Monday, July 31, 2006

Ode to My Ankle

My ankle and I have had many adventures together, but as the picture above shows I fear it may be time to trade it in for a new one. Apparently when God was handing out strong ankles...I was in line for the food.

I remember back when we had our first encounter with tragedy, it was baseball season...6th grade All-Stars. I tried to steal third and as I slid my ankle turned the wrong way as I hit the base. I couldn't get up. It was crutches for me as I missed the last 2 games of the series...which we lost.

Then there was 9th grade spring training. My chance at the big time...spring practice at the high school. Unfortunately for me, that ended when some biggin fell on the back of my leg and rolled up my ankle. Crutches again...and I missed out on asking this really hot girl to the dance that year.

Let's not forget the lock-in, 11th grade. Rolled my ankle playing basketball within the first 2 hours of an all night lock-in. Nothing quite like spending an exciting lock-in at the Y with your leg propped up.

Years roll by and so does my ankle...sprains here, strains there. Sometimes swelling...sometimes crutches...sometimes just a weird limp for a day or two.

It hasn't been all bad...football, basketball, wrestling, and even karate were without problems most of the time. I did make it down the aisle with my beautiful wife without incident. Survived Wilderness Trek without a tweak...and of course the latest trip to Six Flags and White Water.

So as I recover from yet another sprained ankle, I guess I owe my ankle some props. Without it I would have never known all the wonderful variations of ankle braces there are in the world (I think I have worn them all)...I wouldn't have known you can still get hurt even when you wear them. How about all the cool things you can do on crutches...when you're bored...and everyone else is playing the games you can't.

Here's to you ankle...may we have no more incidents, sprains, strains (or automobiles). There's no way I can sit on the sidelines for the rest of my life.

BTW, anyone know any good strengthening exercises?

5 comments:

Lerra said...

I don't know any good strengthening exercises, but can I interest you in a ziploc bag of ice? Or perhaps some of my naproxen?

Hey, maybe you could get a bionic ankle. That would be SWEET. Ya think insurance would cover it?

Jamey said...

Isn't it weird how all of the colors work from the inside out when something happens to an ankle...I guess it's trying to make something yucky be pretty.

Kenny has one of those weird rubber band things he had to work his ankle with after he messed it up...what happens when you're finished with rehab? Are you supposed to keep that thing or throw it away?

Lauren said...

i too have had issues with my ankle in that past, but not as severe as yours! well, i am sorry about your ankle sharkman. at least it's a lovely shade of purple.

Ashley @ pure and lovely said...

jamin knows some good ones! oh and the hot girl you didnt get to ask to the dance...not as hot as lerra! and ps..."the years roll by and so does my ankle" awesome..

Roxy Wishum said...

Well, that is just lovely! At first I thought is was Prince (the purple one). As a matter of fact, I know exactly what will make it feel better. Nutter Butters. Not the ones shaped like a peanut with the soft, dry cookie but the one that is really crispy and you break off in two's. I am not making this up--they make everything better!