STOP, TURN AROUND AND RETRACE YOUR STEPS.

Early morning walking has been an intricate part of my diurnal program for over a decade. On Saturday, June 16, it rained all night. By the time I arrived outside to commence my routine of a brisk stride to the Village of Nyame Nnae at 4:30 A.M. Sunday, the rain was drizzling, and predictably, the ground was still wet. I would not permit these uninviting realities to dissuade me in the least, and I courageously persisted on my journey. Descending hills, passing through gullies, ascending steep, stony inclines until I crossed the Berlin Road. At that juncture, I noticed a marked deterioration in the road surface quality on which I was walking. Bare rocks were exposed, water puddles everywhere, and soft soil. However, I became more cautious and even carried a flashlight. Since it was still dark, I couldn’t see clearly, so I accidentally placed my right foot on what seemed to be solid ground. Unfortunately, however, it was only slippery mud. Which gave way beneath my right foot. Thereby facilitating an extremely painful fall. In fact, as I fell, I twisted my right ankle and heard the wrenching of the tissues and sinews in the area affected. I did not attempt to get up immediately but remained lying on the ground. Not only to gather my composure but also because I knew I would be strengthened by my close encounter with Mother Earth.

When I eventually attempted to rise from my fall, I was shocked to discover I could do so. But although I got on my feet, I was experiencing so much pain in my right foot that I had to abandon any plans I had to complete my morning journey. I turned around and started to retrace my steps. With a lot of traumatizing pain and great difficulty, I finally made it back to Berlin Road. I desperately looked around to see if there was anything on which I could sit just to rest and recuperate. I eventually saw a bench near the shop of a well-known welder. I sat there for about 10 minutes. Enjoying the relief that situation afforded me. When I rose again to continue the journey on my return home, I was painfully reminded of my new predicament. I was now an injured wayfarer. I was no longer a pedestrian with all my joints and musculature beneath my control and command. Such is life. No one knows what the future holds. Because our circumstances can suddenly change without warning. Natural upheavals and catastrophes worldwide faithfully and continually remind us of life’s uncertainty and vulnerabilities. As a religious person, I asked the Lord Almighty, “What is the meaning of this sudden misfortune?” Over the years, I have garnered from personal experience that nothing happens on planet Earth by accident or chance.

After several stops and starts to find relief as needed, I eventually came to a concrete slab on Sofokyere Avenue, and there I sat and remained until an empty Okada came along and responded to my attempts to wave it down. When the driver stopped near enough to chat comfortably with me, I explained what had occurred, and he agreed to take me home. I left my home as a healthy hiker but was an invalid when I returned. All my grand exercise plans had been ruined. In fact, all my wonderful plans for the day had to be consigned to the dustbin. I was able to eat on Sunday. Since I was not completely incapacitated, I prepared sufficient food to consume as needed. On Monday morning, I showered, dressed, and made my way back to Sofokyere Avenue, where I awaited the arrival of a vacant taxi to take me to the local hospital. The driver charged me twenty Cedis (US$1.60) to deliver me to the new administrative block of The Holy Family Hospital. A journey that, under ordinary circumstances, would only have cost me seven Cedis (US$0.42), but I uttered no word of complaint. As required, I went to the billing station and presented my hospital card issued the first day I visited that facility for needed medical intervention. I described my problem to the attending receptionist and was directed to the nursing station to have all of my vitals taken.

(TO BE CONTINUED)