So Apparently I'm The Clumsiest Student at LASA...

Annika Fisher-Eddy (she/they)

Editorial Team Member

According to Ms. Murphy, the school nurse at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy, I’m the clumsiest student at LASA. I would say that’s probably true. I’d say I go to the nurse at least once a month, if not more. 

Last school year, the main reason I’d go to the nurse was for my knee. I don’t think I’ve written about it before, but I actually have a knee disorder called patellofemoral pain syndrome in my left knee. This disorder basically means that my knee doesn’t bend properly. The kneecap is supposed to be in the middle of the knee, but instead, mine is shifted to one side. It causes my knee to pop every time I bend it, and it also causes me to be in a lot of pain when I’m doing things such as going up and down stairs, or walking for long periods of time. When I use my knees a lot, my left knee starts to get inflamed because of my disorder. So I often go to Nurse Murphy to get an ice pack to bring the inflammation down.

I also get ice packs from her for other reasons too. I have really weak muscles in general because I also have hypotonia (low muscle tone), so I often get random throbbing pains in different places. So I get ice packs from her at those times.

Earlier this school year, I fell on the way on to my school bus. I was running up the steps and tripped. I got a bone bruise on my ankle from that, and even though that was in February or so, I still have a bump there and it hurts to the touch. Bone bruises can take months to fully heal. I got an ice pack from Nurse Murphy pretty much every day for the first few days after that injury.

The moment when she told me I’m the clumsiest student at LASA was after I fell on concrete when I was running and got a giant open wound on my knee. That was back in February, and I still have a huge scar from it. Because of my disability, I have to be really careful with my left knee because it’s really sensitive. So when I fall on that knee, often I get pretty bad injuries.

I currently have a repetitive stress injury in my left arm from playing drums. I went to the doctor today, and the doctor told me I have knots in my arm muscles from overuse and I will have to take a month-long break from playing drums once LASA’s annual talent show is over. I think it will be over by the time you're reading this. Ever since my injury started about a week-and-a-half ago, I’ve been going to Ms. Murphey to get ice packs when my arm or wrist starts to hurt. I went to her today when I got to school after my doctor’s appointment. When I got to Ms. Murphy’s office, she joked and said, “Don’t steal all my ice packs!” And then she proceeded to tell me that I’m her “number-one ice pack student,” and I’ve used more of her ice packs than any other student at LASA.

I guess the reason why I go to the nurse is mainly because I’m a very fast-moving person, and so often I’ll make too quick of movements, which causes me to bump into things and fall. I’ve always been a pretty bruise-prone person. I also often spill drinks, and I’m a very messy eater. This is also due to the fact that I move too fast when I do things.

Of course, since I already have physical issues, like my knee disorder and the fact that I have hypotonia, I should probably be more careful so I don’t get seriously hurt one day. My main concern is just that I’ve annoyed Nurse Murphey because of how often I’m in her office. But I don’t think I have, she’s really nice.