Recently, I had surgery on my wrist and now have to wear a cast for three weeks. While my wrist, once healed, will finally be problem-free for the first time in two years, right now I struggle with mundane tasks like writing, lifting heavy objects and wearing jackets. Luckily, I am surrounded by caring people who are always willing to support me, including by signing my cast.
I was hesitant at first to let people sign my cast. I thought it was tacky and silly. But once Emma Foster ’24 convinced me to let them sign as part of a trade for their notes, my cast quickly filled up with other signatures. I went to the French class for which I am the teacher’s assistant, and the seventh graders immediately requested to sign, some even wrote sweet notes such as “UR NICE.”
Over the past few weeks, many have asked me and I have asked many if they would like to write their name or a cute message. Everyone has been so sweet to show their support for me when I am unwell, and now I hope to give that back to them. When they were there for me and signed my cast, I asked them when someone had been there for them or what they wished someone would say to them when they were hurt. I believe the best way to do that is not only with words but with a portrait as well, in order to fully encapsulate my community.
Emma Foster ’24: “I threw my back out deadlifting. I wish somebody would have told me to stay away from chiropractors.”
Carly Fox: “Something really meaningful that people have said when I have been hurt or just not in a great place in a variety of ways is when people remind you of how strong you are…You are a strong person and you have skills to get through this, and that you have a community.”
“When people simply ask ‘How can I show up for you?’… it gives you the power to really name that for them and to identify what would work for you and they are offering to say ‘how can I show up for you.’ ‘What would support look like?’”
Ri Sirota ’29: “People carried my stuff for me when I was in a knee brace and crutches for all of 6th grade.”
Diya Daryanani ’29: “My best friend in elementary school would always hang out with me because I couldn’t walk around much because I broke my toe.”
Naomi Rockower ’24: “I think there is a line between sensitivity and being overbearing and making a big deal out of something, and I would like to exist and be treated on the line.”
“Like when you are just moving about as a person in the world to—if you can help it—make sure the other person isn’t hindered by their injury or illness without making a huge deal about it because a person exists more than whatever their health circumstance is.”
Gabby Frank, Gunn ’24:“I wish that the people in my life, especially the adults, would remind me that it’s okay to not do anything after something terrible has happened.”
Ella Leppert, Gunn ’24: “When I was hurt once, my mom told me that I was the chooser. You get to choose who is a part of your life and you don’t owe it to anybody for them to be a part of your life.”
Cam Kaplan: “It’s true– even when you are not hurt– that you don’t have to constantly be doing something to be worth something. You can just relax, and that’s fine. I’ve heard it said that you don’t have to earn being tired. That you are allowed to just be tired, and that is not a moral problem.”
