I was in a car accident in 2012 that left me with nerve damage, which in turn causes extreme sciatica, and numbness in my legs (mostly the right). In 2020, I got pregnant and had my son, and my pain has only gotten worse and worse. Now, it is hard for me to stand or walk for more than 30 minutes without excruciating pain.
I’ve talked to my doctor about my pain so many times, and the only thing they ever offer are pain meds, which aren’t going to solve my issue, or a walker. I’ve tried using a walker, and it doesn’t help my pain. A walker has a much lower center of gravity, and earnestly only increases my pain.
A few months ago, I tried a pair of forearm crutches a friend of mine has for their own medical needs. It was like being able to really comfortably walk again for the first time in years. The pressure was off all of the right places. We went around a store for over an hour, which I haven’t been able to do without stopping in years.
When I told my doctor I wanted him to prescribe forearm crutches, he told me more or less he “only does that for more severe cases”. Despite me telling him that it was a way to decrease my pain and increase my mobility without medication.
I cannot afford them on my own. Low income doesn’t even cover it. Myself, my partner, and our son have never really recovered financially after 2021 and the start of the real recession. My doctor won’t prescribe them even though my insurance would, because he doesn’t think my pain is “enough” to need them. It feels like I am stuck between a rock and a hard place, because there aren’t other doctors I can go to that are accepting patients or accessible, and even if I did I would likely need to go through months or years of doing redundant therapies to even be able to advocate enough for myself to get firearm crutches even though I KNOW they help.
I would just like to be able to move around comfortably. I know what I’m asking for is a lot, or it is to me, anyway. The crutches I tried, that were perfect for me because they have a knee rest and allowed me to rest one leg at a time when pins and needles were intense, are the Ergobaum 7th Generation Prime crutches. They range from $219+tax, to $249+tax for the standard ones. I don’t care what color. I would be immeasurably happy with even the cheapest of them.
I feel so incredibly ashamed that something that isn’t even $250 is entirely out of my reach. Every penny my family has right now goes to bills, or fixing our car, which is about to die, and taking care of my son. I don’t even eat every day right now. At this rate it feels like I’ll never be able to afford the devices that would let me be useful again. I could do more jobs. I could go on walks with my son. I could do more than watch out my window and wish.
If you’re feeling generous, please consider donating towards helping me with being able to walk again without being in pain.
https://www.paypal.me/occultism