Home
Links
Thought for the Day
Keeping cool this summer
Share your Information
The Bacfelcon Pump
Swimming Is the Best Exercise
Vision and MS
Think Positive
Hand controls
The Healing Power of Prayer
Life as an MS person
Our Unwelcome guest MS
Social Security Disability
Give Yourself A Break Part 2
Stress leads to new lesions
Links to Alternate Medicine
We do what we can do
Gardening for the disabled
Know how to relax and live
Nutrition for you
Life after MS sets in
How the Road with MS could Go.
For men only
Attitudes and desires
ART anyone can do
Travel with your wheelchair or scooter
AFOs or ankle foot orthosis
Making it easy for yourself
PPMS and SPMS survey results
How I deal with MS Fatigue
Understanding The Whole Body
Fighting Fatigue of MS
Marriage and Your MS
Picture ID you need one
Eyes Skin and nails reflect
The right yardstick for you
WHEN A PARENT HAS MS
MS
Classic beginning three yrs
experiences with AFOs and etc
The best climate to live in
Do you love your braces
MS is no place for wimps
A proactive approch to your MS
The Open Book
Wheelchair living part 2
Full Time Wheelchairing
The Old Ship
Times forgotton and new times
My 20 plus years as a MSer
The practical Crutches
Meeting Maxine
Three children all disabled
Tips on wearing braces
A short story about an MSer
 A different life for Ronald
Primary Progressive MS
mainly a form equally shared
The things to expect in PPMS
Making a go of it
Primary Progressive MS
living a severely disabled
Living alone in a wheelchair
HELP you can get
Making the best of life
MS is bad but live with it
Lets make the best of our live
Bladder Wars
Bladder Disfunction part ll
Bladers part 3
More on Bladder and MS
Blood brain barrier
Food and suppliments
MS and Blood brain Barrier
Books
magazines
Publications
Diabled travel keep rolling!
travel any where in comfort
MS people are traveling
GOD HAS A Plan
His plan maynot be ours
GOD has a Plan
Getting about better
Clawson Rocker Shoes
Assistive devices and shoes
Inspirational Poems
Sent By Viewers
Inspirational Poems
Little tidbits of info.
Regular revisions weekly
This and That
MS crutches users
Crutch users only
Male Sex Problems
Sex and MS
Ms and your Bladder
Bladder dysfunction
Museums
Some web site to amuse you
My Visit to the Factory -6-98
New Update
Clawson Rocker Shoes
Humor
MS Humor
Just MS
You just found out it's MS
Newly diagnosed MS patients
Its bad for your health
Living alone in a wheelchair
Living alone and disabled
Crutches that are decorative
Broken Beauties
Live your best way
We can win
The greatness of our body
MS planning of future
We usually can do more
Planning your future
New research in MS
New Gene Study In MS
story of beauty in deformed
My narled Tree of beauty
cane,crutches or walker
what you choose will depend
Sorting out assistive devices
Using crutches with ease
New Update
Crutches page 2
Useful information
For Your Information
Relationships
MS Or Who Doesn't Have MS
Relationship Between A Person
Stress is one of your enemies
Learn to relax
The Opposite of Stress
There life not centered on MS
They have great success
MS people in the news
Wheelchair users only
Wheelchair Living if it goes that way
etc. ms interests
some Ms related web sites
links to other MS pages
Other MS pages to see
reinvent your life again
Reinvent your self
some of these chips are here
Medical chips you might need
why exercise?
Keep those organs going!
Exercise to keep you up
Braces why you many need them
A brace will actually extend
A functional need for a brace
|
| See my other page on crutches and users . Update March 20,2006 |
 |
| Really was worse until betaseron came out in 1992 |
UPDATE OCT 29,2006 Eventually with MS and progression crutches will not be enough.
My doctors told me this years ago.But it doesn't always happen just like the doctors
predict.Hang in there and keep taking your meds.RET
June 12,2006 rainy weather is one of the worse night mares for us crutches
users.Its very easy to slip on smooth pavements or wet decks.I have rain
tips and I still feel the slip coming and take measures like get away
and seek a dry place soon like indoors.RET
UPdate March 20,2006 the 20+years I have used crutches to suppliment my weak
legs and smooth out a poor gait I have discovered that you end up depending upon
them more all the time. My doctor reinterated the point I need my crutches all the time and stop using just one crutch even for short distance. Its making your back worse.
he also wants me to use a mixture of forearm crutches and usderarm crutches as each
kind really distribue the load differently
Check out this decorative crutches.www.lemonaidcrutches.com
Update;march 27,2007 clinical deteration.Eventually maybe your doctor will tell
you sometime after you become classified to SPMS that you have clinical deteration.I now have it and my doctor thinks a full time use of a wheelchair can't be too far off.
RET
Richard
July 11,2005 Probably the lowest cost folding crutches on the planet! The Millennian
crutch. Put millennial crutches in your browser search space and see them at $64
They are ergonically designed to reduce pain in back, arms hands ,elbows.They are made so the blood flows properly to hands , arms and other places.They will put you long ahead of the distance you can travel with tratidional underarm crutches.
You can call the company at 1-800-320-7140 their web site is www.1-800-wheelchair.com
These crutches fold quickly with push pins so they will fit into the overhead bins on air crafts,or in other tight spots where you may wish to sit down and not have a problem of storage of clumbsy crutches. After all you have one handicap you don't need another by having bulky crutches.
RET
January 3,2005 How many crutches users would be interested in getting folding Underarm crutches? I 'm collecting interested peoples desire for getting them for less that $100
If this sounds good to yo respond by emailing me at RET1000@aol.com
Richard
UPdate Dec 2005
We had then no real drugs that would stop or slow down the progression of MS .That would come 12 years later with betaseron in 1992.Which really made me feel the progression as I knew too many folks in the local community who had advanced to wheelchairs very fast.My doctor had looked at my MRI and told me it was probably
going to be Chronic progressive. My buddies down at the local MS support group said that ment no let up in slow progression. This was only my 2 and 1/2 years since Dx of MS.
The first year with crutches was a great learning year.Eventually the steps didn't look so bad and my distance spread out to further walks without extreamly being fatigued.
But I really was determined to force myself to do it and overcome all obsitcles and
fears of motion and steps. Eventually I tackeled getting on an escalator going up.
That is not as scary as looking down a set of escalators. When I whipped that fear I was next to try in London England on the subways or tubes as they call them with my
carry on bag strapped on my sholder.I really didn't like to have pushy people behind
me on the escalator. Naturally by the time I went my first trip to London I was then also
used to my AFOs Which I had been wearing over a year by then. After London and a few cities in Europe I was ready to write a book on crutches agility but didn't.
The drop foot can best be handled by short braces or AFOs then the crutches with smooth out your gait.I walk one and a half to two miles early each morning here in Florida.By most of the rules or known lack of effeceny associated with progressing SPMS affected walking you are not supost to be able to walk this far without rest. But I have been doing it now for years and I'm now 71.
My last 5 years I have had the other kind of braces ,that attach to shoes made of metal and leather they really are better and cooler.
I think many MS affected persons will give up too easy and some are down right not about to use the right equipment.One husband locally has told his bride she should
take a lesson from Richard and be fitted with braces . She actually has given in too easily to a wheelchair.I walk daily by her house just to taunt her with my agility with crutches.
But In the beginning I had a very good mentor who had used crutches for many years take me under her wing so to speak and teach me a few tricks with crutches and also to
put me to ease with ambilation and social contacts.My wife only put up with her as my mentor ,as she was nearly the same age as me ,because she felt I was learning some good lessons from her. She had some neat crutches I should have bought before the company
in Seattle went out of business .The inventor had devised folding underarm crutches.
Which my mentor had told me to get as she gave me the address and then they only
cost $100 + UPS but in 1987 that was a lot of money for me.
Ever since then my cousin who lives in Seattle a
has been on the lookout for a pair of these that might show up in a garage sale for me.
She has in over 15 year only seen one person using them.She reported to me that the inventor actually died as the reason they are not anymore for sale.My other cousin also a long term crutches user with MS ,but not in Seattle but In ST Louis,Mo. does just as good on her crutches and braces as I do . We must have similar heredity and disability.
Both of us are on betaseron and have had slow progression She being 6 months older than me had to recently move into a assisted living home as her husband died and she
decided she couldn't manage to live in her own home.
That day 19 years ago when my then doctor said I want you to try crutches for two weeks and see if you gait smooths out.He was so right and although I wasn't too happy taht day I have since learned how much he knew about progressively worseing gaits can be improved not by drugs but devices ,crutches and/or braces. RET
DEC 4,2003 www.crutchcozies.com take a look at the classie comfort you can have with these great underarm pads. Crutches users the comfort level of just crutches is raising.Making your life much more acceptable .RET
Dec.3,2003 a neat web site for those of us who use crutches and will continue for a
long time to come.Try www.brokenbeauties.com I especially liked their crutches covers.They fit over underarm crutches with powerful designs
Nov.24,2003 I was asked recently as someone noticed I wasn't bearing down very heavily
with the crutches on the ground.Then comes the comment "Why don't you try getting by with a cane?" Then i answered ,"Because I don't want to just get by.I want the comfort
and the security that crutches offer me"
I feel right with them with a cane I feel unsure and out of balance. RET
Nov.2,2003 Zoe Koplowitz well know for doing the NYC marathon with her crutches.
Today completed her 17th marathon.But this year she had to add full legbraces as her legs are a lot weaker. She has a result of her 30 years of Ms and using crutches during most of that time developed carple tunnel syndrome due to using crutches so long.
But being a colorful lady this year she had colored fuchia crutches to match her eye
shadow. Keep walking Zoe.You are inspiration to all of us. RET
Oct.23 2003 My new therapist tells me some of his patients who need crutches will get them then cheat and used them only when they are feeling worse.the strain is still usually there but somehave this sensitively of looks,but pay for it latter.RET
Aug.13,2003
I think most people would figure it out
the bigger diameter hand grip on crutches the easier it is on your metacarpel
bones in your wrists.The test of this was proven in the lab when about 100 individuals who were long term crutches users traded for larger hand grips and had less pain or none in the wrists.
All the better built crutches have larger hand grips .The ones you get in the pharmacy for $40 usually aren't.They really are only ment for short termers.
REUPDATE: May 10.2003 "Comment,"I like your crutches ,where did you get them?
This was a comment from a woman about my age who was also using crutches ,but
nothing special just garden variety of forearms.When I asked if she had a computer
she said no.Then thinking <*I guess I can't send her to the web site of the company>
But then I remembered they also had a 800 telephone number.I had not memorized the number so I said give me your phone number and I'll call you to give you the number.
I did so within the same day.That was three weeks ago.Then today I saw her
again in the same pharmacy and with her new Keen navigator crutches.
She was as happy as I'm with mine.
UPDATE APRIL 6;
After only one walk using my new style and newly engineered crutches from
Keen mobility ,I'm more I'm more excited than at any time in my 17years of using crutches.
The engineering improvements of these under arm crutches is just marvelous!
Really with the change of configeration of the underarm piece,the shockabsorbers
built into the tubing and the different positioning of the hand grips.
I never expected a pair of crutches to do this much for me.The woman who called me
from the company was right."These crutches will easily become your favorite and
you will never want to let go of them'
The company just came out with these new creations.I wish i would have had such
17years ago.It would have made my crutch life more acceptable>I would have walked
more without fatigue.
The three longer walks I have taken since getting these new crutches have been a
brand new experience.I find myself able of doing a longer distance without the usual
fatigue I get with any of my very expensive forearm crutches.
Since there is nothing that will ever cure my multiple sclerosis probably in my
life time ,I might as well have the best of equipment to help me about.These new
crutches have been the biggest surprise in amy years of struggling to walk.
I recogmend you the reader at least look at their web pages .www.keenmobility.com
regards Richard
UPDATE FEB 10,2003 Actually a near rewrite!!!
Why you need crutches NOW! I know its not what you wanted to hear says the doctor.
but your not getting by and your gait has become worse>The cane isn't working.You
get fatigued and your legs shake too often.
Just try the crutches for two weeks then make up your mind about continueing to
use them.
What you will find out is there is a leverage with them properly used that you don't
get with a cane of walker on wheels.Try the four point walk,where the left crutch and the
left leg hit the ground at about the same time.Then allow the right leg start to move
almost with the forward motion of swing,followed by the right crutch coming behind and
the left hand is pushing to push the body forward.
You get a twpe of leverage using arms to relieve the legs that are balking on their
use.You will not get this leverage with a cane,nor a walker on wheels,
I tried for two weeks to get to using a wheeled walker But at the end of the test all I wanted to do was take it back to the store.
Once you get the hang of it you will find it eastand your distance of walking
will get longer before you get fatigued.With MS especially SPMS there is no hope
of ever not eventually getting fatigued.
But there is hope with crutches you will get about better,not falll down and
learn to actually some time in the future increas your speed,and even look
graceful in your movement rather than look like you may fall any second .
Update Oct.18,2001 My other page for crutches users See crutches in search box on
http://forums.delphi.assistivedevices/start
Update;Sept.2,2001 Also you might try www.crutchtips.com nice people !
I have a new site or forum on www.delphi.com under the title of "Crutches users only"
What else would I call it?
Recently in Europe other crutches users could Identify me without me speaking solely
by the style of my crutches .So I was told twice by other users.(Thomas Fetterman's crutches)
Come on over to the new forum,we can mount pictures to each other!RET
UPDATE;May 25,2001 NEW AFOS get the best maybe the sexiest If any AFO can be such.
I just got the ones I want not the ones they want you to have because that is the only
thing some orthotist know.Forget the plastics or the old traditional metal and leather
ones see www.campscandinavia.se They are light weight,so cool to wear and actually fun to wear after 9 years of plastic one .The plastic ones make you feet feel as if they are in prison.But with campscandiavia's brand you will feel all new and excited about life again.You can now go out and buy almost any style shoe in the shoe store as long as there is
a strap back and one across the top of the shoe.They can be sandals with open toes.
Live it up > I still have to use my crutches but I feel new again.RET
Added note;Sept.1,2001 in the field of AFOs and KAFOs www.townsenddesign.com
is worth taking a look at.They use modern materials but not plastics.
They come in six colors. They will all fit into your shoes.The KAFOs can have the knee
hinge adjusted so it's easier to bend the knee but you still get the support.
Several people have reported to me great satisfaction with their new braces from Townsend RET
UPdate April 14,2001 While I have mentioned the advantage of the wheeled walker
in the below statment I have often seen the differences .
The crutches have the advantage when you are getting in and out of the car alone.
There is an advantage whenever you go somewhere where you will be seated in close
confinement.
With general travel you have an advatage with good crutches.
Recently we went to a social affair and I was told how well I handled
myself on crutches. I was stuck for words . I was thinking to myself I should look good
on crutches I have been working with them for years. But that sounded too much like
blowing your own horn.
But it is an art few that need them ever masters.Why? Mainly they aren't
trying. The first pair I was on in 1980 I was petrified with the first set of steps
All I could see was me falling and being worse that I was currently.
But with the months to follow I did master the art of getting about. I was soon seen
everywhere with my forearm crutches.I don't allow my self the excuse of not going
somewhere because it was difficult.I even managed to get into a row boat with my dad.
I was traveling and enjoying it.The force I could exert with my arms soon took over
for what my legs couldn't do .I rallied in exercise and benefited by all the movement
I was doing.I just feel you have to make your peace with the assistive devices.Then
you are ready to take over again.
I was sure I was right about this attitude until I met a woman in London England
We were both getting on the same plane to come to USA.She too was a long standing crutches user as she was a post polio affected person.When I thought I did well I still
learned much from her.She could lean just right to grab the suitcase from the carosel
and flip it on the cart you can rent in the air ports.
Fortunately we both had a long time to converse with each other.I had been doing what
she did with the greatest of ease. Since then I have learned to carry a hot cup of coffee
into the next room without scalding myself.
You have to make mistakes to learn any thing.RET
The March 28,2001 update --- The 4 wheeled walker beats the use and stability
of crutches .It will also leave you less fatigued and let you walk further.
But the effect is best with AFOs and the walker.
It's a great feeling to walk no matter what instruments it takes.
It also beat the wheelchair as it has many limitations.Most of us
can get one with a prescription and never pay nothing out of pocket.
I was encouraged by my doctor for at least 3 times to go to the
wheeled walker instead of my crutches.I gave them one trial before
but rejested them.Now I know the truth and I'm enjoying the results.
Give it a fair trial and keep an open mind.While the walker does
become a problem sometimes it will save you from fatigue longer.
Nov.16,2000 Update; I met a man at a lunch counter yeaterday
who like myself was a crutches user.We had the opportunity for
a long talk as we were both alone.His reason for crutches was
an injury from an auto accident. But what was interesting was
his marriage loyality by his wife and himself.He could no longer
dance and they did a lot of that prior to the accident.He had to go
on disability and live on less.He had to give up an active life
style.Everything he said seem to be similar to the things I hear
from people who are disabled from MS.When I told him the same as I
have just said, he said"Actually we are all the same, my disability
came on suddenly while your took a little longer time."
We need to unite with the other physically disabled people for
a stronger front.RET
Oct.21,2000----- Since I use crutches myself you will find many
updates on this page . Please come back frequently.
I would also love to hear about your personal experiences as
a crutches user. Do you have any tricks we could all use?
I know you people in the north use ice spikes, as I gave
mine away when we moved to Florida over 11 years ago.Please
be generous with the rest of us with your coping tips.RET
I know the world isn't built for people who use crutches.
Doors are a challenge,where do you park them in public
places. I wouldn't accept a table in a restaurant, only
a booth.I know how you people in the north have problems
with crutches and snow and ice this is why I live in Florida.
Besides the chance to slip, the cuffs of the forearm
crutches have to be expanded to accomidate coats.
Update; Oct.1,2000------ I have several pairs of shoes
which I wear with my AFOs. I was with some of them
getting a squeek as the plastic rubbed with the shoe.
|
|
