Friends

08 December 2017

Walking with assistance!




When Joe and I bought the bungalow, we didn’t consider the fact that it was on a hill. On the contrary, the ability to look over rooftops and see fields was rather appealing and for almost thirty years it has been a joy to live here. However, times they are a’changing. I mean, what’s a hill when able people want to walk up or motorists drive. For motorist – read ME.

Problems started by getting rid of the car. I took everything for granted when I could just hop in the car and drive short or long distances.  However, driving the car was becoming a worry. With all the mad hat drivers on the road these days I felt scared whenever I drove on busy roads. That and the prospect of a load of bills coming through the door after Christmas made me think twice about staying mobile. Insurance was high, road tax was reasonable because my car was diesel driven.

For years diesel was regarded as environmentally friendly and motorists’ car tax bills were drastically reduced. Even so, added to the insurance, AA cover for breakdown assistance, compulsory garage bills, I was looking at some heavy expenditure. Seriously though, if I thought I could carry on driving I would have paid the lot.

It was time to face facts. It is compulsory for me to go out and getting rid of the car meant I could take taxi cabs everywhere. In my opinion it should work out cheaper.

It is time to face the hill. So far I have tried three times and made it but only once did I venture as far as the corner shop, which is quite a distance away for those who have walking difficulties. At this point I must reveal that it’s not a great distance to walk but it does hamper folk like me. Goodness, I remember the days when I walked the hill two or three times a day when taking the dogs out for their walks. How I wish those days were back again.

I have a couple of walking aids, inherited from an aunt and kept as a ‘just in case’. One was a four-wheel shopper 
and the other a three-wheel shopper. 
I like the latter best but it’s not so good on hills and the front wheel finds potholes which means I must haul it out. The one with four wheels just wants to go one way and hates corners. 
Yesterday I ventured out with a single cane and did better. Next door neighbour stopped and offered a lift, but I turned her down on the grounds that if I don’t persevere I will never master the damned hill.

I haven’t been out today because of the snow! Maybe I should buy another car!!!!!

18 comments:

  1. Hello Valerie,

    Perhaps you should shop online? Then you can get all the heavy things delivered and only go out when you are having a good day and feel like it?
    We are getting to the same point in our lives, so I do commiserate...

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  2. Well, hello Stella. How are you these days? Actually, I do all shopping on line, have done for years. All groceries, pet food, etc are bought that way but sometimes it is necessary to go to the corner shop for something or I may just feel like getting out of the house.

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  3. We live on flat land, but you have to go up 12 steps to get to our door and 16 more to go upstairs. After the first of the year we'll be fixing our house up and putting it up for sale, we need a single story house, so I know what you're going through.

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  4. Hi Janet. Your house sounds lovely. Isn't it a shame that we can no longer manage in the homes we have loved for years? I am thankful Joe and I chose to live in a bungalow, which seemed like a fairy house after the one we left, but got used to it quite quickly.

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  5. Join the crowd, Valerie. We have to face and adjust which is really hard sometimes. We live on Oak Hill. Our small town is only a small distance away but that is walking along a very busy high. My spouse has dementia and can't drive and my eyesight is fading. We have two cars. And thing must change. Oh our son lives a thousand miles away. But changes will be made. Eventually including our beautiful house in woods. Our motto these days is "we're team and we keep on keeping on. That what works best though it's hard Ray a.k.a. Troutbirder....:)

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  6. Keep trying, it will get easier. I see nothing wrong with using a rollater. It will keep you active longer. My mother would not use one at first then she decided she wanted more mobility and accepted it. Now, she will slip into a wheelchair with almost no care and enjoy the ride.

    I have modified my house for handicapped people. I don't need the aids yet; but, the day will come. Sometimes I see someone my age, 61, getting a house with a lot of stairs and can't help but wonder what they are thinking. But some are lucky and never have a problem. Take care.

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  7. Ray aka Troutbirder....all these years and I never knew your name! I knew things weren't good for your dear wife but not you as well. Oh well, we manage, don't we? With Joe gone I have to make all my own decisions and giving up the car was one of them. It's a pity because I loved driving, but it's no good being silly enough to ignore danger. I do hope your wife isn't suffering too much, my friend.

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  8. Hello and welcome, Ann. I loved driving a car so I think I'll be okay on a mobility scooter. The hardest part is finding a place that sells them that is easy to get to. Thank you for your advice. Much appreciated.

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  9. Best of luck, Val, and I am glad to hear that you still fighting the good fight. I think the cane looks best as far as the walking aids.

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  10. Valerie ~ I am glad to hear you still try to walk the hill. My grandfather walked up and down a big hill everyday when he was in his 80s that was hard for a young guy I was to get up. I think it was much for him but he stayed active well he had his health. I hope you stay active for as long as you can but do not over do things.

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  11. My Mom never did learn to drive. She relied on busses, feet, or friends. Now the only time she gets out is when I take her to the doctor twice a year. It's quite a chore because she has an air tank, wheelchair, and cane to bring along. I'm sure she really misses her independence too. We will all get there in some way, shape, or form :(

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  12. I'm with Ann Bennett on this. I want to get the aids in now before we need them because they aren't going to get any cheaper and moving isn't always the answer, especially with failing eyesight. There's a lot to be said in staying where you know where everything is and familiar people who you can trust nearby.

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  13. Yes, kden, it comes to us all. I feel quite positive about things but do realise my capabilities will lessen as the years roll by. I thought that 83 was a suitable age to get rid of the old and start anew with different things. It should keep the mind occupied, if nothing else!

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  14. Stella, I think like you, staying put is better and easier. The thought of packing up and going somewhere with strangers for neighbours is awful. I don't see many neighbours but at least I know them and know they're near. Some newish neighbours one side of me are brilliant if I need something, but then they're younger than most that live in the road.

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  15. Matt... keeping on fighting is the only way lol.

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  16. Dan, I will try and keep up with you grandfather's motivation.

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  17. Valerie, I sooooooooo agree with you about the expense of owning a car. When I decided to moved back to Philadelphia and live in the city, the happiest day in my life was when I sold my car. The great thing about living in a city is using public transportation, which I don't mind using at all. Yes, the rent prices are higher in a city, however, I save SO MUCH money not owning a car that can go towards my rent and other things.

    Love the cane! I think it's very classy and chic!

    And I applaud you for persisting to get around on your own, that's how I'd be as well. That's another thing I love about city living, it makes you get out and mingle with people and stay involved in life.

    Have a great Sunday, dear friend!
    X

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  18. Good morning, Ron. I do intend to keep going as much as I can but I am thinking about getting a battery operated mobility chair to help with hills. Other than that, it's taxis. The problem where I live is that the nearest shops are a long way away. Once there though, I can mingle with the crowds to hearts content.

    It is thick snow here so there's no chance of going out, not even in the garden. Charlie won't venture out either!

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