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wizardofsorts Special user Chicago, IL 935 Posts |
Jeez Clive that sounds really bad. I would see what your heath insurance covers and try all your non- surgery options first. I'm not sure how old you are (from the looks of your avatar you are not old at all), but I would do all I could to keep it from getting worse. You don't want to end up in a wheel chair by 50.
Edd<-- still unwrapping his gift of youth.
Edd Fairman, Wizard of Sorts is a corporate magician available for your next trade show, hospitality suite, client luncheon, or company event. http://www.wizardofsorts.com
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Cheshire Cat Special user Wilmslow, UK 941 Posts |
Clive, I'm not going to comment on your idea but on the fact you are suffering back problems.
Yes, I too have had this problem on and off over many years. Now a lot of the strain is actually loading and unloading out of vehicles. For many years we have both used small/medium 4x4s (SUVs) which greatly helped as no crawling and bending into estate (wagon) type cars and also much easier to get in and out of. Having said that I am using an estate at present but will switch back to my stored Suzuki 4x4 for winter. I also find that a small folding trolley is so useful on those long treks from the car down to the opposite ends of a large church hall or community centre. You also still do houseparties don't you? - and those door jams in homes are so narrow and you are so careful not to strike anything, thus you place the burden on your back and arms. Also make sure your tape/CD deck is high enough. Lots of bending down during games switching the pause button caused back problems with me too. I always now have everything at waist height (carry folding tables to cover all eventualities). Finally at the age of 55 I recently gave up trying to fit in 32 ins. waist trousers - and have a selection of 34 and 36 sizes. My comfort level at parties has greatly increased I can tell you! Solution wise I found cycling or a cycle machine just about the finest device for curing/preventing back problems. The best drug I found to be Ibuprofen as it clears up the inflammation that causes pain. The down side is you'll need some Zantac or similar handy as Ibuprofen knocks the hell out of your stomach over a prolonged period. |
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Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
Hi Ace, I use a small trolley I found in Focus Do-it -all. It's small and light and I can get 3/4 of the stuff I use in a 2-hour party on it. This is great for halls etc, unless I'm confronted with stairs. My magic box and music box have handles on the top, and as long as I carry both, one each side to balance me out it's ok. I think what knackers our backs most is the narrow doorways and hallways in houses where we not only have to lift, but we have to turn our bodies at an awkward angle while lifting, thus putting excess strain on certain muscles.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
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hugmagic Inner circle 7655 Posts |
Spider (Germany) is sellling a fold up stage like his table. I can't remember the specs on it but it might be just what you ordered. You probably can get specs from Spider or from Laflin's website.
I hope your problems can be remedied and you won't need the the stage. I used to shoot sports photography for 20 years. When I start (in college) I could kneal down for hours and shoot. When I quit, I put my butt on the floor. Old age is bad but it sure beats the alternative.
Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com email-hugmagic@raex.com Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's. |
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Cheshire Cat Special user Wilmslow, UK 941 Posts |
I know that many entertainers could not afford not to do houseparties. We have probably lost 1 in 5 bookings since we just work hired venues. We also insist upon ground floor levels wherever possible and convenient car parking. A tall order? Well ok, - but it works for us! I'm convinced that most of my back problems came from negotiating the confines of people's homes, also most of the flu bugs too!
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Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
I have on my contract about parking, and I know which venues to avoid that have the hall upstairs, I don't mind a small flight of stairs, but some are like Everest. I'll turn those down even if they do say, "it will be alright there will be lots of people to help you carry youre stuff up" because I know the chances are they will be there to help me up, but will have disapeared when it comes to humping it all back down.
One lady last year promised me there was a parking space right outside her door. And their was, it was 6' below her house, with a high wall and if I'd parked there it was a 75 yard hump along the road and back along the path to her door. I parked at the end of the wall to halve the journey and made a note on my database so I don't do her again. Even for house parties you have to be careful, I arrived at one house to find the party room was on the third floor. As I feel it's not polite to ask a booker to help with my stuff, I wait to be offered asistance. So I watched her husband drinking in the kitchen while I did 4 trips up the stairs with my stuff. If I'd know in advance it was on the top floor I'd have told her it was not suitable, but on the day I felt that as I didn't tell her before, I had to use that room. Next time I wont feel pressured and just tell them It's unsuitable. Richard I've seen the spider stage, unfortunately it would be too big too use in most of the houses I visit.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
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Bob Johnston Inner circle Philadelphia, PA 1251 Posts |
I often use an available chair to work with small children. I have found that kids warm up to you faster when they do not have to look up at you.
No need to bring your own, unless you just like shopping for more stuff to drag around. Bob |
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Smudge New user 82 Posts |
I wouldnt recommend the stem stool as my daughter usede one in the library and went flying, I just caught her.
Rather than you sitting down, What about having a high stool and make it a feature ie "The magic stool" where anyone coming up to help sits on it like the mastermind chair. It will also make them feel special. you could make it colourful or magical by painting it up and adding stars etc. |
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Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
HI Roy, I have thought about a high stool, One thing stops me, it would take up to much room in a small house.
What you say about your daughter is one of my worries. However I'd be there ensuring it doesn't move as they get on it, just as I take care when the kids climbs up on a stage. I feel my Mike stand /Pole idea would give me something to hold the stool or platform still while they stepped onto it, and they could hold it while on stage. I am thinking of a rectangular box, with four poles, and rope as suggested earlier by Macmagic. What ever I use will be promoted as the 'special stage'. Once I've worked out what to use, I can then work out how to introduce it. PS, Had the results of my blood tests today, they came back positive. I have the gene for the Ankeloosing spondulitis. However this doesn't mean that that's my problem as only 70% of the people with the gene, have the desease. My Doctor is refering me to a ruematologist. As this is the UK's national health service it means I should get an appointment anytime around christmas. I'd hate to guess which Christmas.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
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Smudge New user 82 Posts |
Sorry to hear that my friend. That's the desease that comedian Lee Hurst has. I hope this link helps.
http://www.arc.org.uk/newsviews/arctdy/105/ankyspon.htm regards Roy. |
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Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
Cheers Roy, I didn't know he had it, It's actually amazing how many entertainers have major problems like this. Being an entertainer is great because the nature of your job means you battle on regardless and don't let these problems interfere with either yours or your audiences enjoyment, In the end not giving into it keeps you active longer.. I've know intention of not doing shows, If circumstanses demand it, I'll change the way I do my shows, but stopping is the last resort. I'd only do that if it was me having to be wheeled in on a trolly instead of my magic box.
We carry on working despite these problems, yet you read constantly of those scroungers who with the slightest problem, throw a sicky or sponge of the state. Look at that couple on Wife swap, who claimed benifits because the bloke said he couldn't work because he had a bad back and was depressed that his dad had died 8 years ago. (The press then found out he was working on the side as a builder.)
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
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Cheshire Cat Special user Wilmslow, UK 941 Posts |
Hello Clive, well look on the bright side, it's not the end of the world, although there is always something to come along and smack you in the face isn't there? My uncle developed Spondylitis in his mid 50s and was devastated at first. But you know, after a while he was back as a spot welder for British Aerospace. One of my neighbours has it, she is about 61, and you can tell when she is having a bad day. But she is usually off to work whilst I'm sat watching the breakfast TV News. She also does a lot of gardening. My father in law has just been diagnosed with it in his shoulder, aged 76. As far as entertaining is concerned if I were you I'd just design everything for ease, and if you don't already have one, I would certainly think about a higher vehicle as you are loading at waist height with these.
Best of luck, Tony. |
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Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
Cheers Ace, As an ex serviceman I'm used to carrying on regardless, as all ex serviceman know, you are never off sick in the mob, you even have to fill forms out in triplicate if you are dead and can't turn to.
If You walk into the sickbay with your arm hanging off, they'd put a sticky plaster on it, give you two asprin and send you back to work. I've even seen blokes with two broken legs, on crutches working light duties as a runner, hobbling around the base carrying massages etc. If they were a civvy they'd be home off sick for 3 months. My old man has it as well, like me he has good days and bad days, I try not to let it get me down, when the one sunny day in the week is the only I'm not working and can play golf, co-insides with a bad day, it really gets my goat. It hasn't been confirmed yet that this is the problem, but at least once I see the specialist I'll finally get to the bottom of the problem. Once they know for sure what it is, they can give me the correct drugs and things will start to improve. I really appreciate your help, advice and kind words, thanks everyone.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
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Police Magician Special user Georgia 648 Posts |
Clive, I, too, have a bad back. An old football injury and the fact that I have to carry around my waist almost 20 pounds of equipment on my duty belt.
For years, while doing the Stranger Danger program for children, I had to get on my knees to act out a couple of role plays. I am a tad overweight (no, it is not from eating donuts) so getting up requires a little help. I have a chair or some other object near me to assist my fat butt up. The downside to this, besides trying to stand up, is the hardwood or cement floors causing pain in the knees. On rare occassions, I was fortunate enough to kneel on carpet. However, if this is harder for you than sitting in a chair, I would agree with the other suggestions of having the child on some type of platform that ensures their safety. Please make sure you take care of that back pain. Mine sometimes starts in the lower area and works its way up to my neck. When this occurs, it is hard to turn my head. Glenn
Glenn Hester
P.O. Box 3095 Brunswick, Ga. 31521 912-571-8071 www.policemagic.com https://www.facebook.com/PoliceMagic https://www.facebook.com/groups/235078277679470/ |
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Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
I've got knackered knees as well, this is the result of my 23 years in the navy, most ex-matelots have knackered knees. It's due to going up and down ladders on ships all day, and compensating for the roll of the ship.
Hopefully once they know what the problem really is, and I'm on the correct drugs, then crouching down wont be a problem. Bringing myself down to their level is I feel an important move for relaxing the nervous helper, and breakinbg down any invisable barrier. Update: Aug 20 2004 Hi all, My Dr has now put me on something called VIOXX (ROFECOXIB) A brilliant drug one tablet a day and although some of the stiffness is still there 90% of the pain has gone. So now I can crouch down and get back up a tad easier. I feel like a 21 year old. but then where will I find one this time of night
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
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