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Cathy said: "I thought I was doing well just pushing a cart. I sometimes use a cane in my home but it is a pain. Aren't you afraid that you might get caught up in the walking stick when you fall? Do you ever have any warning before you fall? I don't and I usually fall backwards just like you said. I hope you are taking calcium to strengthen those bones? Cathy RN" My doc suggested that I start using a cane and I have found it to be very beneficial. First, it helps me get out and about. Maybe you experience those off times that can't be planned for, like I do. I have found it very helpful to have something to lean on when they happen. Also I find a cane helpful in walking up hills. My doc also told me about a "sport seat" cane, that she uses when standing in long lines at airports or music events. I have also found this type of cane with a fold out seat useful, when off times hit and I need to sit down. But usually I prefer just carrying a wooden cane. My wife found me a sturdy one with a nice design. Actually we think that it has a rather classy look that adds to my appearance! It may not be quite as dapper as an old "Snake handler's cane" or the Remington Rifle Cane (which the 1878 Remington catalogue said: "JUST THE THING FOR TAXIDERMISTS ...Protection against Dogs and Highwaymen.") But I like to walk along a natural area in my neighborhood and have found a raised cane to be a useful defense against mean stray dogs on a couple of occasions. Also a classy cane helps compensate for the Parkinson's mask that we sometimes wear. And I have found it to be a facilitator, sparing explanations, with clerks and lines of people, at those times I fumble with my wallet in stores. And if you are a younger person with Parkinson's and get into that Parkinson's shuffle downtown, it helps the public and the police understand that no you are not "under the influence" but have a disability. A cane is useful for exercise. A martial arts instructor named Mark Shuey teaches an exercise/self defense program that he calls "Cane Masters." The Japanese and Indian Police have long used canes for their physical conditioning and in crowd control. The cane is a traditional self defense weapon in some T'ai Chi forms. I have adapted a short staff form that I learned in Aikido (before Parkinson's) to be an exercise form with my cane. Be dapper, add the cane to your walk with Parkinson's! Charley Countryman 51, diagnosed 1993 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn