Printed in Georgia Connector Magazine, Summer Issue, 2012
“A girl should be two
things: classy and fabulous.” — Coco Channel
I have been neither since January. That's what happens when two legs become one
and simple motions become exhaustive behaviors.
I have had to take into account that when I said, "I'll be there in
a second," I really meant, "I'll be there by next Tuesday."
And so concludes this chapter of my life, entitled, "Revenge
of the Achilles Tendon." I pledge to forever honor this tendon that
controls everything from the knee down, to stretch on the onset of each
exercise session and to protect my legs with paramount caution. I will remain
vertical at all costs.
With that in mind, I have learned many lessons during my
stint in decorative leg wear. Not only did I learn that those hideous and bulky
covers are necessary for healing but also that the minor things really are
quite major.
Many questions were raised in my small brain about the
accessibility for and treatment of those with handicaps whether they be great
or small, lasting or temporary. First of all, why are ramps at such an
incline? Going up or down takes a balancing
act and incredible braking skills. I, along with whoever was helping at the
moment, almost met my Maker on many
occasions. And why are ramps so far
away from handicap parking? And why are doors so heavy? If you get to
the front door, how in the world are you supposed to open it while holding firmly
to a walker ? And how are you
supposed to get to the motorized wheelchair located in the front of a store if
you are alone and can't walk? And why are grocery stores so big? And why do people look at you like
you're contagious rather than offering a smile? Sometimes, that's all I needed.
My observations are by no means new nor are they earth
shattering. I'm sure there are laws and
explanations for every point I raise. But to those that who are recovering from
surgeries or accidents, or those dealing with disease or old age, access and
compassion are the least we can do to take away a smidge of the hurt.
Opening a door, or just waiting on the other side of the opened door. Getting
the out-of-reach can on the grocery store shelf or simply asking , "Can I
help?"
Now, I have to take these lessons-learned and change the
world, or at least, my world. Isn't
that what I'm supposed to do?
And so my dear Coco Channel, I'm not sure I can do classy and fabulous
according to your definition, but I will most definitely tweak my meaning to
include simple acts of kindness, a helping hand, a kind word and a hug to
squeeze out the unhappy of it all. Everything is major - to someone.
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