The good news: I was reminded how nice New Yorkers can be. The bad news: I had to take a monumental fall near 31st and 7th to rediscover this.
I mean a full-tilt, face-down, wind-knocked-out-of-me fall. Damn curbs.
No fewer than six people came running over to see if I was all right, to pull my suitcase (which was still partly in the street) closer to me, and to help me sit up.
When I could breathe again I asked for help getting my backpack off because my left shoulder (which was already somewhat frozen) really, really hurt. Two older women eased the bag off and tied it atop my rolling suitcase so I didn’t have to lug it. Then a couple of guys – one in a business suit, one in sweats and a porkpie hat (!), helped me slowly to my feet.
The damage:
- Scraped my left palm a bit.
- Haven’t looked at my knees yet but the left one is stinging so it’s probably scraped, too.
- My left shoulder and I are no longer on speaking terms. Maybe the Advil will open up the lines of communication once more.
- Still a little queasy from the sensation of falling, and of landing flat on my stomach.
- Still really embarrassed about falling down.
Guess who’s going to be a lot more careful about where she puts her feet for the rest of the day?
I’m in New York briefly to meet up with some editor types and a couple of potential collaborators – and, maybe, to be lucky enough to chosen in the “Book of Mormon” ticket lottery.
Tonight, however, it’s going to be all about the deadlines. I have two of them the day after I get back. Here’s hoping this is my only Manhattan mishap.
I do hope the Advil helps! Glad that folks helped and you are mobile. Take care of yourself.
Rest and ice. I hope that you feel better very soon.
Sorry you fell, but still… what a nice affirmation of humanity that so many people stopped to help you!
I had something similar happen to me over the summer. I had taken 2 of my new staff to a training class off-site. We were on our way back into the building and I had my arms full of training supplies, my laptop bag, and my purse. Completely missed the curb and went face first into the cement. My elbow broke my fall, saving my face but causing excruciating pain in the process. Had to try with all my might not to start crying like a baby in front of my new staff and the trainer we had flown in from Florida. My body recovered but definitely still feel the shame. My new recruits were so sweet though – one is a trained EMT and both were in the military. Nice to know there are still chivalrous men in this world who will help and only snicker a little at the boss not being able to walk and talk at the same time.
Glad you found compassionate people. Hope you feel better and recover quickly.
Its nice to see that even in a large impersonal city people can still be caring and considerate. I hope you recover quickly from the effects of the fall, with no lasting effects. And if it helps any, I think we all have had our share of particularly embarrassing moments, so don’t feel bad.
You poor thing. I’d say get rest but that’s not going to happen in NYC ! Feel better.
True! Between Philly (where I started this morning) and New York I’ve probably walked 30 blocks today. Tomorrow I have three work-related appointments plus standing in line for the ticket lottery. Thus far on Wednesday I have three appointments, too. Guess I can sleep on the plane on the way home.
It’s amazing that even though we grow older it still hurts when we fall down just as it did when we were little. Hope you feel better soon!
Donna! Don’t forget how powerful Epsom Salts can be in times of need! Take care and be careful – happy travels!
Embarrassment will thankfully fade. I hope the injuries heal even faster. I’ve fallen publicly and I know it feels awful; everyone else out there has some similar experience. That’s probably why New Yorkers are helpful: they’ve been there, too. Don’t dwell on anything except taking good care of yourself.
Sorry you had to fall in front of others, but glad that they helped you!!! Come back to Alaska and recover–in the snow we got today! 🙂
So I hear!
Ouch! Wishing you a speedy recovery!
Oh no! Hope you feel completely better soon!
I lost hold of a suitcase in the subway in downtown Manhattan — a well-dressed society type grabbed it and brought it back to me. In horror, I found myself blurting out, “But you’re from New York!” She said, “Not all of us are rude, Honey.”
Bruises and embarrassment fade…glad you’re not hurt worse.
Sorry for the fall. Happy about humanity. Rest well. I hope your “owies” don’t interrupt too much your enjoying the city.
Sorry to hear about your fall. Would it be possible for you to take a hot bath? I always think this time of the year is dangerous re falls with so many dead and slippery leaves around.
Nope, I’m staying at a hostel and it’s showers only. In this case, it wasn’t dead leaves — just me not watching where I was going. Ow.
Well if you are not successful with Book of Mormon there are so many other great shows to see. Recently I read about “Love Letters”
http://lovelettersbroadway.com/
Currently Carol Burnett and Brian Dennehy are starring in it.
So many great shows opening:)
Hope the pain goes away quickly so you can enjoy the rest of your trip.
That’s an ouch if I ever read one. Hopefully you can get hold of some Salonpas patches for your shoulder to bolster your Advil. My mother frequently sticks those patches onto her arthritic hips and they seen to help her walk more easily. And it’s always good to read about the kindness of strangers, especially in such a huge city as New York.
Ouch! Do remember that for every fall you have you increase the likelihood of falling again. Tread carefully until you are healed.
OUCH!!! With ya on the falling, what a rotten feeling. This winter I went down hard in my driveway going to get the newspaper. Hard enough to knock the wind out of me and gain a new respect for snow and ice. Glad to hear NY was well represented and you weren’t seriously hurt.
Hope you recover quickly so you can enjoy the rest of your trip!!
Find a spa and get a massage. It will help with the soreness. Glad you’re not badly hurt.
Funny you should mention that: Was walking back from morning prayer service at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and went past an Aveda spa with $50 for an hour-long massage. Hmmmm…..
Donna, so sorry to hear about your fall and hope that you recover quickly — both from the physical pain and the emotional aftermath! It reminds me of a similar fall I took in NYC years ago. Our son was only a little guy at the time, but was having major surgery in NYC and my husband & I were taking turns spending the night with him in the hospital. We had secured a room at the Ronald McDonald House also. It was my husband’s turn to spend the night with our son, and I was going back to the Ronald McDonald house by taxi. I guess I was really tired because 2 steps after I got out of the taxi, I tripped on the sidewalk and I fell face first — my teeth went through my bottom lip and I was bleeding profusely. It was even more embarrassing because it was right next to an outside dining area! People were quick to help me but I was embarrassed nevertheless. Of course, I ended up in the emergency room!
Long story short, during all our trips to NYC to see doctors and for hospital stays for my son, almost without exception we found New Yorkers to be kind and so willing to always help no matter what the situation was! I’m so glad to hear that you found them to be the same way. Hope you feel better soon!
Thanks to all of you for your kind comments.
I hope you are feeling better. Everyday working New Yorkers are good people. Many of them live in NJ:)
Those NYC sidewalks are tricky. It is difficult to see the sidewalk sometimes when there is a crowd. I fell near Penn Station. I was walking fast to make the train home. I had to stop short because the person in front of me stopped unexpectedly. I darted right, my foot caught on something on the sidewalk and down I went. I was helped up. So bloody kneed and determined, I made that train on time. I put myself back together on the train ride home.
Sorry to hear about your fall. Glad that you shared your story because it was nice to hear that you received helped in a time of need. Try and enjoy the rest of your trip 🙂
Oh no. I am so sorry you fell, but hope you are OK. Ice that shoulder as much as you can along with the Advil. Heat comes later once the swelling is down. (I cannot help dispensing advice. I am a Mom!). Thanks for letting us know that caring people still exist. I hope you feel better soon.
oof! Falls like that can really take it out of you, not just physically, but from the shock and abruptness of it. My son drove me to a meeting and parked closer to the curb than I’d realized. When I stepped out of the car, I tried to adjust my balance and caught my foot on the darned thing. Went down on hands and knees, half on the curb and half on the grass, all in my pretty skirt. No harm done, but I was more than a little rattled. Luckily, the meeting went well (aside from me spilling my water, nearly on the guest speaker. She handled it with aplomb.)
Hope you’re feeling okay today and that the bumps and bruises heal quickly.
Oh dear!! Hope you are doing well :D!!
Hope you are not too sore and get a massage.
I had my 90 year old father out for his weekly shopping a few weeks ago and he missed and fell. I immediately figured his hip was broken. A volunteer fireman saw it was going to happen and was there before Dad finished the fall. He took charge and we got dad up. All dad complained about was his elbow.
I know he got lucky.
Glad you found some “nice” New Yorkers.
Sorry to hear about your fall.Hope you are better today. I am a klutz and fall on and off. Usually you are more stiff the next day. Thank god you didn’t break anything, which could have happened. You’ll have to get your honey to give you a good massage when you get home-ha! ha!
Ugh, no good! Hope you’re on the mend soon. But, it certainly does restore one’s faith in people–I’m glad to hear you had so many helpers!
Curbs seem to be getting more aggressive. We haven’t been on real good terms since I have gotten older.
Take care of yourself my friend.
I hope your shoulder’s much better now and am so glad that you didn’t break anything. Those darn curbs will just leap out in front of your feet when you least expect it! (In my case, out from under my feet.)
Treacherous. That’s what they are.