The two aspects of good health that I miss the most are breathing and mobility. One does beget the other. If you can’t breathe well, then mobility becomes limited.

More than 22 hours of each day are devoted to breathing through a mask that is connected to a ventilator. I need both to breathe. The amount of time on the ventilator each day, and the ventilator itself, also limit mobility.

Movement matters.

Our bodies were designed to move. Just as our brains we made to think. I’m beginning to wonder if my brain is next on the list of body parts to fail.

Don’t ask my wife.

Mobility has been impaired by breathing— which is dying thanks to ALS— and now mobility is dying. I fell down for the second time in a few weeks; each time by trying to do the right thing.

Huh?

ALS impacts nerves and muscles so getting up from a sitting position has become more difficult; age notwithstanding. So, a few weeks ago I employed a couple of extra points when attempting to stand up from a sitting position. Legs and feet are one point each, but pushing up from a chair with a hand or two adds more points and should add more support to the getting up process.

Right?

Wrong.

The most recent fall came about because I sat down on my chair footrest to adjust some pillows on my chair. To get up from the footrest I put both hands down and pushed up with both legs and arms. That’s a good way to do it, right?

Right?

Wrong.

The push on the footrest with my hands caused it to slide and move backwards and that’s how I fell.

Backwards.

The resulting fall caused a nasty abrasion on one side of my tailbone and a nasty bruise on the other. Think blood and pain. Together at last. It’s been awhile since they have joined forces.

Now I can’t walk without some pain and can’t sit down without more pain.

Mobility just ain’t what it used to be, folks.