puppetmaker | Kneecapped

My knees and I have been through some pretty spectacular events through the years. I have fallen off of scaffolding, fallen off the back of a stage, played rugby, and many other activities and my knees have come through for the most part. One kneecap does float a bit and the other can be tentative at time but for the most part my knees support me. Which was a bit of a surprise that, after walking a half asleep Caroline up to bed, I started down the steps and about two down a blinding wave of pain came from my left knee which is the less damaged one. I took an anti-inflammatory and went to bed. Usually that does it. But standing up this morning was not fun and I am hoping that something hasn’t slipped. I have taken my anti-inflammatory and hope I can bowl tonight.

One of my biggest fears is losing the use of my hands or reduced function in either or both hands. Most of my art is dependent on my eyes and my hands being directed correctly by my brain. Most of the serious damage I have done to my body is to my back and my legs and feet. I guess that is lucky. I had an arm problem which was traced to a pinched nerve in my neck (Good guess Mom) so with observing some simple things like getting up and stretching, I can avoid that pain.

I know that my eyes are going to go over time. Everyone’s does. I have an advantage of having very thick corneas which will slow the degeneration over time. I have to wear glasses when I do fine work so I can thread needles and find where I put stitches. I also wear them when reading to keep from tiring out my eyes and while I am using the computer. But I can’t walk with them on because they tilt the world in a very funny direction.

There are times I wish I could sent my younger self a note and tell her what she needs to do to avoid the problems I am having now. But over all this body has done well for me. Now I have to take care of it.

I am grateful that I can walk today without too much of a limp.