Getting two feet on the ground
Travelling across the country has it’s ups and downs as one would expect. Meeting new people and settling in has been a challenge in some ways but this is something I expected when moving here. I’m lucky enough to take on that challenge and I’ve been fortunate enough to meet people and feel comfortable going to events, socializing with strangers as I make my way around my new network here.
What I wasn’t planning for is needing a support system to help me move around. On November 29th, I was playing shinny at the rec center, and I made a simple basic quick movement in going towards the puck and as I did this, I got caught up with another player, twisted my ankle and fell on my back. Initially I thought I had more of whiplash, but I quickly noticed my ankle felt off. After an afternoon of icing, I realized that this wasn’t going to recover on its own.
The next day I went to the doctor (grateful to have one) and I was sent off for an x-ray. It was clear that I had a oblique distal fibular fracture. A clean break on the outside of my ankle. A local was kind enough to drive me to emergency to get a walking boot and then I got setup with the surgeon. One of the best things of Canmore are the surgeons. Given all the high-level athletes here you can go in one room for an x-ray, cross the hall and see the surgeon, then go down the hall for some of the best physiotherapy in town. At this point no surgery appears needed and I’ll spend a month just geting more movement back in my ankle. For that I’m grateful.
What I wasn’t prepared for was the isolation.
I was told I was non weight bearing for 4-5 weeks and then I would keep the cast on for another 4 while walking. Luckly that changed in seeing the 2nd surgeon and I was off the boot 2.5 weeks earlier, and today I was able to start skiing and get back to my normal schedule!
The isolation is real. I’m not one to ask for help a lot and given that I was not able to drive, I really hand to depend on people. This takes a lot for me and I’m super grateful for people like my neighbour Don who would take me to my appointments, another neighbour who picked up packages for me, and the food delivery service in town. To my physiotherapist Aly at Banff Sports Physio, to my Osteo Tony at Gains Physical Health and to my great friend Annie who is reviewing my x-rays all the way from Quebec, I am lucky to have you in my corner.
I’ve learned a lot through this injury. I know now not to be nosy and ask what happened, but to offer support and comfort. I learned that we don’t have accessibility options where I live, and we aren’t as well equipped to have an infrastructure for those that have mobility challenges.
Most importantly, I’ve learned to expect help from the most unexpected people. And to ask for it.
This weekend I was able to get on my hard tail with my winter tires and head into town. To go skiing and work on technique and enjoy the sunshine. It has lifted my spirits immensely.
All to stay, I will never take for granted to have the ability to stand on two legs again.
