(Post from Christina's own blog)

"You may have noticed? I'm training hard to get ready to walk the Haervejsmarch at the end of June. Distance 2 x 20 km. You might think that's a crazy idea?
Maybe it's just a crazy idea, but when suddenly being able to walk is no longer a given, it doesn't seem like a crazy idea, but like a huge privilege that I can decide that I want to train for it..

The victory of getting up and walking

If you have had small children who have learned to walk, you probably know what I am talking about? You can see it in their eyes. What they have fought so hard for suddenly succeeds one day. They stand tall and proud with their bellies sticking out and their eyes wide open. Look at what I can do! Do they seem to be thinking!

I recognize that look and that feeling from myself when I was admitted to Hammel Neurocenter and when I first took a few steps. I could also see the victory and pride in the eyes of my fellow patients when they walked on their own. We celebrated the small progress together when we met in the kitchen and no longer got into a wheelchair but walked with a cane, walker or other assistive device.

After her brain hemorrhage and many months of rehabilitation, Christina received good help from a treatment with two injections in Florida.

No easy solutions

My legs and balance were extremely challenged when I got up from the wheelchair and started walking around. In a weak moment, I actually remember thinking that it was easier for me to stay in the wheelchair. I briefly felt like giving up responsibility…

Fortunately, it only lasted a short moment. I actually think I was a little scared of myself for thinking that.

That must be a lie! I thought with all the will I could manifest.

And it turned out to be a lie ;0) I am so grateful that I succeeded. There are no easy solutions.

When assistive devices become an unnatural crutch

Assistive devices are wonderful when they are needed. We don't always know when we don't need an assistive device anymore. It becomes like an unnatural crutch. Because we use them for so long. We tell ourselves we can't do without them. Then we may need a gentle and loving nudge to get out of our comfort zone, to move on. I had to go through 6 weeks of intensive rehabilitation with some physiotherapists in Aarhus to get rid of my cane. They were very insistent that the cane was no longer necessary for me. Through training and support, I gained the courage to say goodbye to my last aid in walking. My crutch. My cane, which I had become dependent on.

Make no mistake. Rehabilitation is tough and sometimes relentless, and it requires all your will.

On the other hand, it is worth the struggle when you feel the reward in the form of small progress.

It's no longer a given to be able to walk, and that's why I'm training for the Haervejsmarch at the end of June. It's going to be a day of celebration!

If you want, you can join!"