Fear of Breaking Bones

by Robyn
(Tuscola, IL)

When I was 5 years old, I lost the end of my ring finger. I was leaning against a door frame, apparently with my fingers in the crack on the hinge side. My friend came running out the door and slammed it shut, chopping off my finger.

I didn't break a bone, but I did SEE the bone. Ever since then, I've had a fear of breaking bones.

When I was a little older, I fell off my unicycle trying to learn to spin. I may have cracked some ribs (never went to the doc, but I was sore for a very long time).

Now, when someone talks about bones (not necessarily breaking, just bones, in general) or when I'm nervous about something, I get panicky and start trying to protect my fingers and my ribs. I curl my hands into fists and cross my arms over my rib cage.

When I'm driving, I freak out if I notice that my pinky finger is hanging out on the opposite side of the steering wheel. I feel like it's vulnerable and could get smashed somehow out there all alone. Sometimes I have to take that hand off the wheel and tuck in under my leg for a few minutes for protection!