It had been over two years since I fell. Because one of my legs doesn’t work so well, I use a cane and I walk slowly. I pay attention to where I place my feet and I work hard at lifting my feet so I don’t stumble and fall. Recently, I have been in a lot of places where the ground was uneven or where I did a lot of walking and standing and knew my leg could get weary. I was careful and did great!
Imagine my surprise when I stumbled and fell in my own home the other day! There’s something about that second when you realize the ground is coming up to meet you and there’s nothing you can do about it. You know you are in the hands of grace or angels and that you’ll be okay. Still, it’s disconcerting, to say the least. The first thought I had was to assure others that I was okay and hadn’t broken anything.
The biggest challenge when I fall is getting up. You know the saying, “I’ve fallen and can’t get up!” Because one of my legs is so weak, it’s difficult to support myself to stand up. Rhonda and I worked at it for quite awhile and were beginning to think we’d have to call 911 for help. We tried one more time in a different way and succeeded. I got up with her help and fortunately have no lasting effects. Whew!
My 86 year-old sister fell recently while shopping. She coudn’t get up. Two gentlemen came and helped her. She also had no lasting effects other than to continue being aware when out and about.
I know some people are annoyed with me and others who walk slowly. Like you, I used to be able to run in and out of the store quickly. I worked with older adults for eight years and know how challenging it can be to have to slow down for them. But here’s the thing. If you see someone walking slowly, realize there is a reason they are doing that and they don’t mean to slow you down or frustrate you. Take a moment to center yourself, be present in the moment, and be grateful for your ability to walk and run and jog with ease. I hope not, but someday you might be one of us.
Just tripped and fell on the sidewalk yesterday! In pain!!!! Sorry this happened to you too. Mercury retrograde???
ReplyDeleteIt’s so true, this grace of living into our advanced years does demand a price now and again; and often suddenly. As awful as when it happens, these sudden falls are often more embarrassing that dangerous. But oh my - I do not forward to the day when a damaging fall occurs. Hope you are feeling better ��
ReplyDeleteHaving myself experienced that 1 second of observation of one's own transition from a standing position to ignominious ground splat, I fully understand and sympathize. In my own case, a friendly bush intervened to make the landing, while not graceful, at last sufficiently soft to avoid permanent damage.
ReplyDeleteThe realization that you are unable to get up unassisted is another issue, which strikes at the core of one's self image. In my own case, a few months ago while working behind the house, I crawled face first under some bushes, down slope, to work on a bit of drainage equipment. When I was done, I realized I was not able to extricate myself from that position under the bushes, a mere 5 yards from the house. After considering that I needed to either get myself out, or wait until I was discovered there at some time in the future, I figured out how to just do it. But its stuff like that which causes one to consider that this aging stuff ain't all its cracked up to be.