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When it comes to dealing with the Progression of Becker’s Muscular
Dystrophy at times it can become a little frustrating. The main issue I am
dealing with now is my struggle just to get up from a seated position. The
first place this became a major issue for me was when it came to driving my old car which happened to sit very low to the ground. Thankfully I was able to correct this by
purchasing a vehicle which sat a little bit higher helping to reduce my
struggle when it came to getting in and out of my vehicle. There are still a
few place where this issue is a problem - it’s one of the reasons I tend to avoid
my local movie theatre. Now I still venture out to the movies every once in a
while but I always wait till the end of the show until the movie theatre is empty
before I even attempt to stand up. This usually works perfectly since I don't enjoy exiting a theatre surrounded by a crowd of other people. When it comes to my issues with standing up
from a seated position it is something I am trying to get use to but at times I
do feel a little frustrated. I already know that living with Becker’s Muscular
Dystrophy that my muscles are going to get weaker it just not always that easy
to accept. Eventually I know I will come to accept it but for some of us it might
take longer than others. After all everyone's story is a little different and we all have our own ways of handling changes
to our everyday lives.
Thankfully over the last few years I have learned how to handle
certain situations when it comes to my struggles to get up from a seated
position. The one thing I find that helps me when getting up is if I swing my
arm forward as it seems to give me the momentum I need to stand up. This is
mainly something I do only at home, in other situations I tend to place my hands
on my thighs and then push down on my legs as this helps me to get up. This is
something I usually have to do when out at a restaurant or over at a friends house. In recently years going to the barber for a hair cut has become a problem as well so I usually end up cutting it myself at home. The main issue is the struggle I face
when it comes time to get up from the barbers chair as the foot rest extension always
seems to get in my way. Sure I could always ask them to put the chair at
a level that works best for me - but since I am a little shy at times I never speak up and ask them if they could do it. So I
am willing to take the blame for this one. The one good thing about all of this
it is that it helps me to save a lot of money on haircuts. Maybe one day I will
choose to speak up and explain my situation after all most people are very
understanding when it comes to the issues we face. I guess I have to learn to
speak up as doing so might just make my life so much easier. In the end it
really doesn’t hurt to ask right?
The next place I seem to be having a few issues is
around my apartment. Especially when it comes to getting up off the couch. The one good thing about being at home is that there is usually always something
for me to push off of – the couch and the coffee table are usually my best
friend in these moments. You see as long as I have some type of surface to push
off of I can get up no problem. One thing that I could really benefit from at
this point in my progression is a lifter-chair. Something I have been hoping to
get for a very long time. I actually know of others living with Becker’s
Muscular Dystrophy who already use lifter-chairs and they tell me it has really
change their lives. I guess I just have to start saving to be able to purchase
one someday soon. What I am most thankful for is that no matter what issue I
face related to the progression of Muscular Dystrophy is that there many
devices out there that were created to make our lives easier. And I am sure
there will come a day when I am able to accept each and every struggle I face
after all it truly is the best thing we can do.
Related posts:
My personal story growing up with Becker's Muscular Dystrophy ,
My Childhood with Becker's Muscular Dystrophy ,
My Childhood with Muscular Dystrophy: School & Gym Class ,
Growing up with Muscular Dystrophy: The High School years ,
Growing up with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy as a teenager
Accessible seating would have made a big difference ,
A look at what I like to call "Weak Days" &
When Stairs become your worst enemy
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My personal story growing up with Becker's Muscular Dystrophy ,
My Childhood with Becker's Muscular Dystrophy ,
My Childhood with Muscular Dystrophy: School & Gym Class ,
Growing up with Muscular Dystrophy: The High School years ,
Growing up with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy as a teenager
Accessible seating would have made a big difference ,
A look at what I like to call "Weak Days" &
When Stairs become your worst enemy