Another type of handicap

Besides ‘pride’, ‘trust’ is also a handicap to me. Remember the quote, “Pride comes before the fall.” You can replace ‘pride’ with ‘trust’ because both can get you in a world of trouble.

Before Kennedy’s Disease, I trusted that my muscles and reflexes would be there for me when I needed them. Whether work or play, my muscles and reflexes could be counted on.

For example:

• If I tripped, I would catch myself before I fell.
• If I dropped something like a tool, ball or cup, I would catch it before it hit the ground.
• If I became tired walking, biking or hiking, I would take a short break and everything would be fine.
• Nothing was ever too far.
• If something was too heavy, it just meant I needed a friend to help carry it.
• I never thought about not being able to get up from the ground.
• I never worried about climbing a ladder or the stairs.

Like ‘pride’, ‘trust’ always seemed to get me in trouble as my Kennedy’s Disease symptoms progressed. I felt I could still do whatever, whenever, until proven wrong. And, often, the proof was much worse than just a loss in trust.