A few weeks after I broke my collar bone we had a Black Belt Club class. I had been healing really well and had a lot more movement back in my arm and shoulder so I participated. I didn't want to miss out as the class was going to be focused on Yoga, meditation and some advanced kicks - all some of my favourite aspects of the martial art!
It was excellent! My collar bone was fine all through the Yoga exercises and the kicks including some quite difficult ones like the jump splits kick and multiple spin kicks... until I attempted a jump double front snap kick. I wrenched my shoulder and had to sit out of the final meditation in agonising pain.
I didn't bother going back to A&E as I had an appointment on the Wednesday any way so decided to wait until then. It was far more painful than the original break, but I soldiered through. On Wednesday, an X-ray showed that I had thankfully not re-broken it and that it was still healing well, albeit at an odd angle. The doctor said the pain was most likely torn tissue or muscle damage and prescribed rest.
Except the following Friday was my grading for brown stripe...
I took part with my arm in the sling, but gave it everything I had. I dropped my stances extra low, focused even more than usual and tried my absolute best - anything to compensate for my lost appendage. I passed and received an extra congratulation from KJN Martin who told me it was "an awesome grading" and that I showed "true fighting spirit". Even if everything was done one-armed, that one arm was spot on!
...
It has been a few weeks since then. My collar is getting better gradually, but I am still in quite a bit of pain and it is very sore. I'm still taking part at Kuk Sool, but I am taking it a little easier. We have the Tournament in Liverpool at the end of November, so I need to be ready for that.
Jung shin!
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