I used to walk confidently with a long stride, bit since my right leg was amputated in February 2026 (cancer) I have been learning to walk with a prosthetic. I doubt you could determine anything about my gait. However, my attitude has not changed. These are the cards I was dealt. I have to play them. By the way I am 74 years old.
I know exactly what you mean by this and it's heartbreaking. My mother is not mobile and I see how people talk to her as if she is mentally incapable, when she is 100x smarter than them. It's frankly infuriating to witness and I'm always impressed by how calmly she handles it.
Yes after striding confidently for 50-odd years (and as you allude to, thankfully not experienced any untoward crappy attention), I now limp. The message to my own brain is at least one of diminishment, so this is a good reminder to stride on in my mind.
This is beautifully said! And I should have made it clear, I wasn't trying to do any victim blaming, but rather becoming aware of it can be empowering and an important safeguard in difficult situation. My husband (a foreigner) once accidentally walked into a very dangerous part of Baltimore late at night in a nice suit. When he realised, he confidently walked straight to the first big guy he saw, asked for a light and then left. A purposeful walk (with or without a limp) can go a long way...
In certain situations I think it does make a lot of difference. Which makes me think of running, and how empowering the ability to run is. I overlook a large and well-used park and often watch joggers with all their differing styles. The free-flowing, fluid movers are such a joy to appreciate.
I used to walk confidently with a long stride, bit since my right leg was amputated in February 2026 (cancer) I have been learning to walk with a prosthetic. I doubt you could determine anything about my gait. However, my attitude has not changed. These are the cards I was dealt. I have to play them. By the way I am 74 years old.
I suppose it would tell the story of your survival...
As someone with a disability, I have always found it fascinating how culture conflates physical ability with intellectual ability.
I know exactly what you mean by this and it's heartbreaking. My mother is not mobile and I see how people talk to her as if she is mentally incapable, when she is 100x smarter than them. It's frankly infuriating to witness and I'm always impressed by how calmly she handles it.
I walk with the troubadours.
Yes after striding confidently for 50-odd years (and as you allude to, thankfully not experienced any untoward crappy attention), I now limp. The message to my own brain is at least one of diminishment, so this is a good reminder to stride on in my mind.
This is beautifully said! And I should have made it clear, I wasn't trying to do any victim blaming, but rather becoming aware of it can be empowering and an important safeguard in difficult situation. My husband (a foreigner) once accidentally walked into a very dangerous part of Baltimore late at night in a nice suit. When he realised, he confidently walked straight to the first big guy he saw, asked for a light and then left. A purposeful walk (with or without a limp) can go a long way...
In certain situations I think it does make a lot of difference. Which makes me think of running, and how empowering the ability to run is. I overlook a large and well-used park and often watch joggers with all their differing styles. The free-flowing, fluid movers are such a joy to appreciate.
Buddha wrote of the benefits of walking meditation as well.
And think also of the Peripetics!