The best bit about being injured.....

Yes, I can still drink beer....

Okay, truth be known, there is no such thing as “best bits” about being injured.  There are no best bits, it sucks.

And being disabled is so much harder to manage than just being injured.  The fact that I cannot presently run is the least of my worries.  At the moment I cannot lead a “normal” life.  I cannot do the things that I previously took for granted and that is pretty hard to accept.

I used to run up and down stairs; walk from room to room without hesitation; jump in the car and drive to the shops; exercise the dogs; walk around people with anonymity; be able to wear whatever I wanted…. The list goes on, but I guess you get my drift.

At the moment I hobble around in a CAM walking boot with crutches or a walking stick to help me along the way.  It is very noticeable that I am “not normal” and it has amazed me how this condition affects those around me.  Some people go out of their way to help me while others appear to regard me as an inconvenience that may get in their way and ruthlessly cut me up.  And then there are those that are just downright rude, obnoxious and treat me like I have the Ebola Virus….

I found myself in the middle of a shop today close to tears as a result of the frustration that I am feeling and the rudeness of several members of the public.  I wanted to stand there and scream out that I was still ME.  But it would have fallen on deaf ears and they would have possibly questioned my sanity and whether I perhaps needed some help…..

I am still "ME|", I promise!!!

And then I suddenly thought of all the people out there that struggle to cope with injury or ailment within their minds.  My situation is very visual as I have a huge “moon boot” type thing on my lower leg and crutches to lean upon.  There are others that silently suffer while others around them struggle to know what to do.  Should they be sympathetic; tough; or indifferent?  How does one manage a situation when they see a loved one suffering from an illness hidden deep inside?

There are no miracle cures to injury or illness, whether it is in the mind or in the body.  The recovery process is long and it is slow, but it is not without reward.  The light at the end of the tunnel can be a very bright light, but boy is there a deep darkness to wade through before one reaches that light!

A very special walking stick

The majority of people in this world are wonderful examples of humanity.  Sympathetic and helpful while accepting of those that are in a vulnerable position and need some help.

And now for the best bit….

Minutes after I nearly broke down in tears today I met a very old man walking with a stick that had the head of a Labrador dog engraved on the top of it.  As our eyes met, he smiled at me with my crutches and “moon boot” and told me that not so long ago he had two sticks and now he only needed one.  No matter how bad it appears to be, there is always hope.  Hope and a belief that the future is very bright indeed J