Idle hands......lead to a blog! After enduring 10 weeks in 3 different casts due to breaking my ankle and more sitting time than I've had in my life, I have a lot to say I suppose. Seeing the world from a wheelchair or crutches has opened my eyes to a lot of things. I also have some suggestions/observations for the able-bodied (including myself) to adhere to in the future. Please don't say "Well you look fine to me!" to someone with a broken bone, unless you want to risk catching a crutch tip to the head. I don't have malaria, I shattered a bone. I've discovered something about having an injury brings out the "shade tree physician" in strangers and acquaintences alike for some reason....refrain if you can. Please don't refer to the recovery time as a "vacation"; this could get you clocked upside the head with the actual fiberglass cast instead of the cane tip. If you feel the urge to say "Well that's nothing..." bubbling up inside you, (followed by an anecdotal story of your or someone else's injury or elective surgery) bite your tounge, say a mantra,light a candle, whatever you have to do, but don't let it cross your lips.... It does not take the pain away or make me feel better. I had an accident...I was going to get the paper in my PJs and slippers and next thing you know I'm strapped on a gurney going to the ER with my ankle bulged out like an anaconda that just ate a small animal. If you just listen and empathize, you will endear yourself to that person for the rest of your life. What is it about being out of commission that causes people to talk to you like you are a) 5 years old or b) Comatose and can't answer for yourself? (Vows to self never to do this to another person.) Now to the (relatively) lighter side... Best electric scooter chairs: BJs Wholesale Club ....you can fly around the store like you are on a Vespa scooter! A total blast! Worst electric scooters: Harris Teeter...I guess they are afraid you'll rev up and take out the fresh peaches in the produce section or something? I could crawl faster. It is a hoot to have the neighborhood kids fighting over who is going to go get your mail for you. Sitting down to cook is actually a great technique. You don't get nearly as fatigued and if your chair has wheels on it you can whip around the kitchen faster than Emeril or G.Garvin. Supporting your body weight solely with your arms and upper body is exhausting, but gives you the Angela-Bassett-as-Tina-Turner arms every sister has secretly wished for. Can't wait to go back to yoga and not quiver doing down-dog! *queue vengeful pirate laugh*