I made my first trip out of the house in almost two weeks using my walker. It felt good to get dressed and climb into the Jeep. It was a stretch getting in, and a nice slide out! I wasn't driving, but a happy passenger!
I noticed people not looking at me with my walker. Like looking away from my "handicap". Odd. I caught a snippet of what it feels like to be a tad off physically.
There I was me as Me can be, but invisible behind the walker; like it was a sign to not look out of politeness.
I know I have done this, letting the person be in their privacy, not really understanding, we leave them alone - unnoticed.
I am not sure I can articulate the little glimpse I had in this world. But, from now on I will make sure to acknowledge folks regardless of their helping device.
And, then I was with a cane, and I was treated like an older person who needs help. And, yeah I guess I do. But, it again felt so weird to be seen in this manner. People opening doors, holding doors, giving you patience.
I had another run in with a space that didn't allow enough aisle room for the walker, so I had to leave it with Paul to carry and I had to use the tables and booths to navigate this space.
You see the world different depending upon your own needs. And, you take for granted how easy the world is to navigate with just your legs.
Healthy strong legs.
Today I asked why my knee is so sore and found out they torque it pretty hard to dislocate my hip during surgery. I didn't want to know more. I have one more hip to go in the future someday.
Each day the pain feels more like soreness and less like pain if that makes sense.
I am free now to walk my home without an escort on the stairs! I feel so liberated!
I can drive again.
However, I will most likely stay home for the week I need the cane and when I venture out use the cane. The outside world seems full of ways that will trip me up!
I look forward to going down in the basement, the doctor approved me sewing. I still have to rest half of each hour this week. Next week a bit less. I have many weeks off of work to fill with art and fun things - and naps or just reclining. I am catching a sneak preview of retirement - I know I will handle it without a hitch!
Yet, with the pain getting less and less, I don't feel that it will be a struggle to make it to retirement; but I will actually be too busy to worry about when that will happen.
It is amazing how pain can cloud a life and make your world smaller and smaller.
And, then to see it open back up...it is amazing.
Feeling very grateful to be Me!
Soon, I will be riding topless again!
