Watch the Flock Out
This is Caitlyn, dressed as a giant flamingo, using humor to help her through recovery.
I don’t allow myself to get negative. In fact, a high school friend was tragically involved in an accident over the summer and has life changing disabilities.
How can I be mad at my situation when they literally have to deal with life changing injuries for the rest of their life?
How is that fair?
I think about them often. Every time I feel overwhelmed or frustrated, I think about their smile and how they are facing the battles with a strong embrace, so how could I complain?
I’m lucky. I’m healthy. I’m alive. I have nothing to complain about.
My injury doesn’t compare to the people who are fighting for their lives. My temporary loss of independence is an awakening, not a permanent disability.
Yes, it’s true. I’m scared. I’m scared it will be misaligned or painful for longer than I anticipate—during the thunderstorms or when the screws are rubbing my ankle.
Something that brought me so much happiness.
Every time I feel that fear, I think about them and their strength.
How everything in their life was literally flipped upside down and if they can wake up and smile, I better get my ass up, too.
That’s how I know I will be okay. I see the strength in my classmate and I know I don’t have an ounce of that strength in my body.
It’s admiring, to say the least.
I just wonder if they know how many people look up to them... how many times I’ve felt overwhelmed and grounded myself with the understanding that I have no idea how hard life must be for them.
How shitty it feels that I feel any ounce of fear. I never would have been able to comprehend any of these struggles until this injury and I’m blown away.
There is a reason this happened and I’m listening and learning. I see things I’ve never seen before. Aisles too narrow to push a wheelchair. My arms fatiguing from all the pushing. The frustration of people doing things for you but have to because you know you need it. Being stared at. I only understand this to a fraction.
I see things so much differently now. Are the aisles clear? Is it ADA accessible? Are the doors automatic? Is the wheelchair too heavy? Are there ramps?
How did I not see this before?