What a Toddler Can Teach You About the Hands Free Crutch
Posted by
Tom Schwab on Sun, Sep 18, 2011 @ 08:10 AM
I had the pleasure of talking Ginger Andrews of Chicago recently. She had used the I WALK Free Hands Free Crutch for three months following foot surgery. It greatly helped her mobility and overall attitude while recovering. While she reported the instructional video was helpful, her best tips came from watching her granddaughter and realizing that advice and encouragement she gave to a toddler also applied to her.
Hold on to something: Those first few steps can be made easier if there is a table or counter to hold on to. For a toddler everything is at a dangerousat chin level, but for the Hands Free Crutch user they are more convenient.
Wide is stable: A child's first steps may look awkward and even comical, but even they know that keeping a wide base increases your stability. As you learn and gain confidence in the Hands Free Crutch don't pretend you're on a balance beam.
Look Down Fall Down: Have you ever noticed that when a child looks down at their feet they tend to fall down? If they are looking upwards to the encouraging arms of a grandparent they have better posture and thus better balance. While using the Hands Free Crutch look up to stay up.
Celebrate small victories: Learning to use the Hands Hree Crutch can be much like learning to walk. You didn't start running, so celebrate the small victories instead of focusing on what you can't do yet.
Ask for help. If something is too high to reach, too bulky to carry, or is just awkward ask for help. Others are pleased to be of service.
Do one thing at a time. For a toddler there's nothing better than eating dry Cheerios and chasing the cat, yet if you try to do both at the same time the results can be amusing to the cat. As you learn to walk with the Hands Free Crutch avoid distractions or trying to multi-task. This maybe possible once you've gained confidence with your I WALK Free.
Slow down: After a few tenuous steps it seems like children are quickly running - running into a coffee table. Slow down. The only thing more painful than hitting your chin on a coffee table is hitting your shin.
And On the stairs...
Turn around: Children are encouraged to turn around before going down stairs. It makes even more sense for someone on the Hands Free Crutch: You can hold on to the railing or a stair in front of you, it doesn't look as frightening, if you fall forward you can safely grab yourself. With the I WALK Free, your injured foot wont' hit the stair.
Put down the toy: Children are told to put down that stuffed animal before going on the stairs. Why! Because it's dangerous and they should be focused on making it safely up and down. The same can be said for those learning the Hands Free Crutch. Don't start on the stairs with a basket of laundry or a cup of coffee.
Pick up your toys: The same can be said to adults recovering on one foot. That book on the stair may not normally be a problem, but could cause a problem as you get around on one foot.
To watch the entire interview with Ginger click here
Wonder if the iWALKfree Hands Free Crutch might be the best option to crutches for you? Find out by taking this quick online quiz.
