How do you go about telling those in your social and personal circle that you are going to start using a mobility aid?
With and without a diagnosis or recommendation for such?
How to take and educate them if they don't understand or critique you for using a mobility aid?
I'm looking forward to seeing more of your posts, and subsequent comments and experiences! This can only help others and also help you!
This is a great topic to discuss and I look forward to reading all the comments that come. To be completely honest, this is something I am still trying to work out myself. However for me, its more of knowing the conversation is going to be uncomfortable. I've dealt with people being genuinely curious, but also people just judging me. Have you ever heard of or looked into The Spoon Theory? Basically, you start your day with a certain amount of spoons (your energy level), and every activity you do during the day takes a number of spoons away. This is something only you can determine. Say your going shopping with your friends and for them it would only take one spoon away, but for you to go without a mobility aid it would take 5 spoons, and with an aid it would take only 2 spoons. Once your spoons are gone for the day, you're down for the rest of that day and have no energy left. Maybe explain it in that kind of way to your circle, and let them know you'd rather have as much energy as you can, and the only way to do that is by using an aid. I know this is easier said than done, but if they don't understand after you have explained it, maybe it would be best if they just didn't understand ya know? Maybe just go about your business by using what you need and eventually it will be a normal thing for them to see when they are with you.
I am going to add this topic to the forum, so it will be more out in the open for other members to see. Thank you again