My Life on a Surfboard

Hi Mandy, I like your reference to surfing as a way of describing how you walk; I haven't heard that before and it seems so appropriate.  I was never a surfer, although I lived right near the ocean and spent a lot of time at the beach.  Having had a spine problem since I was 12, my mother wouldn't let me too far in because of the big waves and by the time I was going by myself I was sufficiently afraid that I would get knocked over and not be able to get myself up.  But I loved to watch the surfers and admire the grace that some of the them had while they stood on their board, arms out, moving gracefully with the flow of the water...

I walk with crutches most of the time, but occasionally while in my house I will walk a short way without them and find myself using some of the same body movements you describe to keep myself upright.  It's great that I can now pretend I am surfing and gracefully moving with the flow of my body.  Not exactly the same but maybe I will sing some Beach Boys music while I am going through the process of flinging my arms out to the sides and moving my body back and forth, while my feet are still in one place on the surfboard, um I mean floor. I'm from New York, so "East Coast Girls" sounds about right for me. Might as well be creative with what the adjustments we make in our lives, right?

So, the next time you find yourself surfing at home or at work, Mandy, why don't you start singing "Surfin Safari," and your husband and sing back-up?

I'm not belittling what you wrote, Mandy, I know this can be a serious problem, especially if you don't balance yourself and end up falling, but I believe it is important to find some fun in what I do or it can become overwhelming.  

So, keep on surfing.  Best to you and Jake, your surfin partner. Denise

LOL, I use that same analogy about life. One day in downtown Seattle (lots of cars), I found myself veering to the right toward the street. Later I noticed I was "pulled" off the curb into the street. Then came the frozen wave, my legs would STOP middle of crossing street. Never walked again w/out my cane, just to give car drivers a "ALERT. MAY STOP SUDDENLY."

Mandy! EXCELLENT description! When Patti could still walk, I would refer to it as wall walking but surfing is even better.

Caregivingly Yours, Patrick

http://caregivinglyyours.blogspot.com/

I hear ya!  This is one of my big symptoms too.  That MS sure is a bully picking on us like this.  I have never been graceful but now I can't even keep my balance.  Thank you for writing about this...I am not sure if many people know about this particular symptom.