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Post by mlosee on Oct 2, 2008 14:12:03 GMT -5
he's also making the choice to seriously destroy his back!!! Walking doesn't destroy my back, far from it. my back is pretty darn strong. (although I do need to strech my back every morning to feel my best) Before I started walking there were muscles in my back that i had full control/feeling and they were atrophying from lack of use. Not so much anymore!
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Post by mlosee on Oct 2, 2008 14:20:38 GMT -5
i don't know about that. his hip joints are taking something of a beating, tho. My hip joints do take a beating its true. with good technique (focus to keep my hips closed, feet straight forward) the impact on my hips is much less. Sometimes I wear my z-coil shoes with springs on the bottom to absorb the impact of my foot striking. (sounds nerdy I know) My first set of springs lasted me ~4-6 weeks until they were completely shot(they usually lasts months if not year+). I use a more rigid spring now My hips are the only part of my body I ever worry about. But for 5.5 years full time, so far so good. Walking the mile consistently did tend to make my right hip ache (left seems ok, I am much better at keeping that hip closed, you can see it int he way I walk). I don't walk the mile so much anymore ( I don't think I could if I tried right now, I've gained a husband-like gut since I've gotten married), but I probably walk about 1/4 a mile in my typical day of walking, which is plenty for me. he's not dragging himself along by shoulder and arm strength alone. That's exactly what I try to avoid. I shoot for straight up lift of my feet by shifting my hips and stand as straight up as possible. Arm-crutches or walkers or parallel bars are common for paralyzed people in braces, but all of those facilitate slouching forward with the weight on the arms, not the legs. I use offset canes that I can't lean on. Makes for much better walking in my opinion The other way just isn't functional.
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Post by mlosee on Oct 2, 2008 14:25:21 GMT -5
Dont like to think what nerve damage he is doing ot his hands too thats if he is real,even though he has got a better action than I ever did when I was younger.Reason why I stopped using the sticks & calipers,if your arms & hands take a beating doesn't do your mobility in a chair much good in later life. I walk standing as straight up as possible, most of my weight is NOT on my arms/hands- its on my legs. When I first started walking I totally used a Kung-Fu Death Grip on my canes, my hands would cramp up and sweat. Now that walking doesn't freak me out so much, my grip is pretty loose and relaxed. Hands are good, thank you for the concern
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Post by Claire on Oct 2, 2008 16:02:04 GMT -5
Wow, Michael, you seem to be a real class act. Thanks for explaining this to us so thoroughly and calmly. What do you say about the issue that programs like this one promote the (what Triassic said so eloquently) 'get out of the w/c you loser crip' vibe? Is using a chair seen as some kind of failure?
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Post by mlosee on Oct 2, 2008 16:37:31 GMT -5
Wow, Michael, you seem to be a real class act. Thanks for explaining this to us so thoroughly and calmly. What do you say about the issue that programs like this one promote the (what Triassic said so eloquently) 'get out of the w/c you loser crip' vibe? Is using a chair seen as some kind of failure? I've personally never felt the "get out of a w/e you loser crip" vibe or felt that was being directed towards me at the STST Program. Everyone I knew at the STST Program had their own motivation to walk with different reasons to do so, but they all were the same in that given the choice, they would at least try to walk. A lot of them absolutely hated the wheelchair and just wanted to be out of it, although I never felt that way. Some people make it sound like I wouldn't be ok with myself if I had to be 100% in a wheelchair. That's just plain false. I myself never perceived that I would be a failure if I didn't walk. I have always tried my best to stay positive and love my live, no matter what, even throughout the most difficult parts. If I never learned to walk in leg braces I would be just fine with myself using a wheelchair. But as it is, I had that choice. I know that walking in leg braces is not for everybody, just like how I know a wheelchair full time isn't for me. I haven't put up these videos to say "Hey look at me I can walk, I'm sooooo good." I put up videos just to get the word out that there are many paralyzed people who have a choice between walking and a wheelchair. Right now no one knows that, and I know that I appreciate that choice every day.
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Post by E on Oct 3, 2008 7:57:05 GMT -5
G'day Michael and welcome here. I have a couple of questions for you. How much did it cost you to get to this point and did you pay for it or did someone else? Whatever the cost was seems to have paid off, quite honestly. How much have I paid in PT since birth? How much has it helped? He has the choice of "walking" when he likes or wheeling when he likes. Seems like a great way to be... Can you really put a price on another way to get around, more mobility, more options?
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Post by dolly on Oct 3, 2008 9:07:05 GMT -5
very cool of you to join us, michael! it was the "100%" claim on the STST website and yours that puzzled me and seemed to imply that a wheelchair was just not being considered an option. ever. i couldn't imagine that you wouldn't be missing out on a lot of fun stuff that way. thanks for explaining and clarifying. in reality it seems like you make a choice to wheel or walk depending on the circumstance, which seems more practical and i imagine opens more doors of opportunity to you. out of curiousity, do you use your braces all the time at home too, or do you sometimes use your chair? as an aside, your wife is a lucky lady....
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Post by Ouch on Oct 3, 2008 13:38:03 GMT -5
G'day Michael and welcome here. I have a couple of questions for you. How much did it cost you to get to this point and did you pay for it or did someone else? Whatever the cost was seems to have paid off, quite honestly. How much have I paid in PT since birth? How much has it helped? He has the choice of "walking" when he likes or wheeling when he likes. Seems like a great way to be... Can you really put a price on another way to get around, more mobility, more options? Well, I for one, think there can be a price too much for an 'extra mobility 'option''. In the case of this fellow, he has described his circumstances, and all of the factors enable limited walking to be a feasible option for his health and one he enjoys/prefers (which is what really matters). For some trying to push theirselves to walk when it is a very marginal 'option' is just trying to achieve, at best, a pyrrhic victory; efforts that could be better spent being in an optimal position by using a wheelchair. Another point I was going to comment that was made (by E - I believe) was the 'exercise potential' I was going to mention in my previous post, that yes, one thing I did have to thank for ambulating when I did, was it provided a great form of exercise for my whole body that I can't replicate choosing to use a wheelchair full-time.
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Post by mlosee on Oct 3, 2008 15:07:17 GMT -5
G'day Michael and welcome here. I have a couple of questions for you. How much did it cost you to get to this point and did you pay for it or did someone else? Hmmm not much considering what I got in return. It cost $650/month. I alternated paying for it every month with my parents for the first year. The second year I got a sponsorship from Fed-EX and got a totally free ride. I think someone's dad worked at Fed-Ex or something Seems like most of the people who are there for 1-2 years end up getting sponsored somehow. Some have been sponsored for years. I believe Leighton is not in it for the money, and on more than one occasion in the past kept working with someone even if they couldn't pay. (don't think that'd happy anymore though) A little about Leighton... He genuinely appreciates changing someone's life for the better. To some people he's a big teddy bear (he's a big guy, can bench 500+ lbs, seriously lol) and to some they're afraid he'll rip their head off. Some become good friends with him while they work to walk and some leave because they can't handle him.
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Post by mlosee on Oct 3, 2008 15:16:20 GMT -5
He has the choice of "walking" when he likes or wheeling when he likes. Seems like a great way to be... You hit the nail on the head! Being able to ambulate in braces opens another door with loads of options. It just takes so much hard work and time to get to that point =\ let alone mustering the belief to even think its possible.
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Post by mlosee on Oct 3, 2008 15:24:19 GMT -5
out of curiousity, do you use your braces all the time at home too, or do you sometimes use your chair? Yeah mostly I just walk around the house. I usually don't take off my leg braces until just before bed. There are some days (Saturdays mostly) where I don't have to go anywhere or do anything and I'll just crawl around the house like some rugrat. Crawling gets me where I need to go in the house well enough though. I do enjoy my smallish ~1300 sq/ft rambler! as an aside, your wife is a lucky lady.... Thank you, I will pass the word on
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Post by BA on Oct 3, 2008 19:08:29 GMT -5
Thank you, Michael, for taking the time - in a non-defensive way to clarify for us what your experience has been with the STST program. I have had some strong negative feelings about some of these programs. I am glad that your experience was positive and that you have a variety of mobility options that work for you.
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Post by roger888 on Oct 4, 2008 2:40:16 GMT -5
Thanks for coming on here & explaining how & why you get around like you do.You didnt have to & I respect the fact that you took the time. From your posts on here it shows you have have thought about your mobility carefully & with a lot of intelligence & experimentation.Look after that body, its got to last you a long time
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Post by rollingbear on Oct 4, 2008 14:55:50 GMT -5
I am an extremely active T6/7 para 35 years post injury who played competitive w/c sports for over 25yrs. At age 60, I still go to schools as part of a w/c sports demonstration team emphasizing keeping a Positive Mental Attitude and maximizing one's potential. Primarily, I ride a handcycle now for conditioning as it is easier on the shoulders and gives a great cardio workout. I also see a masseuse twice a week. Who said life had to be hard lol.
Yeah, my shoulders are pretty shot, to the point where I am looking at a power chair for part time use. 35 years of dragging my sorry ass thru life takes its toll; as it would have anyway. I've learned, and still learning, that metaphorically speaking, its not about the number of lbs. a person can benchpress but that they press what they can for as long they can. To maximize ones potential with what they have left. Whether its walking a mile in braces or sipping on a controller.
Studies have shown those with SCI and are sedentary compared with competitive wheelchair athletes; Both shoulders were in the same degenerative conditions years post injury.
Most of the brace walkers I have met eventually quit because it takes so much effort to use them. They were inefficient in the fact its tough to carry stuff while walking; and in the early days, the "walkers" weren't trained in proper gait ergonomics thus wrecking their hips and lower backs. Back in my rehab days, they even tried to get us higher breaks using braces. The farthest I used them was to walk up to my moms third floor apartment from my first floor apt. She cried. After that I just used them for standing until standers came along.
Dang, I would trust that any T 12 would try the option of braces. Way to go Michael! The posters are right; Take care of your body its the only one we have. Sounds like you are doing just that.
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Post by BA on Oct 5, 2008 22:00:17 GMT -5
...but Fubb, just to play devil's advocate here: Do you think there is any possibility that the people who have tried some of these programs to recondition muscles and ambulate, even minimally, might be somehow better prepared if and when a cure does come? I don't know, I am just speculating.
PS to all you Americans. If you are certain that you DO NOT want a cure for SCI, Cancer, Neuromuscular disease, etc. but you DO WISH to fund the war effort - be sure to cast your vote for McCain/Palin on November 4th.
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