Seeing improvements every day

I'm going to skip the usual apologies for being rubbish at providing regular updates and I'll try harder waffle, I'm sure you don't believe that any more after all this time so I'll go straight to the what's changed part.

I came across a post in one of the MS Facebook groups I follow of an American lady - Dr. Gretchen Hawley PT, DPT, MSCS who has a YouTube channel about how to improve your walking when you have MS. 

I've tried multiple Neuro Physio's in the past who have given me what can only be described as 'punishing' training plans to help with waking, balance and foot drop and the exhaustion of these routines has always been detrimental in that the exhaustion they cause has broken me for days.

What she does is different - it's gentle and simple and helps you make 'micro changes' focusing on small parts of the overall problem at one time. More importantly because it's little adjustments it's achievable.

I won't lie the mental effort of being aware of every step you take and making that 'micro adjustment' with each step is huge initially but it's mentally tiring not the bone deep physical exhaustion of feeling like you're wading through tar.

I started doing these small changes last Tuesday so today is day 10 (probably the longest period of being able to continuously manage doing exercises that I've managed in 7 years) and I'm seeing improvements in the following areas

• I can now walk up stairs rather than dragging myself up 2 handed on the handrail - I have one hand on the rail, I'm stood up straight and I'm lifting my legs step to step without crashing my feet into the next step or having to help myself by lifting the leg with a hand because it won't go high enough
• I'm standing up straight (most of the time) rather than hunched over like a crone
• My foot drop is reduced - I'm keeping my feet square as I walk (mostly) 
• I've walked directly across our kitchen several times now without holding on to counter tops, chairs or doors and last night I did the same across our lounge without the help of my walking frame - this is HUGE because that's the area I have had the most falls in and quite honestly it was absolutely terrifying to even try this.
• My balance is improving, don't get me wrong I still look like I've been on the gin but it's better than it was.

This is the video that made me stop and think 'well I can do that' How to improve walking

I'm also doing this exercise to help strengthen my legs so that next time I fall (because I will) I will have more strength and confidence to get myself up off the floor Lunges

I'm doing these things when I'm sitting at my desk or standing waiting for the coffee machine in my kitchen to finish pumping out the wakey wakey juice Leg lifts and foot lifts

Just small changes, no pushing myself for X number of repetitions, or X amount of time continuously, just what I can every time which is a little more than I was doing before.

Walking has become more 'natural' so me if that makes sense? After 10 days what took 90% of my brain to control on day 1 is simply natural to me now to do with each step so now I'm putting that extra brain space into consciously making those movements bigger / longer / stronger or deeper. I've even noticed I'm not holding my head 'back' as much walking - my chin is now down in a much more natural position (which of course is certainly helping with the balance thing).

In other news I've also lost over 2 stones in weight (32lb's in old money and 14.5kg in new) and have the start of a waist again and collar bones which is also rather cool.

My new mobility car is due some time in the next month and I will be starting a new job which I'm most excited about.

2026 is shaping up to be a great year.

Much love and positivity to you if you're reading this. I hope 2026 is great for you

Tracy

xx