It was a morning like any other. I showered and began dressing. I had chosen a black-and-white top I had recently bought, and now I was putting on my matching black slacks, lifting one leg, and suddenly I lost my balance and came crashing down.
I hit my head on a cabinet and found I was unable to get up. My necklace that I should have been wearing, so I could summon help if needed, was resting on the side table next to my recliner making it useless. In any case I was 10 feet away from it and I could hardly move.
I cursed my stupidity for refusing to wear the necklace. I had decided the necklace, with its black string, would be in the way of my costume jewelry. In any case, I was steady on my feet, so I thought, I wouldn’t fall. I fell. As I lay there, I realized no one would come looking for me anymore because they were busy with their own lives.
It was Thursday, and the cleaning woman wouldn’t be at my apartment till Monday, so I could lay there a very long time with no options.
I began, painfully, inching my way toward my cell phone, which was charging. Each step was so difficult. It was a long journey made longer by my stupidity. Finally, I reached out and pulled the cell phone off the table and then I called for help.
The emergency people arrived and lifted me off the floor. They assessed my problem, and soon I was on my way to the Boca Raton Regional Hospital.
I’ve learned my lesson. That necklace and I are inseparable. I tell you this tale of woe to forewarn you.
When I was a reporter at ABC, I did a senior segment about falling. I waited three weeks for a prominent physician to come on the show as an authority figure. I asked him what advice would you give seniors about falling. Then I waited for his words of wisdom and he just said, “Don’t Fall”. I offer these words as well, but if you are unfortunate enough to fall, please learn from my mistake.
If you have a necklace or bracelet, make sure it’s right on you. It could save you pain and grief. It may even save your life.
Judith Levy is the New York Times best-selling author of “Grandmother Remembers”, which has sold 4 million copies to date.
Her newest offering is “Great-Grandmother Remembers” which is bound to be another best seller. Both books are available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
