Hello Justin. This is a great group and packed with information. As I was so convinced I would never walk without a stick I’m amazed when I found I could! Good luck with your recovery- it just seems so slow at times doesn’t it?
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I agree with you on this, and have experienced it as well. I will say one must decide which risks are bigger problems before giving them up. I have a 4 post walker, rolling walker, cane. I am able to walk without them, however, I cannot see well enough for walking so after falling many times and causing further damages I am still using them outside of home depending on whether someone is with me or how dizzy I am feeling at the time. Mostly use the 4 legged or a shopping cart. I was bending over that thing like I have osteoporosis, have to remind my brain I can stand up straight, but that is hard to do while I am reminding my brain to take steps, trying to deal with movement around me, noise, and remember the steps to where I am going. Two odd but happy occurrences, my brain remembers how to walk correctly in heels, and typing posture. I don’t care about the heels, but my brain remembers a different center of balance. It doesn’t recognize these new flat shoes I bought so I wouldn’t trip. The typing posture certainly helps with neck and back pain. It only remembered, though, after I recently purchased a real keyboard instead of trying to type on the laptop.
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Oh no, I’m not saying they should just lay down their stick and walk no matter the risks.
It’s just that the brain has now formed this new bad habit, of only being able to walk with sticks. The body now carries and holds itself to a different posture and gait compared to pre stroke days and that’s all going to have to be reversed. Hence the meaning behind the term of mind over matter, you have to break out of these new habits learnt. And the only way to do that is to do lots of walking around without the sticks in order to break those habits.
Plenty of chair based exercises to strengthen the legs will help reduce the nervous wobbly legs and boost your confidence in walking. A good one to help you feel more grounded and steadier on your legs is to wear ankle weights as you do laps around the house…it’s an exercise to strengthening the legs at the same time 
I know a few women at my strength & balance class who use ankle weights to walk laps around the hall, they don’t even carry their walking sticks with them while they do it. And one lady also uses wrist weights particularly for her stroke arm.
And if you can get yourself to any sort of fitness classes for your age group and ability, that certainly boosts your confidence tenfold. Being part of a group with similar issues helps break down those barriers you build around you post stroke.
You may never be 100% steady but you’ll form new tricks to counter that. For instances, 2 years on I still have some balance issues. So at the gym, when doing free floor exercises, I’ll keep a wall to my back for any bending at the waist stretches, or I’ll hold a weights bar like a staff to do knee bends…at home I’d use the sweeping brush. I’ll never walk around with both hands full, I always like to keep one hand free and clear. I also never keep my hands in my pockets, particularly walking around outside. Swinging the arms when walking also help keep your balance.
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Thank you for clarifying. I have read enough of your posts to know you weren’t suggesting any such thing, but someone who did not know your helpful nature may not have understood. You are also quite careful to be clear in your words. I likely worried for no reason. I am only cautious with walking due to the low vision. Excited to start vestibular manipulation therapy in a few short hours. I hope it will help so I can drive again.
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Thank you DeAnn, don’t ever hesitate to question, it’s good to question if something’s not clear, sometimes I’ve gone back and edited because for that reason myself. I also have aphasia from my stroke, so I sometimes struggle with my words. Sometimes I even skip words between thinking and typing them, I’m forever editing, back spacing and deleting 
Which is partly why I end up saying so much…why say it in one sentence when half a dozen would do, sort of thing
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Well done you every small step in what ever you do in post stroke recovery becomes a massive achievement so celebrate your massive achievement now onwards up wards each day step at time congratulations on your achievement and hope to hear more achievements from you as time goes on all best take care stay safe Kaz61
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Congratulations and keep going
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@GeorL welcome to the forum. Ypu’ll fond it a friendly place yo be. Look forward to hearing more from you.
. Looking forward to getting to know you.@GeorL hi just wanted to welcome you.
Not sure what stroke you had or if you are a carer. But look forward to listening to you. Kind wishes loraine
Did you wear a splint on your lower leg? X
Hi Tricia. No I don’t wear a splint. Ve had a problem with my foot turning over and tried a couple which made no difference. Having another later this summer but foot has been better recently so hoping I might not need it!
What’s that? Curious?
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Well done Apple. It certainly takes time, and a lot of sweat and tears.
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Apple, i use a device on my left foot, called a foot lifter, this stops my ankle from going over. Look it up, and see what you think, i had mine from the rehabilatation ward in the hospital.
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Crick - thank you. Will jave a look
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