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A MyParkinsonsTeam Member asked a question 💭
Michigan City, IN
August 6
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Answer Summary

Members with Parkinson's disease connected over the shared challenge of navigating curbs, with many describing trips, falls, and anxiety... Read more

Members with Parkinson's disease connected over the shared challenge of navigating curbs, with many describing trips, falls, and anxiety around stepping up safely. Several members offered practical strategies including lifting feet higher than feels natural, using walkers or shopping carts for stability, turning sideways to step up, and using self-talk like 'lift your feet' to retrain movement. A recurring theme was the importance of physical therapy, building confidence, not comparing your journey to others, and always mentioning new mobility concerns to your neurologist.

A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

When my husband did the LSVT-Big program (a PT program designed for people with Parkinson's), we learned that people with PD think they are making bigger movements than they really are. It's a perception problem. The result is that instead of stepping up high enough to avoid tripping over a curb, a person with PD will only lift their foot a few inches. It makes it very easy to fall. Same thing with arm movements and stepping forward. The steps get smaller and smaller and the arm swings get lower and lower. It takes practice to learn to step higher than you think you should or step farther than you think is required.

August 6
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

Linda: When I was still driving (6 years ago) I used a walker to navigate curbs, etc. Canes, walking sticks and other 'balance' aids were counterproductive and offered no assurance of preventing falls. Truth is that nothing helped restore balance issues and canes led to two serious falls. I'm in a wheelchair now (electric) and use disabilities facilities: parking, ramps, etc.
.

August 9
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

Yes - we can easily fall over them, little devils. As we walk we should lift our feet/legs when we can and do †he same on a kerb. Take is slow and steady, focus on the one job and don't look away.

September 1
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

Stairs , crubs and anything else that you have to step up or over . I sometimes use a cane , but I hate it . The VA Hospital gave me a walker for Parkinson disease , I love that they gave methe walker , but it's for someone who is much more than me in the Parkinson scale , it doesn't turn and when you let go of the handles it brakes . So welcome to Parkinson 101 , and let's try and be kinder to each other , we are in this fight together ... 🤍

August 10
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

Linda: Don't delay. I did and wound up hospitalized and lucky to be alive. That was about ten years ago. Thanks to my walker I've had no serious falls since.

August 9

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