Simon Barratt

One year anniversary

The 7th of July marked the one year anniversary of my ruptured achilles tendon.  Not a great anniversary, but at least I am pretty mobile now.  Walking without a limp (most of the time), still have sensitive skin at the back of my heal (some shoes still rub), leg size seems to have reached what it once was too.

An injury like this makes you appreciate your legs (and arms - for crutches).  It also makes you realise how adaptable you are in dealing with it.  You work out new routines quite quickly.  Backpacks are essential!  You also learn that wet floors and crutches are not a good combination! I still stop myself when I approach the same set of steps that I had the accident on - that is a bit wierd!

The most unexpected side effect of my injury, has been the self support group that developed on this blog.  I just wanted to moan about how much it sucked, but slowly and surely, well wishers and fellow sufferers found the blog and adopted it as self support system.  At my last count the main achilles thread had over 1700 comments.  People from all around the world sharing what they are going through and gaining reassurance from the crowd by asking questions and getting answers - Achilles Tendon 2.0 in action!