Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

question everything

(48,797 posts)
Mon Mar 6, 2023, 11:16 AM Mar 2023

I realize that our winter has not caused loss of life and property, so far, compared

to other regions of the country. Also that all this precipitation ended the drought but, really, enough with all the snow at warmer temperatures that causes icy roads.

Yes, I fell two weeks ago. I don't know why it is called "funny bone.". Still hurts..

10 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
I realize that our winter has not caused loss of life and property, so far, compared (Original Post) question everything Mar 2023 OP
It's a mess. The constant freezing and thawing has created potholes Ocelot II Mar 2023 #1
They work well? PlutosHeart Mar 2023 #2
I have these: Ocelot II Mar 2023 #3
I found old attachments to put around the sole of the shoes. Thy have chains criss crossed them question everything Mar 2023 #5
Those are what I have dflprincess Mar 2023 #9
Golden Valley pastor partially paralyzed after slip on ice progree Mar 2023 #4
This is sad. I wonder whether there has been an improvement since he fell 2 mos ago question everything Mar 2023 #6
I added to my post above. I haven't found anything since about Jan 12 except the GoFundMe progree Mar 2023 #7
As someone who is from North Carolina OldBaldy1701E Mar 2023 #8
-40 (Wind chill index) would be preferred, as long as the furnace is working question everything Mar 2023 #10

Ocelot II

(120,813 posts)
1. It's a mess. The constant freezing and thawing has created potholes
Mon Mar 6, 2023, 11:25 AM
Mar 2023

big enough to swallow a Mini Cooper. My investment in ice cleats has really paid off this winter, as so far I have managed not to fall on my old ass. My condolences on your not so funny bone.

PlutosHeart

(1,445 posts)
2. They work well?
Mon Mar 6, 2023, 11:57 AM
Mar 2023

Have been thinking of getting some even though it is the end of season. Which brand did you get? The ice was just horrible this year and fell numerous times luckily not breaking anything.

Ocelot II

(120,813 posts)
3. I have these:
Mon Mar 6, 2023, 12:10 PM
Mar 2023

STABILicers Walk Traction Cleat, about $20 on Amazon.

They work quite well. Then, on the recommendation of a friend because I do a lot of walking and needed something that was actually more comfortable to walk in than ordinary snow boots, I got a pair of walking boots with cleats built into the sole. It's a brand called Icebug, which comes in a lot of varieties, also available on Amazon or directly from the company: https://icebug.com/ They're great!

question everything

(48,797 posts)
5. I found old attachments to put around the sole of the shoes. Thy have chains criss crossed them
Mon Mar 6, 2023, 05:20 PM
Mar 2023

and have been using them, as well as a stick to walk outside to get the morning paper - often at the lower half of the driveway - to collect the mail which is 30 ft down to the main street, and to wheel the trash bins.

Our house face west so we are the last in the circle to get sun, if at all. Plus, the whole circle is an uphill facing north so has been icy, especially after that heavy rain from two weeks ago, and the bottom of the driveway is icy from lack of sun and from melting snow above us.

Two weeks ago there was a small amount of snow so decided to clear the driveway and.. walked over the icy patch and fell. Since I had the shovel I placed it across and crawled away to the driveway. But then I crawled further to the side of the driveway where there is a bank of a foot of snow. Stuck the shovel there and managed to stand.

Hearing about experience of others, who were rushed to the hospital with concussion and or cuts, I consider myself lucky with only bruises on my thigh and a sensitive area around my elbow.

dflprincess

(28,468 posts)
9. Those are what I have
Mon Mar 6, 2023, 08:04 PM
Mar 2023

Love 'em.

And my niece gave me hiking sticks with a pointy end for ice that has come in handy.

progree

(11,463 posts)
4. Golden Valley pastor partially paralyzed after slip on ice
Mon Mar 6, 2023, 04:33 PM
Mar 2023

Last edited Mon Mar 6, 2023, 06:08 PM - Edit history (3)

https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/it-has-not-broken-my-spirit-golden-valley-pastor-partially-paralyzed-after-slip-on-ice/
"It has not broken my spirit": Golden Valley pastor partially paralyzed after slip on ice, CBS Local, 1/7/23

The pastor fell on the ice outside his church, Christian Life Center in Golden Valley.

"I slipped and fell on my back tailbone, and immediately I had no feeling in my hands or legs and I knew I was paralyzed," he said.

He broke his neck and was rushed into surgery. At first, he says he couldn't move his arms, legs, hands or feet. But after weeks of physical therapy, he's able to have some movement in his arms.

"I still have my family. I still have my grandchildren, so many good things to be thankful for," he said.

Added: Pastor David Kent

The below article is dated January 7
https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/golden-valley-pastor-suffers-life-changing-injury-after-slipping-on-ice/
But after weeks of physical and occupational therapy, he’s making progress.

“Initially, I couldn’t move like, this arm. I’ve got some movement side-by-side,” Kent explains. “I wept when they put these stimulus things on my arm and I could actually see for the first time since the 16th of December, my fingers move.”

... “Being able to move his arm. Just today, we were excited that he was able to wriggle his right toes.”

Thacker says her father’s in-hospital therapy has just weeks to go before he’ll need to switch to a private provider.

She explains that because he’s self-insured, providers she’s contacted are asking for thousands of dollars up front — money she says the family doesn’t have.

“It’s sticker shock for sure,” Thacker says. “One facility we recently talked to was $7200-per-day for self-pay patients and that he’ll need eight-to-12 weeks of intensive acute care rehab. It’s daunting.”

She says if her father gets into a full-time rehab facility — he could receive as much as eight hours of therapy a day.

She’s launched a crowd funding account which she hopes will help.

The GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/f/david-kents-paralysis-medical-expense-fund

The Inpatient rehab required costs approximately $3,900/day for 90 days ($350,000+), and pre-funding is required. After David completes hospital inpatient rehab, he will need outpatient therapy which will bring much additional medical equipment expenses.

We are asking for medical funding assistance so that David's recovery is not limited by his ability to pre-pay for the services that he will need.


Emphasis added by Progree. $60,000 has been raised -- that's about 15 days worth at $3900/day. Obviously its been more than 15 days, so I have no ideas what's going on.

Very motivational to get cleats or studded boots.

progree

(11,463 posts)
7. I added to my post above. I haven't found anything since about Jan 12 except the GoFundMe
Mon Mar 6, 2023, 06:00 PM
Mar 2023

and the only update on that is from December. Except I presume the amount collected is up to date.

OldBaldy1701E

(6,338 posts)
8. As someone who is from North Carolina
Mon Mar 6, 2023, 06:06 PM
Mar 2023

I do have a part of me that finds that funny. As this is what every winter down there is like, this is a far better thing for myself than being in -40F temps for days on end. But, that is just me. I am sorry about your elbow. I am still recovering from rotator cuff surgery and it is an epic journey if I walk outside anywhere after dark. I can't risk falling on it.

question everything

(48,797 posts)
10. -40 (Wind chill index) would be preferred, as long as the furnace is working
Tue Mar 7, 2023, 05:19 PM
Mar 2023

At least it would not last long.

These warming above freezing point, thawing and then freezing again is what drives me crazy. And there is no end in sight..



Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Minnesota»I realize that our winter...