A quick note on mobility

[kaberett]

Over the course of this DLA application, I have over and over again caught myself thinking oh, but my walking is so much better than it was last time I applied, what do?!

And the answer is: actually, that assertion's bullshit on at least two counts. Namely:

(1) none of my DLA award was for my physical mobility impairments
(2) the reason my walking appears to be so much better is that I have a wheelchair. This means I'm not walking (so much) even when I really shouldn't be, which means I'm less tired & more capable on "good" days.

In conclusion: mobility aids are great, and I still need to write the essay about how I got over myself enough to start using them.

Comments

[dolljoints]

hiya, this is an extremely necro post but a friend linked me your wheelchair guide and i've been browsing a bunch of people's archives for.. uh... (looks at clock) 11 hours now? about wheelchair things. >.>

but i just wanted to say i related to your final line in this. i finally got a walking stick a year and a half ago and it's been transformative, though it's become clear i need a chair too now.

i've found old people either stare at me disapprovingly – more often when they don't use a stick than not, though sometimes when they do – as if to say "i'm so much older than you and yet i don't need this? do you really need that?", or just that sort of.. "you're in the club, hi" look that i had originally come to know through encountering other trans folks on the street.

one time at an airport i managed to strike up conversation with someone sitting next to me on a bench based on the fact that we both had sticks, i talked a bit about the wood mine was made of, etc.

this is rambly, uh >.> i'm totally new here, i just made an account to respond to a bunch of posts i resonated with... hope that's ok >.>