We were messing around with a Slip n Slide that my sister had bought over Memorial Day weekend, we were being silly, doing somersaults, cartwheels, sliding on our feet . . . this was my downfall, I did a cartwheel, jumped and slid on my feet, somewhere in that process my ankle decided, eh, not gonna stand for that. I have never experienced pain like that, nor do I want to experience that every again. If I sit and recall the event I can actually feel the emotions, the pain and the panic that I felt that day. Don't worry, I only tried it once. . . like I said, I don't want to experience that again.
A year later, what did I learn?
This last weekend I was in Yosemite and as I scrambled up a creek, over rocks, headed towards an awesome waterfall, I had to take a moment to say Thank You. Thank you to the marvels of Modern Medicine, thank you to my body for its incredible healing power and thank you for forcing me to make this realization. . .
I Love, Honor and respect my freedom of Movement, Health and Wellness so much more than I did before!
I never realized before I couldn't walk, just how much I love walking. It sounds ridiculous, but its something that I know we all take for granted. I knew that I loved dancing, I knew that I loved swimming, I just didn't know that I LOVE the ability to walk around the block, loved the ability to carry a plate from the kitchen to the living room, and loved the ability to wear two shoes that match.
I learned that no matter what happens my family is going to be there for me. My parents both flew out to California and spent more than a week with me, taking care of me, making sure I was okay. My Mom was nice enough to fly with me to California so I could shoot a short film I had booked before. I was able to do the shoot on crutches, with a still broken ankle (we had to wait for the swelling to go down before we could do the surgery, so it was ACTUALLY still broken at this time). I made the decision to do the film because it felt like a very important thing that I had to do. It was statement to myself more than to anyone else that nothing was going to get in the way of my dreams and that I would be an actress no matter what. By far, this shoot was one of the hardest things that I've ever done. I tried not to take my pain pills so my head was clear enough to act, but thinking about it today and how hard it was, I'm not sure that I would or could do it again. I've also yet to see the finished product of this film, which is beyond frustrating, but happens more than you would ever think in the Indie film making world
They supported me financially, emotionally and in every way possible and I will forever be grateful for their help, love and support. Not to mention the incredible speed, knowledge, grace and love with which I was whisked from a wet slip n slide, splinted with a blow up toy and some duct tape, a borrowed dress slipped over my head, a make shift chair carried me to the car that was waiting with pillows and all, ONLY to discover later at the hospital that my cousin Liberty had the wherewithal to grab a change of clothes for me before we left. My family are THE people to be around in a crisis!
I have a greater respect and love for my body and the incredible machine that it is. I went to Cardio Barre this morning to celebrate that one year later I am able to do most all of the things I did before I broke my ankle. While I was there I decided that I would spend the next four months working out often, going on long walks, taking care of the miraculous instrument that my body is and celebrating my freedom of movement. Four months is the length of time that I was on crutches, unable to put weight on my foot and frustrated.
Happy 4th of July. I hope you take some time today to remember all of the freedoms you take for granted everyday.
Love! Elizabeth
