Martin Luther (1483-1586) said, "Here I stand, I can do no
other". Sounds like he too had a bad back. Last week I was
reduced to scuttling around, hunched over, with my backside stuck out and my
arms pumping madly to get some momentum going - picture a cross between Donald
Duck and one of the Seven Dwarves. {Grumpy, obviously.} I used to
go ice skating as a child, and I discovered that I could apply the same
principle - get as quickly as you can to where you can hold onto something,
then try to pull yourself upright. I found the window pole very helpful
for this, raising myself up, hand over hand, until I stood triumphant.
Sadly, I then looked more like Gandalf the Grey than Snow White, but at least I
could look my co-workers in the eye.
It was a little easier at home, where the chairs
are more comfortable and I had less need to move about. Apart from going
to the bathroom. I adopted the strategy of crawling to the foot of the
stairs then walking my hands up a few steps ahead of my feet. Pulling on
the banisters at the top helped a bit, but not enough. I still wasn't
able to reach the pull chord for the light. Reader, I weed in the
dark. At least I could sit down.
Now that I can move freely again (more or less)
I've been considering what exercise I can do on a regular basis to keep
supple. {Shut up, Adam!} I quite fancy yoga, that's nice
and gentle.
Or maybe swimming; the pool is only a short
walk away. Have to buy a new costume though; my bikini appears to have
shrunk, and now when I put it on it resembles two elastic bands round an egg.
I visited a friend the other day, and noticed that
she was moving rather carefully - yep, someone else with a bad back.
"How did you manage to do that?" I asked. "I thought you'd
just had a relaxing holiday." "It was supposed to be," she
replied, "I went on a yoga retreat." Oh dear. Swimming it
is then.
