Is There A Walking Frame On The Market Better Than This? Please Help! (Photos attached!)

[disabledchap]

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I am male, 37 and have cerebral palsy. I also have a deformed spine. Although I am mostly confined to a wheelchair and cannot walk unaided due to balance, etc., I can stand if outdoors5.JPGsupported.

I can walk a bit if given a high level of support. So I have taken on the challenge of walking one mile for charity. The trouble outdoors12.JPGis my balance is so poor that I have been unable to find a walking frame that is stable enough and suitable for outdoors (bumpy ground, curbs, outdoors1.JPGetc.) I have already tried several different walkers.

Due to this problem I have been forced to cobble together my own 'walker' (see photos).outdoors7.JPG It is not ideal. I mounted a 'toilet surround frame' onto the back of an old wheelchair. This was to provide a hand-rail and also prevent sideways falling. I have also been leaning my left elbow on the frame. Then I found the chair would tip back when I used the 'walker' so I weighted it down on the seat with a box of heavy books and also used a pole to make an extra long 'stabiliser'. Everything is held together by cable-ties.

When I started using the contraption I found that my arms and shoulders were aching and giving way before my legs ever would, suggesting that they were taking much of the weight. I tried to relieve some of the pressure by creating a sling in which to rest my right arm but it made little difference.

Firstly, I would be most grateful to know whether there is a walker on the market that would do the job better than home-made contraption, offering good stability support and outdoor performance. And all at a resonable price - a tall order, I'm sure! Hopefully, it will be held together with something stronger than plastic cable-ties.

Failing that, with my existing walker is there any way I can relieve the stress on my arms and shoulders?

Many thanks.

Please note, I am writing a book about my challenge and by posting a comment here you give permission for that comment to be published in the book.

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