We had in common that neither of us were taught to walk properly during our formative years at school and at home. Both of us have feet that are not without ‘issues’ physically problematic. We were not taught as we should have been, formally, gently, what muscle groups to use while walking. I was taught how to, “Sit Up Straight! Because slouching can lead to deformed spine” yup, no one, not even me, knew I already had spine differences, never mind Fibro’….but I do mind actually….those muscles and bones, that Fibro’ they were brewing from neglect, waiting for the days they could strike out, they didn’t care to forgive that neglect.
Not anything about muscle groups was ‘taught’ to either of us. Physiotherapists during my life, gave me clues about my ‘unwell’ spine and it’s supportive muscles. I thought, how magically the whole muscle groups supported the spine. Not. I just believed the body got on with it, I let it and managed my best not to let them prevent me working for my comfy shoes and other comfy’s, to accommodate self management of my self’s health needs . those health differences brewed & boiled and spat out their vile sprites to cause havoc in my physicals, no matter what. I had no idea about focussed healthy for muscles and bones when I was very young, walking though. No one said, “when walking, use your bum cheeks that’ll help support your knees. I had knock knees on skinny legs . whoever the school teachers were that were told to teach me or my pal about walking most healthily to energise our muscles to fit and support our bones…they did not. No one taught me how to place my foot down straight or soft, so the heel wouldn’t send jarring pains up my leg. I had to find ways to find comfy shoes. Not fashion ones, comfy ones that I like to wear. Hobnail, steel toe cap boots in burgundy red, with soft soft softly supportive, in gentle ways, innards would be my choice. Haven’t even looked for those on line or locally lately. Last time I looked, the price of them was enormous. So, I get other shoes and boots.
Sure I got my balance, don’t we all manage to do that? One way or another. I wasn’t taught my proper posture, to fit my bones, which were not straight . not so wonky I couldn’t focus hard, while still able, on doing a proper for my posture walk. But I didn’t know how to do that. I didn’t know it was possible. Mind . no one knew about my or any others’ Fibromyalgia then, not even me. I kept quiet about the pains and even competed at sports. Rode horses. Ran, loved running, wind or wind and rain, in my face. Jumping from as high as possible. I knew about landing in a roll because of films I watched. Still . that was a pillock because fibro’ sprite in the feet etc. . I Walked a lot. All because I loved all that and I found my physical balance every time. Lost it a lot too. Only fell off a horse once, the other imbalances I managed to not lose it completely on most occasions in company. I do have a fear of falling, because my back gives way without notice and I drop or wobble way to suddenly. Those times are hard but, when younger I got up. Now I mustn’t fall because I can’t get up without aids. . Mostly, while walking, I managed, thanks to my ability to stride out with focus no matter what, that before I was injured at work while just 4o years old. Helpful are walls and trees. Or other furniture. I could walk into a room and memorise where every piece of furniture was, what had ‘loved delicates’ placed carefully and dusted to a shine, that could smash if I leaned or fell on it. To avoid those bits of furniture was my aim. My comfort blanket. That while knowing where to be able to get a bit of help balancing, or a supportively comfy place to be. Not always possible when people don’t care about your needs but are otherwise very enjoyable to be with. I’d do so in seconds, in order to enjoy the company. I loved doing those other activities, with all my heart. Stopped horse riding when I realised I could not do it without risking huge repercussions. Still would love to be with them. They’re fun. Really fun. I think that time is over now. Unless a miracle. Stopped driving when I knew the fibro’-fog sprites could attack at any time without notice, particularly the concern of, it’s all, combined, got so much worse with attacks that are, ‘that’s impossible to manage’ ones, including, the dratted fibro-fog sprites. I do get moments, during the days, when I am able to get out and about in my wheelchair very briefly, painful to be at a standstill even in my wheelchair but . Wind on my face, managing to ‘be me’ over the top of those extremely LOUD physical and mental health sprites not of my origins, striding out, moments in my wheelchair. Made more enjoyable by Lizzie dog.
Only recently finding my mind balance. Just got my letter through from the local ‘traumas therapy team’ that’ll be fun…maybe, maybe not. I have a lot of questions, I do hope I’m given time and fair ear. Everyone I encountered had shed loads of baggage. Many still do truth be told. So I kept quiet about all the details of most of my daily physical and mental struggles. I gave out the diagnosis labels naming some of the conditions but not all of them. People very close to my heart still don’t even know. Well, they will now but maybe not . they might not read this.
I believe children must, at least, be taught, the muscle supports bone things. And, not just told about them like on a shopping list of things to learn, among other things they’re supposed to keep in or, exercise their memory banks away from their own life, for what? No. Teach them all, exclude none, teach well what muscles can they exercise to maintain their selves in whatever limited or not, state they find themselves born in. All children need the space from stress to learn what they, with whatever body they must manage well, are capable of, before it’s too late for them to enjoy their full capacity for their best, muscles & bones maintained, self’s.
I wish I’d been taught as an individual with Fibro and, slight turned major, spine bones disorder . knock knees too . and other ill health stuff . yes, I wish I’d been taught gently, properly, definitively not sternly, how to use every muscle group, for the advantages of every bone I had, before going into ‘big’ school. Yes.
Oh . are they being taught that properly in early years now?
Good. That’s not-wrong.
R.A.S.2020