Thursday, February 24, 2022

Problems

 My knees really hurt. Especially the right one. I have to go up and down the stairs at my work, and I'm literally gripping the bannister and grimacing with every step.

My Altra Lone Peak 5 trail runners would be a game-changer with this, but I am not allowed to wear my Altra Lone Peak 5 trail runners to school. The school has a dress code. Teachers are forbidden to wear sneakers without a valid doctor's note.

I got a note from my doctor in March of 2021 so I could wear my Altra Lone Peak 5 trail runners to work. Last month I was told that since my doctor's note is not dated after September 1, 2021, it's no longer valid.

The principal nicely asked me to call my doctor and have him write out another note. But when I saw how the doctor rolled his eyes and clicked his tongue and sighed that any 63-year-old school teacher would actually need a note to wear comfortable shoes, I was so embarrassed that I would rather work barefoot than bother him again.

I could get a healthy checkup in March, but now I have to wait until September, so I can get the properly dated note for next year.

It's very hard for me to find comfortable shoes, as I have bad bunions on both feet. I often have to buy shoes that are a size or two too large to accommodate my feet. I actually have to rotate three pairs of shoes that are "suitable" when I go to work, because each pair has issues for my feet. I'm sure these shoes are contributing to the knee pain.

This is my problem right now. By all that is holy, what a lucky woman I am! Such a trivial damn thing, compared to all the tragedies all around, all the time. I have no doubt that some day I'm going to look back with longing at the time when my knees hurt because I couldn't wear sneakers to school.

May we all struggle with minor nuisance problems. Things can change overnight.

3 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

The embarrassment should NOT be YOURS, Anne, it should be the SCHOOL'S for having such a ridiculous dress code. I hope you go get a doctor's note in March AND again in September so you do not have to walk in pain for months. To hell with that doctor and his judgmental rolling of eyes. He's being paid to provide the note so he should just STFU and provide it to you. Personally, I would tell him as much.

yellowdoggranny said...

what Debra said. You are one of the strongest women I know...and your going to be intimidated by some old fart of a doctor and an eye roll? get off yo'ass and call that dr and make an apt. don't make me come to the land of eagles and bip you..

e said...

Your school is ridiculous and your doctor is a jerk. Sure, jump through their hoops but burn the place down (in your mind only.)