An older friend who is blind fell and broke his hip recently.After a hip replacement he is now in a rehab.unit. The plan is for him to return to his bungalow where he lives alone. He is making progress, but his confidence, such as it ever was for a man in his situation, is going to be harder to repair than the hip. 

I fell from the top of our steep stairs in 2014, and broke my hip in 2 places. From the ambulance men onwards, numerous people told me how lucky I was. Everyone seemed to know someone who had been found dead at the foot of their stairs. This did of course make me grateful, but being a glass half-empty gal it mostly made me feel I had used up my good luck. I was quickly walking unaided, and that is such a blessing.  

The recent icy weather has been a challenge. I walk every day, often with Spock, but when alone it is so hard to face the fear. When I return there is some pride, but mainly a sense that I am being plain stupid and irresponsible.

I tell my friend it will take time, but he will regain his confidence in time, but I don't really believe it. If we eat out somewhere where the loos are upstairs, I feel guilty using the disabled ones. I needed to at first, but 10 years on?

My question is this, does giving in to a fear just reinforce it, or is it a healthy sign of self-preservation?

Val

A Moodscope member