The human body is extraordinary in its composition, function, and ability to heal itself. My body has recovered extremely well from my accident, with the exception of my right thumb, which remains safely cradled in the grips of a brace. Life without use of a thumb is strikingly difficult; my appreciation for the wonder of the opposable thumb has risen to a new-found glory.
We don’t appreciate our bodies enough for how good they are to us. I know that I didn’t for many of my years, especially years that were spent mid-eating disorder where I wanted any body but my own. I recently read that Binge Eating Disorder (B.E.D.), something that I struggled with very seriously, is now more prolific in the United States than Anorexia and Bulimia combined. My heart breaks reading this statistic, for I know just how dark a binge feels, and how disconnected any sort of disordered eating makes you feel with your body.
I treasure my experiences of disordered eating and distorted body image, for they have allowed me to understand the emptiness that is felt when your mind and body are disconnected. Feeling disconnected from use of my thumb has permitted me a small reminder of this as well. We are meant to connect with our bodies, to cherish them, and to take good care of them. Be kind to your body, stop hating it, stop telling it mean things, and stop being so damn critical of yourself. Move your thumbs, do a little jig, and tell your body “thank you” for all that it does.