Hurrah! Took a bit. Beginning of Australian excursion blog now on. Click on the New South Wales – Australia 2013 link above.
Good Day Mate!!
Dale Williams
Stating The Obvious
Hurrah! Took a bit. Beginning of Australian excursion blog now on. Click on the New South Wales – Australia 2013 link above.
Good Day Mate!!
Thanks for the blog, Dale. Blair’s trying to respond but her email is being a problem so we’ll see is this one works.
Good mons. Et mdme. Hope all is as well with the 2 of you as it may occur to those of us living your Australiaexperience. Take care enjoy. Cam
Hey Dale!
Man… I’ve been thinking… I spoke to a 40yo lady in a chair the other day who I saw get up and walk back to her car!… On asking, she had a shattered vertebrae at t11-12, l-1 where my injury occurred….,
She saw me on my walking stick walking elegantly but slowly, and she suggested ( although she at first had difficulty saying it) that it may be better for me if I am to attempt long “walk” that I would be better off in a portable, lightweight wheel chair???!!!!
Waddyathink ?
I’m seeking answers and help man!
Cheers
GT
Hi Graeme,
As the lady indicated there can be advantages to using a chair over longer distances. As with everything though, there are trade offs. Before going forward with a purchase, I would talk with an Occupational and probably a Physical Therapist. An occupational therapist can assist with seating and getting the most ergonomically suitable chair, and perhaps one which will suit your lifestyle best. For example, the chair I have is one which was fitted to me and which would be metaphorically compared to a small ute. It is lightweight and I can get around on all kinds of ground. The more popular chairs (at least in North America) could be compared to sports cars. I find them limiting over rough terrain. However you also don’t want a hospital chair which can be hard to push due to its design (and perhaps weight) and may be damaging to your muscles/tendons etc.
And a physical therapist can help by providing advice on whether or not a chair will be helpful and perhaps by providing some exercises which will counteract the constant pushing done by the shoulder musculature. Pushing the chair over time can cause various issues such as rotator cuff injury etc. On the positive side, it may also help develop upper body strength. You may not be subject to much in the way of injuries because of your walking ability, but I would check it out anyway.
I do know some people who can walk with crutches/canes who like to use a chair for general mobility because it is considerably easier to get around. In a chair they are also less prone to things like foot and ankle injuries.
Hope this helps and I haven’t run on too long.
Good Day Mate!! (if that is the correct saying?)
Dale
PS. We spent a couple of days in Katoomba, then were at the Wellington Caves and at the Canowindra “Age of Fishes” Museum today. On to Canberra tomorrow.
Nice to see the blog up and running again!
Some good readin and nice pictures.
Those blue mountains look incredible – and I really want to visit that Powerhouse museum. Are you back home yet?
Hey Cole.
Yes we are back. In Bonnyville this weekend for my nephew’s wedding, was same day as Bailey’s. Hope to see you in GP!!