Ok after the other day I am so stoked that I am having a good balance day!
Not that I don’t deserve it mind you – for the last four years (when I had my 1st stroke -still wonder if they were not really MS but it really was different in some ways than what I got going on now) I have spent a good hour or two doing silly exercises like standing in a corner on a pillow and trying not to fall to pulling my toes up with a giant rubber band thing. I learned most of these in physical therapy for my strokes.
The new PE class has really helped with providing more specific exercises for improving balance and gait. Some of them really seem kind of pointless until the results roll in. The core strengthening has helped the most so far I think. I am staring at my feet less when on solid ground. Since I really don’t feel my feet the feedback in my upper legs and torso are my main ways of knowing where the heck my little tootsies are at any given moment.
Watching videos about exercises suggested for MS, the mechanics of walking, peoples stories etc. – no I am not gonna tell you I can climb a mountain or that I willed my way into this but I do believe that doing everything I can when I can helps. Gosh if wanting something to be so worked I would be one MS free gal. Please remind me of this positiveness when I am in a crap mode.
Balance is another thing. Close my eyes and I am almost guaranteed to go down for the count. But when you see my video below realize that this seriously is the first time in almost a year that I could do this – just saying . … I am not gonna go down without a fight no matter how small the victories are but this one is huge to me and I am hoping it stays. Once again, remind me when I can’t and am in crap mode.
From my Doc’s I pretty much have gotten it is what it is and offers of adaptive aids. Never other than three exercises supposedly specific to my needs with my issues because of the Multiple sclerosis (squatting slowly holding something, standing on my toes, and trying to do some sort of crunch). Then again I only was allowed to see the physical therapist I think it was four or five times?The neurologist is so worried that I might fall down that I never get more than five feet before she goes nuts. The message is you can not do it so stop. And the electrocution doc (physio something – the ones that zap you to test responses etc) had the same message.
Well, I still can not feel my foots (if toes are toes then two foot are foots and there are three feet in a yard – I swear I don’t know whose feet are in my yard but they are not mine) but . …
I’m impressed, that you didn’t lose your balance when your mustache came off. Can you stand straight for one whole minute? I’m not sure I can. Okay, I’m pretty sure I can’t.
I need steroids. I’m really jonesing for some infusions. But I have PT on the 22nd, and I want to be evaluated at my base(st) level. Not a level that is buoyed by drugs.
My other goal at PT is to have them teach my husband how to do a proper range of motion and exercises with me without hurting either of us! He is a firm believer if this much is good, more is better. Knowing that, dare I say “Be careful what you wish for Webster?”
Anyway, keep up the good work Jan. Especially with your core strength.
Augh it depends on what kind of day it is as to how long I can stand but I do not think I could make it a whole minuet most days. It is very dependent on how tired I am. I start out walking great and it does not take long for me to get off kilter.
In PE I have exercises that work on range of motion and they really have made moving less robotic. It is work that is for sure. But your right it is a good thing.
Core strength those exercises bite LOL!
Hope you can put off the roids until after your evaluation.
Jan
I’m impressed!! I’ve not tried any of the one-leg lifts while standing and arms out. Sent my hips into a dancin’ shaking boo-te. Very funny.
I also can’t do the feet-together eyes-closed business. The very first time I did that test in a neuro exam, I wondered why the heck the neurologist shoved me in the back?! Well, it wasn’t so much shoving as catching. Oops.
Enjoyed the video. You’re getting very creative with the clips and music. I like it.
I edit out all the shaking boo-te bloopers – that is the secret ha ha.
I am having fun doing videos it is a lot easier than typing and easier to communicate – a picture paints a thousand words type thing maybe?
My next video will make Webster and you both happy – I added more music background and I show my silly little face – somewhere in it – got to watch to see.
Jan