My first appointment on my own

The first time I went to the orthotist by myself, my mum was supposed to come with me. But my grandma wasn’t feeling well, and we couldn’t postpone the appointment, so I took the train on my own. It was a two-hour journey.

I went back and forth about whether to wear my brace on the train. My back would be more supported with it on, but I knew there would be lots of stairs at the station. My brace is quite rigid, and it digs into my thighs when I take big steps. What if I fall on the stairs with it on? I thought, starting to panic. In the end, I decided to carry it in a bag.

I was worried I’d forget what I wanted to say or ask, so I wrote everything down on a piece of paper. Then I left the paper on the train.

I remember feeling stressed, but the orthotist was really understanding. They made sure I felt comfortable and cared for. That’s what stayed with me most about that day.