Normal is just a picture of time. What I do today is not
going to be the same as what I do tomorrow. Have you heard the saying, “if you
don’t use it you lose it”? Well it’s true, what I’m going to tell you next is
going to make my therapists disappointed. I’m disappointed in myself.
The other day I was getting in the shower, Walter positioned
my wheelchair in the shower so I could transfer to my shower bench. I got up
and my right foot fell over. I couldn’t get my leg or foot to move, my brain
wasn’t transferring the information. After what seemed like forever, I finally got
my leg to pick up my foot, I could move and sit on my bench. Thank God for the
2 rails in the shower. That scared me! I realize my “normal” was not doing any
walking or exercising to strengthen my foot and leg. So after that shower I put
on my AFO, I’ve been wearing it every day and I am going to walk more. It’s
going to be my new way “normal”.
The saying is true if you do not use it you loose it. Your brain has to engage in activities of your feet to tell the muscles and nerves they need to function. Use your bands, roll your foot over a rolling pen, use a long skinny towel and wrap it around and under your foot and tug on it. Shuffle your feet on the floor when sitting. Just engage your feet every day. Hope rehab for your ankle is teaching you lots of good stuff! Deborah
ReplyDelete