In one of my earlier posts, “The importance of Surroundings” I wrote about how crucial it is that your immediate environment be comfortable because you would be sitting in one place for most of the day while you are practicing your NWB (non-weight-bearing), as your foot tries to heal. Sitting in one location for most of the entire day is a concept that many of us just diagnosed with Charcot will have a hard time accepting. I know I did…I kicked (one-legged) and screamed at first because I just am so active I didn’t think I could survive staying put. It sounded so restrictive, so boring. But when I thought about it, I realized that it really isn’t just a disabled person’s dilemma…after all, many people in the working world sit long hours in a cubicle. I’ve managed to find a few ways to fill my time, and ironically, on some days it feels like I can’t fit in all the things I had planned to do!
Sitting in one place has taught me to appreciate the beauty just outside my window. Things I’d never have had the time to notice before are regularly surprising me. I’d have never known there was a squirrel in the neighborhood if I didn’t sit in one place all day, because he (she?) only comes around once every couple of weeks! And I’ve noticed a crow with half of his top beak missing. I call him “Broken Beak” (duh)….I felt sorry for him (her?) at first because I thought it would have survival troubles. But because of sitting in one place for long periods of time, (ta-da) I have had the joy of watching Broken Beak do more than survive, I’ve witness him thrive! I’ve seen him dozen of times now, picking up twigs for a nest, chasing off other crows from desired perches in the trees, and soaking some found tidbits in the bird bath. He’ll be allright. A few blue jays have decided to come ’round on the regular and say hello. The air is full of the sound of Hummingbirds chasing each other around with spring-fling flair. These are some of the beautiful subtleties of a sedentary life. With any luck, my foot will be surgically corrected and heal, and I’ll go back to a life that is less sedentary (though not from too much walking, that will be restricted!) For now though, for myself, and for the rest of us practicing our NWB (non-weight-bearing) try to enjoy all the subtle sights and sounds all around you that you may never have the time to notice again!
-Cassandra, Charcotchacha copyright 2015