a personal tale...

I suppose there might be an ounce of rationality in believing that if you collect orthopedic/prosthetic medical equiment, that maybe by the simple act of being constantly surrounded by it, you might find yourself needing it one day.
Unfortantely, the day came about a month ago for me.  I fell and to my dismay, ruptured my anterior-talo- fibular ligament.  You dont need to be bothered with the details, however, the translation is no walking for 2 months, a few months of rehab,tons of crutch-armpit burns and frustration.
My first week I have to admit, was extremely difficult.  I happen to live on the top floor of a condo with no elavator.  Crutches and stairs don't really go well together.  Throw a dog into that mix and well, you are pretty much..you can do the math.
On top of all of the frustration, I also experienced many life changes during this month- not going to get too personal, but lets just say, nothing is permanent, nothing lasts forever.  Many of these life changes caused me a lot of grief.  I found myself at one point asking "why is the universe doing this to me?".  I honestly felt bad for myself.
And then, BAM!  Well, not really like that...but for dramatic purposes of this blog, I will fast forward the gradual realization into a full on, cheesy, Batman and Robin "Whack!, Baaaaam! Boom!" screenshot.

"The universe is not doing this TO me. The universe is doing this FOR me."

As silly, cheesy, of-centered or maybe even dead-on accurate as it sounds, I realized that through all my frustrations with crutches, all my annoyances with a leg injury, I saw just how one silly ligament being temporarily disconnected in your leg, can really cause a lot of external trauma.  I can not imagine or even comprehend not having a few resources to get me through such a vulnerable time.

I suppose this accident, might be a "happy accident" as a friend once told me.  As a start-up non profit, sometimes, even though you believe in your mission, you feel as if the world might not hear you or that there is not enough of "you" to accomplish your mission.  But, this accident could not have come at a better time because before I realized what Embraced does and what we have the capability of doing.  But, much more than just realizing what Embraced does, right now I feel it. 

I can see clearly now...

This week I fell and found out, regretfully, that my life will involve more crutches than I had hoped for...only this time, I would not be donating them for a while,  but instead would be using them.  I'm active, I love to run and more importantly, have found my independence not only a personality trait, but rather something that defined me.

This past week, without being a "whining-baby" was sort of hard.  Hard because I am now in a position of relying on someone (my very amazing boyfriend) to do everything for me- walk the dog, bring me water, take out the trash, get this, get that.  As much as I say I would love to have someone at my beckon call, it has been the hardest thing for me.  But, as I sit here, leg up in the air, I can not be anything but so entirely grateful for my crutches I have that get me around, for the great environment that I have- a comfy couch to sit on, the distraction of reality TV show and great friends.  And still, it is hard for me.  I can not imagine the mental capacity of the people that Embraced helps.  I can not imagine on top of having to deal with not being "able" to care for myself, having to worry about not having the medical equipment to allow me to get around a little or to not be able to afford it.
Without exercising my true independent, self-sufficient, not wanting to rely on anyone nature too much- I am sure I will be fine, but I will not stop until I know that all people in similar situation- situations of reduced mobility- are given the resources they need, to at least get up and have the option to help themselves.

wheel'in around

"I need a wheelchair, my friend broke his shoulder and leg.  He doesn't have insurance" says a voice over the phone.  This is such a common call to Embraced.

So, I head to our facility to pick out a shiny, almost new wheelchair for this person who lay in a hospital bed in Atlanta.  I wonder as I am touching this wheelchair, where it has been and where it will go.  How many people have you helped Mr. Wheelchair?  Who have you given the gift of mobility to?  Who has been so relieved to see you and so relieved to get rid of you?

See, the truth is, while being in a warehouse full of crutches, walkers and prosthetics might be a little freaky for the average person....I view it as tremendous...the exponential potential of positivity this equipment has to offer is what keeps all of us at Embraced motivated.

Embraced is providing this link- matching the excess medical equipment that sits idle- under beds, closets, or basements with folks who just need a little bit of help.  We are providing a solution for the healthcare crisis.

Visit www.embracedatlanta.org to learn more about this BOLD idea for social change.