I've been a friend of sticks for a long time. From the picture you can see that I started out very young using a stick. I was about a year old in this picture. However, about 7 years ago, my right knee popped out and the type of stick I used took on a different look.
For quite some time now, my trainer has been having discussions with me (well, pretty one-sided discussions with her discussing and me listening....LOL!) about putting down my stick. I have been reluctant about down that. When you're knee pops out, you feel pretty helpless. My knee has only popped completely out once, but that is not something that I have ever wanted to experience again, so I picked up a stick to help stabilize myself. It has been many years since I've used the stick 24/7. It has been a LONG time since I've taken it out of my van when at home or used it once I get inside my office area. But I definitely still feel more confidence with it when the terrain is rough, when walking long distances, when going up and down stairs, when stepping off curbs, etc. But, I have listened to the promptings of my trainer and begun committing to leaving it in the van at least one time during the day when I did anything other than go to work.
On Monday of this week, I did NOT make the choice to leave my stick in the van when I got to work that morning. However, as I was walking up the ramp to the office door, I realized that I got out the pull cart with my stuff in it, but forgot to grab my stick. I don't actually use the stick throughout the day while inside my office building, but I have been taking it in just in case I might need it. I mentioned earlier that I've been using it less and less when running errands during the day and so, Monday I just forgot to grab it. However, on Tuesday of this week, I made the choice to leave it in the van as I arrived at work and on any other errands I had to run that day. At the end of the day, here is the text message I sent to my trainer......Cynthia, 4:26 PM – Today, I have been to work, the dentist, Belk’s and now at McAlister’s Deli…..THE STICK has not left the van.
Cathy, 4:27 PM – Yipeeeeee!! Now don’t you feel empowered??!!!! Shoulders down and back, head held high!!!!!
Cynthia, 4:30 PM – Yes!! (I say with tears rolling down my cheeks) I feel free. Now….if I could only keep this tea inside my still “frozen” mouth.
It did, indeed, feel GOOD to not use the stick. It felt freeing.....truly freeing. There are situations when I'm fairly confident I will still carry my stick; however, when I know the terrain is smooth and flat and the amount of walking is somewhat limited, I am now stick-free.
Monday I did not make the choice to leave the stick in the van. However, on Tuesday, the choice was mine to leave it in the van and it felt good......I felt free. I like that feeling!! I like that choice!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment