I live in a retirement home where many of the residents use walkers. One day I was watching a lady walk bent over her walker, as if it was trying to pull her under the floor. I suggested that she raise the handles on her walker, but she informed me that her doctor had not told her to do so and on that note, she was only going to do as her doctor instructed her to do!
OK, I can understand following doctor’s orders, but what if her doctor didn’t watch her using that short walker? Think about it – the nurse brings us into the room and we sit waiting for that doctor to arrive. And, the doctor usually leaves the room before us, so when would he have seen this dear little lady use her walker? When do we become responsible for some of our own care?
You would think if people are suggesting improvements we can make to our lives, that we would at least stop to think, “I wonder why they would say that?” Most of the time people make suggestions because they want to see us doing, being or feeling better. Why would I care if her back hurt from bending over too far if it wasn’t for her benefit?
The scary thing in all of this is - we treat our doctors as if they are God – knowing everything we need before we ask for it. Well, the fact is doctors aren’t God or even a good facsimile of God, so why wouldn’t we ask more questions of our doctors if it would make our lives easier?
Do we think so little of ourselves that we don’t dare question those who are the “authority” or have we been programmed not to ask questions, because it wouldn’t be polite? Either way, it’s time to take a little responsibility for our own well-being.
Raise the handles on your walker! Your back will thank you!
