A HIKING POLE MAKES A DIFFERENCE
By Kim Pilic

I recently had the pleasure of meeting an admirable lady by the name of Lisa, during an Orientation & Mobility (O&M) appointment in the Scenic Rim region. Meeting Lisa really touched my heart, especially seeing the significant impact her distorted, double vision was having upon her balance, straight line walking and gait. As an experienced O&M Specialist, I’ve learnt to think laterally around addressing people’s functional and practical needs, especially concerning their mobility. Upon listening to Lisa’s mobility and vision related concerns, as well as conducting an observational assessment, it was suggested she try using a hiking pole as a tool for counteracting her balance. You see, Lisa has a love for the outdoors and everything nature, especially in bushland settings; she’s a real nature lover!

Following Lisa’s O&M appointments, she kindly provided written feedback and action-shot photographs in a couple of text messages about her hiking pole experience. As you will read, Lisa experienced a very fruitful outcome concerning positive changes. This was both personally and professionally satisfying and rewarding at a heart-level. Lisa writes,

“Good morning Kim, I hope you are having a wonderful morning. I've found that when I use it, [the hiking pole], I walk straighter and my feet are more together... I feel normal; it is also wonderful for when I get tired, which is often. Enjoy the rest of your day and thank you”.

And a second text message received by Lisa reads, “Good morning Kim, I hope you are wonderful. I'm enjoying my pole greatly. I've come to realise that without anything, I really don't walk in a straight line, I'm a little all over the place but with the pole, I find I walk straight and my feet feel a normal distance apart, (so closer together, they're usually further apart to assist with balance so my pole really does help my balance)"!!

It’s a great pleasure and honour to share Lisa's photograph on Forward Steps Mobility's blogs page. This image shows her using the hiking pole in a bush-setting. “Lisa, it was a joy to meet you, and a joy of heart to know that the O&M recommendation was so helpful and life-changing for you, especially during your bush-walks. On that note, I say, keep up the good walk, and happy hiking. May you walk with a smile in your heart and an extra spring in your step. You're an inspirational lady!" (Kim Pilic, Independent O&M Specialist).

Forward Steps Mobility provides quality Orientation & Mobility services by assisting people to achieve their goals around independent community access. Moreover, we care about people's individuality, including a strengths-based approach around our service delivery