I am lying on a rickety bed surrounded by a white plastic curtain, with an interesting net part at the top, I suppose to let in the light.
I listen to a lot of voices. Young women who are attending us, the patients. Unseen people talking about levels of pain.
A charming young woman slips a large slanted object under my legs. To raise the ankle, the sprained ankle. It is comfortable.
I am having my third session of physiotherapy in the marvellous Mexican Red Cross rehabilitation centre, in Cuernavaca. Here, all sorts of people with aches, pains and sprains come to be improved and sent home again with exercises to practice.
I sprained my ankle just over two weeks ago, on a typical Mexican pavement. An irregular, cracked and deformed kerb, that I managed to step on and twist my ankle. An X ray at the Cruz Roja revealed nothing worse than a sprain. Since then, I have been hobbling about. Trying to listen to my body and not do too much…
The Mexican Red Cross dates back to 1910, with their first location in Mexico City. It is “a non-governmental, humanitarian, impartial, neutral and independent private assistance institution; that mobilizes networks of volunteers, communities and donors to operate programs and services that aim to preserve the health, life and alleviate human suffering of the population in vulnerable situations” (www.cruzrojamexicana.org.mx).
They carry out extraordinary work in support of people in communities affected by flooding, earthquake, volcanic eruptions, explosions, riots, civil violence, accidents… They did amazing work during the pandemic.
Independent and self-funded, they constantly strive for donations. There are times in the year when we all give, particularly as we pass through toll booths on the motorways. Volunteers approach each car as it passes through, and nearly everyone donates something.
Of course, any attention the we receive from the Red Cross we pay for, but at prices that are accessible to most people.
I turned to the Red Cross when I sprained my ankle. The attention I received was excellent, efficient and encouraging. On a previous occasion they looked after me when I was stung twice by a scorpion and I had a serious reaction. They are always calm and comforting.
I am told today that my ankle is doing well. Now I have standing-up exercises to do. With one more session to come this week. I am so pleased. It will be 3 weeks this coming weekend that I fell. I am desperate to get back to my former active self, drive my car and go out for a walk.
I totally agree about the Mexican Red Cross. Excellent service at a very low cost.
Get better soon!!!