When I was a little girl, the only people I ever saw using walking sticks were old people. Of course, when you’re five the term “old” probably applies to everyone over 30. Although I learnt to walk at the age of six, my balance was always very precarious and falling over was pretty much a daily occurrence. Apart from the inevitable knee grazes and bruising, I never really hurt myself, but looking back I’m surprised that no-one ever suggested I use a walking aid such as a stick.
My balanced improved as I got older, although I still had the occasional tumble…sometimes no doubt induced by the affluence of alcohol (hic). It wasn’t until I was my late thirties that falling over really became an issue again. By then, I’d noticed some not-so-old people were using walking sticks, so one day at my local pharmacy I bought a gold-coloured metal stick with a soft black handle. At first I only used it occasionally, but as I got older I have found it more and more useful.
Whenever I travelled, I found the stick gained me more acceptance from airline staff and fellow passengers. Without the stick, people were sometimes unsure what was “wrong” with me (did I have a physical disability, or had I just put vodka on my cornflakes?). With the stick, they understood I had a mobility impairment and gave me more assistance and space to walk.
Earlier this year, the Christchurch City Council sought input for it’s Central City Plan as the city is rebuilt from the earthquakes. I took part in the Share an Idea consultation process and then received an email asking if I would be happy to be photographed for the Plan document which would become “an historic document”. |
"Allison and her trusty friend" |
