Hearing the words “I recommend using a walking stick” from your neurologist can feel like a hard blow. Even if we’ve thought of this outcome ourselves, hearing it affirmed from our Dr seals the deal in terms of verification. It just got real! This was no surprise to me, as I was way too familiar with the ground meeting my face on a regular basis. Years of ballet lessons were not enough to combat the deterioration of myelin associated with my multiple sclerosis (MS) and resulting in a lack of basic coordination. I knew I wasn’t alone in the “I Can Do It Myself!” Club. This club is housed of stubborn, self-sufficient, hard-headed folks like me who loathe the thought of asking for help or needing assistance. We enjoy being the superhero type. The “fixers.” Sound familiar?
The shift in which the fixer becomes the fixee can lead to a tricky algorithm. For me, it required some humility, patience, and an overall bigger sense of self-acceptance. Knowing that using a mobility aid would mean less face-to-ground contact was pretty appealing. Fewer ripped pants. Less bruised knees. Fewer crowd-roaring gasps of shock and disbelief. Fewer assumptions that I may have got into a bar fight. This all seemed intriguing. So, there I was one afternoon scouring the internet for an cool walking cane that would not only prevent falls, but would also complement my style.
I knew I’d feel more comfortable about using a walking cane if I loved what it looked like. I wanted something versatile, fashionable, flashy and unique. I wanted my cane to feel like an extension of me — something I was proud to use and wear. Nobody is going to go to their optometrist saying, “I’d like the ugliest frames in stock please.”
Within the first 30 minutes of searching I already felt like I was set up for failure. Every website I visited seemed to be targeting older generations and seniors. I was 31 years old. I felt discouraged, and even a little embarrassed, seeing mobility aids in general being marketed to seniors only. No disrespect at all to my elders — I just wasn’t quite there yet. I wanted to see people in my age bracket sporting walking canes and modeling them. I wanted to find those I could relate to.
So I let myself get sucked into the vortex of social media. There I found a handful of strong-voiced chronic illness influencers who made my wish a reality. I saw younger members of the chronic illness community sporting their canes, rollators, and braces like they were couture. And they were doing it with confidence that seemed contagious! This gave me a sense of pride and empowered me to break the mold of what disability looks like. Plus these disabled fashionistas were referencing all the cool, modern and edgy mobility aid companies out there! I felt like I had hit the jackpot and was determined to break all the rules.
I think there’s quite a bit of “shock factor” when it comes to mobility aids. Especially for the younger generations using them. I guarantee if you do an online search right now for walking canes, 99 percent of the marketing will target seniors. But what if we widened our target audience and changed the algorithm? The element of shame to use a mobility aid for younger generations may be reduced when we see them being used in a more relatable way.
So if it’s your turn to take the plunge with a mobility aid, make sure it suits you! I know it’s a nerve wracking situation and it takes a lot of guts! I look at it this way - If I’m going to get stared at in public for using a mobility aid, I might as well look darn good doing it. I might even ask if they want to take a picture with me. So find what speaks to you! If you love animals, find a cane with cats on it. Have a special event coming up? Find a cane that gives off that black-tie vibe. Most importantly, you'll not only severely reduce your fall-risk factor and protect that pretty face of yours; you’ll look darn good doing it!