My story happened on the 15th of July 2019. I tripped on some paving in my backyard, causing a damaged left eye and broken ankles in both feet. I needed surgery on the right ankle, two plates, and 12 days in the hospital. Eleven weeks later I am out of one cam boot – still in the left cam boot but hopefully out of this soon.
I am not looking for sympathy, but more to provide how safe we have to be at home and outside in the garden. I am 62, active, mow my lawns, rake up leaves and tidy my gardens at 6 am most mornings. A simple misplaced foot turned into a nightmare. Not to dwell – as my husband said, I would trip over an ant or dust.
Convalescing at home, I read books and watched TV. My husband had to do everything for me – my dignity soon lost – but then he had to go away to work for a few weeks. Being alone for that amount of time scared me as to how I would manage.
Actually, it was the best thing, as I learnt that instead of saying ‘I can’t do this’, I said ‘I can do it’ and do it I did! With my walking stick, I washed my floors, cleaned, dusted, changed my sheets, and did my laundry. When hubby came home he couldn’t believe how much I had done in the two weeks he was away. I was determined, as I am under 65 so I couldn’t get in-home help unless I paid big dollars. So now I am getting better every day and do most things for myself, which I am proud of.
Then I came across Chirpy Plus and joined straight away. I have spoken to the hostess in my area and look forward to CatchUps in the near future. This has come at a time I need to stop being a hermit even when I am well. I have children, but they have their lives, so hopefully, I won’t be lonely anymore, thanks to Chirpy.
In closing, I strongly believe everything happens for a reason, and it has for me.
