What cane do you recommend?
I’m not quite sure a cane will help me right now because I walk so fast and sometimes trying to walk with a cane makes walking more awkward then just swerving. But I fell twice in December so I’m trying to slow down plus falling makes you slower. Anyway, I saw a lady with a cane yesterday standing still stabilizing herself with one. I’m pretty she didn’t have ataxia, but do any of you with ataxia walk with a cane that you find helpful enough to recommend?
I use one in the winter and on vacation - more to let others know to give me some room and to put to rest any thoughts of "is he drunk?". When the weather is nice out (i.e. no ice) I tend not to use one at home to avoid people thinking less of me. I know that I shouldn't care what others think - easier said than done! The one I have has an AirGo MiniQuad base on it (to give me a bit more stability if I need it). Generally when I am out with friends and/or family, I figure I have plenty of walking aids if I need them!
Thanks, I’ll google airgo miniquad.
BWGreen said:
I use one in the winter and on vacation - more to let others know to give me some room and to put to rest any thoughts of “is he drunk?”. When the weather is nice out (i.e. no ice) I tend not to use one at home to avoid people thinking less of me. I know that I shouldn’t care what others think - easier said than done! The one I have has an AirGo MiniQuad base on it (to give me a bit more stability if I need it). Generally when I am out with friends and/or family, I figure I have plenty of walking aids if I need them!
i have cerebeller ataxia but dont walk with a cane yet and hope i dont have to.i m sure it would be helpful if needed
I have sca 2. I bought one tonight. I love it, I feel more stable.
refinisher said:
i have cerebeller ataxia but dont walk with a cane yet and hope i dont have to.i m sure it would be helpful if needed
Try to get a long walking pole if you can so that you are as upright as possible. Then when you need to use two poles or the ground is very uneven. I use a walker now and wheelchair when I go out but walking poles are very good : )
I used one off and on, it was my dad’s. But ever since I moved I can’t find it.
Try to get a long walking pole if you can so that you are as upright as possible. Then when you need to use two poles or the ground is very uneven. I use a walker now and wheelchair when I go out but walking poles are very good : )
This sounds crazy but it works. I used to walk fast too but when I went to physical therapy they had me slow down, walk with my shoulders back and lead with your hips. Felt kind of weird at first to do that but we walk fast because we're playing catch up. We're leaning forward, which puts us off balance, and then we walk faster to try to keep us centered, but if we stand straighter we won't and don't trip. I went from tripping many times a day and falling about twice a week to very little tripping and falling only 1-2 times a month. I usually trip when I forget to keep my shoulders back.
Hmmm - I'll have to try that! I tend to walk quickly - it's the only way that I feel somewhat stable!