Seeking someone you may know

[cal_lawton]

OK, so I have been lurking the adult-oriented boards here for a while now, assessing the nature of the conversations, the sincerity of the questions, and the quality and content of the responses. Like the vocation, the things said here are intimate, with the expectation of the subject becoming public.

 

Now it is my turn.

 

I have been a classical dancer for 20 years -- half my life (that is 140 if you are a dog). I have been angry, frustrated, grumpy, sad, happy, joyful, and pleased with ballet. Yes, I have had many coaches in many places. Yes, I have been on stage. It suits me, and is the only selfish thing I do in life.

 

On May 31st of this year I was hit by a car. Me. My person.

 

The accident occurred the day after my 40th birthday (some guys just get cake).

 

I will save you from the details -- other than I did end up lying in the middle of city street pavement looking up at the clouds, while strangers in a sort of semi-circle peered down at me. They told me not to move, that they called FIRE-EMS, and asked my name. Curiously no one would would look me in the eye when I responded, but turned their gaze elsewhere. It did not hurt at the time.

 

That is creepy to read, and creepier to write about.

 

That was the easy part, so this is the hard part: I am working to assemble a Renaissance Team,

 

(http://www.sciandmed.com/mppa/journalviewer.aspx?issue=1133&article=1342)

 

and is the reason for this posting.

 

I have access to a great number of medical professionals in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. They are all excellent people and are very good at what they do. Yet, they do not know anything of the kinesiology of ballet. I need to find people who do know what injured dancers need, expect, and want. I will go anywhere to find medical professionals who know these things.

 

Who do you know?

 

I am not a goal-oriented guy, as goals are by their very nature an ending. I am, however, objective-oriented. Objectives are points along a path, like way-points or mile markers. Reaching an objective is a step achieved while traveling. Overcoming my injuries is an objective, the path is dancing. The path for me does not end.

 

To ease the emotional and intellectual burden I have created I will finish with this: I wake in the morning, eat my cereal, drink a cup of coffee, then go to work. I take class, too. Yes, I have a lawyer.

 

So there it is. An otherwise private matter made public, with the intent of seeking not sympathy but input from others.

 

p.s. No crying allowed, because this is ballet -- there is no crying in ballet!

[Victoria Leigh]

Hello cal, and welcome to Ballet Talk for Dancers.

 

I would suggest that you contact the Harkness Center for Dance Injury in NYC.

[Guest ArmedFiddler]

I'd go with Ms Leigh's suggestion first. But if you're unable to get to NYC, check out the Cleveland Clinic or Akron General Hospital in NE Ohio. The CC has a great physical therapy dept, and even mentions the special needs of dancers on their website. Akron has its own ballet company, who get treated at Akron General, so they would have people in the know as well. I'm sorry I don't have any specific names to give you; it's been a decade since I was last at the CC's PT dept.

 

Welcome to Ballet Talk.

[Mel Johnson]

Shucks, you don't need to go to NYC, just Google them and find out all the different ways to contact them. Use the method with the most appeal to you. Ask for a list of recommended specialists in your area. Even in the benighted days of punch-card computers, we could make lists!

[vicarious]

I'm sure there's nothing to top Harkness, but here's my two cents http://www.bodydynamicsinc.com/physical_therapy.htm. They are in Virginia. I met Andrea Watkins at one time and I was impressed by her fervor in injury prevention.

[stenz]

i know it might sound trite,

but don't worry there is hope

i was hit by a car, actually pinned between two cars, three years ago

and with a good physical therapist and a lot of dedication

you'll be strong again

i had pt for 1 1/2 years and then out of money

so i work on my own and take 4-6 classes a week

and i just had your standard sports p.t., he was great

but used to soccer and football players

with all the advise you've been given here

i'm sure you'll find some great help

just give yourself a break it can take it's toll on the rest of you

good luck!!

wendy

[jimpickles]

I'm going to add something after reading your post. It may not be welcome, but I think it is true. Firstly, I really hope that you are able to get back to dancing if that is what you wish.

 

But remember, there are many things in life. Sometimes events send us on an unexpected path. Though not welcome at the time, years or decades later you realise that in terms of your overall life it wasnt in fact bad. You just lived your life differently ever after. You accommodated, discovered new things you enjoyed, and in fact, life was OK. This may sound corny, but I cant help adding it after seeing your post.

 

Because something happened to me too, in childhood. I had to live life differently ever after (and still do), and be careful ever after. But I discovered other things that I could do. And, knowing the circumstances, I value them even more than if all that hadnt happened. I'm not saying its necessarily better, but its not all bad either.

 

With the right approach, and even if you cant dance as you now want to, things will turn out to be just as good in the long run.

 

Jim.

[duckie9876]

If I were to guess, the Harkness Center would be your best bet.

 

It is evident that with your determination, you will overcome this 'detour' from dance. Your attitude is very inspiring.

 

You may also want to consider membership in the Intl Association of Dance Medicine and Science (www.iadms.com). If anyone can help you, it would be someone who is a member of that group.

[cal_lawton]

Well, I was right.

 

Reviewing each of these responses has provided me some new information and guidance.

 

Saying "Thank you everyone" seems sort of shallow and terrible generic, but I'm not too smart of a guy so that's all my vocabulary permits.

 

I really do appreciate everyone's input.

 

Thanks again for putting up with me.

[Laschwen]

Hi:

I am in KY too. I can't say my orthopedist specializes in Dancers necessarily but he knows more than some. My neurologist sent me to him after knowing I was looking for someone who knew dancers.

I had tarsal tunnell syndrome and the "two" foot specialists I contacted in the area before this guy don't even do that supposedly very specialized surgery.

His name is Andrew Ryan and is on Larkin Drive in Lexington. I hope it is OK to post the name and place.

He came out of my surgery pronouncing my feet dancers feet and I hadn't danced in nearly 10 years at that point. I was always "recreational" but did perform onstage, mostly in musicals with a tiny bit of ballet involved.

I just saw him again for a back problem and he sent me right over to ballet class without reservation over the body mechanics involved.

He may not be as special as you need but as I don't know what injuries you sustained specifically and I am no doctor anyway, it couldn't hurt to let you know.

 

Good luck

Laschwen

[crzctldt]

I highly recommend The Harkness Center in NYC

[Guest joyeux]

Cal,

 

Very sorry to hear of your accident. I had an accident last year and broke a bone. I don't have any referrals, but would pipe in with a couple of pieces of advice that I think were personally useful. First, if you don't think your pt person is doing a good job, find another one. Trust your gut. If you don't believe them, run. Second, your injury has the ability to make you an even better person than you were and maybe even a better dancer. If it's your legs, you can develop great port da bras. If it's your arms, then play with your legs. If it's both, revel in watching the ballet that you love and doing it in your mind.

 

This book is good

The Injured Dancer (Paperback)

by Rachel-Anne Rist, Jack Kennedy

 

as is...

 

Getting Back on Your Feet: How to Recover Mobility and Fitness After Injury or Surgery to Your Foot, Leg, Hip, or Knee (Paperback)

 

Best of luck to you!