For a brief time period, I was determined to walk in public with out my cane; I found that the general public placed me in a category, which was unhelpful.

After this short time period. I want back to using my cane. Outside, my spasticity seems to be quite present, especially in the winter.
I can accept this, since I am over 70 in age.
As I continue to improve my balance, also during the pandemic, I find the cane is almost a “security blanket.”

Added Note for the Winter of 2019 and after,
The cold seems to kick my spasticity muscle tone on my right Side.
Thus I have some instability.
At a curved sidewalk street off Tompkins Sq Park I found my balance compromised.
Thus I told myself use a cane just till it warms up

Good News:
For many years I worked on my acoustic guitar technique, which became my module for improving my gait and posture.
I realized that the constant use of a cane was preventing me from improving my balance and stride.
In 2017 I took a trip to Spain, I decided to leave my cane home, as I only use of one hand. I needed a free hand to carry my suitcase.
This turned out to be a success, beyond my greatest imagination.
When I returned without incident, I could see that my right side was more capable.

I do focus on slowing down and constantly correct my placement of my right foot and leg.
In order to become a solid acoustic guitarist, I had to revise my body posture, and that aided me in re-calibrated my stride and form.

Also, it has been close to 8 years since I have revised the content of my personal website.
I suppose I was too focused on my greatly improved physical mobility, as well of the flotsam of daily life.

That is of course a good thing.
When you Off Your Butt and able to move through NYC, why create time to write and revise. Not to mention the whims of HTML.
I attribute my increased mobility to my systematic approach, much the same as my study of the various versions of (classical, jazz, fingerstyle and pick style) my life-long practice and focus on the various Guitar expressions & style.
I mostly ignored the othodox approach of the Typical PT. They mean well, but often lack life experience, to understand where I am coming from.

One size doesn't fit All. I am a fundamental sound physical specimen; despite my paralysis. One size doesn't fit All.
Fortunately, I abandoned my Cane a couple of years ago, quite often.


  • But I now still use it outside, It reminds me to Slow Down, and carefully place my right foot in better aligment.
    Now my affected side is much stronger. And more firmly toned.

    In addition, I finally faced my fear and embarrassment, and now take the Subway. That took me more than 5 years to work through various emotional issues, as well as accepting that I will always feel like falling. This instabilty is permanent.

    I really slow down doing all the above -- that was the Key to correcting my form and creating and building helpful movement patterns. My old friends must chuckle, since for most of my life I have been in a great hurry.
    One simple exercise was just working on stand and sit, over and over, almost a mantra.
    Much like learning to play an instrument, or learning a new spoken language.
    It is amusing to think I finally see value in Slowing Down. Since I was always in too much of a hurry. Born and raised in Manhattan. Like my song "Mad Metropolis."

    However, each day I need to refocus my addiction to various frantic old habits. At least I am aware of this.
    I often leave my apartment, to try and reflect on a more productive approach to my attempt to reprogram my "rushed journey."
    And to interact with the world as it is. Not as I fear it.
    It has certainly has been a challenging adventure.

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