Tying your shoes. Driving to school. Making a sandwich. Taking notes in class.
Most of you would agree that these are all fairly normal tasks, some even bordering on mundane.
To me, though, these and many other actions have recently become much more interesting.
In fact, I find myself greatly missing some of them, like taking notes.
It happened on the first school day following Spring Break. I was in my apartment, supposed to be typing a paper. Instead, my roommate and I thought it would be neat to turn handstands.
We cleared a large space in the living room, for safety reasons, and began our gymnastic endeavor. Within 10 minutes, I was lying on the ground in devastating pain, clutching a broken wrist.
Two days later, I was up to my elbow in a bright pink cast that completely restricted the use of my right arm.
Needless to say, my daily routine had to undergo a drastic change. I quickly learned that I took my right hand entirely too much for granted.
Try brushing your teeth or washing your hair with only one hand.
The actual performance of the task is not that hard; the real trick is opening the bottle and getting the toothpaste to go where you want and keeping it there till you’re ready to use it.
My roommates are used to me approaching them with my jewelry in one hand and a puppy-dog expression on my face.
I’m not totally helpless without my strong hand. Sometimes, I even impress myself with what I’m capable of.
Just a few days ago, I managed to place a band-aid on my left elbow, using only my left hand. Think about that for a while.
I can, for the most part, bathe, dress and feed myself. The hardest part of being injured is performing small, detailed tasks. The little things, if you will.
Losing the ability to do something as simple as peeling a banana has made me realize how much I take for granted every day.
Each of us is easily able to discuss the flaws we find in our physical make-ups. However, we rarely stop and think about the qualities we are blessed with.
You may think you have a lot of physical defects. However, your physical capabilities most likely outweigh those few defects.
If you are able to walk, talk, hear, see and use your arms, then you have very little to actually complain about.
Stop and think for a moment about your daily routine. Now, imagine performing that routine while on crutches or with one of your arms in a sling.
Think about the challenge of taking notes or even opening doors.
Imagine having to navigate campus in a wheelchair and still make it to class on time.
Your routine would require a lot more thought and effort and a lot more help from other people.
I don’t claim to know what it’s like to have a permanent disability, since this is my first serious injury.
My situation is thankfully a temporary one, but it has given me a small glimpse of just how different and difficult life could be.
Certainly, it has given me a new awareness of the needs of others. How many people do I pass by every day who are struggling in some way? Some of them may not even have a disability or an injury; they may just simply be overwhelmed by what they are carrying.
When I had the ability, did I ever stop and help these people? Probably not as much as I should have.
Right now, nothing makes my day more than someone who opens a door for me or who offers to give me a ride without my having to ask.
Unsolicited kindnesses are the greatest of all. When you take a little time from your own busy schedule to fill the need of another person, your unselfishness will be remembered, even if they never see you again.
Don’t take your physical health for granted. When you are performing even a mundane task, be grateful that you can at least carry out that action. Not everyone can.
Also, share your abilities with others. When you see someone laboring to open a door, open it for them. Ask people if you can help them in some way.
Acting unselfishly may not always produce a reward. But it does raise your estimation in the eyes of others. And who knows when you might find yourself in a situation where you’re the one needing help from others?
Perhaps one of those people you helped will do the same for you.
After all, life can change with the turn of a handstand.
Tracey Apperson is a sophomore communication major. She can be reached at [email protected].