Everything appeared to melt from the heat of the sweltering sun. I had fallen twice that day and every time I tried to get back up it was like a cloud of darkness was in my head and covering my eyes. Dribbling a ball up and down a court in 100 degree weather can cause a little bit of dizziness. Except the third time I fell, my head did not experience the darkness; my whole body did. It was as though someone let a cage of butterflies out in my stomach, but not the kind you get looking at your first love. Laying on the black tar scorching in the sun, I make an attempt to get up.
One leg moved and the other was distorted. My knee had melted away from the sun. I have always had knee problems growing up as a kid. My doctor told me I have flat feet and need to wear specialized soles for my shoes. This meant no flip flops. How does anyone expect a girl not to wear flip flops. That’s like asking a fat kid to say no to cake. As a young child, I didn’t take my doctor’s words seriously. Instead, I ran barefoot on late July nights. I jumped off my garage roof into a bag of leaves on chilly October days. In the winter I would snowboard, but on a trashcan.
I beat my knees down and loved it. I didn’t see any problem with it. My mom on the other hand was an old lump on the log. “Kaytlin Marie, If you don’t wear your soles you can’t play outside! ” My mom knew I was a clumsy kid. Partially because I am blonde, but also because of my flat feet and bad knees throwing me off. I wouldn’t have a problem with wearing specialized soles. It was the fact I had to wear ugly shoes. The customized soles didn’t fit into my skater shoes, so I threw them away. I remember my mom screaming “Just wait until you get hurt! Don’t say I didn’t try! How would I get hurt? I am invincible. I lay on the hot tar in shock.
Not because I blew out my kneecap and it was on the other side of my leg. Mostly because my mother was right. In this moment I knew I was not invincible. For some reason, my friends around me thought I was. “Come on Kate, stop being a sally. ” one of them shouted. I played with all boys. If I were to knock all my teeth out they would call me a wimp for not continuing to play. That’s just how boys work. When I did not reply to their shouts they must of got the hint something was wrong.
I kind of wished they all just continued the game and let me be. I would of called an ambulance myself. When all the boys rushed over to me it was more of a mess than my kneecap. There was throw up, one boy ran the other way and another asked “Are you okay. ” This seems like a stupid question but I was okay at first. I had only felt my kneecap on the other side of my leg. I didn’t actually look at it. When I did finally decide to see what all the jabber was about, my whole body numbed up. “Yup, it’s broken all right. ” This guy is an EMT, he knows what he’s talking about.
He must of went to Harvard Medical school to ride in the back of an ambulance. Of course I am going to freak out even more because now my worst fear was confirmed by a highly trained doctor. The EMTS took about 30 minutes to actually get me on the stretcher. That made me realized I wasn’t actually dealing with anyone from Harvard MED. As soon as these slow EMTS put me in there Alaskan temperature ambulance, I felt better. I later realized I only felt better because of all the drugs that were flowing through my veins. Whatever drugs I was given, it turned me into a professional flirt.
I told one of the EMTS he had eyes like a sunset. I’m sure they were perfectly okay with shipping me off to the ER and leaving as soon as possible. Usually an emergency room takes a while to actually be seen by a doctor. Especially one in south Florida. This was a real emergency though. The type of emergency where everyone should drop what they are doing to attend to me. I am sure the other patients thought I was dying from my screams and cries. My cries must of sounded like nails on a chalkboard. What can I say, I’m a little over dramatic. My leg was broken! My life was over.
How would I ever walk again? Would someone have to bathe me? Luckily, a doctor was already in the room waiting for me to be seen. I’m glad these people realized this was a huge deal of course. The short, Asian doctor looked at me and smiled. I hoped this one was from Harvard. He grabbed my leg and POP. I howled like a starving wolf. I’m sure South Africa could of heard my screamed. “All better, now we will give you some medication and check back in 2 weeks. ” “That’s it. You fixed my broken leg. ” “You just dislocated your knee hunny. ” A rush of embarrassment entered me.
I shouldn’t of listened to that EMT. Everyday things like sitting on the toilet became a daily challenge. Walking around school and doors slamming into my face because no one would open them. Going out to eat and everyone staring at the “cripple. ” Being in a full leg brace with crutches was a challenge. The only good that came from it physically was my arms got a little bit stronger. Under my arms I developed awful rashes that burned me tremendously. Mentally, I became a better person in every way possible. I was a very reckless individual and I stopped at nothing.
I’d jump off buildings into snowbanks and not think about the consequences if I got hurt. My first time getting hurt changed my views on everything. Before I do anything, I think about my knee. It taught me to appreciate my body and not to beat on it constantly. I also feel grateful that I do have a very healthy body. Although my knee does hurt all the time, I can still walk. Now when I see someone disabled in anyway, I do not stare. Instead I feel a sense of sympathy for them. I understand the everyday struggles they must go through that other people might not consider.
Before my injury, I never realized the simple things in everyday life are the biggest challenges to some. My first injury happened freshmen year and almost over my high school career, my knee is still messed up. I did not have any surgery because all my ligaments healed over time. I am a firm believer everything happens for a reason. I spent a summer sitting inside doing nothing. Although it was hell, I needed to experience it. I needed to be brought down back to reality. I am not invincible, no one is. It’s a common misconception most teens and young kids experience. I now listen to my mother more often.