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Post by barclay on Jan 11, 2011 11:28:36 GMT -7
I've played tennis all my life, well, since I was eight or so. I've always loved the game, but I've only been able to experience the joy of playing since the amputation. I always expected so much of myself; I thought I could be perfect and was often mad at myself after a session (this is really common in tennis btw, check out the intensity at the local courts sometime).
But with the prosthesis, that (unrealistic) expectation is gone and I am just so happy that I can play - I just enjoy playing. Afterwards I feel uplifted. I am so chuffed about this.
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Post by stonecutter on Jan 11, 2011 15:59:41 GMT -7
Hmmmm.... we need a "LIKE" button like in Facebook. This is a great post.
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Post by cherylm on Jan 13, 2011 16:11:18 GMT -7
That's a lovely post, barclay...I can totally identify with your "tennis" experience! For me, it was dancing...my mom and sister were/are both excellent dancers, and I've always loved watching dancing. I, however, am a truly awful dancer...stiff, clumsy, and generally uncoordinated (and my mom made a habit of pointing that out to me). As a result, for years I only danced in private or, if I did so in public, I was very self-conscious and embarrassed about it.
Post-amp, one of my physical therapists suggested that dancing--being something that would keep me on my feet, get me moving around, and require me to balance--might be a good exercise as part of my rehab. Since I didn't have my prosthesis at this time, I just laughed it off and told her I'd think about it...but I DID find myself thinking about it and, once I got my first leg, I gave it a go...still in private and still feeling embarrassed about it, but she was right; it did do a lot toward helping me with my mobility.
A couple of years later, I attended an ACA conference...and my "all-inclusive" pass included a ticket to a (gasp!) dinner-dance. I went...and I danced in public for the first time in many, many years. I was still a pretty awful dancer...and there were some really GOOD amputee dancers there...but for the first time, I didn't care! It was just a wonderful feeling to get out there and DANCE!
I've learned a lot about myself in the years since I lost my leg, but making peace with my stiff, clumsy, and uncoordinated body and being able to reclaim the joy of dancing has been one of the most pleasant experiences of my life!
Thank you for helping me remember that!
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