Don’t Let Knee Pain Force You to Hit Pause on Your Life

This post was sponsored by DePuy Synthes as part of an Ambassador Program for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
Back in 1985 I was in a bad car accident. I was driving south down US 41 at night in the rain heading home from my Educational Statistics class at USF Sarasota. A woman in a rental car left a restaurant and tried to cross 3 lanes of traffic. Instead she hit the car I was driving. My car spun several times crossed all 3 northbound lanes and ended up in a parking lot. I took an ambulance ride to the hospital where I was diagnosed with a broken big toe on my left foot, a chip taken out of my right kneecap (because it jammed into the under dash CB radio), stitched on my right knee and a swollen face because my face hit the steering wheel between my nose and upper lip. I have always been thankful my injuries were fairly minor considering the scope of the accident. I saw an orthopedist for my knee and it was decided by the doctor and the insurance company that “since I wasn’t an athlete” I did not require surgery to repair my knee. As a 21 year old I was happy not to need knee surgery. I have dealt with knee pain and limitations for over 30 years, I wish I had had my knee fixed back then.

Honestly, I haven’t seen a doctor about my knee pain in years. Ron and I are both self-employed and we haven’t had health insurance in 24 years. It sounds crazy but I am biding my time until I’m on Medicare to have my knee evaluated and hopefully fixed. My knee pain affects my every day life, it has slowed me down and it makes doing some of my favorite things more difficult.

Visiting Walt Disney World, which I do monthly, is getting more easier. Getting in and out of rides, especially the boats ie. It’s a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Gran Fiesta Tour, and Frozen Ever After are all difficult to climb in and out of. The Disney trams and some other attractions are difficult to step up into because I don’t do stairs well anymore. Thankfully my family and friends are always willing to help me, but I hate needing help. It often feels like my more adventurous vacation plans are on pause because of my knee pain.

It seems crazy that I am looking forward to the day that I am old enough for Medicare and I can find a doctor who can fix my knee and help me hit play on my more adventurous vacation plans once again. If you are dealing with knee pain, don’t put your life on pause. Hit play, see a doctor and enjoy your favorite activities again.