SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

Joshua Owens

Photo of Joshua Owens

Joshua Owens likes to write and sometimes does by candlelight
very late into the night. What an unusual sight!
I’ve heard he’ll rhyme anytime there’s a need for humor,
but it could be just a rumor. Journalism is his major,
and he does refuse to plagiar...ize.




Photo of Joshua Owens Have you seen that guy crutching around the halls of Floyd Campus recently? Yeah, that’s me.

I broke my leg on Jan. 20 and life hasn’t been the same since. You can’t imagine how many trivial, mundane activities have been altered because of my newly acquired handicap. Opening doors is a hassle and so is carrying anything with any amount of thickness, like a book or a cup. And I still can’t park in handicapped spaces!

Despite all the superficial inconveniences, though, this ordeal has actually served as a real teacher for me. I would make a list too long if I were to enumerate each of the lessons that I’ve learned through losing the ability to walk like a normal person, so I’ll just give you the highlights.

Well, first off, now I know I’m not invincible. I can appreciate the delicateness of my body. Like David says in Psalms, I am “fearfully and wonderfully made.”

I knew that beforehand, but now this knowledge has come to life. For something as minor as a foot injury to completely change my lifestyle, I must admit that there is a fragile balance that can easily be thrown out of kilter.

I’ve learned it’s good to slow down. Since I didn’t choose to do it myself, it was done for me. Always a-go-go-goin’ takes its toll, which I realized after remaining in a hospital bed for a couple days.

I don’t recommend lying in bed for long periods of time, but I do suggest remembering to stop and smell the roses now and then.

Lastly, now I have empathy for a group of people I formerly was unable to relate to. I will certainly never look at someone on crutches the same way.

Hopefully when I’m back on my own two feet again, carrying my own plates and opening my own doors, I’ll look back on my time as a cripple and not take those simple pleasures for granted.