A Stick Would Help

[poliphilo]

My father-in-law took a tumble yesterday. I was nearby, picking plums in his back yard, and saw it happen. He came striding out of the house, caught his foot on an uneven paving slab and fell full length. I was useless.  All I could think to do was yell for Ailz. While I was standing there trying not to look as if I was panicking the man from next door very quietly popped round and helped Eric to his feet. The damage was minimal.  He'd punctured the skin on the heel of one of his hands. We took him inside, put him in an armchair and I went back to picking plums. Within half an hour he was reminiscing happily. These falls are a regular feature of his life. He could forestall them by using a stick, but he won't because that would be an unmanly admission of failure.

Comments

[pondhopper.livejournal.com]

I know a few people like that. What is wrong with a stick? Tell him it will make him look distinguished!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

We had him using a walking frame for a while, but it didn't suit- for some trumped up reason or other.

[wolfshift.livejournal.com]

Failure in this case meaning age?

Stubbornness and aging (at any stage of life) don't seem to go well together.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

He's over 80 and doesn't want to go gentle into that good night. I don't altogether blame him.

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

What if someone were to get him a really FANCY stick - or cane? Might he use it then? Especially if you all made a fuss about how COOL it was?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I don't honestly think it would make any difference. He just hates being an old man.

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

well, one can hardly blame him. My Dad's going to be 84 in October...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

My father died at 82. He'd been in failing health and was ready to go.

[daisytells.livejournal.com]

The stick (cane) prevents falls and broken hips, which would really be an indication of failure. Broken hips at advanced age often mean confinement for a long time, if not for good. I hope he changes his mind about this.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

We had him using a walking frame for a while- and then he decideed he didn't like it.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

And falling flat on his face isn't? Hm...

I'm glad he's okay.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

He's remarkably resilient. I thought we'd be taking him into hospital, but....

My own father died from a head injury following a fall.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

Oh dear...I'll hope even more earnestly that your FIL changes his mind about the cane.