Topic Tuesday #40 2013/04/23 - "Life Interrupted: Injury"

What better way to know about something than to experience it first hand? Walk a mile in the shoes, that sort of thing. If you read my last TT, #39, you may have remember I was on vacation over the weekend. It was marvelous. It was grand. The food was outstanding. Everyone was nice. The hotel smelled good. The bed was comfy. The companionship awesome. Then I rolled my ankle in front of the fountains at the Bellagio.

I was a stubborn ass and really didn't know the extent of the injury, and we walked quite a while before I was convinced that I needed a taxi.
By the way, awesome fountain show, I highly recommend it, just watch the seems in the pavement while crossing the streets. Some of the gaps are surprising.
Anyway, I ended up with quite the sprain. It was bad enough that after a night sleep, I couldn't put my weight on it and needed to rent a wheelchair from the hotel ($20, if you are curious). In retrospect, getting a scooter would have been much more enjoyable and less struggle to deal with in certain situations, but we had been granted an "upgrade" to a Mustang for our car rental, and a scooter was not going to be useful away from the Las Vegas strip - AND I WANTED TO SEE STUFF! I digress...
This was the first time I had been physically injured while traveling, much less on vacation. I have had other illnesses, but nothing that restricted my mobility. It's an eye opener, and I'm always ready to have a new experience. First, the chair. It was comfortable, like an old shoe, but it smelled a little like an old bowling shoe and was worn like one too. It had rather awful hand push rims (I'm sure there is a word for these, but I don't know what it is). They were plastic, and gouged and were like to rough up my hands, which were simply not used to this kind of action. No calluses. Muscle groups not accustomed to using it either. and the tires were smooth and did not give much traction. I did alright, all things considered. It would have been better for me if I had been able to elevate the leg as well, but that was not an option on this rental. My diminutive spouse had some issues pushing me on carpet and certainly on the weird inclines and curbs around the hotel and parking garages. It was also very difficult to load and unload the chair into the trunk of a sports car, but by the end, she was a pro, with only a few war wounds to go with mine.
Dining out while occupying the handicap place of honor, was quite enjoyable, once I figured out where to slot my foot comfortably under the tables. The serving staff and valets, and everyone we met along the way were really rather nice. However, we were very nice and unexpecting of different treatment; it was likely just a "you get what you give" scenario, one I hope happens often for everyone with a positive outlook.
The painkillers worked on and off, and we were able to tool around a bit, did some shopping and some gawking. There were plenty of people who were just self absorbed and not paying attention to anything but their own little world, so I got bumped a few times, but nothing serious and nothing worth further than acknowledgement that "it happens".
Obviously stairs are an issue, and at attractions it can be a huge hinderance. Thanks to the proliferation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (rather happy it's there btw) there were alternative ways to get to and fro. Micro elevators for just a wheel chair. Guided tours through some back secret path to get someplace. Really, it's not so bad, except for being confined to the chair and perhaps having less of a view.
The journey home was the real "treat". Airlines and airports have a pragmatic approach to those that have "special needs". Those in wheelchairs get amazing treatment. I know why too. It's that pragmatic approach I spoke of. These folks have to get to the terminal like any other, and they would be in the way, and possibly delay travel for the entire complex. So they are escorted from check-in to the gate. It certainly has the benefit of reducing stress on everyone concerned. It's a great service to all, including the folks that can walk through the system normally. It clears congestion.It's obvious when you think about it, and who would think about it, unless you go through it?
At any rate, they were very nice, and we were able to get to the plane on time, and were able to get a seat befitting my injury, which likely prevented me from developing a blood clot. (bullet dodged). The airline had arranged for a chair to be at the terminal we arrived at, making the entire trek much more streamlined than I could have hoped for. Also, the airport wheel chairs are enormous, except for the ones they use on the airplanes, which I did not need.When I say enormous, it was so wide it was difficult to use the hand wheel rail (which was a nicer chrome). Expect to be pushed in these chairs.

When I'm really confined, I'm gonna make it awesome.

When I got home, I was lent a set of crutches to get me through a couple doctor visits. This was also my first time with regular crutch use, and by the end of the day, my hands were killing me, and my armpits were in as much pain as my ankle. I chalk this up to no calluses; just not being up to the challenge right off the bat. It was a rough day. But educational. I learned what to do and not do on crutches.
[Quick run down, adjust them so you have stability, but you are not resting your body weight on the top. 1 or 2 inches from top to armpit. (you will injure the nerves in your arms and cause serious issues if you use them to support your body weight), Wear a good shoe. Your one good foot will be taking the entire strain of your body. If you slip, you will go down and hurt yourself more. If you have a bad fit, you will be in pain the rest of the day, and be miserable. Rest often. Do not push yourself. Your hands will be sore if you have done it right... Mine are killing me, and if I can avoid using crutches again, I will. Here is a link to help with crutches if you should need it.  http://orthopedics.about.com/od/castsfracturetreatments/ht/crutches.htm ]
While in my home, it's an interesting situation, since it's not setup for easy access for those sitting. In fact, we have young children, so some things are very purposely out of reach. I caught myself thinking about how to remodel the bathroom when the time comes to make it handicap friendly, if not full on handicap accessible. As with many things in life, you don't miss something until it's gone. Eyesight, hearing, taste, mobility, etc.
Maybe as I age I will thank myself for having an injury or two so I will have planned ahead, just a little for when my knees fail me.
Now... Time to figure out how to take a shower, and not kill myself in the process! The adventure continues!