Brace Yourself!

I have a foot drop on my left side. Essentially, my brain can no longer get a strong (or fast) enough signal down to my ankle to get it to keep my foot level when I am walking. My foot just flops when I lift it (and I can’t lift my leg high enough to compensate without looking ridiculously awkward) so my toe often drags and catches- even on smooth, even surfaces - and sometimes I fall. A year ago my neurologist recommended that I get this simple (and inexpensive) device to brace my left foot and keep the toe from dragging when I walk and greatly reducing my risk of tripping and falling. This advice came in the wake of a very serious tumble I had taken a few months prior to my appointment with him.

But I have always had this frustratingly hard head and I seem to have to learn things the hard way. I bought a cane for when I am going to do a lot of walking but no brace. I discovered that a cane does nothing to prevent me from tripping. It might keep me from falling sometimes but I can still trip.

My neurologist also suggested I do stretching and strength training exercises to help strengthen my legs which would also help me catch myself in the event I trip and start to fall. But I didn’t do that either and now my legs are much weaker than they were a year ago and it is MUCH more difficult for me to motivate myself to exercise.

My doctor repeated his advice at my visit with him this year. And this time I immediately went home and ordered the brace for my foot. It’s easy to use and it keeps my foot from catching- even keeps it level going up and down the stairs.

I have learned a lot about humility and trust in this past year. Yes, I trust in the protection of the Lord. But I have learned more about how little I can be trusted. I have learned that I have no control over anything- I can’t even make my ankle move the way I want it to. I trust God to give me the strength and energy to meet the challenges each day presents. But I realize more and more that I am not doing my part to keep myself in the best shape possible to be as effective as I would otherwise be. If I am serious about my commitment to follow the leading of the Lord in my life regardless of the opposition I face, I need to make sure my body is up to the task just as I equip myself with the armor of God and make sure I am spiritually strong.

This is not easy for me to admit. I am not the kind of person who easily accepts help. I don’t like to burden others and I don’t like to admit weakness. MS is a very humbling disease. And it is exactly what I needed in my life to shape me into the mold God has planned for my life.