Having an injury is no fun at all, especially if it is one that inhibits you from doing everyday activities. I had major ankle reconstruction surgery on my peroneal tendons, as well as on my bone. For six weeks I was in a fiberglass cast, and couldn't put any pressure on my leg whatsoever. I was in a wheelchair, and couldn't even use crutches. However, this situation doesn't have to be all negative. Here are some things I learned during my recovery.
1. You can get upgraded seats for concerts.
I got front row seats for Florida Georgia Line and upgraded seats for Justin Bieber, all because I was in a cast and a wheelchair (Brian and Tyler both held my hand, and Cole Swindell sang directly to me!).
2. People will offer to do everything for you.
People generally feel bad for us crippled ones, so there's never a bad time for some help. Especially when you can't get in your kitchen to get your own food, or need someone to plastic bag your leg for you so you can shower.
3. The cool setting on hair dryers is the way to go.
Anybody who has had to suffer from a warm cast during the summer, this trick works wonders. I mean, so did a full, cold water bottle down my cast. But this is the easier route!
4. It is perfectly acceptable to stay in bed all day, for as long as you have your injury.
Nobody will judge you for lounging in bed during the duration of your injury. After all, it is recovery.
5. You can dress comfortably without judgement.
If you do manage to go out, comfy clothes are the way to go. Baggy items to accentuate your cast? Obviously.
6. If you have a leg injury, a wheelchair is so much easier than crutches.
Crutches take so much effort, and half the time you have to worry about keeping your balance. At least in a wheelchair, you can rest comfortably without worrying about injuring yourself more.
7. The cast saw actually won't cut your skin.
I definitely couldn't have been the only person to think of Jigsaw rolling into the room with his little bike to come saw my cast off. Luckily, the saw doesn't cut anything but your cast off, and then freedom for your arm / leg. Until they stick another one on.
8. Your hair doubles underneath the cast.
It's like the cast has Miracle Gro for hair in it because suddenly you become a furry beast when it comes off.
9. People will constantly ask, "What happened to you?"
As if it wasn't totally obvious that something was wrong, the constant questions of "well what happened?" occur almost every time you go somewhere public. It's almost like you can make up a new story about your injury every single time.
10. Your recovery will feel like it is taking forever.
Once it's over, the sweet relief of being out of a cast will make up for all the time that you were stuck in it.
