Several years ago while
active in the real estate profession, I dreamed it would be great fun to be
able to escape for an hour or two on rare occasions – and the means of transport would be by boat.
Never having had a boat
previously, it was important to take the Power Squadron Course and earn my
Pleasure Craft License. Not only was the instruction interesting, I found the
scope of it all enormous! Armed with all the essentials, including binoculars –
it was with some trepidation that we set forth on a maiden voyage.
One of the first challenges
was to be able to read the lake charts and steer at the same time – glasses
on/glasses off seemed to be the exercise. Having a good sense of direction is
simply not enough. A compass, a sharp-eyed spotter and knowing the ups and
downs of currents were all significant.
Today, long after the boating
experiment, I learned about other navigation aids previously unknown to me.
In discussion with a
representative from the Falls Prevention Program, I learned that navigation
aids also exist in one’s home!
We are all familiar with the
terms “water walker”, “sky walker”, “moon walker”; to name a few, but my
vocabulary was increased by a new expression – “furniture walker”. And it’s not
dogs, cats, other pets or babies!
When moving around the home,
to avoid a fall when unsteadiness may be a concern, many people choose not to
use a cane or other assistive device – and cruise their route with a hand along
the back of the couch or outstretched to make contact with the next chair or
table… Hence, “furniture walkers”!
A sense of direction, good
eyesight, awareness and destination are all navigation aids.
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