Fallaphobia: What to Do After a Fall

There I am, holding my stand up against school bullying sign. Last year I fell down while transferring from my power chair into that lift-chair in the photo. I fell straight down on my knees and without working nerves in my spine, my body proceeded to fall back on itself. It must be called a miracle that I did not hit my power chair with my head. That was my seventh fall since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1990. I remember each one.

MS did not make me fall for over a decade after I had it, fifteen years to be exact. It was shocking, unexpected, and my leg just 'gave out.' Still young and tender, as my great-aunt Vi used to say at the age of 95 (she lived to 103), I was never hurt more than bruises and cuts. But falls can hurt you mentally. You can become afraid to fall---fallaphobia. (NOT phallaphobia, that's a different blog, Freud.)

The worst thing you can do is to stop walking or standing out of fear. But, how to forget a fall!?

If you are A Stellarlife blog fan, then you know I am not about forgetting. I believe remembering is crucial to healthy living. It is not like your brain will ever forget by itself anyway. Don't kid yourself, your entire body holds memory cells. As with any bad event, your goal should be to learn from the experience. That is how you empower yourself and own your destiny: education.

A physical therapist can help you understand what caused your body to collapse, and a multitude of situations can cause falls. If you are not under 3 years old or playing a sport, you were built to stay erect when moving. If you can't--see your doctor. I fell because I have MS and my legs are affected. The more you fall, the less you walk, over time your muscles will atrophy. This is common with diseases that cause falls, so finding ways to increase your muscle tone is vital to a long, strong, life.

Right after each fall, I was afraid to fall again. But it passed quickly. Unfortunately, my last fall was the hardest to dismiss because I could not see any way to prevent it from happening again. I had been doing nothing different than I'd ever done, my legs just gave out. I had to accept that It might happen again and get back on my feet.

Start slow. It is okay to start slow when you stand/walk/transfer. In fact, it is probably a smart thing to do. I made sure that I had more support around, kept one hand always on a chair, grab bar, or cane. I ordered an alarm necklace in case I fall when I am alone. A physical therapist made home visits until I felt I gleaned all I could from him. I taped and watch TV info commercials of people walking, dancing, exercising, doing yoga---want my brain to remember what we are going for. I would think about walking and standing each night before I went to sleep. I reminded myself what it was like when MS took my eye sight in 1991. This was better. My bookcase still holds books about falling like a stunt woman. In a nutshell, construct your plan to stand again. Slap on your badge of courage and take those first steps. See? You didn't fall. Take another and another.

Chances are that one day I will fall again. The best I can do is prepare to kiss the floor and show it who's boss. Today I took twelve steps. My steps increase monthly. I can stand longer. With help, even longer. I know I have an uphill climb, but I am unafraid to begin. Beginning is usually the toughest first step, isn't it?

1.) See your doctor to assess why you fell.

2.) Begin a balance and/or muscle strengthening program.

3.) Keep a diary, set goals.

4.) Buy any equipment you need, like grab bars, tub mats, a walker, a cane. Your doctor or PT can prescribe these.

5.) If you live alone, consider an alarm system. Make sure the Better Business Bureau gives the company you choose a good rating. Beware long term contracts.

6.) Play head games. Make those pathways to remind your brain how your body is supposed to stay erect and get back on your feet if you fall. (Falling is easy, getting up unhurt is the hard part.)

7.) Start slow and safe.

8.) Stand. Walk, Transfer.

9.) Celebrate! You now know that a fall need not KEEP you down.

Stand Up Against Bullies