Yeah, I mean “terminal” as in “you’re gonna die” - a recent escapade brought home to me that my klutziness could in fact do just that
A misstep on the outdoor stairs leading to a hotel swimming pool last week caused me to somersault (no joke, the spouse and kids witnessed it) down the last few stairs, striking my head, my shoulderblade, most of my leg (literally covered in bruises now) and my arm on concrete stairs and/or large decorative rocks. Oh, and a couple of days later I found a bruise on my spine, too.
It looks like the only “real” damage is a sprained arm and possible broken elbow (ER x-ray says no but the type of break we suspect is very hard to see on x-ray and is simply treated w/ a sling anyway). Needless to say, though, this scared the crap out of us - had I hit a bit differently we might be talking spinal rehab, or traumatic brain injury.
It did bring home to us that this clumsiness just might kill me or worse some day. It’s part of a long pattern of normal stuff like walking leading to minor or major injuries.
So the question is: are there any medical specialties which can address this sort of thing from a prevention angle? I think it may be neurological in nature - my son is autistic, which can include poor motor/proprioceptive skills - but I have no clue where to start looking. Would a neurologist laugh at me? an occupational therapist? Maybe a preventive full-body cast?
Standard disclaimer: Not seeking any kind of direct medical advice; my injuries were handled appropriately and I’m seeing my internist and an orthopedist Monday. However, neither is likely to come up with “You should see Doc Sawbones, the famous klutzologist” on their own unless I know the right questions to answer and issues to raise. That’s where I could use ideas / suggestions. Or at least funny bon-mots
Ouch…sorry to hear about your fall Glad to see you are well enough to post about it, though!
Have you ever thought of taking a Yoga or Martial Arts class to improve your balance and help you become more “self aware” (in a sense of knowing where your limbs are at all times)?
There has also got to be alot of books and videos out that help you practice motor skills - is there anything maybe you and your son can do together?
I am a nearly-lifelong klutz. Like many tall people, I feel like I just never adjusted to how long my limbs are and good coordination remains elusive. On top of that, I hurry. I wind up with a lot of bruises and spilled items.
When I went to a photo shoot, the photographer and I talked about a recently-acquired bruise, and she said, “Bruises are the Universe’s way of telling you to slow down.” The more I thought of that, the truer it seemed.
I now pay more attention to what I am doing, and try to do it slower than I am inclined to do, at least when there’s potential for me to fall or knock something over. It’s made a huge difference for me.
Gotta go with Beadalin on this one. Speed kills, Peaches.
The yoga or martial arts idea is a decent one, too, as long as you’re talking about Tai Chi as the martial art. It’s good for balance and it’s slow. If you take up karate, hap ki do, or somesuch, I can pretty well guarantee you will get hurt from trying something that requires coordination and speed. I know I would.
While I wouldn’t exactly disagree with this (yep, you’re gonna fall, gonna get hit, gonna pull something), I would say that most of the stuff you do there doesn’t involve flying spinning kicks and such. And that by the time you do do such, you will have progresed to the point that you can pretty much safely do them.
Or, maybe not. mrklutz’s point does have validity.
I am not terminally klutzy, but am hampered by less-than-great balance, and also a bad knee. I took up Tae Kwon Do, and my balance and reflexes improved greatly over the years. Several times I slipped on something that in the past would have resulting in my throwing my knee out and having it the size of a grapefruit for weeks, but was able to recover in time to prevent anything bad happening.
I strongly suspect that something like Tai Cji or Yoga would have similar benefits, though. By all means, try something like this, the health benefits alone make it worthwhile.
'Nother vote for yoga. I take an old-people yoga class, with very gentle stretching, and no crazy poses where ya balance on one foot and wrap the other one behind your head, and it’s made a big difference for me. I feel very much more balanced and comfortable in my body–dare I say, graceful?–when I used to consider myself a total clutz. Even the very simple poses really do improve your strength, balance and body awareness. You also learn about relaxation, which could help you slow down, and mindfulness, which means having your mind focused on what you’re doing. All these things you learn while doing poses in class and meditationg, but it all naturally migrates out into your everyday life.
Thanks for the suggestions - I’ll definitely look into something like tai chi. The local parks authority offers several introductory classes, just have to find something that fits my schedule. Modern dance? Hmmmm… last time I tried to dance anything I looked like a hyperactive chicken who’d been hitting the sauce. Probably best to avoid that!
Speed kills. Yep, often a factor. The trouble is, “speed” in my case usually means “walking at what regular folks consider a normal pace, and not stopping to concentrate on every single step”. See, I’ll go weeks / months w/o an injury, and start getting cocky and thinking hey, I really can walk. Then it happens. Og sees my foolish pride, chortles, and decrees “Og Make Zappa Smash Self!”.
I have been known to walk halfway down stairs, stop, look at my feet to make sure they’re where I think they are, and carefully proceed. Doubtless this has saved me from numerous amateur acrobatics.
I will also discuss with the docs Monday. In all seriousness, anyone have any clue whether there’s a medical specialty that would address this sort of thing?
Why not just tell the doctors that you’d like to see whatever specialist(s) can help you be sure that your clumsiness isn’t neurological/organic in nature? Point out that your son is autistic. Since such things (and related problems) run in famalies, and you’re known to be dangerprone, you want to find out if your problem might be treatable. Take the direct route. If you want a bon mot, tell him you don’t want to earn the nickname “Dangerprone Daphne”, and if you keep this up you will. Other than that, the tai chi or yoga also sounds like a good place to start. Rule out other things first though I’d say. Who knows, it might be a something like your balance isn’t always what it should be for some reason, or somehow you don’t see your surroudings spatially as well as you need to without concentrating? The specialists would have a better idea of where to start. Be persistant in pursuit of getting an answer to this. Sending good thoughts your way, hope you feel better soon.
Other than that, the tai chi or yoga also sounds like a good place to start. Rule out other things first though I’d say. Who knows, it might be a something like your balance isn’t always what it should be for some reason, or somehow you don’t see your surroudings spatially as well as you need to without concentrating? The specialists would have a better idea of where to start. Be persistant in pursuit of getting an answer to this. Sending good thoughts your way, hope you feel better soon.