Android in Space. I’ve finally discovered a way to break the icy exterior of my Internist… Wear awesome space leggings. First time I think I’ve seen him smile. Thanks, Jeffie! Also, my Zak Smith shirt… One of my faves.
Being resigned to explain my meltdowns at age 34 after a lifetime because I injured myself to the point that I need an x-ray this time. Before: anxious, running through the scenarios in my head. After: GP was sweet and non-judgmental. She made me laugh to let me know, it’s okay.
Pic 1: A title card that says ‘basic respect for cane users’.
Pic 2: Not all cane users are: physically weak, slow, elderly. Some cane users can: run, lift heavy things, ride bikes, skateboards, etc. Cane users are not all the same.
Pic 3: Do: move out of the way for someone using a cane, give your seat to a cane user on public transport, offer to carry something for your friend or co worker with a cane, ask cane users what their access needs are, treat cane users with respect. Remember that not everyone with a physical disability uses a mobility aid.
Pic 4: DON’T: touch cane users without their explicit permission, make assumptions about whether someone ‘really’ needs their cane, give unwanted advice about someones disability, make a cane user feel bad or like they’re an embarassment. Remember: people might not use their cane full-time, you can’t know if someone is faking.
Lemme just say it again for the people in the back, GET OUT OF THE WAY OF PEOPLE WITH CANES/OTHER MOBILITY AIDS. I cannot even begin to count how many times people have made eye contact with me and then just. Continued to stand/walk into my way. Or shove me. I will hit you with my cane. And I will not be sorry.
Irish blackthorn The term shillelagh (thonged stick) has a very murky past. It’s not known exactly when people began calling walking sticks and cudgels shillelaghs. Originally, shillelaghs were made from oak, though there is no known connection with Shillelagh Forest or Shillelagh Village, aside from suffering the same anglophone corruption of two different words. After rampant deforestation in Ireland, walking sticks and cudgels found themselves being made from other materials, primarily hawthorne, hazel, and blackthorn. Shillelaghs were used not only as walking aids, but also to settle disputes between individuals and factions. Faction fighting was rampant in the late 18th century and early 19th century, but became almost nonexistent when the Famine set in. Sticks used for the purpose of fighting are simply known as ‘bata’. The use of shillelaghs as a weapon was called bataireacht (literally “stick fighting”). Today, almost all genuine shillelaghs are made from blackthorn which, while strong and decently resistant to warping, is notoriously unforgiving during the curing process. It can take 2 to 3 years for a blackthorn shank to properly cure/dry out. Hurried and/or done improperly, blackthorn will develop multiple cracks, making it unsuitable for use. Some are called loaded sticks on account of them having molten lead poured into a hollowed out area of the knob in order to increase the striking power.
Blackthorn shillelagh, 41” in length, 1kg in weight. A bit too long for use as an ambulatory aid, but perfect as a simple walking stick. Partly for walking, partly for whomping.
Irish blackthorn shillelagh. 22 inches long, 720g in weight. The term shillelagh (thonged stick) has a very murky past. It’s not known exactly when people began calling walking sticks and cudgels shillelaghs. Originally, shillelaghs were made from oak, with the forest of Shillelagh in county Wicklow being the largest supplier of wood. After rampant deforestation in Ireland, walking sticks and cudgels found themselves being made from other materials, primarily hawthorne, hazel, and blackthorn. Shillelaghs were used not only as walking aids, but also to settle disputes between individuals and factions. Faction fighting was rampant in the late 18th century and early 19th century, but became almost nonexistent when the Famine set in. Sticks used for the purpose of fighting are simply known as ‘bata’. The use of shillelaghs as a weapon was called bataireacht (literally “stick fighting”). Today, almost all genuine shillelaghs are made from blackthorn which, while strong and decently resistant to warping, is notoriously unforgiving during the curing process. It can take 2 to 3 years for a blackthorn shank to properly cure/dry out. Hurried and/or done improperly, blackthorn will develop multiple cracks, making it unsuitable for use. Some are called loaded sticks on account of them having molten lead poured into a hollowed out area of the knob in order to increase the striking power.
Irish blackthorn shillelaghs. The term shillelagh (thonged stick) has a very murky past. It’s not known exactly when people began calling walking sticks and cudgels shillelaghs. Originally, shillelaghs were made from oak, with the forest of Shillelagh in county Wicklow being the largest supplier of wood. After rampant deforestation in Ireland, walking sticks and cudgels found themselves being made from other materials, primarily hawthorne, hazel, and blackthorn. Shillelaghs were used not only as walking aids, but also to settle disputes between individuals and factions. Faction fighting was rampant in the late 18th century and early 19th century, but became almost nonexistent when the Famine set in. Sticks used for the purpose of fighting or simply known as “bata”. Today, almost all genuine shillelaghs are made from blackthorn. Some are called loaded sticks on account of them having molten lead poured into a hollowed out area of the knob in order to increase the striking power.
I have had four surgeries on my gut in the last two years. As you might imagine, this puts a lot of strain on by stomach muscles. Muscles we use for pretty much everything, from carrying to simply standing.
When you first start moving after surgery, every twist, every step is painful and you feel like you might just rip your stitches open at any moment. Thankfully, while in hospital, there is always someone to help you, to hold your arm or fetch a wheelchair for you when you can’t quite make it back to your bed. However, when you’re home and out in the real world, those safety nets are always there.
It takes a while for your muscles, and in fact your whole body, to recover and adjust to how things are post-surgery. Sure, a friend or family member will likely be with you on every excursion out the house for the first few weeks but what about when you want to go out when no one can go with you? What about even when someone is with you but you’re not sure you’ll make it to the car, let along the cafe you’re going to for lunch?
That’s where mobility aids come in.
I have a walking stick. I am 31 years old and look fairly healthy, albeit a bit skinny, and I have a walking stick. I got it for the very reasons mentioned above. I can go out with family, sure, but they can’t always hold me and most probably couldn’t lift me if I fell. The walking stick acts as a support for me if I stumble or when going up or down steps, it allows me to keep my independence. It allows me to walk further and for longer and gives me the confidence to go out on my own.
But it’s not only that. It also acts as a warning to others who can’t see the scars, the ostomy bag and the healing wounds, that I may be slower, unable to move out of their way or cross the road in time. It lets people know to give me a little extra space, to catch that door or hold the lift.
My point is that mobility aids are useful and we shouldn’t be ashamed to use them just because we may look healthy or young or otherwise as if we don’t need it. If you feel you need a mobility aid, regardless if it’s a wheelchair, a walker or a walking stick, you should use it. It doesn’t matter if it’s for six days or for the rest of your life, you should use the tools at your disposal if it makes life easier for you.
And to anyone who has felt the need to question why someone is using a mobility aid, it’s none of your business. You don’t know what’s going on inside, what that person is dealing with. They may be walking fine but that’s probably because they are using that mobility aid. Please don’t be so quick to judge.
Three facts about this whalebone walking stick with skull pommel:
1. It has green glass eyes.
2. It was owned by Charles Darwin.
3. Darwin called it his “morituri”: a type of memento mori (objects that remind their owners of the shortness of human life and the inevitability of death).
See this object for yourself in our #MedicineMan gallery.
aaaah, this is so cool! Darwin’s skull-topped walking stick. I am dying.
Set out southeast of the city last night with a friend to try and road cruise some canebrakes. The roads were pretty quiet and we had no luck on the canes, but we did see a broad-banded water snake and 3 cottons when we were out checking the water. It was a good night for inverts and armadillos, as well.
