For the first few weeks I didn’t have any hardware helping me walk, I just held onto walls and shuffled as quickly as I could from wall to wall. I’m sure I looked weird. My close co-workers knew what was wrong, but there are a lot of people in and out of my office and many of them would just stare. It happened everywhere we went and it only got worse as I progressed to needing a cane, and then a walker, eventually adding a neck brace and a bone growth stimulator. Can you imagine?! I know I was a sight and I’m sure I would’ve noticed a person looking like I did, I would’ve wondered what happened, but I hope that I would know better than to stare so openly.
When our regulars at the grocery store asked what happened I appreciated it. I know they care, they said they missed us and hoped I’d be better soon. One has even noticed my progress and mentioned across the meat counter that he could see I’m moving better. That’s sweet. I’d even rather a stranger just ask than to openly stare and stay quiet. Only, maybe preface it with, “I know it’s none of my business, but…”
My favorite experience was a sweet man at the garden center who simply said, “I hope your neck feels better soon.” He made me smile that day and I thought if only we were all so kind with each other, wishing strangers well, the world would be a better place.
