How I Didn’t Miss Cuckoo Clocks in the Black Forest

Chronic illness restricts activity and keeps you inside when you want to go out and find something new but don’t let it put you in a cage. Modern technology can transport you out of the house and across the world but you have to engage.

April Bair
Jul 30, 2017 · 3 min read

I do Something New Everyday. It’s the mandate that keeps me moving as long as I embrace the idea that new adventures don’t need to be grandiose.

It’s paramount to health and recovery to engage with the world but medical reality can change the parameters of adventure. In other words people are healthier when they stay active but active depends on your ability at the moment.

Our last souvenir of Germany. We will “bear”the challenges and not go “cuckoo”.

Go for a walk. Learn a new hobby. Try a new food. All well meaning advice but if you pass out after five paces or experience brain fog or battle dietary issues the struggle to do simple things is real and these easy suggestions are monumental undertakings.

Medical mayhem had my cancer warrior mother and I trapped in our hotel room when my cell phone began buzzing with FaceBook posts of my family’s fun day in the Black Forrest.

I was happy they made the unplanned trip to Triberg, thrilled they were doing something new today, but to be honest as focused on my mother’s labored breathing trying to decide if an ER visit would be the adventure of our day. I was a little jealous. If not for medical mayhem medevac'ing us across the Atlantic we would be looking at highest waterfalls in Germany and taking pictures in front of house sized cuckoo clocks.

An hour later Mom was sleeping comfortably and my family FaceTimed me about which cuckoo clock to buy. Shopping for clocks in the Black Forrest was sounding so much more pleasant than being restrained by the room.

I realized the choice was mine: Feel frustrated about not being somewhere else or engage in text messages and video calls to feel part of the experience in a different way.

Normally, I’m a loud advocate for being where you are and spending time with the people in front of you instead of wasting the present distracted by the people in your phone but today technology let me travel from Maryland to Germany and I’m so grateful that I got to be one of the phone people.

Being flexible in my thinking brought me a respite of escape. Separated by an ocean we shopped for a clock together, enjoyed waterfalls and road a mountainside roller coaster.

Technology lets us connect in amazing ways. Too many people get tethered down by their screens but if medical reality has you trapped inside call on friends and family to get you out and about.

SNED

Something New Every Day Reviews from my life.

April Bair

Written by

As an opinionated behaviorist writing her way through life April is consistently distracted by the odd and off beat moments we usually try to ignore.

SNED

SNED

Something New Every Day Reviews from my life.

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade