I never fell down those stairs, or any others, again. I was also never again so casual about using the handrail. The handrail, along with the occasionally required opposite hand from a helper, became an absolute necessity in the years to come. My gait gradually―almost unnoticeably―deteriorated until I was pausing at each successive step, always leading with my right leg. I'm not sure the last time I traversed a single step―it's been that long.