walked on a treadmill

What Happened January 30, 2025
​I met one of my survivor sisters in the hotel fitness center and joined her for a 1-mile walk on the treadmill. I explained how I hadn't been on a treadmill since my stroke so she was aware of my concerns. I felt safe, was clipped in just in case, and away I went. It was great, so less scary than I had built up in my mind.  
I would've walked further, but the repetitive noise of my treadmill (it had some mechanical thudding) started to wear on my brain, so I switched to a bike.  I am super thankful for the companionship and support to be brave,  giving the treadmill a try.

Why it Matters
​Whenever you start a physical therapy program, you get asked about your goals. Usually, I'm in PT for a specific reason, and as we start to make progress and reevaluate the goals, I have on more than one occasion mentioned that I am afraid to walk on a treadmill. I have some unresolved trauma from being on a treadmill in acute Rehab that required me to be in a harness, suspended from the ceiling in case I were to fall.

All of those videos of people losing their footing and crashing into walls or scraping their faces on the treadmill belt probably sat in the back of my mind too. So, I had respectfully stayed away from the treadmill in case my attention wandered and if I were to close my eyes while walking, which was how I pre-stroke walked on the treadmill, lord only knew what might have happened.

No more what ifs; I conquered a 4 1/2 year fear. 

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