'm sorry. I am lucky that my husband 'seems' to be able to deal with it ok. I think he is a little weirded out but tolerating it well enough. Probably since having a wife that never leaves home sucks so much that anything to get me out is good.

My problem is all of our acquaintances in our industry that we run into around town or when I went to and industry event and they all thought I fell off my horse and got hurt. Or else they thought I was weird or faking...

I am certainly not used to the explaining yet. My hubby also fumbled me up and down some little steps and we looked a mess. I would rather learn myself!

[dispatchjen]

Sue, why are you with a boyfriend that is ashamed of the fact that you have to use a chair. Their are plenty of men that understand....

[jody]

Hi Oli,
You and I are in THE same boat. Don't know where you live but if you're near Chicago look me up. I've had two major reconstructive spine surgeries and have rods, hooks, and screws in what's left of my lumbar spine. I can walk PERFECTLY FINE for about 45 seconds, literally. Then the trouble starts: severe pain. I, too, have a chair (Colours Spazz) and I'm encountering the very same issues that you are: tilted sidewalks, steep ramps, relatives (boyfriend in particular) who for some reason feel ashamed to be seen with me when I decide I need to use the chair (I'm giving in to the pain, or they tell me: "I have back pain, too, and I don't use a chair!". I'm trying to build arm strength but am developing some shoulder and elbow pain. Look me up via PM if you'd like to chat. :-)

they dont have a clue do they? I dont either since my pins and wires have been removed.

I know a few folks with hardware like you describe. I dont think they have given in.
My sister says she will pray for my pain. I told her dont bother.
pray for my upcoming surgery. the pain is here to stay. She thinks I have no faith, but I do. I have faith that the pain is what it is, and will probably not change unless it gets worse. It isnt that I dont believe in god, just that I dont think God is going to change things and make it all better.

anyway, why dont you get a crutch mount for your chair? you can use it as a walker too, (the chair)and your crutches or canes on the back indicate that you can walk some.

[jody]

......

[dispatchjen]

He can

Jody, why dont' you think GOD is going to make it all better. I understand that GOD made me the way I am for a reason and that HE has a plan for me and you but saying not to bother praying for your pain is the wrong attitude to have. If you have faith he may heal you from your pain but still be disabled wouldn't that be better than where you are now????? I ask GOD for things all the time (honestly not as much as I should) and he has opened doors for me and put me in a life I never dreamed i would have. I don't not ask for something because I think HE wont bless me with it. I have been in a wheelchair for as long as I can remember..When I was younger I never thought I would graduate High School, then go to college and receive two college degrees but I did by praying to GOD. The 14 years ago I applied to be a 911 dispatcher and honestly I never saw myself with the job but I prayed about it and not only did I get the job but here i am 14 years later in charge of the place. I have had a great life and I do not consider myself disabled at all and all of it is because of GOD. So please continue to pray for everything including your pain to go away.

[Oli]

I always assume people have great lives because of the choices they make and the people they are. I don't really think anyone else has anything to do with it. YOU made your life.

That being said, I don't mind people praying for me. Hey, no skin off my back. If it works, great. If it doesn't, I am still responsible for my own life.

The only thing that bothers me is when people thank god after a successful surgery when it was the surgeon that did all the work!

[dispatchjen]

IMO both GOD and the surgeon should be thanked. Yes the surgeon performed the surgery but who gave him the ability to do what he does. Anyone can't go to medical school and become a surgeon. GOD had to make him what he was. In my line of work just anyone can't do it...they had to be born with the ability and who gave them that ability GOD.

[Oli]

Agree to disagree?

This isn't really what this post is about anyway... Probably not the best subject for an online community. We can just stick to wheelchair stuff?
Oli

[Rbrauer]

Hey Oli..

It's already been stated by others multiple times.. time and practice.
Walk as much as you can to stay as physically fit as you can, but don't let the pain limit you, use the chair as well. You get much better cardio by standing..

Hope all goes well..

[Oli]

Went to costco and walmart today! Rolled myself in the chair and had zero problems. Of course it was all flat and smooth both the parking lots and the inside. But what is still amazing to me is that I have gotten home and have ZERO pain!!!! I mean no pain at all. Weeeeeird.

Never in my 39 years have I ever gone out and not come home in serious pain. I am so excited. Is is lame to be excited by being in a wheelchair? Is it amazing that a wheelchair so easily fixes my pain issues?

I did fix up my front sticky caster which seems to have helped, as well as all the other adjustments on the chair. It seems like it is really working perfectly now.

The only thing I cant quite figure out is how to clicker train my dog AND push myself in the chair! Hehe!! He is almost perfect but sometimes gets a little further away from the chair that I would like so I am trying to click and treat for him staying close. The click is fine but fishing the treat out takes too long between pushes. I will have to work on that.

Tomorrow I might try some sidewalks....
Oli

[woman from Europe]

No, it is not.

When I got mine after more than 30 years as a walking para with overuse pain and neuropain, I hardly could walk anymore and didn't want any chair, but did not have a choice in the end, I was so greatful for the chair and I still am. But it is easier to get a chair and use it when you can still walk, I am not that greatful anymore when I can hardly get up and stand for two seconds. Remember most of the people here has not got any choice from the start, both you and me had a choice and I think that is a difference.

But I was so tired of walking, 10 steps and my heart started to pound, I understood it was chair time, so later I just walked a little inside in the house. I tried to continue the walking but I lost it after two years. And after using the chair for a year, the overuse pain disappear.