We recently helped Debbie purchase her first pair of in-Motion Spring Assisted Forearm Crutches. She said we could share her story. Below is her story in her own words. Since she didn't want to share a picture, we created one using AI to represent her. :-)
"I have cerebral palsy, from a premature birth. Many years of leg braces, therapy, surgeries and orthopedic shoes had me upright and on the go for quite a while, independently.
In my mid 30's, a cane was suggested for the left hand to mitigate wear and tear of my right knee. At the time, I was being fitted for bilateral AFO's, which led to bilateral articulating AFO's, following more frequent falls; the working diagnosis was that foot drop was causing the issue. (The first set cracked soon thereafter; I was a bit too active and functional to suit the restrictions.) As it happens, within a year of being introduced to AFO's and a cane, I moved overseas. Independence has always been very important to me.
How I hated a cane, then! And I still do! In recent years, I've been using a rollator. I like it so much better than a cane, but it is annoying for those quick adventures from the car into the post office, retail stores and the like.
The rollator restored the balance and strength that the cane slowly eroded. As it happens, almost 30 years of using a single cane taught my body to rely on external stability for balance, and also ignoring and distorting the strength of the opposite side of my body. Almost 30 years of using a single cane has had a strong and negative impact on natural equilibrium.
The idea of forearm crutches has passed through my mind often in recent years. I began researching online if this was a viable option for me. As it happens, ads on Facebook began popping up in my feed for durable medical equipment of all kinds and from various brands. The in-Motion crutches repeatedly caught my attention.
I followed the reviews of a few select brands. I considered practically what exactly I needed and what was applicable for me. So many price points and options are out there to consider now, isn't it? After many days of waffling about forearm crutches in general, I finally placed an order with In-Motion Millennial Medical.
Communication has been phenomenal and reassuring while bits and pieces have been sorted through the ordering process.
I've used enough DME's to know that the most economical and basic often are more problematic than helpful; and that all the bells and whistles of the more luxurious spectrum can present a desirable image and be full of promise, but useless otherwise. I've used enough DME's to know that the right tool for the situation makes life not only doable but enjoyable.
More adventure outdoors, and not just along the concrete paths in the business world, will now be more accessible with forearm crutches. I've an acre property to take care of and there is so much to a beautiful life in this world to enjoy.
Life with a disability is obviously challenging.
Life within disability is nevertheless fulfilling,
when pursued with full knowledge and appropriate tools at hand.
Fear will steal your joy and freedom, turning you into a cripple while watching life from behind closed doors.
I look forward to using my new in-Motion forearm crutches!"
