[Blindtlk] How do you use crutches?

Wed Aug 31 02:25:37 UTC 2011

there is no way to use a white cane and cruches, I learned that lesson the 
hard way when I was going to college, and I sprained my ancle so bad that if 
I put weight on it I'd end up in tears with in seconds. so if you want or 
need to use a white cane to get around, your best bets would either be the 
walker or the wheel chair, unfortunately I didn't have either as an option, 
so I ended up not using my cane while I healed. I was always nervous that I 
was going to miss a step or something, but I managed. Oh, I also took 
elevators when ever possible so as not to have to do stairs with crutcches, 
because that is very challenging, and not very safe, especially with a heavy 
back pack on your back! I hope you both heal quickly!!
nikki Wunderlich
myspace, facebook, MSN, and email nikki0222 at gmail.com
yahoo and aim nikkiwunderlich
skype and twitter nikki022285
cell 763-248-0106
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Julie J." <julielj at neb.rr.com>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2011 5:08 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] How do you use crutches?


> Hey Chasity!
>
> I just had foot surgery two weeks ago and I'm also in a cast.  I can put 
> absolutely no weight on the foot though.  Here's what I've figured out 
> about mobility options over the past 5 weeks since I initially broke my 
> foot.
>
> I was given crutches at the emergency room.  I was also given two minutes 
> of instruction on how to use them.  You don't actually put any weight on 
> your armpits.  Instead the crutches should rest against your side, just 
> below your armpit.  All your weight should be on the hand grips when your 
> moving.  The top part resting against your side is more for balance and 
> stability than weight bearing.  The way I was shown to use the crutches is 
> to keep them wider than your body, moving both crutches out ahead of you, 
> then sort of swing your body forward and land on the good foot.  Once you 
> get going the momentum of the movement will help a lot in keeping you 
> going.  Crutches are a workout!
>
> That's what I was shown, what I have figured out is that if I move one 
> crutch ahead at a time and sort of swing it in a mini arc, like I would 
> with a white cane, that it helps a lot in making sure that I'm placing the 
> crutch exactly where I want it.  This is especially important when moving 
> through doorways.    I know of no way to use a white cane and crutches 
> together.  When I leave the house with the crutches I have a sighted 
> person providing me with verbal directions as well as physically helping 
> me with balance when I need to go down a curb.  In that case I use one 
> crutch and hold on to the shoulder of the person helping me.
>
> the day after my surgery I had one session with the nice folks from the 
> physical therapy department.  Because of my blindness and the complicating 
> factor of the pain medication just about eliminating my sense of balance, 
> they suggested a walker or this other scooter thing-a-mo-bob.  I went with 
> the walker.  It requires much less skill in the balance department!  You 
> can use a cane with the walker, although I do not.  If you did, you'd have 
> to check out the space ahead, let go of the cane, move ahead and repeat 
> the procedure.  If you do use a cane+walker you'll need to attach the cane 
> to the walker somehow Maybe a bungee cord?  I don't know.  I find that I 
> get enough directional information from the walker itself.  For example if 
> I'm trying to go through a doorway but I'm not lined up exactly, the 
> walker simply  isn't going to roll forward.  I haven't left the house with 
> the walker, so can't say how that'd work.
>
> What I have found the absolute best thing to move about with is my desk 
> chair.  It is a typical office chair with arm rests and wheels that fan 
> out from a center pedestal.   I turn the chair so I am facing it.  I put 
> my knee with the broken foot on the front of the seat.  I put my hands on 
> the arm rests and push myself with my good foot.  It works great!  It's 
> also the only way to move or carry things from room to room that I've 
> found.  Of course the desk chair option isn't very practical outside of 
> the house.
>
> I also have a wheelchair that I borrowed.  According to an O&M 
> professional who is also a good friend, it is possible to use a white cane 
> from a wheelchair.  I haven't been able to successfully manage this 
> though.  I think part of the problem is the wheelchair I am using, which 
> isn't the most um mm elaborate model.  It doesn't roll in a straight line 
> very well, which makes it very difficult for me to keep myself going 
> straight.  I use the wheelchair when I go out of the house, but I have a 
> sighted person push me.
>
> I hope you heal quickly!  Best of luck!
> Julie
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 8/30/2011 6:27 PM, Chasity Jackson wrote:
>> Hi Everyone,
>>
>> I was just curious if anyone can explain how to use crutches? I know you 
>> hold them under your arm and hold the handles down below...But when do 
>> you put each one in front of you in conjunction to walking? Do you, for 
>> instance, put the right crutch out when you step with your left foot? I 
>> just had foot surgery and I am in a cast. Crutches will help me. I asked 
>> my Podiatrist and the people at the surgery center to help me, but they 
>> said since they weren't technically licensed to do that, they weren't 
>> legally allowed to show me. Is it possible to use crutches and a cane? If 
>> not, I'm not terribly worried about it. I am mainly planning to use them 
>> around the house anyway to keep some of the weight off of my healing 
>> foot. Any tips and tricks would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
>> Chasity
>>
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>
>
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