One Step at a Time- Serious Joke

My take on this season of crutches and poinsettias

Join me for a serious joke about a broken ankle, recovery, remote controls, and how you use superpowers to conquer your Christmas flurry.

Hello me Fren’.

Long time don’ see.

Sadly, in recent weeks, after I broke my ankle, that phrase One Step at a Time, has new meaning. Here are some new things learned.

Champion Foot Trophy

To start, let me just say how proud I am of my other foot. Yes, it’s the ankle in my dominant foot that is broken. I am so proud of my whole foot up to my ‘ip/hip for how it is supporting the whole body now. I can’t curse it at all, t’all. It has really “stepped up” in a way that is like a champion.

What a Palaver!

I was utterly surprised that in the 2^nd week of recovery the orthopedic surgeon and the physiotherapist began transitioning me to walking with 2 feet on the ground. For decades I walked with 2 feet flat on the ground. Now I walk with crutches, one flat foot (in sneaker) and the other on toes (while wearing the heavy “fashionable” sky blue and black boot). What a propa’ palaver!

These days, I am able to sit with two feet flat on the ground but without putting any pressure on the injured foot. I sometimes practice picking up an imaginary pen with it though. And this week, I am trying to write the alphabet in the air. Aaaiii— progress, me Fren! PROGRESS. Clap me nuh!

Staircase Saga

To date, I am most scared of going up and down steps. At first, it meant sitting on my stairs at home, and using my arms and bottom to traverse. Someone would kindly hold my “bad leg” to avoid further injury. Nowadays, this phase of the healing process is really about hopping.

I can’t explain the terror I go through as I try to engage the brain and the limbs so I can safely hop up or land with the support of crutches or a rail or a person. I can’t explain the horror when I make attempts and I miss. Or, when I make an attempt and bounce a foot on the nosing of the step.

Still, the whole of Me knows that I must keep trying in order to improve and to become independent too. Certainly, I don’t wish to remain in the disabled or other abled category for the rest of my life.

This experience has me so hypersensitive to the unequal measurements and the different shapes of each step in every building. I am keenly aware of the various building materials as well as the design of each and every staircase and landing.

On one occasion, I hopped and missed and the foot with the broken ankle came down first. Imagine- while it was landing I was anime screaming “NOOOOOOO!”

Translation: “You can’t help. You can’t support. You can’t manage. You can’t take this on now.”

When I settled back on Bed Island I spoke to my foot. I affirmed my foot. I told it I understood the intentions. I know it instinctively wanted to save the entire body from injury, but right now, this is not a good idea.

I looked at Me who then told my leg and entire side not to worry. We were spared catastrophic injury and that’s what mattered most.

Then either Me or Myself responded with, “Guess what? You are going to be able to dance again if you continue healing well. Just wait and see, in a year’s time, you will be showing off like you did last year on your birthday.

I think Myself bookmarked the idea to replay the same song that starts, “I want to Testify…” by Dunsin Oyekan. In the middle it says:

The number of my scars

Are the number of my victories

That’s why my praise

Can never be the same as yours

Excuse me

If I get undignified

You don’t know

Like I know what He has done

For me

Then I chimed in, “There is another of his songs to add: Testimony.”

To Me, that is the start of a playlist, so we shall see….

Learning how to Step Properly

One lesson has been emphasized over and over since I first learnt how to use crutches. I distinctly remember when I had taken my very 1^st set of steps and my physiotherapist congratulated me and then followed up with a question.

“Ok Gail, before you move off, what is your goal?”

I glibly responded, “I am moving to that door.”

She said, “No. O No!”

Me, myself and I were shocked to hear that. She was calm.

Having hooked my full attention, she continued, “Your goal is to move to the crutches.”

“Huh?”

“Yes. See─ you put the crutches before you. You create a space for your foot to meet it. And, to meet it safely.”

“OOOOoooo!” I sounded like a propa Christine Columbus.

Dr Jones continued, “If your goal is the door, it’s too far away. You are not quite who you used to be.” She let it sink in. “Now, each step will take you to the door… Focus on each step─ not the door.”

I wanted to cry. Just melt and cry. The door is right dere suh! It’s the usual normal short distance I take, no, I took every day. The child in me was ready for a propa tantrum.

Me wanted to just sit on the bed and have the stewards attend to my every need, whim or fancy. Me was also ready to go on a shopping spree to get remote controls for all items including the soap, rag and toothbrush.

But Myself could understand the long term implications and so with fortitude I moved Myself one step at a time. One step at a time. One ‘once in a while’ shaky step at a time. One mini slow step at a time till I got to the door. Until I built stamina and could move beyond the door and could go farther.

Here’s the Pace

These days, when I say to you, “take it one step at a time,” I truly mean you should have a fresh look at your present circumstances. Be brave even while remaining realistic. Truly appreciate what you've got now. And most certainly, embrace the concepts of slow, mini, and careful—make them your superpowers. This deliberate approach may very well save your peace of mind, or even your life.

Trust me, the Christmas flurry is on now. There is the palpable hustle and bustle to hit targets and to complete projects at breakneck speed. Simultaneously, we are trying to wrap up this year while preparing for the next. But, I lovingly say to you, “take it one step at a time.”

Walk good, me Fren’. Walk good, yuh hear. Walk good one step at a time.

As a matter of fact, if this post sweet yuh, just tap subscribe so we can meet up and palaave every now and then, ok.

P.S. Here is a tickle: do you know the word(s) for foot, feet, leg and hip in Jamaican patois? Will you share in the comments below?