CLIC Sargent has been doing something pretty cool this month, and raising the awareness of its work by asking bloggers to write about their survival stories.
Hmm. While I’m all about a good cause or two, I have a bit of a secret to share: I’ve never really been ill. I’ve never broken a bone, or fractured anything. I’ve never had concussion. As yet, I’m blessfully untouched by any chronic conditions or serious illnesses. I don’t even get colds very often. I did used to get asthma when confronted with feather pillows or furry dogs, but even that cleared up when I was pregnant.
So I’ve been struggling a bit to come up with a ‘survivor’ story to post on my blog. “I had a bit of a sore throat but it didn’t really develop into much” isn’t exactly fingernail-biting stuff, let’s face it.
Then I realised that I consider Flea surviving each day to be a miracle – I’ve written before how I’m borderline neurotic about the many potential injuries that could befall her on any given day. Who could forget that 900 small children every year are injured by FALLING OFF LADDERS? I never even knew to be worried about ladders, until I read that ROSPA report.
I’ve considered carefully where this neurotic streak strong concern might come from – a difficult pregnancy, or hormonal balance, perhaps? Then I realise: it’s because of all the idiotic games me and my three older brothers played while we were growing up. It’s a miracle I survived.
Highlights of my early years included:
The “let’s put Sally on the handlebars of our bike, ride down a big hill straight into a wall, and she how far she flies” game
The “let’s put the bunk beds in the middle of the room and take turns swinging each other round by our ankles and letting go” game
The “let’s use these old bricks we’ve found to build a den. While we build the walls, Sally can go inside and build the floor out of wood,” game
The “let’s take the mattresses off the bed and ride head first down the stairs on them” game
The “let’s take turns running into the road as a car approaches and then fall over at the last minute so the driver thinks they’ve run us over,” game
The “let’s start a campfire in Dad’s paint shed,” game
The “let’s take turns jumping off the roof and doing stunt landings,” game
So, basically, my own experience tells me that little kids are basically like miniature kamikazes, and must be supervised at all times. To think I survived all of all the above with nothing more than a few bumps and bruises? Nothing short of a miracle.
Oh yes. I’m a survivor. Eat THAT, Beyonce.
Blimey, your childhood games beat mine hands down. And there was me thinking I was adventurous by going on a “Death Slide”. How did the campfire in your dad’s paint shed work out for you?!
You are a loon!
X
The shed exploded. It wasn’t pretty. I ran away from home for a day and then tried to pretend it “just happened”. Didn’t work.
Fair point.
Wow, have you really done all that when you were a child? That’s really lucky you have survived ;))) Mirka @Kahanka
I’ve been pretty lucky myself when it comes to illnesses. I did get my tonsils taken out when I was about 8. The two things I remember is being pretty pissed off that the promises of all I could eat ice cream translated into cream soda and root beer flavored popsicles. I haaaate cream soda and the thought of root beer makes me vomit a little bit in my mouth. I also remember being venomously jealous of the girl room with me who had falled off her bike and broken her am. I thought she was sooo lucky, what with the cool cast and all her friends coming by to sign it.
grrrr typos! the girl was IN THE room with me and she broke her ARM not her am.
Shit, you’re so right!! *Panics* *Phones school to check kids haven’t cracked a skull*
They make us tough ‘oop North.
I never really wanted a plaster cast but I thought a walking stick would be cool.
Don’t be alarmed. But, you know, 2,500 kids are treated in hospital every year after tripping over toys. you might want to get rid of the toys, just to be safe.
What Jane said.
Wow, you are a survivor, invincible springs to mind x
You are SO right it is amazing any of us survived! My children are coming home right now to be wrapped in cotton wool…but there again they could suffocate in that….maybe I’ll just get them to stay still – sorry that would be a miracle! Let’s just hope that like you and me they just survive! Great post!
OMG – thank god I have girls!!!
miniature kamikazes love it!!! I always follow my two around constantly, I guess I need to learn to give them some freedom sometimes! x
You sound so much like me I dont even like mine running in case the fall over ….but your games sure do sound fun
Turns out I’ve always been blissfully negligent when it comes to health and safety. I didn’t think I was but then one of my friends gasped when she saw me give my youngest child a WHOLE grape. Apparently if you don’t cut grapes up they will surely die. Who knew?
You ARE a survivor – bloody hell!
Hello, this is me just testing.