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Overcoming
Lower Body Weakness

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Workshop Companion Reference

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Practical Knowledge Sharing for Overcoming
the Daily Challenges of Living with ALS

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By St. Louis ALS Association Caregivers
for ALS Caregivers

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Overview

2

Introduction

3

Who We Are

Overcoming Lower Body Weakness

THIS BOOK WILL BENEFIT: Those who attended the overcoming lower body weakness challenges workshop & want a quick refresher of the key take aways or those who were unable to attend but would still like to benefit from the demonstrations.

We are not experts. We are not vendors.
We are a community of current or previous care givers who have experienced this disease personally and have battled ALS 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We had to “learn on the job”. We immersed ourselves in all available information resources and in people networks seeking practical solutions to help us manage daily living challenges.

The Purpose of The Workshop

To provide an opportunity for ALS caregivers to become acquainted with tools, or concepts that many have not previously been exposed to. Additionally, to enable everyone facing ALS to more quickly gain tangible and practical ideas to overcome everyday challenges.

THIS BOOK INCLUDES:

● Walking With Assistive Devices
● Sitting to Standing
● Getting Up From The Toilet
● Getting Out Of Vehicles
● Getting In & Out Of Bed
● Getting Up From The Floor
● Swelling/Stiffening/Spasms/Cramping

3

Who We Are

We are not experts. We are not vendors.
We are a community of current or previous care givers who have experienced this disease personally and have battled ALS 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We had to “learn on the job”. We immersed ourselves in all available information resources and in people networks seeking practical solutions to help us manage daily living challenges.

The Purpose of The Workshop

To provide an opportunity for ALS caregivers to become acquainted with tools, or concepts that many have not previously been exposed to. Additionally, to enable everyone facing ALS to more quickly gain tangible and practical ideas to overcome everyday challenges.

What Is Included In This Booklet

Video's of demonstrations provided by caregivers covering common challenging lower body weakness scenarios along with the equipment and techniques to overcome them.
For more detailed guidance on overcoming Lower Body Weakness challenges refer to the Overcoming Lower Body Weakness Challenges Booklet. Last revision 10/22/23.

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4

5

Walking With Assistive Devices

Dealing With Unsteadiness

Equipment Used During the Demonstrations

◼ Bioness or Walkaide
◼ Cane: EZ-Walk sand pad
◼ Cane: Hurrycane
◼ Cane: KMINA tips or Quad Tips
◼ Cane: Multiple Point (quad canes)
◼ Cane: Single point
◼Dorsi Lite foot splint
◼Foot flexor (e.g SaeboStep, Jomeca, Dosh)
◼ Leg orthotics (aka AFO)
◼ Moleskin
◼ Sammons Preston Quick-Release, BRMDT gait belt
◼ Swedish carbon fiber foot brace (e.g Step-Smart or BraceOn)
◼ Swedish knee cage
◼ Trekking / hiking poles
◼ Walker: 2 Wheel / front wheel
◼ Walker: Rollator
◼ Walker: Standard
◼ Walker: Upright
◼ Walker: Tennis balls
◼ Walker: Glide skis

For more detailed guidance on overcoming lower body weakness challenges refer to the
Overcoming Lower Body Weakness Challenges Booklet.

5

Dealing With Unsteadiness

Video: Canes and Walkers

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Walking With Assistive Devices (Continued)

7

Dealing With Unsteadiness (Continued)

Dealing With Unsteadiness (Continued)

Video: Equipment for Tripping

Video: Equipment for Knee Hyper Extension

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