Broken ankle
I'm making good progress on the ankle. Nearly four weeks since I broke it, and I can now walk round the house (albeit slowly and carefully.) without crutches.
Swimming is definitely helping - my leg muscles are still reasonably strong, and the foot is far more flexible.
It also looks as though my long-term habit of trying to balance for 20seconds a day on each foot has also had a long-term pay off. (Thank Michael Moseley's 'Just one Thing' podcast for that tip) It reduces your risk of falls, by improving your balance and strengthening your ankle muscles.
One of the official post broken ankle exercises is to do this for 30 seconds per day, and I can already do it without holding onto a chair. The next aim will be to try and do with with my eyes shut - which is much harder.
My morris target is to remain firmly with the band this week. Next week, and probably the week after, I may try walking through one or two dances. Trying to actually dance again is on hold until I've definitely got full muscle strength, balance, etc. back again.
Sword dancing will probably be viable a couple of weeks before morris dancing is, though I'll have to be careful as to which dances I attempt. Some are much easier/safer than others, so they will be the ones I try initially. And certainly none for the next two weeks.
So what am I actually doing?
I'm repairing tatter jackets. I'm 'ragman' for Anonymous Morris, so while I'm unable to get out much, I'm taking costumes one by one and tidying them up and doing any necessary repairs. Some of the older ones are being tarted up a bit ; some will have new tails added as dancers have grown taller.
This is what the tatter jackets look like.
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You are really incredible and your will is strong- ah, I wish I had at least a half of it. I can see that you have already set a plan and I know nothing can stop you from dancing again. Just be careful! The Anonymous will be grateful for you repairing the costumes!
As for me, this cursed thing will not leave me. It is a "faulty cell" issue and the only thing that can be done is to try and slow it down. Or to cut it off. Cutting is easy but it would take my tongue too. Which I do not like at all - a part od it is missing anyway. Well, the main thing is not to give up. And like you - I am NOT giving up. And no one knows how to slow it down...It is crazy!
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Wonderful that your ankle is doing so well - you are quite right to stay out of dancing for at least another 2 weeks.
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Maybe now you're setting a good example I'll start again, especially as I have slightly over flexible ankle joints(and hip joints, but not the poor knees caught in the middle!) and need to keep working on strength to balance the flex.
Tatter jackets look great. How lovely to be needing to add more tails because of growth.
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Let me know how you manage with the eyes shut balance.
I've also been recommended to get a wobble cushion and to stand on that. It may help me get back to dancing strength.
It is lovely doing 'growth' tatters. We have four under twenties in the side at present. 9, 10, 14, 16 - and they're all growing!
wonderful for the future of morris :)
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Four growing morris dancers is very wonderful indeed. I'm guessing the youngest is Oswin?
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My son can do things that look really scary! So can my sister.
Yes, the youngest is Oswin, and she's made good friends with the other two youngest. All three of them are in the longsword team as well.
BTW Oswin is a big fan of the Erin Hunter books - are those ones you read?
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Not getting on too well with eyes closed balancing! I may try eyes closed two-footed rises as an interim measure.
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She also loves the Redwall novels - which are small animals rather than cats, but I think are better written overall.
Try eyes closed with one hand resting on the back of a chair.
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I spotted the books involved cats, will definitely be checking the library catalogue.
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Oh that stand-on-one-foot thing sounds like an excellent idea. I definitely need to improve my balance; I'm moving into the age where falls are Very Bad. So glad to hear you are improving. (hugs)
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(Lovely icon)