Monday 21 January 2013

in your face

I'm not a massive fan of snow - that's not always been the case. For a start it becomes one of the many meteorological issues which we - as Brits - tend to get our knickers in a twist about.

But like most MSers, I don't really need anything else to make me feel unsteady on my feet.

However, a work colleague told me about Yaktrax - and if you can get over the ridiculous name, they're highly recommended.

Basically these are snow chains for your feet - I got my pair over massive walking shoes, Emma managed to get hers over her wellington boots.

The picture below shows me walking yesterday on packed ice (note the sexy grey NHS walking stick I spoke of before). Earlier on that day I'd also walked uphill pulling a combination sledge-and-toddler.

In both instances, it felt like I was walking on... y'know, like, a NORMAL walking surface. These things are so good, I didn't mind getting a few funny looks when I planted my feet in snow and tried to do the twist - and found that my feet weren't moving.

Brilliant.

And like the walking stick, it's just something simple which could mean feeling independent in all weathers as opposed to useless and cut-off from society.

Recommended for all but especially if you have mobility / steadiness concerns.

Edited (22/01/13) : I should say that I am not in ANYWAY on ANY sort of commission for my endorsement!

8 comments:

  1. I've been browsing through your blog and quite enjoy it (well, as much as one can enjoy reading about the trials/tribulations/whatnot of MS). Admittedly, I've read only a few posts, but I wanted to pop in and say I'll add you to my regular rotation of blogs. I'm new to the blogging community, but not so new to MS (diagnosed in 2005).

    Wishing you all the best and think it's great that you have proper shoes to go along w/ the SS (sexy stick).

    Ms. CrankyPants

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  2. hey - thanks for stopping by and thanks for the comment. I also got my DX in 2005.

    there are a LOT of MS blogs out there and, to be honest, i don't find (m)any of them that entertaining - i set this site up initially so i would have a space where i could moan about 'my lot'.

    since having a relapse in March 2012 i've been trying to adjust my attitude (for the sake of my health and that of my family) - all the things that i've found helpful (CBT, Physio, Yaktrax, sexy-sticks) are included here just as a "well, this worked for me".

    cheers for stopping by - don't worry, updates will continue to be sporadic at best - real life has a tendency to get in the way!

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  3. there are a LOT of MS blogs out there and, to be honest, i don't find (m)any of them that entertaining

    having said that, yours is pretty cool - added to my reading list!

    (Tofurkey looks 'delightful' by the way...!)

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  4. Delightful doesn't begin to describe Tofurkey. Is it available in the UK? If not, a true injustice is being done...

    Thanks for checking out my blog; I agree, it's hard to find ones that make you laugh, as well as go "hmmmm." (having said that, I'm embarrassed, since there was that awful song about 'Things That Make You Go Hmmm' - not my intention to stick that in anyone's head; so sorry).

    That was a very long-winded way of saying I enjoy your style of writing (and Stumbling in Flats's), so it was a pleasure to find you both on the same day!

    Good luck!

    p.s. I'm trying CBT too. As you'll see from my posts, I'm an annoying hypochondriac. Makes MS ever so much more entertaining.

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  5. man, sometimes it's the only way... she truly knows NO FEAR.

    it's actually attached to her buzzy-bee backpack, it's not like it's attached to a choke chain!

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  6. Hahahaha! My toddler doesnt know what does the Word fear mean?
    It seems to me a great idea this tied bee backpack thing... But dont you fall down whe she runs following a Bird? I imagine using it with my girl... It could be a catastrophy!

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  7. hi - the back-pack is great - but i don't think ANY toddler knows what the word 'Fear' means!

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