Wednesday’s walking session started rocky. Honestly, I wasn’t even planning to write about it—I just felt off, like I wasn’t making any real progress. But by the end, the whole vibe had changed, and I left with a reminder I really needed.
I want to talk about the importance of speaking up for yourself, especially when it comes to your own care and progress. Here’s what happened: The facility I go to is training a new therapist who’s still getting accustomed to exoskeletons. That’s totally fair—everyone’s got to start somewhere. But I’ve had three sessions with her now, including one back in July, where I was left completely unsupervised. That session was honestly pretty rough, but instead of saying anything, I just tried to roll with it. I told myself to be patient, to give her a chance, and not to make waves.
But yesterday felt different. Halfway through our session, I realized I was frustrated. We kept doing the same basic exercises, and I started thinking about how much more I’d done with other therapists—like practicing figure-eight turns, which had become a favorite challenge of mine. So, I finally spoke up. I asked if we could try the figure-eights again, something I’d only done once so far with this therapist.
That was the turning point. The other therapist, who’s more experienced, stepped in to help, and suddenly the session felt alive. We were moving, pushing boundaries, and I felt that familiar sense of accomplishment returning. It was a small change, but it made a big difference—not just in the session, but in how I felt about my own agency.
It got me thinking: How often do we just go along with things that don’t feel quite right, simply because we don’t want to be difficult or make someone else uncomfortable? I know I do it all the time—whether it’s in therapy, at work, or even with friends and family. But yesterday was a reminder that advocating for yourself isn’t about being pushy. It’s about making sure your needs are met and that you’re getting the most out of every opportunity.
My only honest regret is not speaking up sooner. If nothing else, this whole experience was a reminder that your voice matters. The people around you—therapists, coworkers, friends—can’t read your mind. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is ask for what you need. You might be surprised by how much things can change, just because you decided to say something.
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