Loss of mobility can be scary. According to researchers at Harvard University Medical school, loss of mobility is not just an inconvenience – it is a major life-altering event. Anyone from the elderly to the physically active can be affected by loss of mobility. Sometimes it is the result of aging, but, just as often, it is because of an injury.
Loss of mobility “has profound social, psychological, and physical consequences.”[1] These consequences can be emotionally and mentally damaging. Imagine not being able to get up and move in an emergency, or not being able to make a quick trip to the store, or not being able to visit friends or family. Think about how many times a day you get up out of your chair and go to the bathroom, head over to the fridge for a snack, or simply go grab something you need from the other room. Now imagine not being able to do any of those things or being at the mercy of someone else to help you do them.
The consequences of loss of mobility are far-reaching. “Social engagement, the real life activity that results from association with one’s social ties, is important in reinforcing existing social relationships and provides a sense of value and identity,” and the loss of these ties can be scary and isolating for someone who has been injured.[2]
The loss of mobility is such a life-changing and scary thing that there are hundreds of websites and user posts dedicated to dealing with the fear and isolation that comes with the loss of mobility. Researchers pour thousands of dollars and hours into finding ways to help reduce the fear that results from a loss of mobility after an injury.
One study of active individuals showed that, unlike those who could continue their activities, the individuals who were stopped from taking part in activities for as little as two weeks resulted in “significantly greater symptoms of psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, confusion, over-all mood disturbance, and lower self-esteem.”[3]
For a normally active individual, not being able to be active for a little as two weeks can result in depression, anxiety, and lowed self-esteem. Two weeks is enough for depression and anxiety, imagine the effect of a life-time of lost mobility.
According to the Shepheard Center, a non-profit hospital, people who suffer a loss of mobility are likely to go through the same stages of grief as those who have lost a loved one – denial, disbelief, sadness, and anger.[4] Long-lasting or permeant loss of mobility can cause someone the same type of emotional distress—the same sadness and fears—as someone who has lost a loved one.
If you have lost mobility because of an injury as the result of a someone else’s negligence, see a doctor, and, as always, please call Groth Law Firm, S.C. with any questions. We are available 24/7 to discuss your options as the victim of negligence. Our initial consultations are always free.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and should not be used as legal advice. It is not medical advice and should not be used as medical advice. The legal statutes, laws, and procedures contained in this article may not be current and may have been revised since the time of publication or contain errors. An attorney can provide legal guidance only after reviewing the details of your individual case.
[1] https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/two-questions-can-reveal-mobility-problems-in-seniors-201309186682
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3683993/
[3] http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.2466/pms.1988.66.3.875
[4] https://www.shepherd.org/patient-programs/spinal-cord-injury/after-rehab/adapting-to-loss-of-mobility