Just have to vent this...
Sometimes it takes a good fall to know where you stand. A perfect quote!
On May 2, 2017, while at rehearsal on the risers in our local theatre with our Knight Owl choir, I fell off the 2nd to top riser...
Husband Pieter who was in the theatre, did videotape my tumble down! It scared him tremendously.
Now to explain, we were on very narrow risers, not meant for doing the choreography we had to do!
There was absolutely no guard rail - nothing.
Some 20 years earlier, those got purchased for having little girls stand on them and sing.
These risers are 36" (91 cm) and have guard rails!
The ones we had to do our choreography on, were ONLY 24" (61 cm) and NO GUARD RAILS
Our choreographer Lisa, in a video, teaching us the steps... which we learned and I flipped off right away, since there was NO WAY to make her size of steps on such a limited space!
The front row singers had the floor... no problem.
There never was a linear line up.
Taller singers were right in front of you, which made seeing Kelly very difficult.
When I fell down, Suella, a tall front row singer, blurted out: 'Let her get up on her own!'
How nice...
When I was trained, paid and responsible for any first aid incidents at the practical training college in The Netherlands, I dealt with all the legal issues, such as calling the police, ambulance and above all - calming the person down!
But I toughed it out and performed, even with my severely bruised wrist/thumb and foot.
Ending on crutches afterward...
Not being able to do some much needed weeding in our garden and not even able for guiding tours on May 20, when we did have people come for a Garden Tour, a fund raiser for Carol, one of my Knight Owl Choir members, for her Garden Club.
In 2018, after another fall (at home) I ended up on crutches for 3 months, due to a double, but closed pelvic bone fracture.
BUT after having been granted a 'safer' status afterwards, on March 27 of 2019, I got again ordered to stand on the top riser.
NO WAY!!! Was my very firm reaction!
HISTOPATHOLOGIC FEATURES INDICATIVE OF PERSISTENT (MICRO) TRAUMA.
PAS REACTION AND GMS STAINS FAIL TO DEMONSTRATE FUNGAL ELEMENTS.
A FONTANA-MASSON STAIN FAILS TO DEMONSTRATE MELANINE PIGMENT SEE COMMENT
Kelly, on May 2nd 2017, I tumbled down the top riser and though nothing broken, I still suffer from persistent (micro) trauma. It will take another year I got told by Dr. Tammy Gephart in Marietta on Wednesday last week, before it is all gone! Cannot polish my nails, nothing... And last year on March 27, when I had those killer cramps and jumped out of bed, falling on my left hip, which caused the double closed pelvic bone fracture makes me vulnerable. Lowering that risk is a MUST!
This was on Dec. 3, it is better now but still takes ONE YEAR according to Dr. Gephart.
Embarrassing but this is one of my 'secrets'... Haha! But please don't put me on the top riser — I'M SCARED!
Letter from Dr. Gephart where she explained:
After careful review of Pathology results it is determined that patients toenails is and was damaged due to her falling off the bleachers (risers) on May 2, 2017. Pathological results do indicate trauma to the nail plates bilateral. If there are any questions or concerns about the information provided above please feel free to contact our offices and select option 3.
Tammy Gephart DPM
For years I've traveled the 250 km (155 miles) one-way to see Dr. Gephart!
On May 19, 2019 this is what I put on the choir's GroupMe
Sad about not having this greatest show on YouTube, like in 2017
That was a great day yesterday with lots of energy! Jennifer, you did bring me back to my younger years when I was in Fashion School as your dress so much looked like the Pop Art Fashion of the 60s that we had to design! Your writing here is also excellent - nothing what I can add to that. Only sad that our daughters, Goddaughters, family and friends can NOT see any of the 'American system' DVD. We were lucky in 2017 with the YouTube version that could be shared over all continents... And it looks that since my fall in 2017, I'm still kind of 'trailing' on the program as my name was not correct (Mariete) and for some reason out of the alphabetical listing.
Kelly tried to silence me and not in a nice way.
She managed to get rid of me by exclusion bullying.
Two days after the Revue, Pieter and I flew to the Netherlands, for visiting Dad one final time...
On the day of his cremation, Pieter found Kelly's message on the iPad, that she had removed me and that I was not welcome back in August!
Still I did go to their 1st rehearsal, to confront her in person and also to thank the choir members for all the love received during Dad's passing (got ONE sympathy card!)...
I asked Kelly what she'd written in the GroupMe to all other choir members, about me, after first removing me.
No reply of course she was too cowardly!
Actions speak louder than words...
Witnesses may be drawn in as 'secondary abusers'.
Got it all taped (carried Pieter's iPhone for that purpose inside my mesh Vogue backpack).
When I got back from confronting Kelly...
Got enough material for a lawyer, including her copyright infringements (that's how the lady providing her with such, got her spot on the floor in the 1st row).
But her FINAL JUDGE will be taking care of all this...
Now at least you know why I'm no longer singing.
After a 22 year career for Kelly with her four different age groups, Covid took care of it all...
We practiced inside the First Baptist choir room, except for final rehearsal a the theatre.
Each of us paid her a one time fee (for the music sheets) of $ 25.00 and ten times $ 25.00 per month.
We also had to dress in a certain way, so there was more involved.
For performance at the University of Georgia for singing the National Anthem, we had to drive a good 3 hours one way. Another Fair we had to drive to in about 2 hours, one way.
We did it all with pleasure.
Related link:
From CitizenM Hotel on Delta Airlines from Amsterdam to Savannah, Georgia | Seeing Dad on our 67th trip to The Netherlands...
{What Type of Feet do YOU have?} | previous post with my once perfect Egyptian toes...
I remember when this happened, and when you wrote of it. It was terrible thing with no good end whatsoever, And nothing good came from it. Not even an apology and a sense of kindness and wishing you well. And I remember your seeing your Father the last time. I wouldn't wish to be included in that group, my friend. Not at all.
ReplyDeleteXXOO. And I will say you look stunning on that end picture. You always do.
Dearest Carole,
DeleteThank you for your words and yes, this for me is like closing a 'bad book', as much as I love to sing, like Mom did and Pieter, Dad and so on. Sure don't need that.
Felt good in that end picture; thanks for your compliment!
Hugs,
Mariette
I had a ski instructor once tell me that you aren't learning unless you are falling. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteDearest Kelleyn,
DeleteIn life in general we do get up and become stronger, fiercer.
Hugs,
Mariette
Un brutto episodio.Sei bella nell'ultima foto,complimenti.Buona giornata.
ReplyDeleteCarissimo Olga,
DeleteGrazie per il complimento, mi sono sentito sicuramente bene dopo averla affrontata ...
Abbracci,
Mariette
Hello Mariette, Safety rules are their for a reason, but you would think that much of the time simple common sense would prevail. Apparently that is wishful thinking. I am sorry that you got hurt, and yes, it does take considerable time to get over these traumas. Doctors will often say that you will recover from something in a few weeks, but what they mean is that after that point direct medical attention is no longer necessary. Soreness and bruises can linger for a long time. I can't believe the leader of the group would be so insensitive. It sounds like you are well rid of her!
ReplyDelete--Jim
Dearest Jim,
DeleteSafety rules are to be lived by but often those things get totally ignored.
Your last two lines sum it up perfect!
Hugs,
Mariette
Not a very nice choir group, or at least some of the people weren't very kind at all!
ReplyDeleteDearest Sami,
DeleteYou sure got that right!
Hugs,
Mariette
Certainly not the kind of choir group I would wish to be a part of, Mariette; I think you are better off without them. Sorry, too, for the lasting issues with your toes, and do hope for healing in the near future. As for "dancing" on a riser? You couldn't pay me enough!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Dearest Martha Jane,
DeleteThank you and yes you are so right about not wishing to be part of such a group.
Feels great without them and my toes hopefully one day will look more decent again.
Hugs,
Mariette
I'm so sorry to hear that you got hurt, Mariette. Praying for you and for your good health. Look after yourself my friend.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Dearest Victor,
DeleteThank you and yes, we all get hurt through life one way or another...
Hugs,
Mariette
Sad bullying!
ReplyDeleteDearest Anne,
DeleteIt is very cowardly!
Hugs,
Mariette
Siento lo de tu caída. Para nada has tenido la culpa, más bien lo que han programado la actuación, sin espacio para moverse y poniendo en peligro las personas que van a actuar.
ReplyDeleteLo peor ha sido, el poco compañerismo y que nadie acudiera a ayudarte a levantarme. En Sevilla, tuve una caída accidental en la calle y a pesar de que iba acompañada de mi marido, un señor que andaba por allí, también acudió corriendo a socorrerme. Afortunadamente la caída no tuvo consecuencias y seguí caminando hasta la parada del autobús.
Espero que te recuperes de la caída.
Besos
Querida Antónia,
DeleteBueno, tal vez finalmente este verano pueda usar de nuevo esmalte de uñas en mis uñas de los pies maltratados. Esta fue una experiencia tan desagradable y grosera y se revela mucho más acerca de ellos. Un día conocen a su Creador y tendrán que lidiar con su sentencia.
Me alegra que se encontró con un verdadero caballero, como debe ser, y que Siempre.
Abrazos,
Mariette
Dear Mariette - Bullying is a terrible manifestation of some human behaviour which is obviously intended to hurt another resulting in emotional or physical suffering, and of course it can often be caused through jealousy. I am pleased that you were able to overcome what happened to you, but it is very sad that you have been forced to give up singing with the choir.
ReplyDeleteDearest Rosemary,
DeleteYes, bullying is a terrible manifestation and often is because of a lack of low self-esteem. Will go back to joining another, far more professional group as I'd done before. Due to Covid, they have not been able to sing... but we all hope that will end.
Hugs,
Mariette
I am still recovering from my last fall, so reading about your fall back when my me fel for the pain you would had been in. Bullies are every bloody wherer in all walks of life and all bullies are not nicee people.....
ReplyDeleteDearest Jo-Anne,
DeleteSo sorry for you, it takes quite a while for healing up completely.
Bullies have one problem only; low self-esteem!
Hugs,
Mariette
Oh my gosh how dreadful Mariette, the fall and the bullying! Sometimes good things come from bad.. I think you will find a much nicer, and probably better, group to sing with ✨
ReplyDeleteDearest Grace,
DeleteBullying is never a good thing and it only reveals the person doing so. The same for the witnesses that have become secondary abusers...
Hugs,
Mariette
Some people never grow up and continue to act like the little bullies that they have always been. I don’t know about you but at my age I prefer to be around nice people who like me. Don’t look back..Janey
ReplyDeleteDearest Janey,
DeleteYes, they seem to be forever stuck in a certain negative pattern but it is their problem!
Pieter always has been good in saying: https://mariettesbacktobasics.blogspot.com/2015/04/relationships-are-like-mushrooms.html
Hugs,
Mariette
My mouth hanging open as I read your post .... good grief Charlie Brown! You are quite cute you know, bad toes and all.
ReplyDeleteDearest Helen,
DeleteYes some human behavior one cannot fathom...
Thank you for your compliment and I sure can live with my toes; grateful for just being alive and so much loved!
Hugs,
Mariette