Six Sentence Story.
In this day of micro-blogging – brevity is a skill worth honing. Can you tell a story and make it short and sweet? What can you say in six sentences. Check out some here: http://sixsentences.blogspot.com/
I was trying to shop at the grocery store about a year after my stroke with my cane and my groceries in the cart and me gripping the handles of the shopping cart as if it was a walker. I was trying to be independent and do something that normal, average people can do every day. I reached up with my good hand for the whipping cream on a higher shelf. The ever-present vertigo and dizziness won out and I fell awkwardly into the dairy section cooler. I was hurt and couldn’t get up. A small child came toward me and her mom screamed at her to stay away from that nasty drunk lady. I knew without a doubt that my life was not normal or average anymore.
6 comments:
This had to be terrifying. How did you eventually get up?
Rebecca I don't really know for sure -- I wound up on the ground somehow and Bob came from a different part of the store not too long after and picked me up. He might have heard me yell or crying. The worse part was that I saw myself so differently after that. And I was so horrified that no one helped me.
The cart makes me look like an able-bodied person so someone seeing me fall would jump to the wrong conclusion. Cashiers don't see my cane in the cart until they start to hand me bags of groceries. A cane is a call for help that a grocery cart can't be. It brought people running from both directions when they saw me fall outside.
I now accept that I need the cane for balance and I know other people need to see it. It really is a safety signal that tells people to treat you gently.
Thank you for sharing this! It took my back to my grocery store nightmare. It seems like entry into the vestibular world comes by way of a grocery event!
Much love,
Marissa
It's horrible that no one tried to help! That must have been so scary for you. My heart aches to think of all the hardships you've faced. (HUGS)
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