Hello 😊

Franabelle

Hello, 

Very new to looking for help for my disabilities and I often worry I'm not disabled enough for support, especially as my conditions fluctuate enormously but I stumbled across this forum after a Google search for whether I should use a stick or a cane, so probably need more support than I let on 😂

Jimm_Alumni

Hi @Franabelle! Welcome to our community  

I totally get the "am I disabled enough?". Asked myself that so many times for the first several years of having Crohn's disease. Took me even longer to start accepting and asking for help or support when I needed it.

It's never wrong or bad to ask for support. There's this idea sometimes that you have to "pull yourself up by your bootstraps". Speaking of that reminds me, because the origin of the phrase was "Why can not a man lift himself by pulling up on his bootstraps?" in a textbook from the 1800s. It was a sarcastic comment about trying to do something that is impossible, yet somehow turned into a phrase about something people expect others to do without issue.

Went on a bit of a tangent there, oops.   

Anyhow, how are you doing? I hope it's not rude to assume you're having some mobility issues if you've reached the point of asking if a cane or walking stick would be handy? We've a section on equipment certainly. If you're having issues moving around have you considered you may be eligible for some benefits?

Franabelle

Thank you. I am a benefit and welfare advisor so all good on the benefit front ☺️. I have CFS, bipolar, FND which causes significant nerve pain and weakness in my left side. And waiting for an MRI for my migraines, tension and pressure headaches. Feels a lot laid out but I manage fairly well most of the time. I have started using a stick a bit when I'm more worn out but wondering if crutches would be better? It's just to take the weight off the weak side so I can walk further and keep up with my 4 year old! 

Jimm_Alumni

They certainly do speed up as they age don't they? Much easier to look after when they're just crawling around then hop, skip, jump a few years and they're sprinting all over the place. Oh, I could not be a parent I think.

I'm glad you've already got a lot sorted, it's a common ask as many don't know what they're entitled to! As I'm sure you experience in your own work everyday. I am not a benefits advisor, I cannot fathom understanding the beast that is the DWP's systems, I just point people in the right direction... Like to yourself  

I haven't had mobility issues myself so I'm not sure on the answer of walking stick or crutches but I'll ask around. Also hopefully other community members will pop by who may have advice or opinions on it.

Franabelle

Thank you so much 😊 

I could rant about DWP all day 😂 it's very nice to have such a lovely hello. Makes approaching new forums less daunting!

chiarieds

Hi @Franabelle - & welcome to the community from me also. I would suggest asking your GP to refer you to a physiotherapist. They would be able to provide you with a walking stick & ensure it's the right height, or you could try a pair of elbow crutches.

I wonder if you're using your current walking stick correctly, as you hold it with the hand on your good side, then you move this forward at the same time as your weaker leg (so the walking stick then takes some of your weight), & then take a step with your good leg.

I'm a retired physio who now often use elbow crutches when out; I just couldn't manage very well with a stick, especially with cobbled roads to walk across!