I have thought about it, am still thinking about it. I too broke my ankle, rather viciously, playing hockey. Then Trump was elected. It may not seem related, but for a survivor of sexual trauma, oh, how it is. The related traumas of being stopped in your tracks--the physical, then the psychological, then the emotional. It’s a journey, a travail. Your work offers a scaffolding that may benefit us all as to what you learn, how you heal. Facing the disappointments, and the struggle to redefine and find strength. What you do matters, what you write has compassion, it is enough. You may well be leading any number of us with your wisdom to new paths. Caves ain’t it. Heal well, Lauren.
Very sorry to read you've got hurt, your testimonies are essential especially right now. We're in the middle of a seismic shift, things are not going to be the same anymore. And we all have a part to redefine and play.
Wishing you all the best with your recovery, injuring both ankles must be terrible. Re your stories, I can imagine it being difficult to be an observer, where any help you can provide is intangible, and where people naturally distrust people who are different, and foreign.
Thank you for your work, and your courage. I know from personal experience that healing from such an injury is a long and frustrating process. May you come out of it stronger than ever.
Thank you for the update on your situation, Lauren, and for the valid questions you raise. A body healing from a major injury has little capacity for big picture ideas. It is busy growing repair tissue as fast as possible, so you can run away if you need to. Its hyper-vigilant to threat. Being incapacitated is a real challenge to our basic survival impulses. Ultimately, put your own wellbeing first, when you work out what that is. I doubt the world needs more destroyed lives, hearts & minds: we have enough of those.
I don’t remember when I actually subscribed to Chills, and this is the first of your essays I’ve read.. sorry about that, as “NOTHING TO BE DONE” was excellent.. I was on the ground with you when you fell, in the hospital, home and in that park on the Syrian border..in other words you pulled me in for all of it..I think I remember you from twitter, a place I have escaped to reemerge at Post News.. I’m making adjustments for’24 and will effort to upgrade my subscription..Until then keep writing while you heal..It’s the thing to be done by you..
I, too, write, and wonder about its usefulness. I'm convinced enough to go on doing it. Your work is important to me, for its content as well as for the vulnerability you share. Best wishes as you recover.
It is no accident that you were reminded about the time in Syria. You felt helpless then, and you do now too. It’s so hard to have to depend on others to do everything for you, luckily this is temporary and with a good physical therapist you will soon regain your strength. But things won’t be the same. Your perspective on many things will shift, but you will have a huge appreciation for everybody who was there for you (long-lost Wolfe family, your dad and friends), as well as the body’s miraculous ability to heal. Although given the pictures you sent post-op, you had some wonderful medical care.
Every experience should make us sit and reevaluate our roles. One thing I am certain about is that whatever you do, it will matter.
I am so sorry you have broken your ankle. Having had lots of ankle problems, I cannot stop myself from giving you this unasked for advice: please take your healing and rehab seriously. The world needs you up, around and active; but it must happen when you are ready and healed, and not before. I totally related to your questioning if your hard work is enough. Please know it is. The world is a complicated, bewildering and scary place right now; understanding it requires thoughtful journalism, especially journalism focusing on the stories of the least valued among us. Your writing is so illuminating in this dark time. Wishing you patience and healing. Take this time to read, have long talks with friends, and reflect. The work will be there when you are ready.
I have thought about it, am still thinking about it. I too broke my ankle, rather viciously, playing hockey. Then Trump was elected. It may not seem related, but for a survivor of sexual trauma, oh, how it is. The related traumas of being stopped in your tracks--the physical, then the psychological, then the emotional. It’s a journey, a travail. Your work offers a scaffolding that may benefit us all as to what you learn, how you heal. Facing the disappointments, and the struggle to redefine and find strength. What you do matters, what you write has compassion, it is enough. You may well be leading any number of us with your wisdom to new paths. Caves ain’t it. Heal well, Lauren.
Very sorry to read you've got hurt, your testimonies are essential especially right now. We're in the middle of a seismic shift, things are not going to be the same anymore. And we all have a part to redefine and play.
Wishing you all the best with your recovery, injuring both ankles must be terrible. Re your stories, I can imagine it being difficult to be an observer, where any help you can provide is intangible, and where people naturally distrust people who are different, and foreign.
Thank you for your work, and your courage. I know from personal experience that healing from such an injury is a long and frustrating process. May you come out of it stronger than ever.
Thank you for the update on your situation, Lauren, and for the valid questions you raise. A body healing from a major injury has little capacity for big picture ideas. It is busy growing repair tissue as fast as possible, so you can run away if you need to. Its hyper-vigilant to threat. Being incapacitated is a real challenge to our basic survival impulses. Ultimately, put your own wellbeing first, when you work out what that is. I doubt the world needs more destroyed lives, hearts & minds: we have enough of those.
I don’t remember when I actually subscribed to Chills, and this is the first of your essays I’ve read.. sorry about that, as “NOTHING TO BE DONE” was excellent.. I was on the ground with you when you fell, in the hospital, home and in that park on the Syrian border..in other words you pulled me in for all of it..I think I remember you from twitter, a place I have escaped to reemerge at Post News.. I’m making adjustments for’24 and will effort to upgrade my subscription..Until then keep writing while you heal..It’s the thing to be done by you..
Cheers..
I, too, write, and wonder about its usefulness. I'm convinced enough to go on doing it. Your work is important to me, for its content as well as for the vulnerability you share. Best wishes as you recover.
It is no accident that you were reminded about the time in Syria. You felt helpless then, and you do now too. It’s so hard to have to depend on others to do everything for you, luckily this is temporary and with a good physical therapist you will soon regain your strength. But things won’t be the same. Your perspective on many things will shift, but you will have a huge appreciation for everybody who was there for you (long-lost Wolfe family, your dad and friends), as well as the body’s miraculous ability to heal. Although given the pictures you sent post-op, you had some wonderful medical care.
Every experience should make us sit and reevaluate our roles. One thing I am certain about is that whatever you do, it will matter.
Heal quickly and completely,
I am so sorry you have broken your ankle. Having had lots of ankle problems, I cannot stop myself from giving you this unasked for advice: please take your healing and rehab seriously. The world needs you up, around and active; but it must happen when you are ready and healed, and not before. I totally related to your questioning if your hard work is enough. Please know it is. The world is a complicated, bewildering and scary place right now; understanding it requires thoughtful journalism, especially journalism focusing on the stories of the least valued among us. Your writing is so illuminating in this dark time. Wishing you patience and healing. Take this time to read, have long talks with friends, and reflect. The work will be there when you are ready.