Posted by BossLadyMD on 12/6/11 10:12am
Msg #405870

Working with physical injuries

I broke 3 toes over the weekend and have to wear a soft shoe for about 1-2 weeks. In all the years of service, this is the first time I will be handling signings with a very pronounced limp.

I'm just wondering how I'm going to be perceived. I have some appointments scheduled later in the week and feel so weird 'working' with a soft shoe on. Those of you who have worked with visible injuries care to elaborate on how the borrowers reacted. Thanks.

Reply by jba/fl on 12/6/11 10:19am
Msg #405871

Re: Working with physical injuries--severly injured knee

They told me "hi" and went on with life.

You are the one who is self-conscious, they don't know you, anything about you, and they don't really care.....you are another person to greet and "do their thing".

I have been wearing Crocs for past 8 weeks - no one pays any attention, including me now. Yes, at first I was hesitant, but I soon realized they have different priorities.

Just relax - your personality will win them over as usual. (assuming you have one)

Reply by jba/fl on 12/6/11 10:21am
Msg #405872

Re: Working with physical injuries--severly injured knee

Gawd - I forgot - ROFL. Hope you didn't think otherwise. lol

Reply by Stephanie Santiago on 12/6/11 10:40am
Msg #405874

I walk with a slight limp - residual effects from brain cancer & stroke-like symptoms; however, I carry myself with the confidence that I have - walking with my head held high.
I have never cared what a borrower or anyone else thinks about my walk.
What is important is the work that I handle (complete, accurate and of course friendly - I add humanity to my klist of Signing Agent atributes)
So, focus, as you normally would, on the signing; it sounds like you'll be walking without a limp soon.
Hey, I may limp, but I have a leg and a foot.

Reply by Stephanie Santiago on 12/6/11 10:41am
Msg #405875

Sorry for the typos...1 typo.... n/m

Reply by Susan Fischer on 12/6/11 10:46am
Msg #405876

Once in a while my knee goes haywire and so I'm on

cruches. Borrowers have always been so kind and accomodating - it never was a problem.

Fractured ankle once, had to wear a huge walking removable "cast." Same positive reactions - bo's were always very kind - but what ~is~ it with puppies and toes?

You can always use the line: "Oh, it's nothing - my dog chewed up all my left shoes. <giggle>"

Reply by Lee/AR on 12/6/11 10:50am
Msg #405877

Selling real estate, summer, broke foot had to wear clunky, fat 'walking boot' that came nearly to knee and shorts because slacks wouldn't fit over the boot, plus one thick-soled clog to keep me on an even keel. Nobody cared.

Even worse, being treated for humongus internal infection and running around with a needle stuck in my arm and an 'infusion machine' on my hip to deliver industrial strength antibiotic. People were curious, but after that simple explanation--nobody cared.

Reply by Mike Goodey on 12/6/11 12:20pm
Msg #405887

I wear a custom boot beause of diabetes and neuropathy and usually they will ask what happened or say "broken foot?" Or they will admit to having to wear something similar in the past...then that's it, all comments go away. Many are inquisitive, that's all.

Reply by Stephanie Santiago on 12/6/11 12:36pm
Msg #405889

Neuropathy can be so painful :( n/m

Reply by Notarysigner on 12/6/11 10:59am
Msg #405878

sometimes it can be embarrassing.....how nice and sympathetic people can be. One day I had a recurrence with a problem I have with my foot swelling. One borrower invited me in, ask what was wrong then went and got an ice-pack, put it on my foot and said, "that should make it a little more comfortable."

Same day another borrower, with one of those houses on the hillside saw me me and said, "Oh no, you can't handle these stairs", then had husband and sons bring table and chairs to the carport and we signed there.

Don't worry about it, ouch BTW!

Reply by HisHughness on 12/6/11 11:22am
Msg #405879

Been working with a disability my whole life

When you're terminally ugly, you just have to learn to live with it.

Hope you recover soon.

Reply by Patti Corcoran on 12/6/11 11:49am
Msg #405884

Re: Hope you heal soon! n/m

Reply by Karla/OR on 12/6/11 12:03pm
Msg #405886

LOL! Hugh we love you G/B/or U!! :O) n/m

Reply by Karla/OR on 12/6/11 12:01pm
Msg #405885

One can only imagine how that injury must have hurt!!! So sorry. Be careful not to fall since the feet are what balance you.

I broke my ankle a few years ago and had surgery to repair it. I found people were either very sympathetic or just ignored you!

Take care. Karla

Reply by BossLadyMD on 12/6/11 1:09pm
Msg #405892

Thanks for sharing and the well wishes everyone!

Toes are soooo easy to injury. I lost my footing walking past my coffee table and hit my toes! What a fluke! I'm keeping it elevated and taking motrin for the swelling. Thanks again everyone!

Reply by jba/fl on 12/6/11 1:12pm
Msg #405893

Re: Thanks for sharing and the well wishes everyone!

Remember, when you do finally get in the car, try to have your toes not touching the car...(that's a feat!) as the vibration was bring that swelling right back. I do so feel your pain.

Reply by Julie/MI on 12/6/11 1:44pm
Msg #405894

After my c-section in 2007 I had my first closing the second day home from the hospital. DH drove and I simply said I had a minor surgical procedure once I was seated I could break out the good posture so no drama, no preceptions of me, just closed the loan.

They didnt' react any differently to my 'injury" nor would I treat you differently with a soft shoe and broken toes, kwim?

I'm expecting again and just tell folks now that the temps have dropped that I prefer to go through the attached garage so I don't slip on the step or slippery sidewalk, no drama, just closing the loan.

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 12/6/11 5:56pm
Msg #405912

Well THAT'S a bit of news!

Congratulations, Mrs. Williams!!

Reply by BrendaTx on 12/6/11 7:19pm
Msg #405917

People like Julie need to have more children...

well-mannered, polite, family-oriented, has empathy, and are well-adjusted. So, thank you, Julie, if that makes any sense.

Reply by MonicaFL on 12/6/11 3:10pm
Msg #405896

Well at least you have a soft shoe. I wore a hard cast for three months then a "Boot" for three months. People understand - they will just inquire as to what happened, blah, blah, and that will take up some of your time - so suggest you be prepared for that. Hope you are better soon.

Reply by SueW/Tn on 12/6/11 3:26pm
Msg #405898

When I broke my elbow

I had a signing within an hour of leaving the hospital. Brother drove me and the BO's were absolutely wonderful! Turns out the husband had fallen off a ladder and broke both elbows a few months prior and was so nice to me that he would thumb through the docs for me when I was doing my QC. When you no longer have use of your dominate hand everything turns to...ugly sigs! ROFLMAO! I even had to call TC to let them know that yes it was my sig and yes I could supply proof! It gets better if you maintain your sense of humor!! GL to you!

Reply by SharonMN on 12/6/11 4:05pm
Msg #405903

Well, how do you perceive borrowers that have physical limitations?

I used a cane and/or knee brace for months after a knee injury. Mostly the borrowers apologized for their stairs and told me stories about injuries themselves or their friends/relatives had sustained!

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 12/6/11 6:04pm
Msg #405914

Been there / done that ...

The question I put to my own self was "How would I, MYSELF, react to someone in this situation?"

Well, geez Louise, I couldn't imagine reacting in any kind of negative way, EXCEPT for not wanting to absorb any added risk for a 'compromised' person navigating my steps during the winter. When I was the one so compromised ... I didn't work, but I also couldn't drive so there was that, too.

For a long time, I had to wear Crocs and would slip 'dress shoes' on in my car upon arrival, and hobble my way in. (People understand hobbling, and are SO empathetic about it). Once back in the car, I ditched the Sunday shoes and ahhh back into the Crocs. The months that I had to do this, I will admit ...I felt like an idiot. What kind of a person wouldn't understand physical limitations? I don't know. Still don't know. Didn't have the courage to find out, nor the courage to pair Crocs with my biz get-up.

Reply by MW/VA on 12/6/11 8:52pm
Msg #405920

I wouldn't worry about that. I had a stress fracture on my

right foot a couple of years ago & was supposed to wear that boot thingy. Well, you can't drive with a boot thingy, so I was very careful about not bending or flexing my foot. I limped & walked slowly, but figured the borrowers didn't have a clue. Who knows--the day may come when I have to go to signings with a walker. :-)

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 12/6/11 9:47pm
Msg #405927

I went to signings with a walker...

In 2008, I had both knees replaced at the same time!

Reply by Belinda/CA on 12/7/11 1:47am
Msg #405932

It would never occure to me to care or consider

It would never occur to

Reply by Belinda/CA on 12/7/11 1:49am
Msg #405933

It would never occure to me to care or consider

what someone else thought of my limp. You have broken toes. Just go do your job as best you can. If they think something out-of-line about your limp they surely have something broken of their own.

Reply by Belinda/CA on 12/7/11 3:01am
Msg #405934

Occur :o) n/m