Many people who have low vision can report a time when they took a tumble. In my case, I can recall several such occasions. This has not been because of my lack of balance but rather that I have missed seeing some obstacle right in front of me.
The most severe of these falls was a number of years ago now. Lyle and I were helping friends move some furniture. We were outside and I wasn’t using my cane. Instead, Lyle was moving the front end of a table while I came along holding the rear end. However, when Lyle turned a corner with the table, I kept going and landed in the culvert at the side of the path. That particular fall landed me initially in a wheelchair and then on crutches for several weeks.
Since then I have had a couple of falls on stairs – again not using my cane. That leads me to my most recent tumble. Would you believe in a badger hole! Lyle and I had been camping in a somewhat isolated rural area. We had stopped at a convenient bench to savour the view. Then, when it was time to leave, Lyle decided to walk closer to the lake while I made my way up the slope to the gravel road. I was doing well until my left foot plunged knee deep into the hole. I was fortunate in that the badger wasn’t currently using its den and also that I didn’t break any bones.
Interestingly, I had been using walking sticks, but unlike my cane, which I use in front of me to clear the path, my sticks were slanted out to the side. The only good thing was that as I fell backwards, the sticks did help to somewhat break my fall. I ended up head down on the slope and my first thought was that I was glad nobody was around to see my undignified tumble - except for Lyle that is. I needed his help to get vertical again.
As a person with low vision I know that I need to be extra careful when I am walking. Taking care doesn’t mean that I should stop outdoor activities but simply that I should take a bit more care than perhaps someone with full vision. I don’t want to break any bones and in future, I will definitely avoid badger holes.
