Well, I did it--I bought a cane

I finally decided that it's time for me to quit hobbling so much and get something to help me, so I bought a cane. It's ugly and practical, but it's functional. The stairs in my house have been a real pain for a while now, and the butt scoot gets old really fast.

I bought one of those hideous folding canes at the Wal-Mart pharmacy. No sense in spending a lot on a nice cane just yet since I need to get accustomed to it and figure out sizing and if it will actually help on a really bad day (think zombie walk with all joints stuck straight out).

Honestly, I never thought I would be so happy to get a mobility aid. I had kept telling myself that I would at least wait until after this upcoming birthday to give a nice "I showed you" to the doctors who said I wouldn't be able to walk by 25. Well, I can still walk, I just need some help. And, admitting that instead of being miserable is the preferable option.

Anyway, I got home yesterday with my cane and taught myself how to walk with the cane and how to get up and down the stairs with the cane (only for the right hip though--guess I'll have to wait until the left flares to learn use it properly for the left. If they both flare, then, I have no idea how to work that). I am happy to report that the cane is making a huge difference in my ability to go up and down the stairs! My staircases only have rails on one side, so the cane gives me that extra bit of leverage and stability that I need to go up and down. It's still painful, but much less painful than my other methods.