There’s a saying about what happens when you assume… I’ll let you Google it. Why do people always assume that if you look healthy, then you are healthy? Every time someone makes a comment like that, it hurts twice. “You’re young, so this won’t be a problem for you.” First, I have to deal with explaining why it is a problem. Worse, it’s a reminder of what I should be able to do. Yeah, “should” doesn’t exist. I shouldn’t think about it. But most of us do, right? The “should” already haunts me. I don’t need a stranger to bring it up. For you folks without a CI, please don’t make any assumptions. Just because someone isn’t in a wheelchair, it doesn’t mean they’re completely physically, mentally, or emotionally able to do everything you think they can. I’d rather not have to print it on a t-shirt to make people aware.
You know what happens when you assume…..
August 6, 2011
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Planning. Or not. Well, maybe.
August 5, 2011I took a quick look at my calendar for next week, just to see. There are things I want to do after work on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Hmm, I might be able to do all three. Probably not. That takes a lot of energy that I don’t have. And it’s summer, with it’s draining heat. How to choose? Planning on two nights sounds good. The two I most want are on Tuesday and Wednesday. But those are consecutive days, which is a bad idea. And then I might be too worn out for work on Thursday and Friday. But I don’t need to give 100% at my job anyway, so maybe this could work? Ok, what’s my first choice….? Wednesday. Definitely Wednesday. Maybe Tuesday is a bad idea then. I don’t want to risk missing Wednesday. So…. Wednesday and Friday? That gives me the thing I want most and my third choice, which would still be a lot of fun. But Friday’s thing is far away from my job and my apartment. So is Tuesday’s.
Does this sound familiar? I’m guessing a lot of CIers go through this on a regular basis. I feel like I’ve been doing it forever. I’ve heard stories of 20- and 30-somethings who go out all the time. You probably have, too. I even know people who do. It’ll never be me, and that’s ok, but it would be nice to at least do the few things I want to do, or at least to do some of them without the crazy planning and calculations based on a ton of unknown variables. I just hope I don’t have to cancel on anyone at the last minute. Again.
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Your molehill is my mountain
August 3, 2011I’m exhausted. After a full day of work, I walked just over a half mile, while carrying stuff (purse, sweater, book, etc.). I did errands, then walked more than a half mile back. It wasn’t very hot, but it was a bit humid. It was just over a mile, and I did it!
I know people who jog 3 miles for fun. I know people who run marathons. I know people who take a walk after dinner to relax and end up going more than 2 miles round trip. That’s great for them. But this is me.
Six years ago, I finally got the “something is better than nothing” message drilled into my head by one of my doctors, so I started small. I spent about 10-15 minutes walking 1/4 mile twice a week. That was the most I could manage then. I gradually built up. Now, some days I can walk a lot more and some days a lot less. Some days, I can barely walk from my couch to my kitchen. Other days, a mile feels like nothing. So what does that make today? It makes today better than some days and worse than others, and definitely a reason to celebrate. It makes today a success. There may be a day when walking a mile is a completely unattainable goal. Now, I’m going to live it up while I can.
A mile! Yay me!
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A little consideration
August 2, 2011It happens every day. A slightly older woman got onto the T (the subway) and was clearly not completely steady on her feet. She looked around for an empty seat. She came over to one which was wet (I prefer not to consider the possible reasons for that.) I wanted to help, but I was standing too. Most people were either too wrapped up in their own books, phones, games, lives to notice, or else they pretended not to notice. Like I said, it happens every day. And then a woman looked right over, signaled to this lady, and offered her seat. The lady declined, said she’d be fine. The woman simply said “If you change your mind, let me know.” She was kind, respectful, thoughtful. The lady was clearly appreciative. I was a bystander, but it warmed my heart all the same.
The next time you’re on a train or bus, look up. If you see someone who needs a seat and you’re capable of standing, remember how lucky you are to have the option to stand, and offer your seat. You’ll feel better and so will they.
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Chronic Rants 