I live in Northern Nevada. In winter we get snow and ice, creating slippery parking lots and sidewalks. After my last fall many years ago in these conditions, I decided my butt bone could not take anymore of these falls. I now wear huge spiky grippers on the bottom of my shoes anytime there is a speck of snow or ice. Outside of this, it's pretty wild the lengths I will go to in order to NOT be in conditions where I could fall.
Gheez Louise - You wrote the words from the very depth of my soul. I have dystonia. Always considered myself strong until a seriously significant "header" down a staircase seven years ago, brain bleed, etc. Now I'm blessed with a deep brain stimulator but always hyper-vigilant about falling it consumes my thoughts. Exhausting. Thank you.
I’ll just say this: I lost my footing walking my small dog recently (a gentle tumble on some grass that didn’t even cause a bruise). I had a doctor ‘s appointment about a week later and they asked if I had fallen in the last month. I said no and only later remembered “hey, wait! You did fall.” I still haven’t embraced that at my age it’s important medical info! I honestly forgot.
I fell hard while running about two years ago, and I felt angry at myself for missing the curb (and grateful there were no witnesses, it was 6:00 am), but it was a sign that at 62, perhaps it was time to move on from my 40 years as a runner to something more healthy for my body. Other signs had been pointing to this; I just didn't feel as good after a run as I used to, but this sort of sealed the deal. I developed large, gnarly looking scabby knee, the kind I wore as a kid, and felt quite a bit of pain afterwards. I was so grateful I wasn't more injured. Now I walk and do yoga. I still miss running, but not enough to risk my corporal integrity. Thank you for this piece, I always enjoy how you take your personal experience and develop it into something bigger and worthwhile to all.
A brilliant article and I absolutely LOVE the images by Sandro. The following para made me laugh as it brought back vivid memories 😆
“We had aluminum slides that got so scalding hot in the summer they singed the skin off the back of our thighs and sent us carreening face-first into cement. Merry-go-rounds didn’t have safety speed mechanisms like they often do today, so anyone could make that thing go in circles like a centrifuge, at ballistic speed, plucking kids off one by one and launching them head-first into the surrounding dirt.”
On a more serious note apparently the third most common cause of death in post-menopausal women is complications from a “fall” 😳
Us sistas need to keep up the strength training 🏋🏼♀️🏋🏼♀️
I worked with a Pediatrician who said to me after my kids had several broken bones, “If your child hasn’t broken a bone by age 12 you’ve been overprotective”. Perhaps this could apply to Seniors also? I have shared this article with my daughter-says a lot things better than I can about how I’m feeling as I navigate my 7th decade. I am called badass by most people who know me. And yes, I don’t want to watch that physical part slip away- as it is of course. Nothing is permanent- especially the human body. Since my vertebral fracture from lifting my 50 # dog and a diagnosis of osteoporosis, it’s in my face. Wasn’t my plan to be this way till 80. I recently did a spectacular trip-something grabbed/trapped my foot while I was walking my dog. I focused and maintained my balance with some crazy moves, and freed my foot to bring it forward, planting it where it was needed. The dog stopped when I yelled fuck and so did the guy in the red truck driving by who waves hello when we see him on our evening walk. My foot was bruised/painful and I had it checked. I went back to the spot and it was a branch under the palm frond I stepped on. It was partially broken in half and fairly big in diameter. I broke the branch, it didn’t break me. The balance and weight resistance training appears to be effective in maintaining some badass. I’ll take it. I am going to consider all unfortunate incidents parameter setters for what my body can take now. Because I accept now there are going to be incidents-had them all my life. So after the MD visit I gave my daughter a call. I have an agreement with my daughter and son who live on the opposite coast, that I will not hide information on my wellbeing. They in return will trust me to know when to ask for help and know when it’s time to head to the west coast. Seems fair.
Much of what you observe has a bit of truth to it. Your determination to refrain from seeking treatment when you have fallen has a bit of foolhardiness to it. Pride goeth before a fall. (I could not resist.)
Oh how I can relate to “I’m fine!”. The only time I didn’t say that was when I fell in my bedroom and nobody was there to see it! I just regretted that I probably shouldn’t get up and have my nightcap of Bulleit rye whiskey! 😂🥃
In almost every photo of me as a kid I had a scrape on my knee or elbow. Apparently I was falling a lot, but I was much closer to the ground in those days. My last fall was in a black parking lot with unlit concrete barriers just waiting to bring a middle aged woman into a face plant. I forgot how falling flat on your face can knock the wind right out of you. No broken bones on that night but I now have a healthy fear of dark parking lots. Thank you for your musings Kim.
...and don't get me started on falling in love eh? 'I'm Fine' would make a dandy title for your follow up to Meth Lunches...but that's just me looking forward to anything you choose to write.
Well-spotted. This is my fault. There is only one dude here, but the artist does do men, too. I think I just liked the women ones more, from a visual perspective. But great point! Thank you.
Great piece. I just turned 61 and am very active and fit -- I hike big mountains and walk my old growth neighborhood streets and ride my cruiser bike up to the brewery and home on hot summer days. I yoga stretch and do dumbbell weights every single night before bed. I do all this to keep my balance sharp, my bones strong, my muscles and ligaments limber. And it is the thought of falling that scares the beejesus out of me and keeps me on high alert when I'm out and about. Two years ago I was distracted while hiking with a very chatty hiker (why I solo most of the time but he is 85 and kicks my ass and I love him) and fell flat on my face. After 10 years of hiking regularly. Cracked rib and shoulder injury that led to a year of intrusive and overly expensive medical treatment and PT, etc and limited use and pain. All that.
Currently I am doing more safety things around my home: stickers on my little shower stall. 100% using the hand rail into my basement to the laundry room and every single time I go up or down those 13 stairs. New handrail on back yard stairs and using it 100% now. New handrail on front yard steps to the car garage. No more pruning my little trees that needed me up on a ladder. No more wearing any kind of fashion shoes but more clogs and supportive running and walking shoes -- even at work! And religiously using my custom made walking stick on the trails.
My chunky pink, purple and sand UGGS and Day of Dead Crocs are my faithful buds with reliable trends, ankle support plus my very flat one story condo in Summerlin popped up on Zillow and I purchased it based on the photos. What a blessing! I injured my ankle and left knee multiple times and accept any gallant offers of doors opened, groceries delivered and acts of random kindness ~ I live by "I might be slow but the earth and ground are patient"
I'm reading Elderhood right now, and you've just expressed so many thoughts I've been having about this issue (at 57). Well, more eloquently, but still...
I fell a few weeks back . . nothing happened. I was fine. Fine. No one saw so I was particularly fine. There was a governor of Louisiana, Jimmie Davis (also known as the singing governor, whose version of "You Are My Sunshine" popularized it), who made it to 100 and was asked his advice for living a long time. "Don't fall!"
I think of my aunt, practicing daily standing up from her chair without using her hands, one day falling and telling only me about it but not one of her six offspring "and don't you tell them" and I did not, and that she'd wear long pants until the rainbow and dark cloud and sky bruises from her foot to her hip faded away so no one else would know.
After a few falls (ncluding one where I broke my wrist but the doc in a box said a sprain so it healed improperly), I'm thinking, maybe we practice falling. Let's jump on the trampolines, bounce on the bed, flop into water. Let's fall into the arms of those we love the best, knock them over at the same time, and laugh and laugh and laugh, and know we're fine! Because we are.
I live in Northern Nevada. In winter we get snow and ice, creating slippery parking lots and sidewalks. After my last fall many years ago in these conditions, I decided my butt bone could not take anymore of these falls. I now wear huge spiky grippers on the bottom of my shoes anytime there is a speck of snow or ice. Outside of this, it's pretty wild the lengths I will go to in order to NOT be in conditions where I could fall.
Gheez Louise - You wrote the words from the very depth of my soul. I have dystonia. Always considered myself strong until a seriously significant "header" down a staircase seven years ago, brain bleed, etc. Now I'm blessed with a deep brain stimulator but always hyper-vigilant about falling it consumes my thoughts. Exhausting. Thank you.
I’ll just say this: I lost my footing walking my small dog recently (a gentle tumble on some grass that didn’t even cause a bruise). I had a doctor ‘s appointment about a week later and they asked if I had fallen in the last month. I said no and only later remembered “hey, wait! You did fall.” I still haven’t embraced that at my age it’s important medical info! I honestly forgot.
I fell hard while running about two years ago, and I felt angry at myself for missing the curb (and grateful there were no witnesses, it was 6:00 am), but it was a sign that at 62, perhaps it was time to move on from my 40 years as a runner to something more healthy for my body. Other signs had been pointing to this; I just didn't feel as good after a run as I used to, but this sort of sealed the deal. I developed large, gnarly looking scabby knee, the kind I wore as a kid, and felt quite a bit of pain afterwards. I was so grateful I wasn't more injured. Now I walk and do yoga. I still miss running, but not enough to risk my corporal integrity. Thank you for this piece, I always enjoy how you take your personal experience and develop it into something bigger and worthwhile to all.
A brilliant article and I absolutely LOVE the images by Sandro. The following para made me laugh as it brought back vivid memories 😆
“We had aluminum slides that got so scalding hot in the summer they singed the skin off the back of our thighs and sent us carreening face-first into cement. Merry-go-rounds didn’t have safety speed mechanisms like they often do today, so anyone could make that thing go in circles like a centrifuge, at ballistic speed, plucking kids off one by one and launching them head-first into the surrounding dirt.”
On a more serious note apparently the third most common cause of death in post-menopausal women is complications from a “fall” 😳
Us sistas need to keep up the strength training 🏋🏼♀️🏋🏼♀️
Enjoyed reading this 🤍
I worked with a Pediatrician who said to me after my kids had several broken bones, “If your child hasn’t broken a bone by age 12 you’ve been overprotective”. Perhaps this could apply to Seniors also? I have shared this article with my daughter-says a lot things better than I can about how I’m feeling as I navigate my 7th decade. I am called badass by most people who know me. And yes, I don’t want to watch that physical part slip away- as it is of course. Nothing is permanent- especially the human body. Since my vertebral fracture from lifting my 50 # dog and a diagnosis of osteoporosis, it’s in my face. Wasn’t my plan to be this way till 80. I recently did a spectacular trip-something grabbed/trapped my foot while I was walking my dog. I focused and maintained my balance with some crazy moves, and freed my foot to bring it forward, planting it where it was needed. The dog stopped when I yelled fuck and so did the guy in the red truck driving by who waves hello when we see him on our evening walk. My foot was bruised/painful and I had it checked. I went back to the spot and it was a branch under the palm frond I stepped on. It was partially broken in half and fairly big in diameter. I broke the branch, it didn’t break me. The balance and weight resistance training appears to be effective in maintaining some badass. I’ll take it. I am going to consider all unfortunate incidents parameter setters for what my body can take now. Because I accept now there are going to be incidents-had them all my life. So after the MD visit I gave my daughter a call. I have an agreement with my daughter and son who live on the opposite coast, that I will not hide information on my wellbeing. They in return will trust me to know when to ask for help and know when it’s time to head to the west coast. Seems fair.
Much of what you observe has a bit of truth to it. Your determination to refrain from seeking treatment when you have fallen has a bit of foolhardiness to it. Pride goeth before a fall. (I could not resist.)
A good read. Looking forward to more.
Oh how I can relate to “I’m fine!”. The only time I didn’t say that was when I fell in my bedroom and nobody was there to see it! I just regretted that I probably shouldn’t get up and have my nightcap of Bulleit rye whiskey! 😂🥃
In almost every photo of me as a kid I had a scrape on my knee or elbow. Apparently I was falling a lot, but I was much closer to the ground in those days. My last fall was in a black parking lot with unlit concrete barriers just waiting to bring a middle aged woman into a face plant. I forgot how falling flat on your face can knock the wind right out of you. No broken bones on that night but I now have a healthy fear of dark parking lots. Thank you for your musings Kim.
...and don't get me started on falling in love eh? 'I'm Fine' would make a dandy title for your follow up to Meth Lunches...but that's just me looking forward to anything you choose to write.
Why are all the pics of woman who have fallen? Men fall, too.
Well-spotted. This is my fault. There is only one dude here, but the artist does do men, too. I think I just liked the women ones more, from a visual perspective. But great point! Thank you.
Great piece. I just turned 61 and am very active and fit -- I hike big mountains and walk my old growth neighborhood streets and ride my cruiser bike up to the brewery and home on hot summer days. I yoga stretch and do dumbbell weights every single night before bed. I do all this to keep my balance sharp, my bones strong, my muscles and ligaments limber. And it is the thought of falling that scares the beejesus out of me and keeps me on high alert when I'm out and about. Two years ago I was distracted while hiking with a very chatty hiker (why I solo most of the time but he is 85 and kicks my ass and I love him) and fell flat on my face. After 10 years of hiking regularly. Cracked rib and shoulder injury that led to a year of intrusive and overly expensive medical treatment and PT, etc and limited use and pain. All that.
Currently I am doing more safety things around my home: stickers on my little shower stall. 100% using the hand rail into my basement to the laundry room and every single time I go up or down those 13 stairs. New handrail on back yard stairs and using it 100% now. New handrail on front yard steps to the car garage. No more pruning my little trees that needed me up on a ladder. No more wearing any kind of fashion shoes but more clogs and supportive running and walking shoes -- even at work! And religiously using my custom made walking stick on the trails.
My chunky pink, purple and sand UGGS and Day of Dead Crocs are my faithful buds with reliable trends, ankle support plus my very flat one story condo in Summerlin popped up on Zillow and I purchased it based on the photos. What a blessing! I injured my ankle and left knee multiple times and accept any gallant offers of doors opened, groceries delivered and acts of random kindness ~ I live by "I might be slow but the earth and ground are patient"
I'm reading Elderhood right now, and you've just expressed so many thoughts I've been having about this issue (at 57). Well, more eloquently, but still...
I fell a few weeks back . . nothing happened. I was fine. Fine. No one saw so I was particularly fine. There was a governor of Louisiana, Jimmie Davis (also known as the singing governor, whose version of "You Are My Sunshine" popularized it), who made it to 100 and was asked his advice for living a long time. "Don't fall!"
I think of my aunt, practicing daily standing up from her chair without using her hands, one day falling and telling only me about it but not one of her six offspring "and don't you tell them" and I did not, and that she'd wear long pants until the rainbow and dark cloud and sky bruises from her foot to her hip faded away so no one else would know.
After a few falls (ncluding one where I broke my wrist but the doc in a box said a sprain so it healed improperly), I'm thinking, maybe we practice falling. Let's jump on the trampolines, bounce on the bed, flop into water. Let's fall into the arms of those we love the best, knock them over at the same time, and laugh and laugh and laugh, and know we're fine! Because we are.