Imbalance is common with brain injuries, chronic illness and aging. Falling is embarrassing. Rather then asking for help or looking like an idiot most of us compensate in different ways.
Energy conservation is vital to one’s existence. I couldn’t find a parking space near the door and needed to pick up a couple items at the grocery store. Rather then walking the distance on the level surfaced parking lot (which of course makes sense) I decided to cross over through the grass area.
As I stepped into the grass near a mulched flower bed I lost my balance and fell. I couldn’t balance myself well enough to stand so I just sat and needed time. Time to think. Time to figure out how I was going to stand up from a sitting position without help. I didn’t want help and I didn’t want anyone to know I fell.
Diablo Overlook Weed Pulling (Photo credit: North Cascades National Park)
A gentleman walked by and asked “Can I help you?” I spontaneously replied “No, I decided to volunteer and pull a few weeds this morning!” I thought that was an excellent response until he came back with his: “You forgot to come prepared!” My reply was:“Oh, that’s the story of my life!”
I think we both left that morning with a chuckle. I didn’t even think about it until after I got home that he probably witnessed me falling. When you are the one falling, you are always hoping no one saw you…unless you are injured! When a fall ends in injury it’s common that people pretend they never saw you fall. It’s always good to laugh at these silly little things that happen in life.
It reminded me of another situation as a child. My father was laying sod in our yard. A young boy was walking by and asked my dad what he was doing as he was rolling sod. His reply was “We’re moving!”
braininjuryselfrehabilitation 
Three Well Beings
September 12, 2012 at 10:54 am
Your response was great! A friend of mine had surgery on her arm requiring very elaborate bandaging. She got tired of people asking her “what happened?” when basically to her, it wasn’t anyone’s business. She started telling people that she’d had more than a dozen very large tattoos removed. She got a good chuckle, and it stopped the questions. I am glad you weren’t hurt, but what a good attitude you have! Very funny! Debra
brain injury self rehabilitation (BISR)
September 12, 2012 at 9:29 pm
I love the tattoo comment, but then I gasped. As inpatient from adrenal crisis and pancreatitis today I asked the EKG technician about her arm. I hope I didn’t overstep my boundaries but I was sincerely concerned and it was the obvious. She had it amputated from cancer 20 some years ago. I hope if she didn’t want me to know she would have said “none of your business”! I am not usually this straight forward to a total stranger. My comment to this beautiful woman today was of sincere concern and she did an excellent job. I commend all that she does with such great stamina and yet I felt most patients won’t be able to see beyond their own crisis. If I wasn’t so observant I doubt I would have recognized one flaw in her work performance. She was exceptional. Gosh, I hope she wasn’t offended by me asking.
buckwheatsrisk
September 12, 2012 at 4:16 pm
i don’t even notice if i’m hurt, i automatically look around to see if anyone saw me! what a clever response you came up with!
brain injury self rehabilitation (BISR)
September 12, 2012 at 9:19 pm
I think it is normal when dealing with a history of abuse throughout life one doesn’t notice injury or hurt in many ways…very different then most! Laughing at ourselves is important…it’s a great coping mechanism.
buckwheatsrisk
September 12, 2012 at 10:58 pm
very true i forget about that sometimes. It is good to laugh lest cry and laughter truly in good medicine! i hope you didn’t hurt yourself!
Maria Rose Thomas Tatham
September 21, 2012 at 8:49 pm
Dear Edie, you are a trooper in the whole way you handled this fall – so glad you weren’t hurt! – in your humorous remark to the kind man, and in your daring to ask your helper what happened to her arm. Perhaps it was just fine with her. I think it’s better to be asked a straightforward question, then to be stared at or avoided. I’m sure you were kind, because it’s your calling to be concerned, and you are.
Maria
brain injury self rehabilitation (BISR)
September 24, 2012 at 9:04 pm
Maria, Thanks for clarifying the reasons it’s okay to be open. I value your comments and suggesting. Take care and Stay safe, Edie
Maria Rose Thomas Tatham
September 24, 2012 at 10:14 pm
You too, Edie, with bunches of blessings!