Really, truly, seriously, over a week is in this cast and it’s not my cup of tea. I hate it!! I hate not having my independence or the freedom to go. Everything that I do is like a really intense workout. Getting up in the morning and going to the bathroom. Going out to the car. I especially dislike coming in the house from the car since that requires coming up the stairs. Getting food. Taking a bath. Everything has become like an Insanity Workout! Who needs the gym? Just use crutches…

This month my number one focus has been to try and stay positive. AS you can tell from the paragraph above…THIS IS NOT EASY!!

I was crawling in on my hands and knees today to get inside the house…because sometimes it’s just easier than trying to go up them with crutches. I felt humiliated too.

I hopped into a restaurant, on my crutches, and the hostess kept me talking for so long that my good leg started cramping so bad and it gave out and I almost fell. I kinda yelled at her to SEAT ME NOW!!! I think I scared her.

I tried to go off the curb on my knee walker scooter at the car dealer and my bad foot slipped and came down hard!!! The agony of da foot!!! It hurt so bad. Why aren’t places of business more handicap accessible. There were no handicap parking spaces anywhere near the front entrance and the ramp to go up was way at the end of the building. Seriously, when I’m hopping around on crutches, I want the least amount of distance possible.

At the bank, I was trying to go up the stairs on crutches and the hand railing ran out right on the last two steps. ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME!!!! I had to crawl up the last two steps, into the building and over to the chair. At least they know me well at this bank. Then they ask, why didn’t I take the ramp? BECAUSE THE STAIRS ARE CLOSER TO THE ENTRANCE!!!!! I don’t want to hop on crutches clear across the parking lot to get to the ramp. REALLY?!

(In case – you are just joining in – I had ankle surgery on September 1st – a tendon repair and an ankle scope)

Okay… maybe I am complaining a bit…but I tell you… I really want to advocate for better handicap accessibility. I was in my gym the other day in the basketball courts and they didn’t even the electronic door button pushers to help open the door. What’s with that?

I know I shouldn’t be complaining. I should be finding all the things that I should be grateful. And I am grateful.

• I am grateful for the nice people who really try to go out of there way to help someone in need.
• I am grateful that I got to get out of the house today. My son took me shopping and to lunch. I haven’t been able to go shopping since my surgery and driving one of those electric shopping carts is kinda fun!!!
• I am grateful that I am fit enough to use crutches – even though they hurt like crazy – at least I don’t have to be wheelchair bound.
• I am grateful that this is teaching me what hard work truly is
• I am grateful that even though I thought not being able to go to the gym was going to be the end of the world – walking on crutches is a very good strength and cardio workout. Going up and down the stairs on your bum is a good tricep workout.
• I will be so grateful to be able to run and walk again!!!

It’s amazing how much you take the little things for granted until it’s taken away. I am learning more and more every day that the more grateful I am – the happier and more positive I will be.

As long as I stay grateful I will remain

Positively,

Debbie