A Restitution Narrative

A Restitution Narrative (after reading Ann Oakley’s Fracture)

Things you can’t do with a broken right arm (if you are right handed)

Do up your bra

Carry a round of drinks from the bar

Pull up your knickers

Tie the laces on your kickers

 

Zip up your jeans

Eat your greens (without help)

 

Expect people to give way when you are crossing the road

Use two hands to carry a heavy load

Avoid being bumped into

Go to the loo (easily)

 

Get offered a seat on the train

Lift your case in the plane

Put on make up

Leap out of bed when you wake up

 

Take the dog out for a walk

Not talk (because everyone asks how you are all the time)

Turn the key in a door

Pick things up from the floor (you fall)

 

Things you can do with a broken right arm

Walk with your friends

Talk with your friends

Sleep sitting upright

Never mind about being uptight (because you have an excuse)

 

Read lots of books

Let others be the cooks

Have control of the remote

Manage to put on your coat

 

Feed the cat

Wear a silly hat

Type with your left hand

Lie in the sun on the sand

 

Things you can look forward to with a broken right arm

Being able to take the lid off the ice cream

Holding open a magazine

Paying back your friends for their loving care

Doing your own hair

 

Driving a car

Playing guitar

Painting your nails

Going shopping in the sales.

 

Holding the phone to your ear

Knowing you are near

Getting excited about the rest of the year