I spent most of the summer in Summit County, avoiding the heat, climbing as I pleased, river bathing, and relaxing. Jackie enjoyed increasing her mileage on the thousands of miles of trails in the area, and I enjoyed running with her… in spirit, as I rested in the van. This lifestyle meant a bit of extra driving for Jackie and I both, but being surrounded by such beauty every day (and being able to sleep without sweating our asses off every night) was very worth it.
It was probably the freest I’ve felt in my life.
I was also able to focus on just a few rock climbs this summer, and finally sent my first long term project, achieving a personal lifetime grade goal.
It was probably the strongest I’ve felt in my life.
I was on a good roll. So why, sitting in this hospital room, hardly able to sit up, still five weeks from standing, and struggling to straighten my right arm, don’t I feel more bummed out? I think the answer comes if we reanalyze the paragraphs above.
What I didn’t say in the first paragraph was that this was the first summer in years that I didn’t travel outside of Colorado to climb. And the reason for this was the same as why I focused on just a few routes — I had a minor shoulder injury. I was limited. With my possibilities narrowed, I didn’t have to decide which state would have the best climbing weather or even which local crag to visit each day. There were just three routes in and near Summit County that I knew wouldn’t hurt my shoulder, so I alternated between those.
So, it was a limitation, counterintuitively, that led to my feeling as free and as strong as ever.
But maybe this shouldn’t be so unexpected. Isn’t self-imposed limitation exactly how Jackie and I have lived our lives for the last four years? We could buy almost anything we want and live almost anywhere we want, but we have chosen to live together in a van. We’ve realized that we can be happier if we limit what we can own. That if we narrow our lives to a 6’x8’ living space, we can focus on what is most important to us.
Living in a van with Jackie is probably the happiest I’ve felt in my life.
American Sportz Climbers
Now, sitting in a hospital room with 12+ broken bones and no hope of even walking until late November, I’m as limited as ever. My life has narrowed to this bed, my wheelchair, my phone, and my one visitor per day (Jackie). I don’t have much to do but notice all of the kindness that people have shown me. Climbers and rescue crew kept me calm and conscious at the crag and got me safely and quickly to a helicopter. Hospital staff have been extremely friendly and have always greeted me with smiles despite their obviously hectic days. Friends, family, and strangers have generously offered their time, support, and love. Jackie has made a full time job of just being with me. So, sure I’m broken for a while. But being unable to leave this bed on my own has made it easier to see just how lucky I am.
This is probably the most gratitude I’ve felt in my life.
The week’s major happenings:
Sunday, September, 26: Arrived at Swedish Hospital Rehab Facility. Confirmed alive!
Transport to rehab
Tuesday: Big day! Took my first shower since the accident. It was a bit painful and tiring, but it gets me one step closer to feeling human. I also went outside!
Wednesday: Got some very kind gifts from family, friends, and students.
My students are so nice :)
Thursday: Practiced getting into a car. The car doesn’t run, but that’s beside the point.
Saturday, October 2: Room independence declared! Ok, it was given to me. I can now move about my room on my own without assistance. This really just means that I don’t need help going poop, which is actually as big a relief as pooping itself.