It is indeed interesting to see the flow of events after they have happened.

My first socialising experience post the surgery,

I was excited and joyous and looking forward to it very eagerly,

as I would be outside of the four walls of the house after almost two and half months (minus the few trips to the doctor),

and meeting friends with whom I knew there would be much a giggle and laughter.

I did though have some trepedition, apprehension and fear,

as I would be walking with a walker with only some load bearing on the healing leg, in terrains that are unfamiliar.

In the same breath, there was a lot of confidence that there was some load bearing on the healing leg,

and that would help balance the leg which has been working overtime the past two and half months,

which receives all my gratitude and love, which I am sure it feels in every cell, muscle and bone :-).

Steps, ramp, near the lift – where do I start my walk in? How will I walk? How will the flooring be?

Will I be troubling those whose houses I would be visiting?

Will I be troubling my friends, as they would need to help me quite a bit?

Many questions and many feelings, which ranged from one end of the spectrum to another.

Being in the field of education, inclusion is a word that is heard and said almost every other day,

though there are different perspectives and shades to inclusion, in the eyes of individuals.

It would not be possible to know what it is, to feel included or not, until one is in a situation that helps experience this,

How will my experience of ‘being included’ translate to learning, time will tell,

The thinking wheel, has started to turn already 🙂

With my physical ability being lesser currently, inclusion had its own meaning. It was

– not being looked at with sympathy

– someone being around me and yet not

– someone checking in and discretely so, ensuring that I was in a level of comfort

– someone being with me when I am walking on a terrain, that has its ups and downs

– most importantly, making me feel that I was a part of them and not apart from them.

It was a revelation for me, that inclusion wasn’t just in the hands of those who were around me. It also was my responsibility to advocate my needs. How?

– asking for help, when needed

– sharing in what way I am ‘differently abled’ currently and how it impacts me

– informing someone around me, if there is a discomfort

I walked out of my home (literally) for this socialising experience,  with feelings cutting across the spectrum,

and when I walked back home, it was only with an emotion of intense joy and gratitude,

Joy and gratitude of being included and of learning to be an advocate of my own needs.

A day that will always be cherished!!

People will forget what you did but people will never forget how you made them feel – Maya Angelou