Mobilising- what keeps you going when the going gets tough?

kittyruth

I know there are so many out there like me who have difficulty in walking and moving around. I struggle a lot but think that down to pain, physically being able to manage and how mentally I feel unable to go out a lot it is difficult. I think that without my little chihuahua i would never leave the house. I am so lucky that even my local chemist allow here to go with my to collect my dosette boxes or offer delivery when I cannot, thankfully on a good day we can get there to collect my meds. If I did not move around as much as I could I think my knees would give up altogether. I may be unable to go to the gym but my little motivator keeps me going. What keeps you going? What tips can you give that help you? I find people so very difficult to be around and people often don't know how I cannot cope with them. I will find ways to avoid them and even plan my dog walking around being able to avoid them. If I do happen to become overwhelmed and anxious when I have seen them it can takes weeks for me to walk where they were and find circuitous routes to avoid contact.

kittyruth

I am in the dusk or dawn club depending on my mood and have been know to walk in the cemetry near my home with light on my phone and foxes running past me and the dog putting the frights on us lol

kittyruth

Oops supposed to say foxes. Do you walk in the midnight club often? I am more often in the early morning walks because I wake up very early because of pain in various places and been in fight club when I have been asleep Ranald. Is it seeing people you find difficult too?

JennieWren

@Raynald I find that the chronic pain makes it hard to keep to ‘normal’ routines but I work really hard not to sleep during the day, so that I will sleep at night. I know it’s easier said than done with sleepless nights and high levels of meds, but it’s one thing that keeps me connected with everyone else. I hate mess so that’s a motivator for me. I fact one of my flare up tasks is dusting as it’s distracting, I feel useful but it’s not overwhelming as can just do one shelf or the tv, or whatever. Friends and family also keep me going. You’ll find who your real friends are - those that don’t mind you asking for extra cushions, specific chairs or to sit in another room or lay on the floor and arrange meeting places convenient and comfortable for me. Tbh I’d love a little dog, but the last two have been nightmares.

birdwatcher

I understand your comment kittyruth. The only reason I keep getting up in a morning is because of my dog. I can't take her out now( can't get out the house) . I sit at the back door with her on a long lead and let her potter round the garden. She seems happy enough. That said, she's 13 this year so doesn't want long walks now. When I first got her I was fit and active, I wouldn't have adopted her if I'd have known how my mobility was going to go. She's a big girl and a lovely one. One thing I did notice that as my walking got worse she got even sweeter natured, if that was possible. And she seemed to adapt to my disabilities better than I did. Very intuitive, always knows when I'm having a bad pain day. And I'd guess other dog owners would say the same about theirs

kittyruth

Haha my chihuahua seems to know I have health problems and tries to be a Staffy for me and gets overprotective when I am not feeling well. Aren't they a great reason to walk and get out day or night?! I think I would hide in my wardrobe 😅

kittyruth

Hi birdwatcher I am sorry you can't get out but am glad you both get to sit in the garden. I love to sit in my garden and get seeds or bulbs delivered to put into my garden. I sit on a little stool but even sitting at my backdoor helps me when I can't get out. Having a dog with me in or out is one of the best things ever. I am glad you have your dog, they are great non judges friends and a very good reason to get up even if on our home to feed etc...

kittyruth

@Raynald I had a mini JRT for 14yrs and when he passed away i stopped going out altogether and cried all the time. People kept asking me about him because he was always with me, after a year I adopted my little chihuahua and she was scarednof everything. I had to take her to dog training which I signed up for when I adopted her and then I had to help her do all of the things she was scared of. Now she is scared of nothing and wiggles her bum at me when I tell her to not do stuff. She doesn't let any dogs jump on my legs and goes to anyone who smiles at her and makes me have to engage with people. She loves children and really doesn't know she is a dog at all. Jennywren a little dog is a lot of work and thankfully I got mine before things got very very bad and she still feels very difficult to lift when I am in pain. I have to get some help walking her at times but without it I know I couldn't have her. I also know without her I could justify never having to see anyone. Pain and anxiety would be enough. I like to clean but not dusting. I always seem to be behind with everything though, especially hoovering. Hoovering does the opposite of motivating me…

kittyruth

Sorry Ranald have just realised predictive is putting Raynald, am just realising and can only apologise. What is your dogs name? He/she sounds like a loveable big edgit and full of beans. But more than I could manage. We had a friend who was a staff and he tried to pick my chihuahua up by the scruff. He treated her like his baby but she would tell him off and he would actually sit for her and not myself or his owner. It was very funny to see. He was also full of energy but very very loveable but he could easily knock me over.

JessieJ

I had to get a dog as I have had one all my life & it is the only thing that would get me out of bed, out of the flat & talking to people. I didn't want the latter, my GP did. The pup has give me the lift I knew she would & reason to live. Not been all plain sailing, in fact, my life is a bit more difficult with her, but I can live with that. I had to get a pup, so that I could train to how I have to live & do things. I started out with a pup sling bag, that sat well on my lap when in the wheelchair & she got/gets excited & climbs into it. The sling has been upsized & when she's had enough walking, actually, running, she jumps up to go back in her bag. She's learnt well & I'm now training her to pick up stuff that I drop & to pass laundry from the washing machine. She is the most loving little mutt & she is all the motivation I need to live.

kittyruth

Dear birdwatchers they are so clever and do seem to know us better.some days than we know ourselves. Mine goes to stand at benches along the walk we.go on or tries to get me into coffee shops or goes to my bed to get me to lie down. They are also the best at not judging me for being in my pyjamas looking like a wrinkled up old pillowcase lol

kittyruth

Take care Ranald and thankyou for chatting with me today. Take care if you are out. It has been bitterly cold in London today.

JessieJ

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/984848#Comment_984848

When she cracks it, it will be a big help, it's an on off trick atm. Meat flavoured laundry softener would crack it! 😉 She's good with sit, stay, fetch & leave. One useless thing she does is high 5s.

That's it with dogs, @kittyruth, loving, clever (sometimes) & non judgemental.

JessieJ

Morning @Ranald

Yes, some breeds are easier to train, especially if you can use their instincts. Hattie gets excited at meal times & sticks her head in the washing machine, so I'm using that. 😆 Maybe when I replace her badger toy, I'll try that. Actually, could use the rag that's left of the old one, especially as she's chewing that atm.

When I used to work on a farm, the Borders would happily rat & I can imagine your staffy would be pretty good too. Hattie scents them & would go if she saw one, if I let her.

ETA: Just tried her badger rag & yep, she nosed open the door & grabbed it, so training will be easier with that, once it's had a wash!! lol

kittyruth

@ Jessiej and @Ranald my little chihuahua chased a rat that popped out of a drain and one along the river. It was not much shorter in length than her (including the tail) i would be scared about one biting her because they carry so much diseasw and everything makes me ill. I catch every lurgy when I visit my neice and nephews

kittyruth

Hi @Ranald I am in west London but am lucky enough my home is council. I am indoors today as my friend said I needed a rest and took the dog for me. I am very glad. I am sorry you missed out because id the rain.

kittyruth

I am in zone 2 and live near close to district line tubes and piccadilly which is handy and buses are all the time. It means I can get shopping in a couple of hours if I need also which helps. It means I can live pretty independently despite everything and transport makes being able to get around lots easier. Can be a lot trying to travel when it's busy but people are pretty good and offer me seats. Some buses drivers are really good and let me sit down before they move off too lol. There is a lot of nurses housing near me cos I am near one of the hospitals. I don't know what hovering on 1C is? Sorry Ranald

durhamjaide2001

my parents are the ones that keep me going

egister

I think maybe I should get myself a sled dog to pull a specially modified wheelchair?

?

kittyruth

Durh@DurDurDuDuD

kittyruth

Sorry about above msg my hands are being disagreeable eas trying to type @Durhamjaide2001 i am glad you have your parents. None of my family leave in London or the south of Englad for that matter.

@Ranald the access is better but you have to still go extra stops to access it but lifts and step free are a bit better. People are often a bit more understanding about people needing seats or might be slow with steps and the disabled exits are better. I went to a gym for physio and got my knee brace stuck in the turnstile which was sore and 😳 embarrassing. Cold in London today and slippery in the graveyard I walk in. Had an appointment I did not like and am going to have to lie down have gotten a bit overwhelmed with everything today and am about to crash. Hope you are all having a good day and keeping warm. I am so cold and my flat feels freezing so am getting into bed.