Fractured knee/single parenting on crutches/struggling

[ChernobylFallout]

Please can anyone help with practical ways of managing? I've fractured my knee, and am a single parent of 2 DC who both have SN.

Been told to keep all weight off my leg for the next 4-6 weeks, and given crutches to help with that. Being a bit pathetic, but I'm really struggling with the crutches; think my upper body strength must be terrible! I've been whizzing around downstairs on an office chair, using my good leg to push it; got a high stool being delivered today so I can cook/make packed lunches etc; shower stool also being delivered today. I can just about manage at home with the kids pitching in as and when needed; their dad will have them this weekend.

I did the school run yesterday on the crutches, and my shoulders/arms are absolutely fucked :-( It's only half a mile each way, and it took me over an hour, after which I was dripping with sweat and cried when we got home. Got the next few days covered for school runs, but with the DCs' SN, there are very few people I can ask to help out, and their dad will be away on holiday next week.

Trying to work out how on earth I can do the school run. In so much pain with my knee already, and now my shoulders, arms, and upper back are so stiff and sore too that I could just sit in a heap and cry - which isn't exactly constructive! Please does anyone have any bright ideas and/or a kick up the arse and advice to woman up?? Thanks :-)

They won't help me as mine aren't at their nearest/first allocated school, however have you called/applied for temp council transport?
It's very hard work on crutches I don't think I could do half a mile without dying. But the aches do lessen after a few days once you're used to it.

I'm carrying things through the house with a backpack and I'm getting away with the bare minimum, I'm luckily not a single parent anymore but you have my full empathy. My ankle needs elevating constantly.

Could you hire/borrow a mobility scooter?

Sympathies. I too have a fractured knee. I am in a leg brace and partial weight bearing. It is a struggle to get through the day so can’t imagine doing it without support from DH.

Can you get the children taken to school by someone else? Any school transport help? Ask the council, get support from GP? I can’t imagine doing half a mile on crutches.

I'm looking into hiring a mobility scooter, but my god, the cost! Also I'm a bit worried it wouldn't fit through some of the smaller spaces on the way to school. Been looking at those rollator walking frames with seats - does anyone know whether it's possible to sit on those and just kick it along with my good foot? The office chair is amazing downstairs (thank god for hard floors!); I think what I need is something like that for outside. Some kind of non-powered sit on scooter - this kind of thing but for adults - am I daft to think that would work??

Would a walking frame with a seat not better? Though if you’re non weight bearing it won’t work I guess.

I think you should explain your problem to school. They might have a suggestion.

I've spoken to the school's family support worker, who said she'll ring back in a few days. I'd love to be able to ask friends for help, but the DCs' autism means there are very few people who can help out. Already leaning on DS' friend's lovely mum, who is going to take him two mornings a week, but her work commitments mean she can't do more than that.

In a very similar position, broken knee in two places but already a wheelchair user which has meant I can carry on as normal. I would suggest looking into school transport, contact Red Cross to see if they can loan a wheelchair to you, if it’s self propelling that might help with a bit of practice or hire a power chair or scooter.
Hope things get a bit easier for you. I’d contact school first of all as they might be able to signpost some support.

You will get used to the crutches (I've two weeks before I can get rid of mine).

Ask around. Who walks your route to school? Can a teacher or TA collect the DC from part way/your house? I had so many offers of help from people who I would never have expected to offer as I barely know them. You don't say what age your children are.

The most important thing is not to push yourself too hard as you will end up doing more damage and making your recovery longer and potentially not as successful.

If it's too painful to get your DC to school, then they're just going to have to stay at home until you can manage it. Even a taxi might not be possible if you can't bend your leg. Take short walks to build up your strength.

In so much pain with my knee already,
You need to put yourself first in the next few weeks. It's hard to accept, especially with DC especially with SN. But long term it really is the best thing.

I can't ask around for people to help with the school run; DCs' SN mean that they couldn't cope with being collected by somebody they don't know really well. There are about eight people who DC would be comfortable with; one is their dad, who will be on holiday next week; one is already helping as much as she can (DS' friend's mum); four are their grandparents, who are in their seventies and live 200 miles away; the others aren't available at school run times, either because of their own DC who are at other schools or because of work commitments. DC might be missing a few days at school, I guess :-(

DC might be missing a few days at school, I guess

then so be it. You have to let your body recover. If you show them you are doing what you can to get them to school as much as possible then they will see you're not taking the easy way out. (I might not tell school their dad is on holiday, I would frame it ambiguously so it sounds like a work thing!) I know it's crap and you want to get everything sorted. But you really need to think of yourself and the repercussions of pushing yourself too much now. I get it, it's crap. And painful. And you're used to doing everything to make things run smoothly for your DC. I'm 9 weeks further on than you. It will get better, but you need to look after yourself and give yourself permission to say "enough, I need to rest."