Yesterday I managed to spend over an hour in my toy/wargame room. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and even managed to get some of the stuff on my table sorted out and either thrown away or stored where it should be. Hopefully, by the end of the week I’ll be able to use my table to either run some trains on my rather neglected 009 model railway layout or get some figures out of their storage boxes and fight a battle with them … or even both!
I have – however – discovered a problem for which I need to find a simple but safe solution. I am currently using crutches to get around, and I’m even practicing walking with just one … but trying to pick something up whilst I am using them is proving to be far more difficult than I expected. I can stand unsupported for up to five minutes … but I cannot move without my crutches. I can twist around at my waist a bit, but I have to be careful how much as my sense of balance is not good.
The chair in my toy/wargame room does have castors, and I can – with some effort – move it so that I can sit down next to a cupboard or bookcase I want to put something into or take something out of … but standing up afterwards is difficult unless I have pushed the back of the chair up against something that won’t move. I have to use the arms of the chair to stand up … and if the chair can move, there’s a possibility that I will lose my balance and fall over.
I am having to learn a whole load of new ways to do what used to be simple tasks, and I know that this is going to take time … and probably longer than I would have hoped. Until I have a proper prognosis, I have no idea if I will ever stop having to use crutches to get about. As a result, I am taking things slowly – quite literally one step at a time on occasions – in the hope that I can learn the new skills I will need in order to live as normal a life as I can.
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Bob -
ReplyDeleteBaby steps. You have come a long way back, but there's no percentage in overdoing things when the goal is in sight.
Cheers,
Ion
Archduke Piccolo (Ion),
DeleteWise words. The problem is that having waited six months to get up to my toy/wargame room, I’m a bit impatient to get a project or two started.
All the best,
Bob
Must be very liberating after such a long period of physical incapacity Bob but just take it slowly and carefully as the last thing you want is to lose your balance and fall again. Enjoyed the shots across London, so familiar to me as I lived very near to you for 15 years and always enjoyed the views from Shooters Hill :)
ReplyDeleteTake Care,
Lee.
‘Lee,
DeleteI’m deliberately restricting the amount of time I’m spending in my toy/wargame room at present to ensure that I don’t overdo things. It’s not easy … but - as you rightly identify - it is necessary!
One reason why I’m pleased that we aren’t moving house is the view. I could sit and look at it for hours.
All the best,
Bob
Bob,
ReplyDeleteHave you thought of litter grabbers or similar?
All sorts of versions available, some for disability:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006Z3OCUK/ref=sspa_silk_at_sp_search_0?sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zaWxrX2F0X3NwX3NlYXJjaA&th=1
Neil
Neil Patterson (Neil),
DeleteWe had one … but after my experience over the weekend - we have now bought another couple so that we have one set on each floor.
All the best,
Bob
Still early days Bob so quite literally one step at a time as you say. Good to see your mobility is increasing, which will help so many other area both physically and mentally.
ReplyDeleteSteve J.,
DeleteVery true. I just have to curb my impatience and spend more time developing my skills to work with my immobility rather than against it.
All the best,
Bob
BOB,
ReplyDeleteHope that as you spend more time in your Hobby Room you can improve your mobility ten-fold...small problems with your chair and crutches can become large worries - hopefully you can adapt and enjoy things better. Good that your thinking about your OO9 layout and your Gaming Figures. Cheers. KEV.
Kev Robertson (Kev),
DeleteThere is an expression that if you don’t use it, you lose it … but in my case, I’ve got to try to use it to gain it!
I’m learning how to stand without using my crutches - which will help - but I’m some way away from being to walk unaided. As to my 009 railway … well, I’m hoping to do a blog post soon about all my locomotives and rolling stock.
All the best,
Bob
BOB,
DeleteWould a Walking Stick suffice. Looking forward to seeing your OO9 posting. Cheers. KEV.
Kev Robertson (Kev),
DeleteI’ve been trying to learn how to walk using a single crutch as a preliminary to moving on to using a walking stick or sticks.
In time allows, I hope to photo my 009 railway stuff over the forthcoming weekend.
All the best,
Bob
I am glad you are getting into your hobby room Bob, enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteSorry I had to drop out of the VWC and missed your photos on submarines.
Willz.
Tiberian General,
DeleteI’m trying to pace myself as I know that if I try to do too much too soon, I’m more likely to have an accident.
If you want a copy of the slides, please email me.
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob
ReplyDeleteGood to hear that you are back in your hobby room amongst your collections again. It must be very frustrating having to relearn so many simple tasks again. But you do sound like you are being sensible and not pushing yourself too hard.
Would it be possible to rearrange your games room, perhaps with help from a family member or friend, to make it more user friendly in your current situation?
I am sure that it will be good for your recovery and your ment al well being to be able to get involved in one of your many projects again.
regards
Paul
Thistlebarrow (Paul),
DeleteSlow, sure, and safe are my current bywords! There's no point is risking injuring myself by being too bold or taking risks.
Funnily enough, I am looking at ways in which the room can be rearranged so that it will be easier for me to find and use stuff that is in there. Some of the shelves are quite low, but I think that if I use them to store stuff that I won't use regularly but that I can easily pick up if I do, they will still be of use.
I certainly feel much better now that I am not restricted to just the lower floor of the house, and I have even ventured outside the front door and up the sloping driveway to the pavement outside our house.
All the best,
Bob
Your story reminds me of making changes to my room in the barracks after I broke my leg. I was in the army at the time. I was given light duty (lots of staff work) and was expected to be in my uniform. I had the tailor shop sew Velcro into the the pant leg below the right knee. This way I could tear it open, pull my trousers on over my cast and then close the Velcro. The NCOs hated it but they grudgingly admired my ingenuity.
ReplyDeleteYou'll find your workarounds.
Mr. Pavone,
DeleteThat’s very ingenious! I spent my time in a cast wearing shorts … which I doubt would have been acceptable to an NCO in anyone’s army!
I am trying to walk around using a single crutch. This is rather tiring, but I am gradually gaining strength in my legs (particularly my thighs) and lots more confidence.
My wife says I am walking rather like Douglas Bader, the World War II RAF fighter ace who lost his legs in a pre-war flying accident but still managed to take part in the Battle of Britain.
All the best,
Bob