[sydneywheels]

Hello again

Do you ever just run out of steam in pushing your chair. Recently (and I know it's a bad habit) but when my gf and I have been out at the shopping centre doing our chrissie shopping...after a few minutes of pushing I have asked for my gf to push me around. In fact over the last couple of visits, she has offered once I get into my chair and I have accepted her kindness.

I'm 10 or so months now post injury, has anyone else had that experience of not pushing when you should. I just find I'm losing the energy/motivation.

Cheers

[Trinity]

It can take time to increase your activity levels but the saying "if you don't use it you lose it" is true. shopping centres tend to be really easy to get around, flat smooth level surfaces make it fairly easy pushing. How about you reach some sort of compromise? Instead of being pushed around the shops all day how about you push yourself but have extra breaks, maybe you can grab a coffee whilst she ducks into a couple of shops.

Your independence and mobility is the most important thing, and your girlfriend, in the long run, won't be doing you any favours. Unless of course you have any other injuries or issues which need sorting

[Ratticis]

It doesn't take long to lose it either. During the summer I had no problem going down town and back without breaking a sweat. Then there were a few weeks of crappy weather and I got used to sitting around the house. Then a few weeks ago I went to have supper and catch up with an old friend I hadn't seen since highschool. The restaurant was only about 2 blocks away, but by the time I got there I was popped! Since then I've been trying to get back in shape, but with winter here, that's not the easiest. Think I'm just making excuses

[qbounce]

Yah, you'd be much better off doing your own wheeling UNTIL you get tired first.
The more you do, the further you'll be able to go. Building your endurance is extremely important right now.

Try just getting outside your area and wheeling around the block (if it isn't hilly or the surface isn't to uneven). The more you build stamina now, the easier it'll be in the long run.

Motivation . . . reward yourself with a beer after each run. There's your motivation!

[pistol_pete]

What everyone else said.
Keep on pushng through the tiredness for as long as you can.
I HATE being pushed in my chair by anyone. My wife pushed me around the city mall the other day because I was chowing down on an icecream at the time. I felt like a two year old, I swear if I had of dropped that icecream on the ground with my tongue I would have thrown a tantrum until I got another one.

[Ratticis]

Lol, I was at a mall with my sister once. She was pushing, I was eating an icecream. Well, I finished and she was still pushing so I dropped my head to the side like I was asleep and started drooling. She let go and let me go rooling into some sort of display

[E-DOG]

sydneywheels, on Dec 15 2009, 02:34 PM, said:

Hello again

Do you ever just run out of steam in pushing your chair. Recently (and I know it's a bad habit) but when my gf and I have been out at the shopping centre doing our chrissie shopping...after a few minutes of pushing I have asked for my gf to push me around. In fact over the last couple of visits, she has offered once I get into my chair and I have accepted her kindness.

I'm 10 or so months now post injury, has anyone else had that experience of not pushing when you should. I just find I'm losing the energy/motivation.

Cheers

Do not listen to these people, they're outa their friggin' minds!

Shit! I run out of steam just opening my eyes in the morning. No, really! I've got a hydraulic jack like device to help me raise my eye lids. An itsy bitsy, teensy weensy little hoyer lift I stick under the lids to raise 'em up every day. Cutest lil' thing you ever saw, I tell you.

And then bowel care an' gettin' dressed? Whew! I'm beat, it's back to bed fer me.
But then,on close examination of the rugged terrain that is me, I really don't think you'd deny me my beauty sleep. Ever.

Then around dinner time my c/g tosses a shit load of lit fire crackers under the bed and throws me a bottle of warm gin and BANG ZOOM! I'm ready to go. Good for another hour or two 'fore I'm pooped out again.

I don't know. Maybe it's my matabolism. I know it ain't my motivation. Shit. Every time I see that bottle of "no name" brand gin, my eyes practically pop outa my head with joy. Slug down 3 or 4 fingers of that sweet nectare and "YES! LIFE IS GOOD AGAIN!"

Up and outa bed. Doin' god's work one more time.

Anyway pal. Try E-dog's "Activity Plus Program" soon, see what ya think. My gift to you. Free of charge. Though a small donation might be nice. Up to you there buddy boy.

Why do I do this?
Because the voices in my head tell me to. You wanna argue with 'em? Go for it. Just leave me out of it.

E

[Tetracyclone]

Dog-

At your best again I see. Bottle must be near empty...

smooches

[ajl338]

There is nothing wrong with being tired. You need to think about what you are doing. I am not idle i go around all day in my chair across rough ground etc and i'm fine mostly. I go shopping all of a sudden its easy floor but its constant pushing and effort and it doesnt take long before i am really tired. I do let people help me out. Everyone feels tired sometimes even AB people

Do as much as you can, dont let her push you all the way. If you can manage 100m do that before you accept help. I have been using a chair for 3 years and its only in the last few months that i have been able to do a lot on it.

Also its worth going to see a sports massage person to take knots out of your shoulders, its amazing how much difference it makes to how easy it is to push

ann

[FROG]

Use it or lose it. It is hard (and somedays are harder than others) but you have to really be tough and push yourself as much as you can or you will lose what strength and endurance you have over time. I actually ordered my current chair without push handles so that people would not take liberty to push me just because the going seemed a little rough. Buck-up and get tough my friend, your life will be better for the effort.

[Amy Bell]

There is a new exoskeleton device that may help reduce the need for pushing around in a wheel chair.
It is currently undergoing clinical trials in Philadelphia, Pa. This could transform the lives of countless individuals not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. ReWalk will enable them to stand up-right, walk and climb stairs thus, improving circulation, instilling a sense of normalcy and independence and even helping to reduce cost for other support equipment like wheel chairs and stair lifts .

For more information please see http://rewalk.com
or email at info@rewalk.com

[greybeard]

Amy Bell, on Dec 23 2009, 12:58 AM, said:

There is a new exoskeleton device that may help reduce the need for pushing around in a wheel chair.
It is currently undergoing clinical trials in Philadelphia, Pa. This could transform the lives of countless individuals not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. ReWalk will enable them to stand up-right, walk and climb stairs thus, improving circulation, instilling a sense of normalcy and independence and even helping to reduce cost for other support equipment like wheel chairs and stair lifts .

For more information please see http://rewalk.com
or email at info@rewalk.com

.......and the price is ?????????????

[Tetracyclone]

RE: rewalk,

Don't call the bank yet guys. The vids show people no more able to walk than a high function quad who can do 500 ft in a day. For complete paras the process looks exhausting. For me I think the extra weight would cancel any gains in stamina, since I don;t need help staying upright. There are many advantages to re-walk, but speed in getting around is not one of them.

[BillS]

Amy Bell, on Dec 22 2009, 07:58 PM, said:

There is a new exoskeleton device that may help reduce the need for pushing around in a wheel chair.
It is currently undergoing clinical trials in Philadelphia, Pa. This could transform the lives of countless individuals not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. ReWalk will enable them to stand up-right, walk and climb stairs thus, improving circulation, instilling a sense of normalcy and independence and even helping to reduce cost for other support equipment like wheel chairs and stair lifts .

For more information please see http://rewalk.com
or email at info@rewalk.com

Sorry but until it moves me as fast and as easily as pushing a wheelchair I'll pass. I saw the video and she has to put a lot of effort in to travel much slower then me in my wheelchair. I actually think I could drag myself on the ground faster that she is walking.

This post has been edited by BillS: 23 December 2009 - 01:40 AM

[StillFingers]

Exoskeleton...hmmmm...nah

I'm thinkin a human skeleton surrounded by soft curvy bits, with a warm beautiful heart, flowing brunette hair, of French decent...

Sittin on my lap, holdin on tight, at the beach, wind blowin through our hair, while I push us about, building a tanned, ripped quaddie body...

Yep, keep on pushin, cuse ya don't ever wanna loose it, 2010 here I come...

[E-DOG]

Welcome to Crazy E-dog's House O' Exoskeletons

Only $280.000,000.00 gets you into a super sharp, super safe semi new, not used but semi new exo', this week only!
We got 'em in pink. We got 'em in yellow. Green? Why not? Purple? Hell yes!
Financing? Shit yeah! Bring yer momma down, we'll take her as collateral. The family pet? We'll take it too!

Para's, quad's, you can be walkin' talkin' fools in no time. Our exo's get you movin' and I mean movin' fast!
At way over a mile and a half an hour you'll be sailing past inanimate objects, stop signs and parked cars like crap through a goose.

So come see me. I'm E. And I'm friggin' crazy! That's exo-crazy!

[StillFingers]

E-DOG, on Dec 22 2009, 07:08 PM, said:

Welcome to Crazy E-dog's House O' Exoskeletons

Only $280.000,000.00 gets you into a super sharp, super safe semi new, not used but semi new exo', this week only!
We got 'em in pink. We got 'em in yellow. Green? Why not? Purple? Hell yes!
Financing? Shit yeah! Bring yer momma down, we'll take her as collateral. The family pet? We'll take it too!

Para's, quad's, you can be walkin' talkin' fools in no time. Our exo's get you movin' and I mean movin' fast!
At way over a mile and a half an hour you'll be sailing past inanimate objects, stop signs and parked cars like crap through a goose.

So come see me. I'm E. And I'm friggin' crazy! That's exo-crazy!

Can we have fries with that big E?

[Tetracyclone]

OMG E, at 280 mil we can't afford NOT to buy it. I will be the first quad on my block to let Exo haunt my closet. Got a ground hog living in the shed you can have for collateral. Crazy E-dog's House O' Exoskeletons and Pest Removal.

[edlee]

Miss Amy came in yesterday with the good news about that exo skeleton thingie,,, I can't wait for her to come back and tell us it's cheap enough for us to afford,,, you know,, somewhere between a Ford and a Cesna.

I guess,, when you think about it,, there are power chairs selling for over $60K. If you can talk your insurance co. ( if you're lucky enough to have one) into buying one for you,,, why not??? Something tells me this won't be coming to me by way of Medicare. How bout you brits and canucks,,, think you systems will go for it???
ed

[Tinbasher]

Hello again

Do you ever just run out of steam getting your exoskeleton on. Recently (and I know it's a bad habit) but when my gf and I have been out at the shopping centre doing our chrissie shopping...after a few minutes of trying to get the darned gizmo strapped on I have asked for my gf to give it a few whacks with a tyre iron. In fact over the last couple of visits, she has offered to take it for a walk while I just stay in bed and I have accepted her kindness.

I'm 10 or so months now post injury, has anyone else had that experience of your girl running off with the robot legs?. I just find I'm losing the energy/motivation to recharge it every night .

Cheers

This post has been edited by Tinbasher: 23 December 2009 - 08:58 PM

[greybeard]

Rig a wire across the top of the stairs about ankle high. That'll fix the sucker.

[hooplady]

Geez, I feel like I'm hijacking the thread just to get back to the original topic, but here I go anyways...

Sydney, maybe you're tired because you've suddenly gone from moderate activity to several tiring shopping trips? I know that my b/f has yet to learn this lesson...after months of being inactive, he suddenly decides he wants to push down to the pub which is about half a mile away. He can't, and I have to help him, and he gets frustrated. I keep "suggesting" (OK, nagging) that he should do a little at a time, maybe get out and practice pushing and work up to two blocks, then three, then more.

Anyhoo, only you can analyze whether you are giving up too easily or whether it's truly an unusual situation and you should give yourself some slack. At 10 months post-, have you truly had enough time to build up the right muscles and/or technique? But as others have said, you can't give up altogether. Good luck and keep pushing!