Father for young daughter. Any help is appreciated!!!

[MRFLOYD]

Hello All,

I was recently prescribed forearm crutches. They allow me to walk better than I have in years. It is a blessing and a curse until I learn my new normal, again. Having assistance walking is wonderful, but how can I adapt my current situation to minimize the impact of having my hands occupied? I can hardly accomplish some tasks for myself, let alone someone else. Pushing a stroller, carrying things (groceries, etc.), even going out to eat, is a challenge. Any advice or info on adaptations is invaluable.

Thanks,

MrFloyd

[loopey]

I can relate but can't offer any advice. I only use one cane and it is a bother when I have to use my right hand. I rest the cane on something and half the time it falls down and picking it back up is a problem for me. I hope someone can give you some helpful hints! Especially for pushing the stroller.

[Thinkimjob]

I have a wheelie-walker for inside the house - can't really "chew gum and walk at the same time".

I can get down and up a few steps and walk a little way, if there's something to help me balance (chair, table, rail, wall), but I cannot carry anything even marginally heavy while I'm doing it.

One little item at a time - which means extra trips, which means more fatigue

Maybe a backpack or a shoulder bag might help you. Balance is the problem.

Good luck.

[Tawanda]

Hi MrFloyd,
I keep seeing your thread and my heart breaks as we seem to have difficulty coming up with the response you need.

All I can offer up is that my Mom was paralyzed and in a W/C when I was a kid. She was so progressed that all I could really do is sit or lay down next to her chair. I still feel nothing but deep love for her. She still taught me many valuable things, even from that unhappy vantage so rest assured, your hand-crutches are not going to stop you from good parenting.

I know this does not answer your logistics question one iota. There is a ton of stuff you can do still do, Dad, but do you have a partner, other sibs in the family to take up he slack until you figure it all out? My father was that guy, and lucky for me I also had older siblings to pitch in for my care. (((hugs)))

[pennstater]

Hi MrFloyd,

I am not sure if they can help, but have you talked to an occupational therapist? They can help with daily living activities, maybe they would have some suggestions.

Since your daughter is stroller age, I can only imagine your difficulty. I wish I had answers.

Keep us updated.