And is strapping myself in like Hannibal Lector my only option?
People who use wheelchairs can often be seen using a variety of straps on their bodies . Whether it’s a tiny Velcro strap to hold paralyzed hands in place all day or a chest strap to hold up an ever present limp torso (to prevent the always embarrassing “falling out of your chair” incident), straps in the wc-community are about as common as finding cheap beer at a frat party. They’re everywhere, and they’re honestly kind of annoying.
Over the years I’ve had some big spills. Like the one time my sister was pushing me in my manual chair on a bike path. We hit a tiny grassy mound, she pushed me up it, and I gradually rolled back. The only problem was that I forgot my wheelie bars and before I knew it I was looking up at the sky with a strange man coming out of a dark green Ford Explorer asking me for help.
The other big spill was Halloween 2007. I was drunk and driving my chair home from a party, with some friends. I was so inebriated that I lost my already non-existent C6 quad balance, and suddenly, my forehead was saying hello to the pavement (that was an embarrassing sore to explain to people). But what should I do? Strap myself in? I don’t think so. And here’s why.
Therapists have been pushing straps on me since 1993, and I’ve been adamantly denying them the entire time. Although straps are super important and keep you safe, I just can’t bring myself to it. Other than the fact that they ruin any outfit you put on and aren’t that comfortable in the first place (and can actually limit some mobility), I’m pretty sure my previously able-bodied persona is still attaching a “disability” stigma to these straps. I don’t want to look more disabled than I already am!
So I started taking the anti-spasmodic pill, Baclofen, a few months ago to stop my abdomen and leg spasms (the main musclely culprits responsible for my “falling out of my chair” spasms), and that has helped. Maybe doing more yoga will help? Or maybe more ROM (range of motion)?
What’s your opinion on being strapped in? Do you avoid it too?
- CP Woman Found Strangled in Own Bra
- Anyone else here on Baclofen?
- Tonic water for spasms?
