Upstairs, Downstairs

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Stairs. When Robb was in the rehab hospital, we spent a lot of time preparing for the challenge of climbing the stairs to our apartment. He visualized every step and landing. When he first got home, he wasn't permitted to climb stairs without a "spotter" who would catch him if he started to fall. (This task, frankly, terrified me. All I could imagine was my failure in keeping Robb from tumbling down the stairs.)

Because the fronts of Robb's feet aren't the useful part, he still has to use great care while negotiating stairs. Our back staircase has very narrow treads, so if here were to climb it "normally" the "good" part of his foot (his heel) is hanging out in unsupported space. Rather than letting this stop him, Robb climbs these stairs by side-stepping. He stands at a right angle to the stairs, so that his entire foot can rest on the tread.

As you can imagine, this technique makes carrying anything up the stairs particularly challenging. Because I have been working such long hours, Robb has been doing much of the grocery shopping. He carries the perishable items upstairs, and leaves everything else in the garage for me. Robb takes a step, picks up his packages, lifts them up one step, and sets them down. Then he takes a step, picks up his packages, lifts them up, and sets them down on the next step. He said that the last time he climbed the back steps, it took him fifteen minutes.

We live on the third floor, in case you are wondering.

Comments

Anonymous said…
WOW!!! That sounds like a good work out in the gym. Maybe I will invent a new routine for the stair master!!!

Bandaid
Jimmy said…
Robb's a smart guy he's probably already thought of this. How about going up the stairs backwards? His heel would be firmly on the stair tread.

Shiloh
Lisa said…
I think sideways offers more visibility....
Kristen said…
i like the shallots. Robb really does show dedication. i'd say screw it and install a ski lift. Or a zipline.

heck, i might just install a zipline here anyway to get down to the pub from my house. Hooray for towns terraced into mountains!
Anonymous said…
Because of various ailments and stiff joints, my whole family (mom, dad, sister, me) goes up and down steps sideways. Only Sparky, youngster that he is and with four feet bounds up steps any longer. It's pretty funny watching us. How about a small basket cart? Or would that be too hard to pull? Much hugs, Judith and Sparky.
Anonymous said…
This sounds like some sort of exercise routine that will be shown on 3 am TV shows featuring scantily clad women of a nubile age. What does Robb look like in a bikini? This blog is a perfectly good way to let us all know!

Annalisa
Anonymous said…
PS.. Lisa, remember Tim Nohe? I just learned he won a Fulbright to go to Australia! That's pretty impressive, mate. I must remember to drink a Foster's beer in celebration.

Grrrr, why wasn't it me, instead? Perhaps not bothering to fill out a form has something to do with it!

Annalisa
Anonymous said…
I just want to know what you're doing with all those shallots. Seems like a lot to me.
Marmalade
Anonymous said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said…
They're not our shallots (that would be an awful lot for the two of us)
See:

http://howsrobb.blogspot.com/2007/02/dreamy.html

for the story.
Emily said…
The engineer in me wonders if the railing at the top of the stairs has a clear path and is strong enough to handle a pulley system. Robb might be able to lower a basket (or even just a caribeaner to which you could attach a canvas bag) on his way out the door to the store, fill it up with perishables when he gets back and pull it up to the top when he gets up there. From your descriptions of Robb's previous helpful inventions, he's an engineer wrapped in an artist, so might be able to make something work, with a little help from your local hardware store. :-) Good luck!

Emily
Anonymous said…
To heck with the stairs--do any of your grocery stores deliver? We have online delivery from the local Stop and Shop...but then again, this IS New York and we're always in such a rush.

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