50p
Crutches, Canes, Limps and Learning
At Brentwood, we live an active lifestyle. With jam-packed mornings, busy sports schedules and teeming arts afternoons, people are constantly moving from activity to activity around campus. Because of all this hustle and bustle, it is especially hard to be on crutches at Brentwood.
At any given time of the year, it is commonplace to see at least one person hobbling around campus on crutches, but right now, we have a whole troupe of clacking, injured-limb crutch-users parading multi-leggedly around campus in their daily routines.
Notable crutchees on campus at the moment include Terry L, and Avery G. They are joined by former-crutch-users who have since healed to walking sticks, Aidan C and Russill G.
When asked about his experiences with crutches, Russill describes it as a “long” process. Apart from decreased mobility, no sports, and having to wear an attractive blue cast, Russill also has to carefully wrap his entire leg in protective waterproof plastic every time he takes a shower, a challenge shared by cast-wearers world-wide. Russill’s broken foot, however, did not hamper him at the recent Graduation Dinner and Dance in Vancouver, where he looked dapper with a green camo-colored cane to coordinate with his tuxedo detail. Russill’s break was sustained when he Superman-leapt off a 25-foot ledge in an extreme game of Capture the Flag several weeks ago. Unfortunately, Rusty is not Superman, but his team did win the game.
Avery G, a Grade 9 on crutches, presents a different perspective and different injury, though no less extreme. Avery broke his tibia (shinbone - I had to look it up too) whilst wrestling – don’t worry: the break occurred in Nanaimo at his wrestling club, not in the halls of Ellis House. For Avery, the break has been an "expanding experience", giving him perspective on the privileges of mobility and demonstrating the joys of being able to walk. Avery echoes Russill’s sentiments: "It's a long time to get to the cafe" and when there, with crutches, one needs help with the trays. But despite these trials, Avery’s positive attitude and tenacity are great complements to the familiar thunk of his crutches as he trundles across campus. Avery is due to be out of his cast in a week and looks forward to “getting right back into sports”; he’s even excited at the thought of wrestling again!
Aidan C, also in Grade 9, is now out of crutches and, in contrast to Russill, uses a stylish wooden walking cane to support his gait and build up strength in his injured knee. Aidan damaged his left knee whilst playing basketball for Brentwood in January. This injury prevented him from performing in Brentwood’s musical Phantom of the Opera onstage, but he was still able to contribute with his voice from offstage and he looks forward to next year’s performance of Les Miserables. Until then, he is still on the mend.
For Brentonians and other broken-leggers alike, being forced to use crutches gives perspective and builds character, and, like many things in life, healing is an evolution that is both mental and physical. If one day I break a leg (touchwood), I hope I can demonstrate as much resolve and good humor as Brentwood’s current crutchees.
At any given time of the year, it is commonplace to see at least one person hobbling around campus on crutches, but right now, we have a whole troupe of clacking, injured-limb crutch-users parading multi-leggedly around campus in their daily routines.
Notable crutchees on campus at the moment include Terry L, and Avery G. They are joined by former-crutch-users who have since healed to walking sticks, Aidan C and Russill G.
When asked about his experiences with crutches, Russill describes it as a “long” process. Apart from decreased mobility, no sports, and having to wear an attractive blue cast, Russill also has to carefully wrap his entire leg in protective waterproof plastic every time he takes a shower, a challenge shared by cast-wearers world-wide. Russill’s broken foot, however, did not hamper him at the recent Graduation Dinner and Dance in Vancouver, where he looked dapper with a green camo-colored cane to coordinate with his tuxedo detail. Russill’s break was sustained when he Superman-leapt off a 25-foot ledge in an extreme game of Capture the Flag several weeks ago. Unfortunately, Rusty is not Superman, but his team did win the game.
Avery G, a Grade 9 on crutches, presents a different perspective and different injury, though no less extreme. Avery broke his tibia (shinbone - I had to look it up too) whilst wrestling – don’t worry: the break occurred in Nanaimo at his wrestling club, not in the halls of Ellis House. For Avery, the break has been an "expanding experience", giving him perspective on the privileges of mobility and demonstrating the joys of being able to walk. Avery echoes Russill’s sentiments: "It's a long time to get to the cafe" and when there, with crutches, one needs help with the trays. But despite these trials, Avery’s positive attitude and tenacity are great complements to the familiar thunk of his crutches as he trundles across campus. Avery is due to be out of his cast in a week and looks forward to “getting right back into sports”; he’s even excited at the thought of wrestling again!
Aidan C, also in Grade 9, is now out of crutches and, in contrast to Russill, uses a stylish wooden walking cane to support his gait and build up strength in his injured knee. Aidan damaged his left knee whilst playing basketball for Brentwood in January. This injury prevented him from performing in Brentwood’s musical Phantom of the Opera onstage, but he was still able to contribute with his voice from offstage and he looks forward to next year’s performance of Les Miserables. Until then, he is still on the mend.
For Brentonians and other broken-leggers alike, being forced to use crutches gives perspective and builds character, and, like many things in life, healing is an evolution that is both mental and physical. If one day I break a leg (touchwood), I hope I can demonstrate as much resolve and good humor as Brentwood’s current crutchees.
100p
