Let it snow, let it snow, let it stop

Posted by: Nate
Posted: Fri, December 11 2009 at 9:01am

Like many of you around the country this first week of December brought a large and seemingly angry snow storm.  To even call it a snow storm is like calling a tiger a “little kitty”.  After just having moved from northern Wisconsin to southeast Nebraska I had thought we had left this kind of weather behind but I’ve never been more wrong.  The snow began as a dusting, overnight saw about three inches, and by the end of the second day we easily had at least a foot of fresh snow on the ground.  As if to say “I’m just warming up” the storm proceeded to buffet our state with 40 mile per hour winds for the next 24 hours as the new fallen snow was whipped into a maelstrom of swirling flakes and shifting snowdrifts.  All we heard on the news was that schools and roads were closing, travel was not advised, and you should stay in doors if possible.  What a mess! 

In light of all this snow I knew that once it stopped I’d have to be a responsible citizen and shovel my sidewalk and driveway.  I would need to get out of the garage to go to work the next day and the sidewalks needed to be clear if someone walked by.  So, I got dressed in my warmest winter gear and headed for that large white drift that was my front yard.  As much as I dislike shoveling it’s no longer because I’m afraid of falling down, now it’s just my distaste for throwing out my back or having my eyelids freeze shut. 

If you’re the kind of person that truly dislikes falling down than winter is not the season for you.  If you’re outside at all you’re faced with more falling opportunities than you could count.  Ice, slush, and powder all combine in some evil plot to re-teach you about how well the law of gravity works [as if you’ve forgotten since last year].  Plus, falling hurts, sometimes a lot, and can even wind up with some bone broken or ligament torn.  Admittedly, I’m one of those people who doesn’t care to fall down.

I recall what I didn’t like about shoveling before I got my C-Leg: everything!  From the moment I set foot outside in the winter I was afraid; falling was a real and regular occurrence on my mechanical prosthesis.  Too much or too little weight on it at just the wrong moment, due to a icy slip or stumble, and I would find my way to the ground in a hurry.  I no longer have to worry about falling down because of my knee failing so I’m free to head outside and do the things I need to do, like shoveling. 

The other winter scenario I didn’t used to like was walking in deep snow.  The challenges of deep snow can be substantial for amputees.  You’re often faced with uncertain foot placement and as a result without enough weight on the front of the foot you aren’t always going to get the right leverage to release a knee into swing phase.  Also when lifting a foot out of the deep snow you’re likely to have it drag through the snow, which slows it coming forward, making for an uncertain or dangerous next step.  Plus, with uncertain footing often comes difficulty balancing, which can also lead to knees bending when they shouldn’t. 

Now the deep snow isn’t so much of an issue for me.  Because of the intelligence of the microprocessor in my knee it knows when I’m walking and when I’m standing and has plenty of resistance if I stumble.  The certainty of the foot being in place for every step, and the ability to step onto a bent knee and maintain resistance, gives me confidence that even when I drag my foot in the heavy snow it will support me for the next step regardless. 

So, as we dig out from the “Blizzard of the Century” remember, be safe, stay warm, and when in doubt, borrow a snow blower. 

Until next time.
Nate

Otto Bock HealthCare pays Nate a small fee for his essays.