Only one leg to stand on

The beginning of this semester has already taught me a lot, and given me a different outlook on some things that I have taken for granted over the years. On Christmas day, while playing basketball with my family, I broke my ankle. While this has been quite the debilitating and painful experience, it has been an educational experience as well. I don't think I realized how much I actually use both of my legs and feet. Whether we are sleeping, sitting or (obviously) standing, we are bipedal people. So, this has sort of been able to give me a small glimpse of what it would be like if I were permanently handicapped.

The first thing I have noticed when I am out and about is people's attitudes. Whether I am crutching along or at the grocery store in one of those electric scooter shopping-carts, people are always rushing to get around me and darting in front, and then giving me a look like I am in their way. This is something that I am most certain I have probably done as well.

The second problem has been handicap accessibility. Unfortunately, I broke my right ankle, so I am unable to drive and have to rely on others to take me everywhere, but I have a handicapped tag so that they can park me close. But I never realized how few actual handicapped parking spots there actually were until I was in need of one. So many times when trying to park on campus, all the handicapped spots are taken. Even though parking on campus is a problem in general, you would hope that handicapped people wouldn't have to worry about trying to park close to where they are going. Many times, I have to be dropped off while my driver goes and finds somewhere to park. Which means that when we leave, I have to stand by the curb on my crutches waiting for fifteen minutes. Let me tell you that isn't fun.

I think that I sort of always assumed that as long as there was an elevator, or classes on the first floor, the building was handicap accessible. But, what I have noticed is that if you were in a wheel chair, or motorized scooter, most rooms would be impossible to navigate into. Then, most tables or desks are so close together, that if you are unable to sit with both feet under you, you might not even fit.

But there have been some good things as well. I have some amazing friends. Friends that have dropped everything to drive me around or help me out. Friends playfully yell at me for trying to do to much, tell me that I just need to let them help me. And as an independent control-freak, this has been very hard. If there has been one major lesson that God has taught me out of all of this, it has been that it is OK to rely on other people sometimes. I don't have to try and do everything by myself. And believe me, that is not an easy lesson to learn.