He can only grip something for about ten seconds with his right arm without having excruciating pain. Can you recommend a way for him to paddle or something else so he can at least see what we are doing even if he doesn't kayak?
2006-12-30 09:38:29 · 3 answers · asked by goodpurplemonster 3 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
He suffers from chronic pain (reflex sympathetic dystrophy) from his war injuryy.
2006-12-30 09:55:01 · update #1
i've never tried this, so no idea if it would work...
maybe try "affixing" a loop to his RIGHT shoulder, by sewing it onto clothing or something.... i'm thinking the loop would be a strong fabric, like the shimmery stuff they use for the handles of backpacks or duffel bags, you know?
then thread a paddle through the loop, so that he can grip the lower end of it with his LEFT arm, and paddle. of course, the loop would need to be the right balance of tight enough... yet loose enough that the paddle could rotate comfortably.
but i guess there would need to be someone in the kayak with him, paddling on the right side, so the kayak would go straight, instead of in circles?
i hope that description makes sense... hard to explain in words. if i think of anything else, i'll let you know!
2006-12-30 10:45:27 · answer #1 · answered by melon_rose 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd say your Dad needs to set his goals more realistically. Just because he wants to do something doesn't mean that he's capable of it. Perhaps he's just daydreaming. I'm not being mean; I'm diabled due to an auto accident which left me using a cane. I'd love to be able to run and walk my "use to be" 4 miles a day, but I'm just not physically able to do it. HOWEVER, I can dance a bit!! And I do. I can dance for a 3 minute song, then rest a while and do another one. Tell Dad to try a recumbant bicycle or a rowing machine first. That doesn't mean he won't be able to do something similar to kyaking, but he might have to settle for tubing instead. The main thing is your frame of mind and being thankful for what you do have and what you CAN do! There is always someone worse off than you. Godloveya both! i gotta go dance.....
2006-12-30 20:36:32 · answer #2 · answered by Sassy OLD Broad 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why dont you be his other arm it can work if you want it too.very nice and sincere posting.
2006-12-30 20:05:51 · answer #3 · answered by jamie s 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋