Everything has changed—the way I fit into the world and how I move through it. In an instant, I have become old. I am invalid. Kind people offer help, and I feel anger. Inquisitive glances glide off me when I look up at them. I am a Teflon pan—nothing sticks to me.
If only I hadn’t climbed that roof. If only I’d left home five minutes later.
“We’ll remove the cast next week,” the doctor says, and I am summoned back to life.
.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here
Neil MacDonald Author 
This made me chuckle, Neil.
But it is true that our equilibrium can be upset by relatively small things.
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Fall outside the norm and the fall can be precipitous
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It certainly gets harder for older people 😦
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It does, though my idea was that he wasn’t old, just feeling what it was like to be old because of his need for crutches
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Oh ok. We take our body too much for granted until something breaks.
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I enjoyed reflecting on the phrase “I am invalid”. Switching the stress on the word says a lot about our society. Well done.
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I’m glad you picked up on the invalid. The title, too, is a play on words. Thank you, Sandra
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I’m glad it was only temporary for him.
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It was, but it changed him
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Dear Neil,
Sounds like a temporary time of whinging. At least the cast will come off. Sounds like he was lucky. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much, Rochelle
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Loved reading this, Neil. In the real story, I sat and thought: if only I hadn’t thrown the ball for the dog when standing on the edge of the deck. 🙂
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thanks so much, Susan. Sorry about the deck
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It’s tough when the body starts to fail. He’s lucky he didn’t break his neck.
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He’s up and about and running half marathons again
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Well I’m jealous!
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An interesting variation on walking a mile in someone else’s shoes!
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Maybe he’ll be a more empathetic person as a result
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I believe- ‘whatever is going to happen, will happen’.
There’s not much we can do about it.
Things will be fine soon!
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Let’s hope so
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You just never know what’s coming next!
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History’s just one damn thing after another
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You’ve just given me another excuse not to climb my roof and adjust that aerial!
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Send a climbing boy
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This makes you reflect on the awful names we attach to those who are differently abled, invalid is really quite an outrageous word with all the connotations that go with it, but a good choice to provoke thought, well done.
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Thanks so much
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Ah, a bit of a different vantage point, this gives, eh? Perhaps it’ll teach compassion and empathy, perhaps not … 😉
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Probably not. Memory is short
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Sometimes that’s a good thing … to a degree … but yeah, some people won’t learn from anything …
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At least he’s only been invalidated for a week. Others have it a lot worse.
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That is definitely true
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accidents happen. it could have been worse. he should be thankful for that. 🙂
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He’s not given to seeing the bright side of things
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I love the word plays. It’s a well-written exploration of the loss of dignity with disability or age.
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Thanks so much, Penny. Exactly. It’s the loss of dignity that’s really afflicting him,
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I really like the wordplay in your textured story.
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Thanks so much, Jade
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You’re welcome, Neil.
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A temporary situation but one which has hit him hard.
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A loss of dignity will do that
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He’s certainly feeling sorry for himself but at least it’s only temporary and he might learn from the situation.
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A lovely happy ending that gives hope to a situation that is frustrating. Good story Neil.
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Thanks so much
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I have definitely been there. This one made me smile and it is a self-deprecating smile. 🙂
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I’m glad it made you smile
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I the distant past I have put casts on a few broken bones. But writing up case notes never was my thing. Thank heavens for fiction writing, and well done you
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Thanks so much, Michael
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I also picked up on the “invalid”… And ‘if only’ serves no purpose.
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It doesn’t, but it’s human. So it serves a purpose in the story
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That description is brilliant… ‘teflon pan’.
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Thanks so much
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We never realize how much we need some parts of our bodies until they aren’t working.
When I had knee surgery I felt incapable of breathing. Odd ??? I suppose I was in shock.
People do react a bit different when you walk in with crutches. I liked the direction of this imdightfully
written tale, Neil. Have a wonderful weekend …
Be Safe … Isadora 😎
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Thanks so much, Isadora
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I can sense the frustration throughout this and the regret of not being as young as he once was.
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He’s actually in the prime of his life. Just with temporarily limited mobility
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Oh well done. Perfect mood shift from depression to seeing light at the end.
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Thanks so much, Laurie. Put the unaccustomed optimism down to vaccine news
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