Well, my dad used to call me spaz when I was like 14-15, so I'd say I have a long history with being a klutz. Back then it was running into the edges of doorways or dropping things. Now, I've progressed to more robust klutziness. LOL
My first big klutz moment was when I fell DOWN a handicap ramp at my university when I was 21. I was approaching the ramp from the side, thought it was a gentle slope, but it was actually a drop off that was not properly enclosed. I was avoiding having to walk down stairs that would lead me by a bunch of guys who were playing pool and video games. When I fell, the whole lot of them came over to help me.
That's when I herniated a disk and had surgery just a few months later because I was at risk of being paralyzed from the severe herniation. That surgeon scared the loving bejebus out of me. LOL
Anyway, since then I've fallen down concrete stairs with metal edges - about 10 steps. I've fallen down wooden steps, but that time it was only 5 or 6. I've fallen stepping into a hole in my aunt's yard while holding Daniel. Most recently, I fell after having my spinal cord stimulator inserted - like just a couple of months later - in front of my church. Like at the front, you know, at the altar by the organ. That was down 3 steps and I will NOT blame myself for that one. My leg just didn't want to work. And the last one was more of a slip and fall at Daniel's high school (and yes, my alma mater) when we went to his freshman orientation. There was water on the gym hallway floor. Daniel was walking ahead of me. **He** didn't step in it, but I did and down I went onto my left knee.
It's no wonder my back is a mess of bulging and herniated disks, but on top of that I have arthritis and stenosis and severe degenerative disk disease (thanks Granny).
I am so ridiculously scared to walk around now that I hold onto Jay like he's a lifeline if it's raining at all . . . or I won't even leave the house. I walk so slowly now because I'm watching the ground and ahead of me . . . I mean, I should have 20+ years left of my life (I hope) and I can't afford any more falls!
Sooooo, I shared all that because NO you are NOT alone in being a klutz. I am a huge believer in the power of words, especially the spoken word, and even though my dad was joking way back when, I think those words seeded somewhere in my brain and I thought I was a klutz instead of graceful. I speak a lot of positive words about myself now in an effort to grow confidence in my body's grace. I'm encouraging you to do the same, and pray you stay safe!
