Great post. Another thing often overlooked is the PTSD that can occur after a sudden fall. It's like you can't trust the universe or yourself. After I tripped over an electric cord and broke my pelvis, I felt uneasy for a while, as if something might jump out and trip me again. Thankfully, my physical therapist reassured me that this was normal. And sometimes this translates to other activities. My friend who had a sledding accident is now nervous in traffic because she knows just how painful an injury can be.
As a person who has fallen twice one year apart on the same day and each time broke my wrist (the second time I needed a plate with numerous screws😭); I can say it’s very difficult to do much. I have fallen many times(klutz queen) and yes we who fall sometimes need a little help dealing with pain, getting around, and just walking to get a snack. You will be so aware of and be much kinder to those of us who fall. 😉
I am also a klutz queen, having broken a wrist, vertebra, and shoulder, not to mention many bruises and scrapes from falls. It definitely gives you a new perspective about activities of daily living with an injury. Alison makes a good point about PTSD, or what I call ‘fall paranoia’.
It’s so funny you mentioned New Orleans sidewalks. Several years ago when we were there my daughter literally walked in front of me, warning me of walking hazards, of which there were many!
Falls can be life changing! Just because you can’t see the struggle (some of us try to hide it) doesn’t mean everything is fine. I have the dreaded plates and screws in my ankle. Dear cardiologist, I would love to walk (or run!) 30 minutes a day! It would do my heart, mind, and body more good than you can imagine! 😊
Great post. Another thing often overlooked is the PTSD that can occur after a sudden fall. It's like you can't trust the universe or yourself. After I tripped over an electric cord and broke my pelvis, I felt uneasy for a while, as if something might jump out and trip me again. Thankfully, my physical therapist reassured me that this was normal. And sometimes this translates to other activities. My friend who had a sledding accident is now nervous in traffic because she knows just how painful an injury can be.
As a person who has fallen twice one year apart on the same day and each time broke my wrist (the second time I needed a plate with numerous screws😭); I can say it’s very difficult to do much. I have fallen many times(klutz queen) and yes we who fall sometimes need a little help dealing with pain, getting around, and just walking to get a snack. You will be so aware of and be much kinder to those of us who fall. 😉
I am also a klutz queen, having broken a wrist, vertebra, and shoulder, not to mention many bruises and scrapes from falls. It definitely gives you a new perspective about activities of daily living with an injury. Alison makes a good point about PTSD, or what I call ‘fall paranoia’.
It’s so funny you mentioned New Orleans sidewalks. Several years ago when we were there my daughter literally walked in front of me, warning me of walking hazards, of which there were many!
Falls can be life changing! Just because you can’t see the struggle (some of us try to hide it) doesn’t mean everything is fine. I have the dreaded plates and screws in my ankle. Dear cardiologist, I would love to walk (or run!) 30 minutes a day! It would do my heart, mind, and body more good than you can imagine! 😊
Links to my two (not one but two) recent substacks about falling...One actually involves falling on my face in the street! Must be an epidemic.
https://susiekaufman.substack.com/p/pride-cometh-before-the-fall
https://susiekaufman.substack.com/p/pride-cometh-before-the-fall