My Journey With a Walking Stick: Making Mobility Aides Cool

Getting older sucks. Most of my life, I’ve been really active and even athletic at times despite my fights with my weight over the years. I’ve long had a funny thing in my left hip where a muscle or tendon would chafe causing me to limp. Now that I’m older its become pretty much a daily thing. I talked to my Nurse Practitioner and she recommended I talk to an orthopedic surgeon. I don’t want surgery and feel surgery on something like this would end up making things worse. So, I got a walking stick.

I actually had the walking stick for 6 or 7 years. I got it for Halloween many years ago as a prop. I got a real wooden one with a skull topper carved from either oak or walnut because I wanted my costume to look legit. So I skipped the Spirit Halloween canes. I used it a few times and it sat in the corner for years. So I decided to break it out. The walking stick made a huge difference.

I used it today at the doctor’s office and at the store. It helps me going up stairs and helps walking. I don’t have to put a ton of weight on the stick, but just enough to take pressure off of my sore hip. My previous problem had been, I would limp around all the time, and then my RIGHT leg would get stiff and start hurting because I was over compensating so much. I don’t need to use it all the time, but I will probably use it a lot. Not to mention it feels rather stylish and while I kinda feel like an old man using it (I’ll be 53 soon). I kind of also feel like a wizard on a quest!

The thing I learned through all of this is this: Getting older doesn’t need to be hokey. My grandma used a bulky aluminum cane most of her life. We don’t have to do that. We have options. I have a gothic aesthetic, mostly wearing black and such, so having a skull cane makes it pretty fun if I need to have one. If you find yourself in need of a mobility aide, find something that suits you, that fits with your look and makes you feel good and confident. There is no shame in needing one, no matter what age you are.

When we saw the Pretty Reckless in concert a few weeks ago, we were seated in the balcony. There were a lot of older people our age and older there with us. I also saw people my age and younger with walkers and walking sticks. It made me happy to see this. When I was younger, our parents generation, in their 50s and 60s when it started to get harder to get around, they simply stopped doing things. I’m a homebody, I don’t go to clubs and don’t party. But I do like going to concerts and music events, movies, and other things.

Needing help with mobility doesn’t mean your life or even your social life is over. We have a lot of options for a lot of things you can use and do. Now, I realize everyone’s condition and situation is different. So, I don’t want to act like my situation is universal. But I also hope if you find yourself needing something to help you get around, its something that makes you feel good. Life is too short to be miserable or to deny yourself experiences just because you need some assistance. Once again, I’m speaking from my own circumstances. Your own may be different so do whatever suits you.

I’ll post more about my walking stick adventures as I learn more about using it. I just felt good about how it all went today and wanted to share. I hope someone finds this blog helpful. Feel free to share in the comments your own experiences! Make sure to subscribe!