Dick Dickenson- Gait Stability
Dick Dickenson suffered severe nerve damage in February 2004 and by May 2004, he was unable to walk to his mailbox. Before the nerve damage, Dick did a lot of strenuous long distance mountain climbing and was in really good shape. Prior to using the Quadriciser, Dickenson said, “I am afraid to go out and photograph by myself because I am afraid I will fall and be out of cell phone range.”
“I have a balance problem,” says Dickenson. He stands pacing his feet. “I cannot stand still; I am going to fall over.” When he stands, he constantly paces his feet back and forth.
After 30 minutes on the Quadriciser (his first time), Dick could stand still without losing his balance. “I’m not about to fall. I believe I could stand on one foot but I am afraid to try.” says Dickenson. “This is unbelievable.” As he backs up, he says, “There’s something special in that machine.” He turns around and walks several feet as his eyes tear up.
“He steps much better than before,” says Larry Bohanan. Before, Dickenson was unable to raise his hands because it would throw him more off balance. Now, he raises his walking stick high above his head and walks up and down the hall. If he closes his eyes, he is a little wobbly. When he opens his eyes, he is able to stand still and talk. It has been six years since he could stand still without falling.
A week later, Dickenson came for another session on the Quadriciser. After his first session, he says he had no problem as far as balance goes. “The big thing was the emotional difference. I am so excited. I am thinking about things I want to do, could be doing, and couldn’t do before. Everyone who sees me is amazed at how well I am getting around. “
He shares how he became a little unstable recently at a funeral home when several people were hugging him but had no problem walking around the house and making a trip to Walmart. “People have been amazed at how straight I am walking and the fact that I was not using my walking stick,” says Dickenson.
Dickenson shared his story with his Sunday school class and said everyone was in tears to see how well he is doing. “I set my walking stick against the podium and talked to them 3 or 4 minutes. The Sunday before, I was staggering and falling, bumping into things and holding onto the podium. This is a huge praise!
Dickenson now has a Quadriciser in his home and is excited about the improvements in his balance. He hopes one day to enjoy his previous profession as an active nature and professional photographer.
