Scared to go out on rainy days

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I wrote last week about a horror train trip to my college and back when I had to jump from the train due to a very large platform gap. I was supposed to start classes today, but it's been raining on and off all morning and I was too scared to go out and risk slipping and falling, especially getting on and off the trains. 

This is really depressing. I don't want to become a homebody due to a possibly irrational fear. I did really well in my course last semester and some of my work was even used in the college showcase video, so I really want to finish. Unfortunately, I don't have the magical powers to control the weather.

Any suggestions on getting over this fear would be very welcome. I want to beat it before it becomes all-consuming...

2

Belle - you can ask for assistance on the trains, they will ask you to sit in a special seat, they reserve for disabled people, just behind the drivers cabin, if I remember correctly.

I used the option for about 2 years before I gave up work, it all just became too much eventually, due to the severity of OA to my hip.

When I finally saw the specialist at the hospital, they were shocked, they should have seen me long before they did, but we all know about waiting lists, and hopeless GP's who will not write a strongly enough worked letter to the hospital.

 

3

Actually I was just behind the driver's cabin when I had to jump off last week. Due to the bend in the platform, the conductor at the middle of the train couldn't see me struggling to get out and signalled to let the train leave. The driver never looks out at the stations and has no conductor in his cabin. I am planning to get in and out at the middle in future so I am near the conductor.

The problem I'm having is being scared of slippage when it's raining. Sydney pavements often change surfaces and you never know which ones are going to be slippery when wet. One of my crutches sometimes slips just on my front stairs...

4

Belle, it's true that crutches will slip on wet, smooth surfaces. It has happened to me, and it is scary. So I don't think you are having an irrational fear, I am sorry to say.

It is just so difficult to get around in the world when using a walking aid. We have lots of ice and snow here from December through March, which is terrifying to navigate. I feel very fortunate that I don't have to do any public transportation. And when I am walking outside to the car, my sister or husband is usually wth me, and we all watch out for each other. I often hang onto my husband's arm with one hand and the crutch in my other when it's wet. That's safer than two crutches.

One strategy when you are alone would be to go very slowly. Stop after you take each step and have both feet on the ground before you move, then plant your crutch until you are sure it isn't slipping before you step again. Takes forever, I know, but it is safer.

Another thought is that you might try a walker instead. I think maybe you call a walker a frame in the UK? Yes, it will be harder to go any distance with, but it IS more stable. And another thing you can do is to make sure that you are wearing sturdy shoes/boots with strong, non-slip, grippy soles.

My sympathies to you. Perhaps you could postpone the schooling for a semester until you are physically stronger.

5

I think your fear is rational.  We all know that one fall can be devastating.  Have you invested in a really good pair of shoes/boots, that have good grip and strong ankle support?  

I am sorry you are suffering so.

Dawn, USA

6

Thanks, Annie

I am in Australia, not the UK... I did consider deferring my course for a semester however, although I am trying to start a home-based business, I am officially unemployed. Therefore, if I am not studying, the job agency will make me apply for jobs, which would still involve public transport. If I fail to turn up to a job interview, it would have far worse consequences than missing a few classes...

I've read on here posts from some people who've been self-conscious about going out with walking canes. I would NOT go out with a walking frame. I don't feel "old enough" to have one and definitely would never leave the house. Crutches are okay. In fact, they help a bit in public. At least drivers know why I'm not rushing across intersections...

7

I do have some good boots, but not all soles are good on all surfaces and our paving here is crazy. You'll get a good strip, then some slippery tiling, then another safe strip and then more tiles and so on.

I was in Malaysia this time last year and almost all of the pavements I walked on were really safe and designed with disabilities (including blindness) in mind. I sent a photo of some to my local council when I returned, but never got a response, of course...

8

PS I used to wear Converse sneakers all the time about 10 years ago. Thought the grip was amazing... until the day I was walking in the rain in an outdoor mall and nearly went bum-up after stepping onto a wet metal surface. Discovered they are very, very dangerous on wet metal surfaces...

9

So your fear is really very rational!  I hope you find a way through this.  I pray that you do not fall.

10

Belle - having already nagvigated the Aus sickness sytem, can you get your GP to issue you a sickness certificate, so you don't have to job hunt.

Sorry its been a while now, but how long dies a sickness certificate hold off centerlink, and or how long will you Dr sign you off.

We had real problems getting sickness benefit for husband that had just been discharged from hospital, with heart failure, barely able to walk across room in hospital. Finally refused benefit, an the grounds we had applied for wrong benefit, interesting that was the benefit centerlink advised us to apply for.

Then starting all over again, with invalids benefit, we were told dr's letters explaining his condition were irrelevant, they weren't even addressed to us but to our GP, and he had been kind enough to supply us with copies of those specialist letters.

We ended up having to report my husband to Workcover, as he was firstly a danger to himself, other drivers on the road, and other workers at his workplace, there is a clause in the workcover act that you have a legal obligation to report yourself if you could be a danger to others in your workplace, not well known, but they do tell you about the act, in heart rehab, an explain its significance, and its obligations.

You have to be very cautious in using this act, as to get back your licenses, including drivers license afterwards becomes a nightmare of paperwork, most of hisbands licenses he has never chased, as his has never been well enough since.

11

Hi Belle, 

Wow, that is quite a challenge - Is it once a week or more ? Taxi  is probably too expensive - 

The problem is that when you are afraid you are insecure and something will happen - unless of course you are wearing shoes that make you feel confident to walk in the rain - That would be the best solution , I think - 

I understand that walking with a frame, trolley or rollator is embarressing but this is temporary and if t hlps, why not?

Wishing you dry days to come Belle

big warm hug

renee

 

12

Hi Belle

Sorry to hear your story

Hindsight is a fine thing, but just to tell  hippies out there that Exeter  Hospital recommend NO public transport for 6 week reasons like this. Good luck in your recovery and future journeys.

Your fear is well grounded  and understandable. As a  therapst, If fears persist a course of counselling mght help you?

Like Annie, I dont to be seen with  a walker or crutches - so  I have Leki  walking poles for busy towns!

x

13

Hi Belle

I'm in Sydney too and we have had some amazing wet weather! And the wind today. . .

I hear your fear. Both of falling over and of becoming a home body. Two competing fears is tough. Am I right in saying you've had a replacement?

You seem to have a good plan of going in the middle of the train. And it sounds like good advice to go very slowly, especially when you see a change of surface. Maybe you could avoid wet days and get more confident on dry days. I think managing is a learning experience and we get better and better at it as we go on.

It would be such a pity to postpone study that seems so beneficial. And so annoying for yoir hip to rob you of such satisfaction.

So I would say give it another go. It's supposed to be fine for the next week. Maybe you could practice even if you don't need to go in.

Kikeena

14

If there is no way you can get out of doing this commute until you are further along in recovery, then I am hoping for the most possible dry weather days! I AM old, so I welcome using whatever aid I feel is best for the situation, but crutches when it is wet are not a good solution. May you stay safe, Belle.

15

My certificate only covered me until two days ago. I asked the hospital to extend it, but was told I have to wait until my appointment on Feb 19. I have an appointment with the job agency next week, so will explain the situation and see what happens.

16

Belle - do you have a regular GP, or a bulk billing GP clinic, go and see them and get an sick certificate. Take any x-rays you have and or any copies of letters the hospital has already sent to GP.

I have an old computer bag full of certificates, doctors letters, I ask for copies, they can't refuse you but you do have to ask, and I take that bag with me when I go to appt's, and also when I have to go to centerlink, or job placement centeres when they have insisted, they run for their lives, they know the workcover laws, although they won't tell you. Think it is paragraph 25 and 28A, of the act, the obligation to report yourself.

I have also kept every centerlink letter they have ever sent me, and when I give them a certificate, I get them to stamp it received, dated, and then photcopied for my records PLEASE!!!!!. (funny they have never lost anything since I started this little filing effort).

As you can see, I am very cranky with centerlink, and will continue to be while they have such idiots working there, who say specialist letters are irrelevant.

 

17

I'm trying to get a GP appointment. My nearest place is VERY busy every day.

[Non-hip rant follows]

I've never had a problem with Centrelink. The new job agency they've assigned to me is a different story. They keep promising to send me letters and never do, then blame the postal system... They don't inform me of appointments. I've found out about them purely by chance when calling to find out what the heck is going on. Even by phone, I don't get through to my local office, but to a national call centre. They are quite frustrating to deal with and I haven't even met them yet.

I worked for 30 years until made redundant two years ago. During that time, I was in the highest tax bracket. I was always glad part of my tax went to help fund benefits for people unable to work in either the short or long term. Now that my time is here, the rules have become bewildering.

My goal is to have my business up and running by the end of the semester, when my course ends, so I can tell these people where to take their unprofessionalism. (This agency is run by a well-known religious group, btw, and their lack of communication is so appalling I have concern for anyone who might try to access their welfare services). When my business is going, they will not be able to collect a government bonus for "finding" me a job. That at least will be satisfying.

18

Three days a week and, yes, too expensive by taxi. It would be about $50 each way. I've seen people around my neighbourhood with those knee scooters (bit like a kid's scooter, but you rest your bad leg on it) and they are cool. But they wouldn't solve the train/rain problem.

Of course, the other downside to going out in the rain with crutches, or most walking aids for that matter, is you can't hold an umbrella so you get soaked on top of the rest of it...

19

Belle - we fall into the same age group as you, I was 55 when my hips gave it away completely, I was not eligible for centerlink anything, as my husband earned too much.

What used to really worry me about centerlink, is not us two who can get up and fight, and do know how to fight, but the disabled, and or mentally challenged, and or elderly, are they just supposeed to miss out on what they are entitled to, and often do miss out, I have helped some of my neighbours with making sure they are getting there rates rebate, and their car registration rebates, that they never knew about.

Then he deveolped heart failure a month after the brisbane floods, and he is slowly getting worse, they didn't actully expoect him to survive the congestive heart failure, when he did, they discharged him, and then a day later re-admitted him, to the heart hospital in brisbane, nurses at our local hospital told me in no uncertain terms to NOT big him back here.

They are now talking about a heart regulator, no not a pacemaker, similar, but does a different job, both sides of his heart won't beat together, even though he takes a chemist shop of medication, and its important that both sides of your heart do beat together, or its very inefficent, you should see his ecg, not normal, even I can see that, and I'm not formally trained, but I have learn't far more about heart failure in the last 5 years than I ever thought I would need in two lifetimes.

20

Belle - keep a diary of when you contact your job employment agency, and or when they contact you, record it all, diaries are applicable for tax purposes so they must have value even for centerlink, make a note of what you said to them, and what they said they would do for you, leave a gap for the result, the time of day, the date, and who you spoke to, and it sounds as though you also need to know where they are, that will also be your proof of your contacts.