This date and time 2 years ago I messaged my daughter after falling over leaving work telling her I thought I had broken my leg. Just a little trip which led to 2 weeks in hospital and a bunch of metal work in my ankle. I’m not going to go over and over it, but this year I’ve been thinking how lucky I was (am) to live in a place where I got the care I needed and my loved ones were safe. Obviously there was a lot of fear, pain, worry and trauma, and the NHS has its issues, but I was safe and was getting the treatment I needed. My (adult-ish) children were safe at home. They were worried, of course, and having to fend for themselves (which they were not used to) but they were safe at home.
If I had been in Gaza when this happened, it would probably have been a very different story. Firstly I can imagine I wouldn’t have just tripped leaving work, perhaps I would have fallen when running away from bombs and guns. The people of Gaza seem so kind to each other so no doubt I would have had help to pick me up and get me to a hospital. But would I have made it to a hospital in a place where the soldiers open fire on ambulances? Or would a colleague have been able to take me in their car (like they did for real)? Probably not as they probably had no fuel. If I got to the hospital would I have been able to sit in a wheel chair or lie in a bed? More likely the floor, surrounded by other injured people, perhaps dying people while I could do nothing to help. And would there have been any pain medication? Would someone have had the time to talk to me and reassure me? Would there have been power for the x-ray machine so they could see what was broken? Would there have been any gas and air to breathe while they reset the dislocation? Would there have been any anaesthetic or equipment to operate? Even if there was, how long would I have had to lie on the floor in pain waiting for my turn in a hospital filled with serious trauma cases with much higher priority than me. And lets say I got through all that and they fixed my bones together and I left on crutches… would there have been any pain medication to take at home? Would there have been a home to go to? How would we have got food? No online grocery shopping I’m sure, so my children might have had to venture out and try and find food, either paying extortionate amounts for it at the market or risking their lives at one of the so-called humanitarian aid points. Would there have been follow up appointments? Physio? So many questions…
So, here I am 2 years on, still in a fair bit of pain most days, probably with arthritis developing in my ankle as the doctors warned may happen, but I am generally well. I can do my job, I can do the things I need to do, and most of the things I want to do. I am so very fortunate to have been born somewhere safe. The UK is far from perfect in so many ways, but I am truly grateful for the privilege of my birth here.
If, like me, you are struggling with seeing what is happening in Gaza and elsewhere in the world, and feeling helpless, here are some suggestions based on things I’m doing or have done:
- Contact your elected representatives and ask that they put pressure on your government intervene.
- Use your social media to highlight Palestinian voices and spread awareness of what is happening.
- Donate (if you can afford to) to charities working in Gaza or direct to families, for example:
- Counteract the darkness by doing good, being kind, and spreading light
If you have any other suggestions of ways to help, please pop them in the comments.
If you want to know more about my accident please read Broken Ankle and Ankleversary
Suzy Clair's Cosy Corner 
I shared your blog and thank you as I really liked the way you expressed what it is like and while I try to concentrate on the beautiful, we do all need to recognise the awfulness of what is happening and to try our best to do our bit to make life a little better for those suffering. I especially liked the practicality of your suggestions. and wanted to share them too. Thank you.
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