Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
Happily I am retiring at the end of the semester at the university. I have developed some wonderful friendships with my coworkers. There are two others in our department that are also retiring. One of my coworkers has offered to host a party for a celebration of our retirement. Other members have been planning and working to make it a success.
The coworker that is hosting recently moved to a new home. I was talking to her and she showed me some pictures. The house is built on s hillside. She has numerous steps approx. 12 to 14 to get into her house. There are no handrails. I asked if there was another way in that did not involve steps. She said no. I cannot climb those steps especially without handrails. I am too scared to even attempt them.
I guess I will have to miss my own retirement party. They might move the location if I asked but that would be unfair to the others. I never dreamed this would be an issue.
The coworker that is hosting recently moved to a new home. I was talking to her and she showed me some pictures. The house is built on s hillside. She has numerous steps approx. 12 to 14 to get into her house. There are no handrails. I asked if there was another way in that did not involve steps. She said no. I cannot climb those steps especially without handrails. I am too scared to even attempt them.
I guess I will have to miss my own retirement party. They might move the location if I asked but that would be unfair to the others. I never dreamed this would be an issue.
Talk to the other members that are retiring and see if they have a problem with stairs. You may not be the only one concerned about the stairs. The others may be just as concerned as you but afraid to mention it.
Seems odd that the people who work with you, and who care enough about you to plan a lovely party, wouldn't know that you have a problem with stairs.
I'm betting that some others who plan to attend also have an issue with the steps.
I'm going to be the odd man out here, as I'm thinking about your safety and possible aftereffects from climbing those stairs...up....and down. Tell the organizer/hostess that it's just not possible for you to do it. Sooner rather than later.
Think of how horrible your hostess is going to feel if you injure yourself. And I'll bet the first words out of her mouth will probably be, "Why didn't you tell me?"
I started using a cane around 35 for bad knees and by 42, was using 2 canes. Had both knees replaced at 47 and I could do stairs before and right after with the use of canes.....so I know it works.
I bet if you asked, the person has interior stairs with handrails that you could use if you explained the problem.
Others can't help us unless we tell them we have a handicap and what we need. No one can read minds.
NO ONE should ever be embarrassed to ask for help or use aids to assist in walking or other things we need to do. We didn't ask to have RA, it chose us. No shame in using canes or asking for help.
hugs...............Jen
i was thinking along those lines - can't folks form a "human rail" plus a spot person behind you, so that you have a permanent amazon (pick out a few gym rats) to be your rail on each side? their ego and biceps can get bigger and you can get up the stairs
depot
Congratulations! Retirement is the best!
As the others have said you must find a way to work this out.