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| Caribbean Cruise - St. Kitts |
Are you listening to me? You have compelled me to take drastic action. You are tentative, discombobulated and totally uncooperative on this walking thing. You know how encumbered I feel being tethered to Donnie. I hate it, but I had to on the ship so I wouldn’t fall and create a scene. Now, I’ve had enough! What do you have to say for yourselves?”
Body
We had lots of extenuating circumstances on the ship. We’ll start with the narrow track. It was a nice track with a smooth surface, but it was tacky. Feet were prone to catch on the toe-up motion. It was wide enough for two people, walking side by side, hand in hand on most of the track. It was the narrow, curvy places that really put us on edge.
The biggest problem was all the people! Walkers and some runners, all going faster than we can go. We must complain too about the gale force winds that kicked up several mornings. There, that’s most of our issues that hindered performance.
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| Wide, straight stretch of track |
Those were really bad issues, but I still don’t like it. You wouldn’t relax. Why can’t you relax and stay that way?. I tried to do my part keeping you focused using a mantra I thought you liked. You persisted in tripping me up. When we got home, I expected you to improve. You didn’t, so we are going back to the experts. This is a courtesy notice. We are going back to “walking school”.
Body
No, not walking school! We thought we were done with that years ago.
Mind
Think of it as a refresher course. After just one lesson, you are already improving. We all want the same thing and we’ve come a long way since we started. We started this journey at least eight years ago. You surprised me a couple years ago when you began moving fluidly. That’s why I’m sure we can do better.
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| Working out on the ship |
Those falls we took several times in early 2023 created mind issues. Fear got into our psyche. That’s the enemy. It makes us hesitant, cautious, and generally unstable. Also, we have all gotten a bit lazy. Yes, it’s hard work but the alternative is unthinkable.
Body
Alright, we admit to getting distracted easily. We noticed your new pre-walk drills. We cooperate at the gym. We will do our part, but we need you to keep us focused. We’re all in. Just tell us what you want us to do.
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| Sunset and cocktails |
Your mechanics are good. Do you realize that walking requires connected movement of every bone and joint from the feet and ankle, up through the lower leg and knee to the hip and then up through the trunk and shoulders. Feet, you need arms to relax to swing and move the shoulders. That’s what causes toes to kick up. Think of a marionette stick figure with me pulling your strings to get the motion started. When it works, it flows easily. Right?
Body
That definitely sounds right. So your job is to get our motion started?
Mind
Well, I’ve only had one lesson, but theoretically you are correct. Starting the motion seems to be the hardest part of my job. We need lots more lessons because everything still feels awkward. I can feel when you are moving in a relaxed fluid motion. I am easily distracted too and forget to concentrate. I am hoping we will all learn to walk without thinking.
Another thing, since I’m in charge, I’ve decided to ramp up massage and acupuncture treatments for several months. Let’s just see if these therapies do what I think they do. I don’t see a down side. We’ve got this! Right?
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| Relaxing time before dinner |
Right!
Another factor we have to consider is aging. My neurologist suggested that some decline may be attributed to the type of MS I have - Primary Progressive. She prescribed focusing Physical Therapy totally on balance and stability while walking. You’ve already noticed the drills he has me doing. I think they are working.
Regardless, we’ve come a long way. Keeping everything in perspective, since we are expected to be declining, we are doing well to hold steady. It all takes a long time and we work on it everyday. I’m confident his strategies will strengthen the mind, body connection.
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