Basket Case, Case Closed
Welcome to Your Love Breakthrough! Get Real. Love.
In this edition: Basket Case, Case Closed
Perspective – September Self-Doubt Reflections
Practical Tactics – The Takeaway
Close the Basket Case.
Perspective – September Self-Doubt Reflections
This month, I've written reflections on self-doubt and self-trust. This week, the Case in Point is a personal testimonial of how this has played out for me recently.
Case in point: A Study in Self-Doubt Management
I just started going to physical therapy (again) for an overuse-induced injury to my ankle and knee. I had been to this therapy facility before and had life-changing success.
On my first visit this time around, I misunderstood the appointment time and showed up 15 minutes late, apologizing the whole time. But the assigned therapist clearly wanted to ditch me for her next patient, who showed up 15 minutes early.
I provided the therapist with information from two other medical providers who have helped me. Of one, this therapist remarked, "It sounds like this person is in undergrad." Of the other provider's advice that certain exercises have injured me, she scolded, "If you're afraid of trying things, there will be nothing left for you to do."
Her dismissive attitude dredged up instances throughout my life where medical professionals and gym teachers cast off what I tried to tell them about my hidden physical challenges... and how their actions led to injuries and public humiliations (and more bad stuff). I cried for two hours after this appointment.
I felt stuck, but I opened up to a group of friends from my writing community, Pages and Platforms. Immediately, I received multiple encouragements to get rid of this physical therapist - that she was not professional, and I deserved better care.
So, I gathered the courage to call the physical therapy clinical and get reassigned. The person I spoke with on the phone didn't even know the details, but instantly reassigned me.
While in the waiting room before meeting my new therapist, my previous life-changing therapist strolled by and greeted me, remembering so many details about me. Without my naming the bad-fit therapist, he agreed on the change of therapists and assured me that my newly-assigned therapist was empathetic, insightful, and skilled.
Indeed, the new therapist has turned out to be excellent.
Practical Tactics – The Takeaway
Long ago, because of a club foot with mild paralysis on my left side, I was "diagnosed" with cerebral palsy, which is indiscernible to most, even to one of my foot surgeons.
The label "cerebral palsy", "meaning brain weakness", has become to me a metaphor for crippling self-doubt that I often confront. Although it may not be curable, it is treatable.
We may have besetting weaknesses, but through perseverance and support of a strong, caring network, we can move forward, upheld, and grow strong. We can learn to receive loving, truthful feedback, and also learn to trust ourselves.
Basket case closed.
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