This is a great post, Elizabeth. Seeing some of my loved ones resist assistive devices, I’ve often thought if I needed one, I’d welcome it. But we can’t know until we’re in that spot, and I’m grateful for your candor that you’re loving it and how it’s helping you get outside.
I love the fact that you are finding more freedom with your rollator, and that your neighbor had just the right words. I'm sure that my sins have included "things said and left unsaid" though I am not always aware of how I could do better. Your neighbor has it right... notice, slow down and walk with, and carry on.
After having surgery, they would not release me from the hospital until I got a walker/rollator. One day my husband and I went out for a walk and a neighbor across the street saw me using a walker. She asked a different neighbor to be nosy and ask us what happened. The "nosy" neighbor offered cleaning services or anything else we might need. The other neighbor never even spoke to us.
Yes! Occasionally I need some combination of cane, hiking sticks, and ankle braces to walk. Keep me mobile and body aligning better with my lively spirit. Also have a family member who uses a wheelchair when orthostatic problems act up. We had to get over “need it enough” syndrome.
I have never met you, but find you inspirational! I had a rollator for a while and I thought it was wonderful. When I no longer was using it, I gave it to another parishioner at my former church home. She has enjoyed it for some time now. My prayers are with you. Peace! Elise
I love your writing and your story about your neighbor. I’m so glad you are going out for walks again — they can be so life giving! I know people who use rollators by “Drive” and they don’t seem too noisy to me. Blessings to you in your walking and writing! ❤️
You can come down to our cul-de-sac and get Marty to try to walk with his rollater with you! He doesn’t move around a lot. Then when you guys get good enough, you can have rollater races! Miss and love you! 💗
So cool that he has one too! When I walked into church with it Friday for Granny's funeral, Adrian was sitting in the back with his and challenged me to a race, lol.
I don’t need a device but you have inspired me to get off my butt and move. Even around the cul de sac. I have no excuse not to. I just need to see the gift of life and your determination of wanting to get out there. God bless you Elizabeth.
I really appreciated this post. It made me think about how I might walk beside you. I’m also googling a rollator so I can picture you on yours. Love you, Elizabeth!
OMG! I love you! I had to look up "rollator" to see what it looks like and VOILA! I already have one! I just thought it was the Cadillac of walkers - gotten when I had knee surgery. Mine is Royal Blue ;-) and I've loaned it out occasionally. But I know there will come a time when I need it again and I will think of you. In 2003 I was diagnosed with breast cancer while I was working at St. Thomas in Chesapeake with our friend Michael Spear-Jones. People with whom I had never had a conversation before suddenly had a lot to say....like, "I was afraid when I found a lump, but mine was benign!" (Good for you)....or "My mom died of breast cancer - I hope I don't get it!" Etc. But mostly folks were kind and just asked how I was feeling. The nadir of my chemo-driven immune system was that Christmas Eve. I did NOT greet people in the narthex after church. ;-) Most folks don't know what to say - and I like your neighbor's simple kindness. Love and blessings and pneuma to you, my dear.
My sister also had one after knee surgery and also called it a walker! Thank you for sharing your experience in 2003. I did not know about that. And I adore Michael.
My mom used to get questions a lot! She always said she didn’t mind them, no matter if they seemed a bit “insensitive” at the time. She’d much rather people ask questions, than to stare or assume. She especially encouraged parents to allow their children to ask, rather than shoo them away.
Many years ago, a friend, a submarine commander, maneuvered his boat into a Japanese fishing vessel, killing several children. Of course he was devastated. I told him that it was my prayer that God would use this tragedy to make something good. I heard later from a mutual friend that this was the most unhelpful thing anyone ever said to him. I meant well, but I regret it to this day.
Hi Elizabeth,
I use a cane and rollator. The latter is, indeed, noisy on asphalt. I’m blessed to have it after breaking my right ankle two weeks before Christmas.
It bothers me a little when someone says to me “Well I guess I’m going to have to get one of those.”
I used a wheelchair for a while and a hospital bed at home.
I’m just so glad to be up and around after 2 months of not being able to walk.
Elizabeth, I enjoy reading your messages.
This is a great post, Elizabeth. Seeing some of my loved ones resist assistive devices, I’ve often thought if I needed one, I’d welcome it. But we can’t know until we’re in that spot, and I’m grateful for your candor that you’re loving it and how it’s helping you get outside.
it's truly been a game changer for me.
I love the fact that you are finding more freedom with your rollator, and that your neighbor had just the right words. I'm sure that my sins have included "things said and left unsaid" though I am not always aware of how I could do better. Your neighbor has it right... notice, slow down and walk with, and carry on.
I can't wait for your next book to come out!
After having surgery, they would not release me from the hospital until I got a walker/rollator. One day my husband and I went out for a walk and a neighbor across the street saw me using a walker. She asked a different neighbor to be nosy and ask us what happened. The "nosy" neighbor offered cleaning services or anything else we might need. The other neighbor never even spoke to us.
Thank you for the chocolate over kale prayer. Grateful for your neighbor and hoping I can be a neighbor like that.
Yes! Occasionally I need some combination of cane, hiking sticks, and ankle braces to walk. Keep me mobile and body aligning better with my lively spirit. Also have a family member who uses a wheelchair when orthostatic problems act up. We had to get over “need it enough” syndrome.
I have never met you, but find you inspirational! I had a rollator for a while and I thought it was wonderful. When I no longer was using it, I gave it to another parishioner at my former church home. She has enjoyed it for some time now. My prayers are with you. Peace! Elise
I love your writing and your story about your neighbor. I’m so glad you are going out for walks again — they can be so life giving! I know people who use rollators by “Drive” and they don’t seem too noisy to me. Blessings to you in your walking and writing! ❤️
Ann, thank you so much!!
You can come down to our cul-de-sac and get Marty to try to walk with his rollater with you! He doesn’t move around a lot. Then when you guys get good enough, you can have rollater races! Miss and love you! 💗
So cool that he has one too! When I walked into church with it Friday for Granny's funeral, Adrian was sitting in the back with his and challenged me to a race, lol.
I don’t need a device but you have inspired me to get off my butt and move. Even around the cul de sac. I have no excuse not to. I just need to see the gift of life and your determination of wanting to get out there. God bless you Elizabeth.
Blessings back to you! I miss our Wednesday morning talks.
I really appreciated this post. It made me think about how I might walk beside you. I’m also googling a rollator so I can picture you on yours. Love you, Elizabeth!
You do a beautiful job of walking beside me. Thank you, and I love you too!
That is a powerful story, and your writing always speaks to me. Thank you. 💕
OMG! I love you! I had to look up "rollator" to see what it looks like and VOILA! I already have one! I just thought it was the Cadillac of walkers - gotten when I had knee surgery. Mine is Royal Blue ;-) and I've loaned it out occasionally. But I know there will come a time when I need it again and I will think of you. In 2003 I was diagnosed with breast cancer while I was working at St. Thomas in Chesapeake with our friend Michael Spear-Jones. People with whom I had never had a conversation before suddenly had a lot to say....like, "I was afraid when I found a lump, but mine was benign!" (Good for you)....or "My mom died of breast cancer - I hope I don't get it!" Etc. But mostly folks were kind and just asked how I was feeling. The nadir of my chemo-driven immune system was that Christmas Eve. I did NOT greet people in the narthex after church. ;-) Most folks don't know what to say - and I like your neighbor's simple kindness. Love and blessings and pneuma to you, my dear.
My sister also had one after knee surgery and also called it a walker! Thank you for sharing your experience in 2003. I did not know about that. And I adore Michael.
My mom used to get questions a lot! She always said she didn’t mind them, no matter if they seemed a bit “insensitive” at the time. She’d much rather people ask questions, than to stare or assume. She especially encouraged parents to allow their children to ask, rather than shoo them away.
Many years ago, a friend, a submarine commander, maneuvered his boat into a Japanese fishing vessel, killing several children. Of course he was devastated. I told him that it was my prayer that God would use this tragedy to make something good. I heard later from a mutual friend that this was the most unhelpful thing anyone ever said to him. I meant well, but I regret it to this day.
Oh Nancy. I am so sorry.