17. How To Walk

A simple, handy, step-by-step guide for your illumination. Please try this at home kids!

First, prepare your mind. Visualise where you want to go and how you'll do it. Get any excess giggling, complusive comments and unecessary questions out of the way. Breathe deeply. Remember, a physio is probably watching (or reading...).

Let's walk along the parallel bars. You can do this along a table, or horizontal bannister, or something. Get your (wheel)chair in the centre of the two bars, or parallel to whatever you're using. If you have breaks put them on, move aside your footplates and unbuckle your seatbelt. Shuffle forward so you're at the edge of your seat. You can't stand when slouched over. Place your feet in a firm stance, at about the width of your shoulders, with your feet straight. Your starting position is what affects the whole stand the most so how you do this bit is crucial.

With your back straight, lean forward and grip the armrest(s) of your (wheel)chair with your hand(s). Make the motions of doing this if one your hands is not fully ship-shape. Whilst in this position, push up from the floor and straighten your knees out. As you're straightening out, fluildly let go of the chair arm(s). It is important to push up from the chair rather than pull yourself up by something in front of you, because pulling isn't functional. When you have some standing balance, then hold onto the bars. You can always sit down and try again if you're too wobbley.

When standing steady, with a hand on either bar, you can take a step forward. Let's say you're moving your left foot first. Make sure your hands are in the right place ahead of you, so that you maintain balance when stepping. Roll your weight onto your right hip. Lift the left leg from the hip, and move your left foot firmly forward, heel first. Look out for your left leg waving around, and don't let your foot cross over your middle-line. That would mess up your whole balance. Keep your stride small for now, just a bit longer than the length of your foot.

As you place your left foot down, shift your weight from the right hip onto your left, and move yourself smoothly forward onto your left with this momentum. You'll probably need to adjust where your hands are as you do this so that you maintain posture. Keep your torso straight and your head up as you move forward, not lurching your body or lunging forward, but with your movement coming from your hips, not your chest. Don't look down, but keep your eyes on the prize (usually a door). Repeat this action until you have made it to the end of the bars.

There you go, you're walking! You can do it, and remember: practice makes perfect!

You can do it if I can!