Christine’s Ataxia Blog

Changes, Feedback, and Bending Knees…

September 30th, 2007

Hello everyone,

Well, it’s officially fall now and I’m beginning to notice lots of subtle changes everywhere. Of course, the weather’s changing - where I am , in the Pacific Northwest, this means, more rain, earlier evening darkness ( and in the morning ! ), and the leaves are beginning to turn colour. The kids are back at school so there’s more traffic and homework! In Australia, the opposite is happening and I’ve heard from a friend that New Delhi is still pretty hot.
Personally, I’m in my 8th month home from China and am really pleased with my continued progress. I continue my exercise program and have noticed my energy’s improved as well as consistently being able to get up & down from a chair ( and a toilet! ) without hanging on to anything. This is great because I couldn’t always do this even a month ago. Also, my hand writing has improved a lot and keyboarding is better. I squeeze a stress ball every night for about 45 minutes while I watch T.V. - I wonder if that’s helping? I have longer periods of improved abilities (3-4 weeks) and, at times, my gait has become near “normal” and effortless.

I spent quite a few years having difficulty walking ( hey, I still have pretty lousy days sometimes…) and walking stiff-legged without bending my knees. My body is still “trained” to do that and it isn’t helping me anymore. Now that I have better balance, I don’t need to stiffen up my knees , trying to find more stability. Most people bend their knees a little when they walk, this helps bring the foot up & affords some “shock absorbtion” . As I tripped and stubbed my toe for the twentieth time one day, my father suggested I lift my knees more when I walk. I tried it, he was right! I can do that now because my balance is good enough so that I don’t fall over. At first it seemed weird and I had to practice on the treadmill, exaggerating my movements, but now I seldom stub my foot and my walk is more stable.
It’s really helping, also, that friends , family , & neighbours comment on how I’m doing. When I’m out & about shopping or something, a neighbour will see me and comment that I’m walking and moving better. Members of my family notice things about my mobility that I don’t. I think I’m too close to the situation to be a good observer. Others can be pretty objective how I’m doing and their feedback is invaluable. I have pretty good instincts about how I’m feeling though and am fine tuning my skills at “pacing” myself .

Again, I so pleased to hear from people -those I’ve met and those I haven’t. The networking we all do is so important in furthering stem cell treatment and research. Keep on communicating. AND here’s my chance for sending out “hellos” (if they’re reading) to: Rachel, Garry, Mac & Jill in Australia, Tony in Beijing, Gigi in India, Dave, Penny, Pat, George & Mellisa in Canada, Tom, Connie, George, Geri, Linda , Henry, Jim, Dave & Dianne in the United States, Ben in Italy. Whew, that’s really starting to cover the globe…

Talk to you next time,

Christine

Hope is a waking dream. (Aristotle)

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