Holiday Hugs

 

‘Tis the season celebrated with family & friends.

Warmest greetings are exchanged.  Hearty hello’s & well wishes along with embraces of fellowship.

Hugs are given to all within reach…graciously accepted by everyone–except this guy…who is shakily standing there, teetering on two canes.

 

You see, with multiple sclerosis, comes piss-poor balance.  And the simplest act of human compassion, the hug, suddenly becomes a circus side-show.

The performer walking the high-wire has got nothing on an MSer trying to show some love while perched on, or behind, a mobility aid.

The days of the full-body embrace are long gone.

Today I am forced to give a pseudo-sideways, half-ass hug.

I put both my canes in my right hand.  And hug with the left arm.

For a time I tried putting both cane handles in front, tucked under my belly.  All went well till, at a funeral, I hugged a friend who said to me…”Doug, are those your canes, or are you happy to see me?”

Since then, I began my one-armed, canes in one hand, embrace.

But even that process requires tenacious skill too.  I’m ever so careful to keep my weight centered between both feet.  Not too much weight on the toes either as I can (and have) lost my balance–forced to lean on the one I am hugging.

Hugging from a wheelchair can be just as awkward.  I usually end up with a face-full of shoulder.  A clavicle grinding my forehead.  One time, a lady hugged me.  She came in too high and I got a boob in my face.  That was embarrasing getting mushed by what I estimate was a solid D-cup.

And I’m never certain where my hands are going to land from a seated embrace.  Am I touching back?  Waist?  Or what?

Yep, it’s that time of year again.  The season of holiday hugs.

My advice to you is to be cognitive of your body position.  Stay centered.  Square.  Balanced best you can.

And if you are seated, well, take a deep breath as you may get smothered by an errant boob.

Happy holidays to you!