It seems like everyone is struggling right now. Add me to that list. Lately, almost every day I wonder, "Will this be the day that I give up?" In less than two months after ending 5 months of physical therapy, I've lost what little ground I gained.

I wanted to tell you something that has helped with balance and walking. My physical therapist recommended trekking poles. They are very lightweight and can be adjusted to the length I need to stand upright. There are so many available now, in varying price points. And colors, too; I was able to get pink! There are 2 basic ways to adjust the length: flip lock/thumb screw or twist. I got the former, but the latter is easier to use. Most can be collapsed down to fit in carry-on luggage. They have rubber tip protectors for using on hard surfaces and you can buy replacement tips that are wider, for more stability. A few are made with cane-type handles. The poles really have been easier for me than crutches and walkers. I'm pretty clumsy and my body has always been unsynchronised, but have been able to quickly learn how to use them to walk (left pole forward with right foot, right pole forward with left foot). The biggest issue has been my anxiety over thinking people are staring. That's lessened with time.