Immobilization

09/06/05

Worse. Much Worse. I had to hop to the bathroom. I cant put any pressure on it. This is bad. I had to call Robert and cancel the day's activities. Kaleb came and tried some African 'physical therapy' (basically trying to push the swelling back into my foot) but it was too painful. I don't know if the pain threshold is different here, maybe getting circumcised with a sharp stick (actual custom) changes things.

Mama Liz came a little later with some hot water and a gentler touch, and that helped. Robert came by to visit, he wanted me to look over a project he was asked to join as the head trainer. It is through ADRA, and was trying to do the right thing, except that it replaced the "C" in ABC with "Conduct – Not Condoms." Which is ridiculous. I encouraged Robert to take the gig as long as it would interfere with out project here, but to use the position to encourage the trainers he trains to offer practical advice about condoms if the kids asked about it. He assured me he would. He went out to inform today's groups that we wouldn't be by, and to find out if tomorrow's location is 'handicap accessible' (I feel like such an idiot.) So today I've just been hobbling around my simba reading Obinga Odinga's autobiography (mostly about Kenya's fight for independence from the British) and massaging and stretching my foot. Mama Liz just came by for my second physical (she's really wonderful), and my foot is feeling a little better, able to take some pressure, but I also took an advil, so that could be part of it.

That may have been the single most difficult thing I've done this whole trip. Shitting in a hole in the dark in the rain, with my sprained ankle. I can barely walk, let alone squat. I used my walking stick to make it to the shed, but as I was squatting down, the pain screaming through my leg, I almost lost it. I'm kinda surprised I came out clean.

BACK