Walking with Quad Sticks
Friday, 04 July 2008
As usual for my walking exercises, I am using my below-knee splints, ankle weights (to make my thighs work harder in lifting the legs) and, here, my quad walking sticks.
This was my 2nd attempt "off the lead" with the quad walking sticks. I've started to train with them now in the village hall, away from the mental security of the harness. Amazing how much difference just knowing that I do not have the harness makes.
Whereas by this date I was far more relaxed and upright at Hratch's and standing more on my legs, here I am just getting used to them without that security. I start with standing and sitting to make sure that I'm happy there, and then begin the overly tense and ginger walking!! (But, come on, I'm paralysed - this is pretty impressive stuff for starters!!)
Seen here, there is so much to improve on: the standing at the beginning is also just to let my body relax and allow the weight onto and through my legs rather than a triangular balancing act using my arms. As I stand, I have to force my knees back and into locking position to give me the security to stand. Each time I'm pushing back, the muscles have to react, and over time they get more and more involved (this is linked into the stand and sit exercises which I also do every day). The final goal is, of course, to use entirely legs for the stand up.
When I walk I need to stand up straighter - which happens when I am relaxed - stop over-reaching with the sticks and take shorter steps. (I'm learning this now, and things are very different, easier and more natural.)
Also, here (when you get to the side-on shot, you see it better) I am concentrating so much on staying up, etc, that I lean to far forward and lift hips more than use legs. When I make the effort to tighten all the leg muscles and lift the thigh, I worry (when not in harness) that not always being able to differentiate between legs means I will also pull the thigh of the supporting leg and so unlock the knee and fall down! Which is why here at the beginning it all looks a bit awkward.
Bit by bit, each component of the walking comes together, as I master one thing, then my mind makes me think that I should be doing the next thing. And this is where all the improvements happen. It's a slow process, but good to get the beginning stages of this next phase on video, so I can watch the improvements.