Cane Anyone??

[tonyad]

    Well, today was the First day I used a cane in public.
Am I shallow for saying that I felt quite embarrased?  Although I NEVER look at nor think anything ill of anyone I see using a cane.....Never give it a second thought!  why do I feel this way?

     It most certainly helped me w/ my balance (as I tend to tip to the right) Now I just look like a drunk swinging my cane around. Lol   It also seemed to help with being able to hit a couple more isles than usual in the store.
Perhaps it is a few different feelings.......let me say right first off, that I am NOT Vain.....But I do need to add that that darn cane will not look "Cute" w/ a new pair of jeans and a REALLY cute top to match..let's not forget those ever so stylish shoes that complete the outfit. (ha,ha)

    OK guys, all kidding aside, Please tell me how you feel or have felt when using a cane. I truly felt so embarrased and like everyone was (ok well not everyone) was looking at me thinking..."Whats her deal". she looks fine....."(That cane does NOT match her outfit")..
    
    I did cry in the car even though I keep trying to make lite of it. I know this post probably reads as though I am being a smart butt or whatever, but I guess me trying to laugh at it instead of cry as I am typing this helps in some weird way. :) Maybe another part of Reality is Hitting me?

Thanks for helping w/ your wonderful answers and advice that you will share with me.
~Tonya

[grannyhotwheels]

I have never been able to use my cane much except for occasionally around the house. I pretty much went straight to the walker.  My walker is a crimson color and on the rubber piece across the top I have a {BOOMER SOONER} football bumper sticker. I call it my Sooner Schooner.  AS you may have noticed I'm a huge Oklahoma football fan.

Whatever it is that you love you can decorate your cane that way. If I did use my cane in public I would probably have Sooner decals all over it. That's just me though.

When I first started using my walker I felt just like you did. I just knew everyone was staring at me. I was a young 40 year old woman having to use a walker and now to top that off I also have to wear braces on both legs.  Guess what?  They also have Sooner stickers on them.

Try not to let it get you down. I know it's hard but it's also the hand we have been dealt. I try my hardest to give it all to my LORD and let him handle it for me.  It really does work most of the time. The only time it doesn't is when I try to handle it on my own.

May the LORD bless you and take your pain away.

I'll be praying,
Carol

[Phyllis2010]

I haven't been diagnosed, may never be, but I'm using a cane right now and I  like to think of it as a wonderful fashion accessory. It's an "antique" cane (used by my Mother who had Parkinson's disease) with a carved dog's head and lovely wood. I actually get compliments on it and try to think of it, positively, as a jaunty walking stick, especially since it really helps me. Good luck with yours.

[amers789]

Oh Tonya, My sweet friend, I can imagine the feeling of being stared at and all I can think of if that was me I would "smile" them away. It is going to be an adjustment, so give yourself a break, cry, scream, laugh, and whine to us. I am hoping it will become only necessary on your bad days but if you need it all the time then eventually you won't' even  notice others, for now just hang in there, grieve your loss then let it go like Pastor Dan said to the one who loves you no matter how you look and he will scoop you in his arms and let you hang there till you feel like you can go on again.
I will pray for you and hope you will accept it as a asset to allow you to do what you want to do. Then when you are ready  push on, where else can you go but forward right..
God Bless Amers:))))HUGS

[MsWobbles]

Hey, Tonyad,

Your tears are understandable:  You see disease progression and its effect on your life.
A period of mourning your old life is to be expected.

I'm also a cane user - started using one in my later 50's after falling without warning or reason, hitting my face on pavement, breaking my glasses, and requiring stitches to my face.  Can honestly say I prefer a cane to the above experience.

You're in a whole different ballgame than I am though: Young, attractive.  I can see that it would be much harder for you than for me to start using a cane - especially one of the utility variety that is just standard metal and doesn't add any personality or style to your presentation.  Thus, I suggest you get a very classy-looking cane - something different from what us "older folke" are using.  

You can find some really awesome canes that will have others envious of you - some with ivory handles, fine wood, carved handles. Look in upscale luggage shops and department stores, maybe online even.  And you can also find some humorous and zany ones - I've seen some at our zoo store - classic, colorful, very unusual with animal heads for handles.  Get one for your different moods and attire.  Once you find a cane can actually add to your style, I think you'll be happier with using one.  It'll set you apart in a distinguished, positive way.

I hope you never have a fall like I experienced.  I had fallen many, many times prior, but that was the worst fall of my life.  And sometimes just one fall can permanently end our mobility - I mean as in forever!  Keep in mind a cane can help prevent that situation - can help keep us mobile.  

Best of luck with your new mobility tool!

Weakandfalling

[Queenfan]

I use my cane when I know I'm going to have a long day.  My balance gets worse as the day goes on, and then my knees start betraying me as well before it's over.  It's too the point now that I'm now looking for forearm canes.  Holding onto the one I have now is making the carpal tunnel crap stir up and makes my hands hurt like crazy - so it's onto different types.

It's terrible when the mind is young and the body gets "old" before it's time.  Heck, I'm only 45 and I still take on my older teens in Nintendo Mario Karts (video game) and whoop their butts every time!  (and they call me old!  LOL)

[PastorDan]

The guys at the county began referring to my cane as "Kasey."  You'd have to be a NASCAR fan to get it, so here's where that comes from: one of the young stars on the Cup circuit in recent years is named Kasey Kahne, pronounced like "cane".  For some reason I still root for Jimmie Johnson.