Yesterday morning, my friend Josie called me. Josie and I met when we were at CIU, and both lived on Walker 1 (shout out to all of our Walker 1 ladies). I truly believe she was one of the greatest gifts God gave me while there and we have been best buds ever since. That was ten years ago and our friendship is stronger than ever. Jo and I relate on a level that no one else understands because we both have physical disabilities, and are able to call each other and share our stories, frustrations, and laugh about our daily struggles because we totally “get” them.
Yesterday was one of those days.
Jo called and I answered and she said something like “So dude, this morning at the track while exercising my wheelchair flipped back and I hit my head and instantly thought of you.” We both started laughing. Once we calmed I said something like “Yeah, I’ve hit my head so many times I have become an expert, and so now when I fall, as I am going down I think of my head and try not to hit it, and about protecting any electronic devices I am carrying namely my phone” (Priorities, people, priorities!). I then tell her that I have a recent “fall story” too.
Before continuing, for those of you freaking out right now at how lightly I am treating falling — chill. It’s all good and it is a daily part of my life. I fall as naturally as most people walk, and have been trained to fall without getting hurt. Plus, it is better to laugh than to cry, and makes enduring the hard days much easier not to take everything so seriously.
This past Saturday my parents and I went to see the movie “Woodlawn.” I was not feeling the greatest and in all honesty was a bit annoyed and not in the best of moods before walking out the door. As I was leaving, I got my purse and headed for the door to get my crutches and lost my balance, fell forward, and face planted into the dog bowls by the door. This was a lovely indication as to how my day was going so far. As soon as I hit the ground I started laughing so hard it made it impossible to get up and meanwhile my mom is nearby laughing too and neither one of us were much help to each other. Oh the joys of having Cerebral Palsy, but it was totally what I needed to lighten my mood and ironically it made the day a bit better. Also, don’t worry, no harm was done to Jo or I in either of our falls. I think Jo and I are two of the most graceful “fallers” I know. Well, most of the time that is. 😉
I don’t know what you are going through today, but I do know laughter and friendship can make everything a little better so when you’re having an “OH CRAP” moment, take a deep breath, calm down, and try to find the lighter side and call a friend. It will make you feel better, I promise.
P.S. Josie is one of the most creative people I know and she has a business called “Little Big Creations,” and makes some awesome things. Check it out here. 🙂
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You made me laugh and I needed it so bad.