James Wesley:
Regarding the recent letter, “Learning More Than Just Weak Hand and Shooting”: As one who has been on crutches several times due to surgery, had my left arm in a cast three times, a broken ankle, had a concussion, and many sprains throughout my athletic years, I tell people that you don’t realize how much you do without thinking about it, and to think about it every day. Brushing your teeth, getting up and down from a toilet, taking a shower, going up and down stairs, working with tools, caring for your family (children, dogs, spouse) and friends, getting in and out of bed, getting dressed, and on and on and on. I tell people to try not using an arm or a leg for a few days, and go as far as wearing bandages or air casts. Pretend that one eye is injured, and wear an eye patch for a week. Try not to be able to talk (to mimic voice issues), and carry pad and paper and learn to gesture your thoughts — it’s like playing Pictionary and Charades.
I know from experience the amount of inconvenience any injury can cause. I know I would rather have a broken bone than a soft tissue injury 9 times out of 10 because they heal a lot faster. – Lee