After I turned 65, my balance started slipping.
Not all at once. Just little things.
Reaching for the counter when I stood up.
Grabbing the wall in the hallway. Holding onto furniture when I walked past it.
Before long, I couldn't cross a room without touching something.
So I bought a cane off Amazon. Twenty bucks. Four stars. Seemed fine.
At first, it helped. I felt steadier just holding it.
But after a few weeks, something felt wrong.
I was leaning on it harder and harder.
My legs felt shakier. Getting up from a chair took more effort.
I thought it was just age catching up to me.
But then my physical therapist watched me walk across her office and said something that changed everything:
"That cane is making you weaker."