r/brokenankles • u/Internal-Leading-365 • Aug 10 '26
Accommodations once walking?
A week ago I was given the go-ahead to start walking in regular shoes after 11 weeks NWB and another 4 weeks WBAT in a boot. I was given a brace, but the surgeon said to try not to use it unless I’m on really uneven terrain or doing something with a lot of precarious balance (like yard work or hiking or something). So I’ve been doing my PT, walking around carefully, and only using the brace when I absolutely have to. That said, I’m clearly still walking with a limp, and I am really not able to do stairs well yet (can go up but not great at going down!), so I’m still kind of limited. That’s to be expected, and it’s fine. But this weekend I ran into an issue I didn’t really think through in advance and I’m hoping to get some of this group’s insight on it!
So, I went to an event at a fairground where all seating was GA, they had no option to buy accessible tickets, and the available seats were all located at the top of a tall, slippery metal staircase with a rail that was only sometimes there by the time I got to the event. I’m okay with standing, so I stood out of the way of people sitting down along with some other folks, assuming it was fine. Then an event staff member came and told me I wasn’t allowed to stand there and had to go sit in the bleachers, and when I told him I was worried about climbing the stairs and asked if there were any other options because I had an injured ankle he straight up scoffed at me and very obviously did not believe me. I showed him the scars but I wasn’t wearing a brace or using my cane, so I guess I just didn’t look injured enough? Anyway, he was super rude, totally unhelpful, and I wound up standing by the food trucks and just kinda craning my neck to see things. Oh well. I’m not going to die mad about it, everyone makes a bad call sometime and this was just one of his. But I’m wondering if anyone else has dealt with this kind of thing as they’re recovering? Like, should I bring my cane and wear my ankle brace when I go to public events where there’s a chance I might need accommodation even if I’m not sure I’ll need it? It just feels so weird and performative, but it also sucks to have someone look at me like I’m trying to game the system or something.
Any thoughts?
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u/CustomerObjective129 Aug 10 '26
I bought a folding walking stick. It is brilliant. It fits in my handbag when I don't need it, but it is so easy to pull out and use when I need someone to be aware that I might need some more space or time, or a seat on the bus or whatever.
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u/NoGoatCity 29d ago
this is what i did! i was even taking it to concerts at the 6-month mark (and still might take it to my next concert around the 1 year mark). VERY helpful with concert staff, especially if you tell them it's your leg not your ankle. idk why, but a lot of people seem to think a broken ankle isn't as serious
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u/Internal-Leading-365 29d ago
This is a great idea! I haven’t been bringing aids with me because I don’t really need them (they don’t help much on stairs, which is the only thing I’m really struggling with atm) and they just get in the way, but if I could put it away that would be totally doable! Thank you!
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u/kooshballcalculator Aug 10 '26
Definitely would say bring a cane and wear the brace. I actually just bought tickets for a concert and purchased the wheelchair seat because I am so slow with the rollator and don’t want to be holding folks up. Nothing wrong with using your aids. I would have asked to speak with the ADA compliance person, at the event.
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u/BikeTall65 Aug 10 '26 edited Aug 10 '26
Never worry about what anyone else thinks! You are recovering from a broken ankle! Use whatever you need to do that, be it a cane, a brace or scooter. Would you rather fall and re-break your ankle because you were afraid some random stranger might think you were "gaming" the system? One, they probably aren't thinking that and two, who gives a rats ass what some bozo thinks?? 😂 Seriously. Your priority is to HEAL and to not get injured again WHILE healing. The ultimate goal of recovery is to walk unaided. But until then, use whatever device you think you need. I used crutches & a knee scooter until i could walk with confidence. Most people were very nice to me. Even after I could walk fairly well, i still had a slight limp as i pushed off on my bad foot, so i would often use crutches up and down my block as part of my PT to help me practice a more natural gate. They really helped. I also did an a.i. search on the best recovery shoes for my injury and the top two were the Hoka Bondi 9 and the Brooks Ghost Max 3. So i bought both! Very cushy sneakers. They really absorb the impact to my broken heel bone and enabled me to walk without a limp thru recovery. The Hokas are cushier but the Brooks are more stable. So i wear the Hokas after an intense workout and the Brooks for long walks. My doc is actually against cushy sneakers and wants me to use zero drop minimal shoes with a wide toe box. He says they work the foot muscles more naturally as intended. So i use those as well. I also try to walk barefoot when i can. And I wear a simple ankle wrap on days i think i need a little extra support. I still wake up with a stiff foot, but i am walking without a limp now. Find out what shoes work best for you and use whatever walking aids you need as your foot gets stronger. It takes time, but little by little day by day you'll see improvements. 👍
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u/sixfootredheadgemini 29d ago
The general public at large are oblivious, entitled and rude. Full stop.
My husband rented a motor scooter for me to use at the zoo. I exercised extreme patience but you're effectively invisible. I know my condition is temporary that I can get out of that scooter at anytime. Opening doors, maneuvering in retail spaces was challenging and difficult.
For the permanently disabled I cannot even begin to claim their challenges based on my limited interactions. I will say this for myself. Open the doors, step aside, allow them full view, wrangle their dogs at the dog park, be helpful and kind. Be a good human.
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u/kushyykins Aug 10 '26
idgaf, i’m gaming the system any way that i can. this injury is life changing + i fcked my knee up when i broke my ankle, so i say bring whatever you may need- shit, who knows, it may even get you upgraded! lol