Mind Your Step

I’ve been practicing mindfulness a lot lately.

It’s not for spiritual or philosophical reasons. It’s not part of a new health regime or desire for awakening.

It’s because I had foot surgery.

I’ve had bunions for years. Not because of the wrong shoes, but because it’s a family trait. The timing was right, so I decided to start with the worst of the two feet. I’ll have to deal with the lesser problematic one later. But the idea is to undergo bunion repair surgery, so that I can ultimately keep up the active lifestyle to which I’ve become accustomed.

I won’t go into details about the surgery. It’s gory, and I’m squeamish. Suffices to say that my right foot needed pretty serious realignment that entailed an hour and a half under the knife, two major incisions, and the insertion of some permanent metal plates. Fortunately, I was asleep during the whole thing.

So far, the recovery seems to be going well. I’m lucky that I don’t have to go into an office every day. That would be hard.

Healing bone takes time, starting with a full four weeks during which I can’t put any weight on the affected foot. So, I hop or balance on the left foot for very short distances. I have a pair of crutches lent by a friend. However, most of the time I use a nifty knee crutch, called an i-walk. It takes more balance and practice than normal crutches, but also makes it easier to negotiate stairs and leaves my hands free to do other things.



The crutch looks a lot like a peg leg. In fact, from the front, it makes me look like I’m missing the lower half of my leg, which has momentarily shocked more than one friend or acquaintance. I’ve become pretty adept at getting around on it. I can walk the dog around the block with it, though at about 25% of my normal walking pace. While handy, it’s still awkward and tiring and pretty hard on the knee when used for any length of time.

Most importantly, it’s forced me to slow down and to pay attention to every step I take. If I don’t, the price can be high. So, I have to be mindful – carefully following the definitions of the term: to bring one’s attention to experiences occurring in the present moment (Wikipedia); living in the moment and awakening to your current experience (Psychology Today); maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing, and accepting lens (Greater Good Magazine).

This whole experience also has made me much more aware of all the people around us functioning with limited mobility. If you pay attention, there are many; people with canes or walkers or braces or crutches. People in wheelchairs. I notice them, and I notice all the sidewalk curbs, irregularities, steepness of hills, and door thresholds that I would normally take for granted.

Fortunately, in my case, it’s all temporary. Presumably, in a few more weeks, I’ll be allowed to put my foot to the ground – albeit in a protective boot. I’ll have some physical therapy and slowly make my way back to my normal activities.

I went into all this convinced that it was worth it. Having a foot that’s more in alignment means fitting into ski boots, hiking shoes, and warrior one position without pain.

Coming out of it, I’m more changed than expected. I don’t take for granted the ability to be mobile and active. And I have a new respect for those who do so in the face of constraints and disabilities.

Mind your step. When it means every step. Well, that is enlightening.