I work in
orthopaedic research and my focus in the past 18 yrs has been to reduce muscle
strain, joint fatigue and to facilitate more movement primarily in those who
use wheelchairs with spinal cord injury. It’s interesting when one has a sudden
injury and loses a dramatic amount function they are keen to get back to doing
anything they can do. This is why you see some pretty amazing performances at
the Paralympics. They know something can be taken away from them so they strive
to do what they can do with whatever adaptive equipment they can. Obviously the
equipment has to be functional and well designed and it should “look good” too.
How one perceives themselves when they use a device (walker, wheelchair,
sitski, handcycle, etc) reflects on how well they will adopt the device into
their lives and take full advantage of its benefits. I personally can relate
because I use a black and red ultra lightweight
manual wheelchair (my Ferrari as I like to refer to it), for mobility
outside the home. For traveling to Europe where there is cobblestone, I attach
my Freewheel to soften the rough
ride. If I need some extra boost for longer distances I can attach my SmartDrive to give me an additional push
when I wheel. It’s awesome. I find these all work well and I also look good
using them too. So yes, vanity is something we deal with. However, when vanity
trumps using a device simply based on “what will people think”, that’s what
gets me frustrated.
People who
have sudden injuries maybe have to suck it up a bit more if they want to just
get going – so looks go out the window a bit. Unfortunately those with
insidious nature “disabilities” like ageing which include muscle weakness,
reduced coordination, vision, hearing or memory difficulties then accepting a
device to help them get around, see, hear or remember better is so much harder.
These challenges come on slowly so one does not realise they cannot do
something like they used to. This goes for the normal ageing person as well as
those who have a long standing disability. I know a lot of men who were amazing
wheelchair athletes who now tell me that so many things hurt. They don’t wheel
as far anymore and lifting their wheelchair into the car is now difficult so
their social life is waning. Suggesting to use a power wheelchair or powered
device of some sort gets them anxious. They’ve always used a manual chair and
that is part of their identity. What will it say if they have to use a power
wheelchair now? What would their friends think?
Now, back
to the general older population out there who walk around limping due to severe
arthritis, or are walking with only partial vision and tripping over small
bumps in the sidewalk or insist people around them talk louder. Why not use a
cane/walker/scooter to help unload the stress on that joint? Why not use a
special cane to tell you when the ground is uneven so you don’t fall? What’s
wrong with using a hearing aid around others so we don’t have to yell all the
time?
In addition
to studying how various devices reduce strain or physiological fatigue,
particularly relating to wheelchairs, I also look at how things may impact a
person’s participation level. Often people will mention as they age, what they
can’t do anymore. Usually what they describe is more of a participation
activity rather than a specific skill (e.g. walking to the local shops for
coffee with friends vs. walking 1.2 km). They complain that they cannot do this
or that anymore but are they are not necessarily willing to consider the option
of continuing on with a little help from a friend (device). People seem much
more willing to pop another pill (another version of a device) to keep going
than to change behaviours (reduce weight or exercise) or something that would
enable them to go to the shops still to meet up with friends, or walk to the
bus or store independently without fear of falling, or enjoy the concert or
guest speaker again.
By
maintaining the physical activity capacity through various equipment options
available and maintaining our social connection to each other through
activities and conversations we are stimulating all aspects of our being. Maybe
our image of ourselves changes because we’ve accepted these devices but it says
more about you wanting to keep going rather than someone who is withdrawing
from activities and people slowly. As you withdraw, you experience grief from
loss of both the physical and participation activities rather than grieving just
the loss of the physical activity. It’s hard not to be the capable person you
once were but you don’t have to lose it all. Adopting some of the great options
on the market that help with a wide range of challenges is amazing and pretty
darn cool and trendy. Maybe getting old doesn’t have to be so bad after all.
