"Minne" Sprain

One of the best and worst parts of living in Minnesota is winter. The best part is easily the first dusting of snow. Soft flakes falling in silence around you, the soft crunch of snow under your feet, that feeling of warmth that welcomes you home after you step inside and out of the cold. Worst part? Two words: polar vortex. Funny how a little snow (or a lot) can completely alter your day.

Lately, winter has not been my friend. Last Friday morning, I was walking from work to class with two of my coworkers. Campus was covered in a layer of ice. I was careful to walk slow, and so did my work buddies. As one of them headed in a different direction, I stopped to give a classic Minnesota goodbye. Then I turned to head up the sidewalk and found myself flat on my back. I had slipped on the ice. Lucky for me, my backpack had broken my fall. And so had my ankle : )

As my coworkers helped me up and into the closest building, I tried walking on my ankle. I thought to myself, “Oh it’s no big deal! Just walk it off!” Needless to say I didn’t walk it off. Instead I had a friend on each side helping me into the building. After they helped me inside, I called Hamline’s Public Safety Office to give me a ride to the closest urgent care. There I was greeted by a friendly staff that laughed at ALL of my jokes. I’m guessing they felt bad that I was a college student all alone with a potentially broken ankle. I like to think they laughed because my jokes are hilarious. They also got me a wheelchair and wheeled me around! Lol.

After getting an X-ray and meeting with the doctor, they concluded it was just a sprain. Thank goodness it wasn’t something worse. But “just” a sprain was just not doing me very much good.

I try to always have a positive outlook, but being on crutches during a Minnesota winter in the midst of a polar vortex is not quite my idea of fun. Crutches don’t exaclty work when there’s a layer of ice covering the sidewalks. Walking from my dorm room to the closest building takes me about 20 minutes-- a walk that normally takes 5. This past week, I’ve been leaving for class early, taking my time, and trying to be patient with myself. After days of putting on a happy face and trying to be positive, of saying “No worries. It’s just a sprain!” or “It could be a lot worse”, I started to get really frustrated and exhausted and mostly pissed off at myself for slipping. Which is ridiculous because:

1. I didn’t fall on purpose?

2. I couldn’t really stop myself from slipping...

3. I can’t do anything to change it.

It’s okay to be frustrated, but I wasn’t going to let that frustration prevent me from going about my day. Things happen and you just have to keep moving forward. Even if it means it takes a little bit longer and you need help. Because guess what? It’s okay to ask for help!

I have a little bit of trouble doing that. Maybe a lot.

There are so many people in my life who care about me. I have family that calls to make sure I’m doing okay and being fed, a Dad that always knows how to make me laugh and lift me up, a mom and sister that help me navigate through the aisles of target on a scooter, and grandparents that check in on me. I'm definitely the favorite grandchild ; ) I have friends who have walked with me to class, joked around with me, carried my plate, given me rides, held my crutches while I crawled up the stairs, gotten me food and candy and stuffed animals, left me thoughtful notes, and helped cover my work shifts. I have an amazing boss and awesome coworkers that go out of their way to catch up and ask how I’m doing. My professors check in on me to make sure I’m getting to class safely, and strangers give me smiles of encouragement and hold the door for me. I've seen a few other people who are lucky enough to have a leg injury. We kind of nod at each other, as if to say, “I feel you. This sucks.”

Today, a man plowing the Hamline parking lot stopped to ask where I was headed.

I pointed in the direction of my dorm, and he offered to clear a path for me.

Everywhere I go, people are ready to lend a helping hand, hold open a door, and wish me a quick recovery. As much as I hate being noticed and having attention drawn to myself, it’s difficult to avoid when you’re walking around with a splint and crutches. But things could always be worse, and I’m probably going to be super buff and toned after using these crutches.

So as I crutch along and hobble to and from class, I’m continuously reminded of the genuine kindness and care that surrounds me. The “Minnesota Nice” attitude that stirs in the hearts of Minnesotans like the crackle of flames in the hearth of a fireplace. While people crack open the door and I crack a couple jokes to fill the silence of me shuffling through the door, I can’t help but smile.

If you’re not laughing, you’re crying. Am I right?

Kindness + Care,

Chloe

. . . .

P.s. Some of the jokes so far include the following:

Icee what you did there

Can't wait for Sprain Break!

I'm falling for you this valentines day.

What's HOPpening with you?

"You must have fell from heaven, because you're an angel!" "No I just fell on the ice"

I'm not falling for that again

Lean on me

There's trouble afoot

This is really putting a sprain on our friendship

Making my way downtown, crutching fast, faces pass, and I fell down, doodododododo

Let me know if you think of any more good ones!