Since my stroke I'm careful about venturing outside when it snows, but I'm not trapped inside until spring comes either. I never walk on snow covered concrete, gravel, or grass. because uneven slippery surfaces are a fall hazard for stroke survivors. However, once streets, sidewalks, and access to my car are clear I wear boots over my shoes to protect them from the slush. Boots I tried on at a shoe store would not fit over my leg brace. My leg brace won't let me point my toes which is a pre-requisite for donning boots. On-line I found the Neos overshoe with a Velvro opening that goes all the way down to my toes. The Villager model is lightweight and designed for occasional use which is perfect for me.A video at www.overshoesonline.com shows how to don this boot. Warning #1: I do not put the boots on while standing as the video shows because I do not have good standing balance. My boots go on safely while I am sitting. A trick the video doesn't show is to make the ankle straps as long as I can before I put on the boots. After I snap the straps closed I pull on the ends of the straps to make them tight. Warning #2: The first set of boots I ordered was too big so they flopped around when I walked. Bottom Line: I get good traction from the treads and don't arrive with soggy shoes. I walk more slowly with boots on, but that beats not being able to keep important appointments like a doctor's visit.

The only thing I dislike about Neos is the crinkly noise it makes walking inside
ReplyDeleteNeos do make some, noise but it doesn't hurt for people to hear a stroke survivor coming. I live in a densely populated area. People who are rushing all the time are not very vigilent about making room for disabled people.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this idea! I changed my brace last spring, so I know that my boots will be a problem this winter.
ReplyDeleteWhen it's slippery out, it's not my feet that slide, but my cane, which completely destabilizes me, As a result, I avoid slippery situations; but if I HAVE to, I use a my companion as a cane.
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