Story

Earlier this year, Mariana was in a SLWC, which forced her to slow down and completely reorganize her routine. Now, months later, just when everything seemed to be getting back to normal, she suffered a new accident.

The fall happened at home, on a quiet late afternoon. Mariana was doing the dishes when she heard a noise coming from the laundry area. A shelf holding cleaning products had come loose from the wall.

Without thinking twice, she went to check what had happened. As she tried to reach up and put the shelf back in place, she quickly stepped onto a simple plastic kitchen chair. The chair slipped on the wet floor of the laundry area.

She lost her balance suddenly. It was a direct fall, with no time to react. Instinctively, Mariana extended both arms to protect herself, but she hit the floor hard.

In that instant, she felt a sharp pain in both forearms. She tried to get up but couldn't move her arms. Fortunately, her friend Jennifer had just arrived from the grocery store. Shocked by the scene, she rushed to help Mariana and immediately took her to the hospital.

X-rays confirmed: fractures in both forearms. Although the fractures were stable, both arms would need to be fully immobilized with long arm casts.

The procedure was done calmly. Mariana could barely move without feeling discomfort. The technicians carefully positioned her, one arm at a time, and worked in silence as she lay there staring at the ceiling, trying to process what was happening.

About twenty minutes later, Mariana had both arms completely in casts. The doctor gave her the basic instructions and said she was cleared to go home.

As soon as she left the casting room, Jennifer was the first to see her with both arms immobilized. Her expression changed instantly. Moved by the situation, she gently told Mariana she would take care of everything.

Mariana walked slowly through the hospital corridors. It was impossible not to draw attention. People stopped discreetly to look. Some whispered to each other. Others simply watched in silence, their faces showing surprise or sympathy. Mariana noticed it all but chose not to react.

Jennifer took her home and said she would go to the pharmacy to buy the medications and two arm slings.