I was reminded of my mortality this week whilst hanging upside down [aerial term: inverted] on the fabric, clinging to partner Zach's neck, trying to disentangle my leg, which was becoming more tightly snagged. For a moment, with the rest of my body free and inching toward the floor, I imagined my leg snapping from the pressure. It was terrifying.
I've never had a sport injury. Bumps and bruises yes--I was stepped on by a horse just this week--but never an honest break or tear from extra-curricular activities. As the fabric tightened around my knee, a future of surgeries and casting flashed before my mind's eye. Then something moved, body part or fabric I can't say, and I was free.
And I thought I was clear until 3am the next morning when I woke to throbbing pain whenever I moved my left leg. I started plotting brace buying and doctor visiting before the sun rose.
I braced myself, and wore one on my knee as well. I studied google images of human knee anatomy while elevating mine, and diagnosed myself with a sprained medial collateral ligament. Unfortunately I was not able to prescribe treatment.
There have been a number of aerial injuries sweeping through the company of late. Only last week, following her second joint setback, "Dar" left the studio wiping hopes for the upcoming show from her welling eyes.
Yesterday I received a New Republic article about how our culture is increasingly unwilling to be uncomfortable for any reason, attaching trigger warnings to everything. The author Jenny Jarvie writes, "Bending the world to accommodate our personal frailties does not help us overcome them."
But what does help us?
I got good news from the chiropractor this morning who assured me that six weeks of bed rest was not in my future. Apparently I'd just over-extended a muscle or two. He gave me some exercises and sent me on my way.
I went to Target and bought a card for Dar. Getting back into my car, I tried to imagine what I would write in the card. There's such a fine line between expressing sympathy and being trite.
How does one say, I'm so sorry for your hurt, but the good news is, you're human and not alone.
OneArmGirl
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| Inverted |
And I thought I was clear until 3am the next morning when I woke to throbbing pain whenever I moved my left leg. I started plotting brace buying and doctor visiting before the sun rose.
I braced myself, and wore one on my knee as well. I studied google images of human knee anatomy while elevating mine, and diagnosed myself with a sprained medial collateral ligament. Unfortunately I was not able to prescribe treatment.
There have been a number of aerial injuries sweeping through the company of late. Only last week, following her second joint setback, "Dar" left the studio wiping hopes for the upcoming show from her welling eyes.
Yesterday I received a New Republic article about how our culture is increasingly unwilling to be uncomfortable for any reason, attaching trigger warnings to everything. The author Jenny Jarvie writes, "Bending the world to accommodate our personal frailties does not help us overcome them."
But what does help us?
I got good news from the chiropractor this morning who assured me that six weeks of bed rest was not in my future. Apparently I'd just over-extended a muscle or two. He gave me some exercises and sent me on my way.
I went to Target and bought a card for Dar. Getting back into my car, I tried to imagine what I would write in the card. There's such a fine line between expressing sympathy and being trite.
How does one say, I'm so sorry for your hurt, but the good news is, you're human and not alone.
OneArmGirl
