[nfb-talk] walkers?

Tue Dec 27 13:46:10 UTC 2011

I have used a wheel chair long ago and now I use a walker at national convention.  I have some sight and cane get around as if I were on roler scates.  My friends even have trouble keeping up with me.  The walker, some how, releaves the pressure off your back.  I have 2 slipped disks and nerve problems and find it very helpful.  Make sure you get one that folds, has a seat and also has breaks.  I got mine from Roberts, here in Maryland.  Since a walker is rather low, see if they have an arm rest that attatches to the side of the walker.  This would raise your working arm, so you can extend and use your cane to a better ability.  
You should be able to use sighted guide.  They could hold on to the walker or even hold on to your arm. They just need to walk at the same pace as you are going, with the walker.  I may have to use the walker, more in the future, so let us know how it works with the cane
Good luck and keep up your comfidence.  If I had not gotten my walker, I would not be independent and maybe not be able to go to national convention.  It was a step I took myself.

Terry Powers

-----Original Message-----
From: Marsha Drenth [mailto:marsha.drenth at gmail.com] 
Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2011 9:47 PM
To: 'NFB Talk Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] walkers?

Chris, 

Sorry to hear about your fracture. I don't have much experience using a walker, although I know it can be done. As my mother, is at the LCB center, uses a walker because of balance issues and issues due to her diabetes. She has a walker with very big wheels, and that has a seat for resting purposes.
I have never heard of a ruling walker. I do believe that there is a list on the NFBnet site for people who use walkers and wheelchairs. If you were asking about a wheelchair I could help you there, as I have done this several times sadly. 

Good Luck, feel better soon. 

Merry Christmas!
Marsha Drenth

-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chris Westbrook
Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2011 7:08 PM
To: NFB List
Subject: [nfb-talk] walkers?

I have unfortunately lost quite a bit of balance due to a stress fracture and possibly other things, and when I was at physical therapy today my therapist showed me and recommended I get a ruling walker.  I'm considering it for around the house and longer distances possibly, but I am wondering if I could really use one in an unfamiliar environment.  Clearly using a cane with one would be out of the question because of holding on to the walker with both hands, but is there a way of doing sighted guide or something with one of them?  I suppose someone else could put their hand on the handle with me and guide me that way.  Does anyone have any experience wit using a walker?
_______________________________________________
nfb-talk mailing list
nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
nfb-talk:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org/marsha.drenth%40gmail.
com

__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 6735 (20111222) __________

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

http://www.eset.com

__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 6735 (20111222) __________

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

http://www.eset.com

_______________________________________________
nfb-talk mailing list
nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nfb-talk:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org/terry.powers%40nih.gov