I Came, I Crutched, I Painted
Birthday Reflections: One Wild, Wobbly Year
Well, I made it. (barely!) Another trip around the sun — and what a weird orbit it’s been.
A year ago, on May 3rd, 2024- I was hit by a car. Not metaphorically. An actual Volvo drove into me on the sidewalk on Sheridan Road. (I am eternally grateful that no dogs were with me when it happened and that I didn’t hit my head) That day kicked off a pretty gnarly chapter: a broken knee (tibial plateau), a torn ACL, two meniscus tears (because why stop at one?), and a summer date with orthopedic surgery on June 28th. (Happy Birthday to Mike! Sorry, love!)
“The Leg: A Slideshow”
The months that followed were... humbling. Crutches and wheelchairs and braces. Physical therapy. A lot of time staring at my leg, wondering if it will ever cooperate again. Getting a glass of water or going to the bathroom took an hour and zapped all my energy. Oh man, and the velcro! So much velcro, everything stuck to everything else- brace velcro, ice pack velcro, calf compression sleeves with velcro and that ripping noise every time you adjust… Whoa there, gotta stop myself, I digress… I finally ditched the crutches in the fall (freedom!!) and the brace shortly thereafter, but I’m still working my way through physical therapy. I wore my “It’s my Birthday” headband to my appointment at 7:45 this morning. The ultimate goal is being able to run again and I’m on my way- I can do lots of things that I couldn’t months ago and I am slowly but surely rebuilding strength.
Despite all the challenges this past year presented, it wasn’t just about injuries and ice packs. In fact, some pretty beautiful things bloomed in the middle of all the chaos.
I tried not to let my broken leg stop me!
Even though I needed a wheelchair, I rarely missed my weekly volunteer shift at the Lincoln Park Zoo on Tuesday afternoons. I had just completed one training session before the accident, but they welcomed me with open arms, a loaner wheelchair, and the most amazing co-volunteers, who literally pushed me around the zoo every week in my chair. (Thank you, ladies!) I’d leave every shift exhausted but with a huge smile and renewed energy.
Since I wasn’t able to walk dogs, I leaned into my art — and I’m happy to report, it shows. I created some beautiful works, explored new mediums, and began assisting on murals! (Cue confetti!)
I was supposed to have a trial session with Ryan Tova Katz on the very day I got hit by the car. I was devastated to no-show and messaged her that I felt like I was on a TV show. She replied: “If this is a TV show, the next episode will be you painting a mural.” I mean... how cinematic is that?
Well, spoiler alert: she was right. I finally got to meet Ryan this spring and have painted with her a couple of times — and I’m wicked excited for future projects.
This year was impossibly hard- there’s no sugarcoating it. But it was also filled with unexpected silver linings, incredible people, and a renewed sense of purpose.
To everyone who visited, brought meals, sent cards, gifts, food, texts, hugs, or love of any kind — thank you. Your kindness got me through the hard stuff. I’m endlessly grateful.
Thank you Mike- you held me up, in all the ways.
In a couple days, Mike and I are off to Massachusetts to cry happy tears as we watch Kaleigh graduate from UMass Amherst on Saturday. (HOW?! How are we this old?!) But truly, I couldn’t ask for a better way to kick off my next trip around the sun.
Here’s to healing, creating, running (eventually), and saying yes to the next opportunity.
— Mary Beth 💛
Edited to add: She did it! Kaleigh graduated from UMass Amherst! 🎓✨
