Our country is limping economically with a weak rand, sky high fuel prices and an impoverished public.
A sign on a factory gate in Anderbolt, Boksburg. 12 November 2020. Picture: Neil McCartney
I’m writing to you in pain this week, dear reader. Life, in all its cruelty, has pointed out to me that I’m getting older – not a message I like to hear. On Wednesday, I walked down three little steps when my right knee suddenly collapsed beneath me. It wasn’t a huge surprise. I had problems with the knee before and the doctor warned against the possibility. The result was a badly mangled knee and a panicking Dirk who had to cancel all his plans for the day and drive to Pretoria to get help from my not-too-sympathetic doctor. ALSO...
I’m writing to you in pain this week, dear reader. Life, in all its cruelty, has pointed out to me that I’m getting older – not a message I like to hear.
On Wednesday, I walked down three little steps when my right knee suddenly collapsed beneath me. It wasn’t a huge surprise.
I had problems with the knee before and the doctor warned against the possibility.
The result was a badly mangled knee and a panicking Dirk who had to cancel all his plans for the day and drive to Pretoria to get help from my not-too-sympathetic doctor.
Today, the kneecap is back in position, although I can’t deny that someone screamed like a little girl during the process.
There’s still considerable pain involved, but I’m looking forward to a complete recovery.
I will, however, have to use a pair of crutches for the next six weeks, which is a frustration as I have never used crutches in my life.
Not these modern, aluminium sticks, nor the wooden ones that my childhood friends with broken legs had to use decades ago.
I don’t know how to walk with them, I battle to synchronise my steps… but I’m learning.
Of course that isn’t the end of the world – I have full recovery and a healthy leg to look forward to, even if it means that I have to take things slowly for the next month or two.
At least it gives me time to think about the things that really matter to me – love, children and our lovely country.