An object of beauty

It is easy to feel sadness or pity when you see someone using a crutch. However, a crutch is a wonderful thing.

A year ago, after Sharon had suffered her stroke, or cerebral hemorrhage, she was lying flat out on a bed in hospital, connected up to all sorts of tubes and monitors, but she had survived.

Eventually, a little movement in her right hand returned and she was able to whisper a few words. These words were: “I want to go in there.” And her right index finger would flicker in the direction of the wc in the room which she shared with another patient. As soon as she was conscious she wanted to be up and about. Sharon doesn´t do lying in bed but she had to put up with it for a long time and she never did make it to the smallest room.

Later, after discharge from hospital, sitting up was a real problem. She would wobble and then fall sideways on the sofa. Then physiotherapy began but she did the same thing down at the rehabilitation clinic. With immense patience the physiotherapists got her to sit up straight. Then the very long struggle to stand up started. Fear of falling was the biggest problem. But patience and Sharon´s determination eventually saw her standing on her own, holding on to her physio friend Isabel.

Then she was given a crutch and told to take a step. Again: “I´m going to fall,” was her biggest worry. But, over the weeks, not just one but a two or three steps were taken. Specially made shoes helped keep her feet straight and each day there were a few more steps.

The wheelchair was, and is, always the backup but a bit less than a year after her stroke Sharon could walk a couple of dozen steps with her crutch, with someone holding her other hand to steady her. This hand has problems of its own and that is why she can´t use two crutches or hold a Zimmer frame.

A visit to family in the UK at Christmas saw her crutch left behind in the car park at Gatwick airport and it was about a week before another one could be bought. So, there was plenty of staggering about in the meantime leaning on people.

Now, Sharon has a new prosthesis to keep that pesky left foot straight and she is getting used to it. Each day she walks a little further, still with the trusty crutch in her right hand and a helping hand to hold on the other side. On her most recent visit to her friends at physio she was told: “Sharon, you will be walking on your own soon.” Fear of falling, rather than technical factors, remain the biggest obstacle to overcome. But Sharon will get there, as she has come so far.

And that crutch, seemingly such a sad thing, is a true wonder and a thing of joy.


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©Phillip Bruce 2009