When people see me hopping along on my crutches, they usually have their preconceived thoughts about what this means. Perhaps they think I broke my leg, or maybe they’re imagining a rough run-in with someone on a soccer field. Regardless of the reason for my aluminum sidekicks, people often assume that crutches=limitations. But that doesn’t always have to be the case.
I currently work with someone who also has RSD/CRPS. She’s doing pretty well from a functional standpoint, dancing and having a mostly normal life. While it’s cool, I guess, that we share the same diagnosis, it’s not cool that she bases her views of me and my abilities on her experiences. I don’t want to go on too much about this subject, mostly because I don’t want to gossip or anything, but here’s what I will say…
Crutches or no crutches, diagnosis or no diagnosis, don’t limit me based on your own set limits.
Let me give an example. The other day, we were all on a walk. I was catching up with everyone because I got caught talking to someone as we were leaving. My friend/coworker made a comment about staying back with me because I was going to be slower (you know, since my crutches make me sooo slow). Well, that comment wasn’t needed as I made my way to the front of the group, but we’ll leave that at that. Then, we came to a set of stairs. I was prepared to venture down without a problem, but she decided to point out that they weren’t “crutch-friendly” stairs, and that I couldn’t/shouldn’t go down them. This angered me, as I have traveled up and down those stairs many times (yes, on crutches) with no issues. The point is that maybe she was slow on crutches, and maybe she had a tough time doing stairs, but her personal experiences do not translate into my own.
People try to limit me all the time, even people I don’t know. They insist on carrying things that I am more than capable of carrying, tell me where I can go and what I can do, and they don’t let me do things that might be “too hard” or “too dangerous.” I can understand some of these things becoming necessary for, say, people who have just started to use crutches. They might be a little clumsy or unsteady, as I was for my first few weeks. I can also accept the fact that many people are simply trying to be helpful or watch out for me. I appreciate their care and concern, really, I do. But this isn’t some temporary stint on crutches. This is my new lifestyle…well, 2 years new. And since there’s nothing on the horizon to suggest that I’ll be losing the crutches anytime soon, it’s something that I’ve needed to feel out for myself.
I’ve gotten used to my so-called limitations, overcoming many things that I thought I couldn’t do. I’ve learned how to carry things, watch out for hazards, and assess situations before going forth. I know what might not be a good idea, or what I might need to slow down while doing. I know what I can and can’t do. If I need help, I’ll ask for it. If something doesn’t look safe, I won’t do it. But unless I set my own limit, I don’t need anyone else to tell me that I can’t do it.
Don’t let anyone limit you. If you have a dream, go for it. If you want to do something, do it. Ignore the people who try to bring you down and do what you know you can do.
College on Crutches 