I'm on a mission, looking for a funky walking stick!

Starburst
Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
edited 1. Jul 2013, 15:09 in Living with Arthritis archive
As things have deteriorated lately, I have accepted that a mobility aid is on the cards. I've been using a crutch but the handle has caused my problems, so an ergonomic handled stick has been ordered for me. My lovely specialist rheumatology physio must know me sooooo well because she said; "I'm loathe to order aids for some people because they can become too reliant on them but with you, I know you won't, I know you probably won't use them enough"! :lol:

Now, being only 25, I'm not keen on the bog standard NHS grey stick that has been ordered for me. I want to find something wild and random. If I have to walk with a stick, I need to do it in style! Can anyone please help me out? I'm after the funkiest, most random style stick I can find but it needs a proper ergonomic handle.

Cheers! :wink:

Comments

  • jillyb1
    jillyb1 Member Posts: 1,725
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I would recommend eb@y ; you can find all sorts there and believe me I know what you mean ; had my first stick at 25 too !
    Jillyb
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I was about to suggest that, too. I know it's been done before on the forum. Have fun with it, Sophie. (Find some way of getting in 2:1 :wink: )
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oooh. You could get one like Dr House.
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Define funky. :wink: PMS (pimp my stick) is something everyone can do if they wish. One can also PMR (pimp my rollator) and PMNSc (pimp my scooter). You can buy the pretties but at a cost - I agree that the basic aluminium grey is very dull and renders us all the same but, with a tin of enamel paint, glitter and transfers miracles can be wrought. (Does anyone remember Poppyg1rl? She did that with everything!) Let your imagination go, Starburst, make your aids unique to you rather than buying someone else's idea. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    jillyb1 wrote:
    I would recommend eb@y ; you can find all sorts there and believe me I know what you mean ; had my first stick at 25 too !
    Jillyb
    I was about to suggest that, too. I know it's been done before on the forum. Have fun with it, Sophie. (Find some way of getting in 2:1 :wink: )

    Excellent though jillyb1's suggestion is, that's not what I was referring to. That post seems to have disappeared :?
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I agree! Look on E-bay my OH got me some walking crutch's off there, they are black and look 100 x better than the NHS grey ones. Hope you find something you like.
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    I've got a "swi*ch stick...pm me {but they are quite expensive.}
    I really need crutches or a rollater...I have both.....Grey bog standard crutches which I decorated with bobbles etc but they have got a bit tatty now so took them off and today came up with a few pages of glittery stickers...I plan to put them on later today and see what they look like. :lol:
    Still haven't decided about the rollater.......but I plan to do something with that as well

    Love
    hileena
  • chookgate
    chookgate Member Posts: 146
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Have a look on the internet for "hiking stick" or "walking pole", there's a huge range out there of fully and easily adjustable length sticks with walking stick style handles. Just check they do have a rubber end and not just a spike that some hiking sticks have. The fully adjustable bit is important unless you just happen to be perfectly averagely proportioned! :D

    Before my TKR I still cycled to work, but couldn't walk unaided from the bike racks to my desk, so I took a collapsible stick shortened as far as it goes attached to my back pack, then adjusted it to the correct height to walk in with. The one I have takes literally seconds to adjust.
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,280
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I use crutches now far more stable for me, but I understand they dont suit everyone...I like chookgates idea of looking looking for hiking or walking poles...I never thought of that one...good luck
    Love
    Barbara
  • Starburst
    Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you for the suggestions! I'm going to start with DD's idea of Pimp my Stick. :wink: I could not be less artistic if I tried but a good friend is a fashion designer, so I'm going to enlist her help to decorate my NHS one and see how I get on. x
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    I'm exactly the same.....I can draw breath and that's it...nothing else :lol:
    Not at all artistic....so I could do with a friend like that

    Love
    Hileena
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Go for it, Sophie, I am sure that you and your friend will come up with something both unique and wonderful plus have some fun with the creative process. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • ouchpotato
    ouchpotato Member Posts: 453
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I pimp my own. I have almost finished one which has been transformed into a Betty Boop extravaganza! I sprayed it with primer, then matt white paint. Then put tiny transfers on along with a bigger one, 2 rows of red diamante and then graduated red glitter paint from the bottom, changing to silver glitter as it goes further up. I just need to varnish it, add a red strap and it's done! Oh, and I sprayed the ferrule silver glitter too. Next one I'm doing is a vintage style pattern...cherries and anchors and swallows. hey...if I can't wear my glitzy shoes anymore then I will just have to have glitzy walking sticks instead!
  • lurch1
    lurch1 Member Posts: 561
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi
    try an online site called Blingsticks, customised sticks and funky looking