So I took a really bad fall a week ago Sunday. [View all]

I was carrying a box of heavy books upstairs & my toe clipped the edge of the stair & down I went. I smashed my face into the stair rail & for most of the week I've had quite a shiner & two other dark bruises on my face. I've also got huge bruises on my left shin & knee, which I wrenched in some way & has been more painful than my face, but no one sees those. I was surprised to discover there is a real stigma. People assume I was beaten. I've gotten looks of sympathy, a woman handed me a card to a support group for domestic abuse. My husband has gotten dirty looks a few times, too. How sad that abuse is so prevalent that it is the first assumption people make. Honestly, I'm not sure some of my friends, who don't know my husband, aren't convinced.

Anyway, I'll be glad when it's all healed & hope the library appreciates that book donation!