Several times a month I experience a strange phenomenon. It has occurred in numerous places — at stores, doctors’ offices and even at church.

I use a walker when I’m out in the community. When I come across a door that I need to open, I use one hand to open it. I lean on my arm on the door to prop it open while I push my walker through the door with the other hand.

The strange phenomenon is when someone grabs the door away from me — the door I’m leaning on — in an effort to be helpful or to hurry me along.

What many people don’t realize is that this is a recipe for disaster. Many times I’ve almost been thrown to the ground because I come close to losing my balance.

I greatly appreciate it when someone opens a door for me; it makes the going much easier. All I ask is that people think before they act. Warn me before yanking the door away so I can adjust my balance and footing.

Doing so could save people like me from potential physical harm and a call to 911.

Pamela J. Smith Bellefonte