Ugh! I hope it isn't memory problems. I don't need anymore complications at 
this time. When I first got out of the hospital, my doctor of physical medicine 
explained that I had far less mobility than I did prior SCI, but had gotten 
enough to be dangerous. He explained that my mind would remember how to move, 
but that my body wouldn't be able duplicate those movements. So I think that 
may explain the falling if I am moving, but not just  sitting there. I get so 
embarrassed falling like that. 
 
I just remembered back in the hospital, I worked my butt off. First I stretched 
until I got a flutter of movement in my toe. Then I concentrated like mad to 
move my toe. Finally, I got some movement in both my legs. With braces (not yet 
hinged) I was able to stand for a few seconds until I was able to lift a leg. 
That day, my husband came to the hospital as he did neary every day and I asked 
the PT staff to take me back to the bars so I could show my husband how I took 
three steps. I remember trying not to cry, but my husband didn't care if the 
staff saw him cry.
 
 If I wasn't strong enough to walk, I sat and did repetition exercises. The PT 
and doctor had to ask me to slow down because I would end up having shaking 
muscles because I overused them. I even had OT write a note that I had 
developed carpel tunnel because I had overdone it with my hands. At the time, I 
couldn't figure out what happened to me and nobody had used the words "spinal 
cord inury." Of course, the first time I heard that in relation to my 
condition, it made total sense and I felt like a dork for not figuring it out.
 
I am not saying that I got any mobility back because of my efforts. I just got 
lucky because I knew people with lesser injuries that didn't get any movement 
back. So again, I say that I can't take credit. I just got lucky.
 
I have explained how I regained some mobility. In the hospital, my eight year 
old nephew was taking my walker back to my room as my husband pushed my 
wheelchair. My nephew was pushing the walker along the floor, but moving like 
he was Frankenstein's monster from those old movies. I asked why he was doing 
that and my husband explained that was how I looked when walking. (And to think 
that I used to be in dance and tumbling and then moved like a stiff legged 
movie monster.) I was shocked and very uncomfortable back then. Now, I can 
laugh, but not back then. Even now, when I come into our house, I have just a 
couple of steps to get up to the door, I grip the hand rail and pull like 
crazy. I look like Batman and Robin climbing buildings back in the old 60s 
series. (Not sure anyone remembers those episodes.)
 
I know that I am quite lucky, but there are still days that I can't see it. It 
hurts losing so much.

Candle 
"Scars remind of us where we’ve been, they don’t have to dictate where we are 
going." 
~David Rossi of Criminal Minds
***********************************************************************
 

________________________________
 From: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]; [email protected] 
Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 7:33 PM
Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] keep falling
  

 
If you are not fainting and recovering, then you are have a lapse in 
memory.  The cause, I'm not qualified to judge.  I'm sure that your 
primary or neuro specialist is more qualified to advise you.  Until that 
time, enjoy the ride and be most careful! 
Best Wishes 

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