I have just returned from a brief walk, just about .08 kilometres. This may not sound a great deal but it is the most I have been able to accomplish in the two years that have elapsed since my initial knee surgery. It was a delight to be out, and despite a rather gray sky the colours of the autumnal trees are still striking. Despite the continued discomfort, I now no longer walk like someone who has been on an immensely long sea voyage – I had a rolling gait that made me look like ‘Popeye’. That I can walk at all, and be out in the open air is a result of the rehab that I experienced just over ten days ago.
I was at the rehab centre for about ten days and initially felt considerable guilt about, what I considered to be, the undue amount of attention that was being paid to me. Each day I had three physiotherapy sessions (one of which was hydrotherapy) and found that not only did my knee and leg strengthen with treatment, but that I started to develop more confidence in my ability to walk normally. The physios said that there was no magic wand that they could wave to alleviate and ‘cure’ the pain and discomfort, but that they could work to improve my daily functioning. I was enormously impressed with the expertise and dedication of the physios whom I worked with during my stay, and despite the lack of a ‘magic wand’ they have been able to instill in me the feeling that it may be possible to get back to something like normal (whatever that may be!). Sadly though this may not be for a while yet, as now that I am making the effort to walk more normally it has revealed that my knee will require more surgery to stabilize and correct an overextension ( basically my leg bend too much in the wrong direction at the knee) in the knee that makes the leg unstable and tend to collapse unexpectedly. When walking I have to be extremely mindful that this is likely to happen – it makes each walk a little adventure to see if I can stay upright!
So, I have returned home from rehab with a detailed exercise schedule for each day that includes a walk. Now I have to be patient and wait for more surgery to correct the overextension. I find it very difficult to express how much benefit I gained from being at the rehab centre, not just physically, but psychologically as well. In being able to do this, and to be able to return again, probably post-surgery, is thanks to all of you and your immense generosity. Just sensing the goodwill directed my way has been hugely supportive and for that I also thank you.
I am hoping to see many of you at the Bodhi College 10th anniversary celebration taking place on Sunday the 1st of December at the Friends House in Euston London. If you can’t join us in person try and connect with us online (see the website for details). This event is not only a celebration of the ten years of Bodhi College’s existence, with all of the Bodhi College faculty taking part, but a chance to examine and discuss the crucial issue of ethical engagement in the changing contemporary world. As many of you will already know, this is a topic that I find of immense and vital importance in a world that can feel increasingly fragmented, unstable and unsafe. Looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible soon – I will be there courtesy of a taxi provided by Bodhi College!
/John Peacock