I can’t say it was MS that took away my balance but I have a strong suspension that the 1.5cm lesion is my balance. I would like that back please. Tom and I went on a hike this weekend to Twin Falls in the Cascade’s of Washington State. It was very pretty hike but I couldn’t get over my fear of losing my balance. I would stand on the trail, close my eyes and feel like I was falling. I wasn’t but it felt like it. There were a couple times where I almost toppled over and Tom had to ask if I was ok. I think we are going to try hiking some more so I will have to figure out how to deal with it. Maybe the hiking sticks are the solution.
The hike was classified as easy and great for kids. It was about 4 miles total and 900 elevation gain. After the trail ended, another trail started up. I didn’t go to the top of the second one but I went pretty far. I am still proud of myself for doing it. I might be slow but I am fat, have MS and just had surgery on my Achilles tendon 6 months ago. Take that fast hikers! We finished it in 2 hours almost to the dot. Pretty decent timing.
I would love to be able to ride my bike with comfort and not worry about balance issues but I can’t. I looked at training wheels for adults but they look way nerdy. I would love to be able to ride clipless but there is no way I could do that without falling over. There are some three wheel bikes but those are harder to pedal. I remember many years ago when I decided to try mountain biking and one the first trail, I fall over a small cliff into the blackberry bushes. Most people don’t get it and just assume I am fat and lazy.
Anyway, here are a few pictures from todays hike (The first one is for my Dad’s benefit because he’s scared of heights):
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6 responses so far ↓
1 Dad & Mom // Jul 14, 2008 at 12:36 am
Dad says “Thanks for telling the world”
Mom says “I could stitch a waterfall”
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ninareply on July 15th, 2008 8:31 pm
Anytime scaredy cat.
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2 Aaron // Jul 14, 2008 at 8:14 am
Two words: Recumbent Trike. Go fast without falling over!
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ninareply on July 15th, 2008 8:29 pm
Yes! I have a coworker with one of those. It seems like it would be hard on the hamstrings? I might have to try one out though.
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3 Nadja Tizer // Jul 14, 2008 at 1:31 pm
When I was first diagnosed I also missed my balance the most. Now I think it’s back but not every day. I appreciate it more now.
I think it’s awesome that you all went for that hike. You have a great sense of humor.
[Reply]
ninareply on July 15th, 2008 8:30 pm
I don’t think the balance is going to come back any time soon since it’s been years I have been missing it!
Thanks for getting my sense of humor… I was starting to worry it was just me that thought it was funny.
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