Falling

Gravity wins.

I had a spectacular fall this week. Luckily, I emerged with only a bruised and swollen knee, but it could have been much worse. I was playing a shepherd in our church’s live Christmas pageant, and like all the other participants I was dressed in a homemade costume. Mine included a long robe, a headdress, and a shepherd’s crook.

I didn’t have any lines, but my instructions were clear — walk slowly to the manger, following an angel. Then when the scripture was read saying that the shepherds went home, I was to get up and walk back to my pew. Who could screw that up?

Well, I could, apparently. I was kneeling near the manger when the appropriate time arrived. I pushed myself upright with one leg, but the other leg got tangled in my costume, and I was suddenly off-balance. I took a hurried step forward to regain my footing, but that step took me over the stairs that lead down from our chancel.

Suddenly, so fast that I couldn’t even keep track of what was happening, I was flying over the stairs toward our baby grand piano. Mid-flight I heard someone exclaim, “Oh my God!” I smashed into music stands and microphones, and landed flat on my face, my headdress still intact.

Our congregation includes many medical professionals, and soon I was surrounded by doctors and nurses and firefighters. They were checking my pupils and asking all the usual questions: “Did you hit your head? Is anything broken?” I was embarrassed, and my knees hurt, but there were no major injuries.

I was impressed that after just a short delay, the pageant continued.

This wasn’t the first time I’ve hit the deck. A few years ago, in Mexico, I got jostled while I was carrying some groceries, and I tripped over a curb. My tortillas and soda flew everywhere, and once again, people crowded around to see if I was okay. I was, pretty much. I had bashed my knees, but not badly.

It’s a very strange feeling to be falling. There is a total lack of control. I try to grab something, but there is nothing there. And when I finally do land, it hurts of course, but the most prevalent feeling is that of gravity. It is surprising to me how powerful gravity is, and how heavy it makes my body feel. I inhabit the same body when I am walking, but it feels nowhere near the same.

These falls make me think about aging. About 25% of all people over age 65 fall each year. As we get older, the percentage rises. Most hip fractures (over 80%) are caused by falls. Here’s the scary news: over 20% of older adults with a hip fracture die within one year.

Everyone can reduce their chance of falling by following an exercise program that focuses on balance, leg strengthening, and sit to stand ability. In particular, yoga and tai chi are good choices, as is simple walking. Take care of yourself, and stay on your feet!