I took off running at the front of the line and felt a slam against the back of my leg, as if someone had run into me. There was an audible "pop" at the moment my calf muscle tore... and little did I know it would be one month before I would walk again.
Even during intense dance training in my early twenties, I had never suffered an injury of this caliber. As soon as I was told I would need crutches, the reality set in. I am going to have to deal with this in a city that requires walking. How is that going to work exactly?!
Here are a few things I learned during this "growing phase" in the Big Apple:
1. Other people don't change just because your world has been turned upside down.
Nice people are still nice, mean people are still mean, and homeless people will still ask you for money. Even if you look and/or feel homeless yourself.
2. There at least 33 stairs just to get to a subway platform.
You don't realize how many there are until every step counts. Once you get to the bottom it is fun to yell really loudly about the MTA! You can get away with it now-- you're injured!
3. You don't realize how much you miss something until it is gone.
Like your calf muscle. That thing is used for everything! When was the last time you sang your calf muscle a lullaby and kissed it to sleep before bed? I know I'll be doing that now.
4. It's fun to try acupuncture once...or twice.
It will make you laugh hysterically or sob in puddles. If you run out of money, try making your own do-it-yourself kit with safety pins!
5. Befriend a few children for one day.
They will make you cool cards and feel sorry for you. But after one day, the thrill will be over for them. Sorry!
6. You won't always be offered a train seat just because you're injured.
A smart friend told me that acting crazy is the only sure way to get a seat. You've got crutches, you're pregnant, or elderly? No big deal. But if you're crazy, nobody wants to sit by that!
7. Friends will lie to you to make you feel better.
They'll say things like "Well, you LOOK fabulous!" or "Now you'll meet a cute guy at physical therapy!" Even if they are all lies, lie, lies.. they really do help. And you love them for it.
8. Time doesn't stop for you.
It doesn't slow down, either. Other people are out there living their lives while your leg is up on ice. But here are some things you can do for fun that don't require walking:
- Make a joke book for your doorman so he can stop telling the same one over and over again about how you got hurt on "Dancing with the Stars".
- Build a time machine so you can go back to the time before the injury and do everything differently.
- Watch television shows where everyone is running, dancing and happy. Someday you will be, too.
- Reply "yes" to every invite that you get on Facebook even if you know you're not going. And while you're at it, delete a few "friends".
- Write. Write it all. You've wanted to do it and now is your chance.
I hope you are all happy and healthy and never need to use any of this advice. But if you do, please know that I am only a phone call away.
xoxoA.V.S.
