About – Stride + Roll

Hello, I’m Jillian

Hi, I’m Jillie!
Wheelchair Newbie.

I’m a newbie to using a wheelchair and am just a gal trying to figure it all out!

Stride and Roll began as a place to document my journey with chronic illness and how it changes the way I move in this world.

I hope you’ll join me for meaningful discussions and advice from everyday people who stride or roll through life!

My Story.

I was diagnosed with Fibromyaligia in 1998 and have managed it’s ups and downs pretty well. At that time I relied on a cane on the bad days and the support of my family.

Until my knees decided that they had acquired a case of “main character syndrome”.

In 2023, I jumped out of my partner’s truck and my left knee went left and the rest of me went right. I tore my meniscus and had surgery in May of 2025. That was the second surgery on that knee for the same issue.

During the recovery from my surgery, I injured my right knee. Fortunately, or not, I had a follow-up appointment with my wonderful surgeon, and she ordered an MRI for my right knee. That took place in February 2026 and showed a degenerated meniscus that is pushing out into the joint space, with degeneration of the surface cartilage.

From above cup of appetizing hot foamy cappuccino with latte art placed on marble table in cafe

A joyful family moment shared by a mother and daughter outdoors.

Business setting featuring people working with wheelchair accessibility indoors.

On my follow-up appointment with my meniscus surgeon, she reviewed the MRI and we knew it was time for TKR. She doesn’t do those surgeries so she’s referred me out. Once I was done in her office, I went straight to the Xray department and had an Xray of both knees. It showed severe but stable osteoarthritis on the left and moderate-severe and progressing on the right.

In the meantime, I was referred to physiotherapy. I attended with my crutch and was told in not uncertain terms that I MUST use a walker until things were stabilized.

I purchased my rollator and have been using it steady.

Unfortunately, my knees have decided now that even the rollator isn’t enough. As an obese woman, I get that, I wouldn’t want to have that much pressure on me either and I’ve started losing weight. I also bought a wheelchair to help me get around without incredible amounts of knee pain. I have a knee brace for my left knee, as the surgeon asked me not to get one for the right knee until I have a consult with the surgeon for my TKR.

Like everyone else, I have good days and bad. Some days that pain is too much to bear and requires Magic Bags, ice packs and Celebrex. Some days are OK, but I cannot push myself because I will end up in HUGE pain and in a flare.

It’s a balancing act and I’m learning how to walk the tightrope.