
Falling over would never have struck me as a topic for a blog post. I’ve fallen a few times, but always pretend that it never happened.
First let me say that falling is a verb. It is something we do. To fall is not a noun like so many health professionals would like us to believe. Unless we are incredibly frail, we do not fall when we are sitting or lying, when we might fall out of a chair or out of bed. To fall implies we must be active and moving.
It is a pity so many well meaning others use the term ‘a fall’ as if it is an object and has nothing to do with us. We need to educate them!
Why I’m writing about falling
Mostly, I guess, I’m writing because of a recent experience, one in which I discovered again the remarkable kindness of strangers. And in spite of an experience I would rather not have had, I want to say how grateful I am for the help I received and to thank four people who came to my aid.
Australia Day
I am a staunch supporter of the Australian First Nations people. At the same time I am a fifth generation Australian, and proud to be the descendent of Irish settlers in this democratic country. Somehow I manage to hold these two realities together.
So, on Australia Day (26 January 2025) I went to Mass as I usually do on the day. Then I caught a train to Perth to attend a rally of Indigenous people in Forrest Chase.
Walking through Myer on the way home I saw a woman in a shirt with the slogan, ALWAYS WAS ALWAYS WILL BE and asked the wearer if I could take a photo of it. She agreed.
I let go of my walker to use my phone and fell backwards, hitting my head as I landed.
Falling over – consequences
An old woman falling in a public place could be the butt of many jokes. Let me tell you though, it is an extremely embarrassing situation in which to find oneself. My first reaction was one of deep humiliation. Falling is a sign of frailty in older people.
Within seconds, several things happened. I felt blood running down the side of my face, dripping into my white tee shirt, since thrown away. I felt myself supported from behind, so that I did not have to lie on the floor.
Next, a comforting voice, belonging to someone I now know as Emily, the wearer of the shirt, told me everything would be all right. Suddenly, I knew that was true. Emily and her friend, whose name I do not know, knelt next to me, one on either side, staunching the bleeding from two scalp wounds.
They stayed with me until the ambulance officers arrived half an hour later. Their partners took turns at supporting me by kneeling behind me so I could lean back against them. I later noticed that one of the women had sacrificed a green, gauze baby wrap to hold against my head. I felt safe and cared for.
A seven month old baby appeared in my peripheral vision. I do not know which of the women helping me was its mother.
Police, four of them, appeared. An incident in Myer could easily have been the result of ‘an incident’. Myer staff showed their concern. The ambulance officers and Holywood Private Hospital emergency department staff were amazing.
Gratitude
To say I’m grateful would be an understatement. It was more that I experienced great love and learned how kind and wonderful people can be. It’s not the first time in my life, although particularly poignant at this time in my life when I feel aged and vulnerable.
Thank you!


OMG Maureen – yes, the love and kindness of people can be absolutely amazing. But … did you end up in Hollywood hospital? I wish I had known. But … yes, I am sure you had other concerns. Hope you are okay?
Yes, Elizabeth, people are mostly very kind. I only went to Hollywood Private Hospital Emergency Department, where they patched me up with ten staples, checked I didn’t have concussion or a fracture, and sent me home. All is well now. Mx
Dearest friend – am sorry if my first comment seemed to show that I was only concerned about myself – that is not the case. I do apologize – am so deep in admiration in your posts and your willingness to share the inner side of yourself. Love you.
A beautiful post, Maureen. Tenderness throughout, towards self and the love expressed by those who helped you.
Beautiful too, because you address with such equanimity, the truth of aging and one’s vulnerability, and how acts of kindness shine a light without judgement.
Wishing you a full recovery. 💝
Thank you for the comment, Susan, and thank you also for recognising my vulnerability as I age. I has come as quite a surprise that I am getting old and needto rethink so much that I’ve always taken for granted. The next stage, I guess, to be navigated with as much grace as I can muster.
Maureen, I do hope you’re feeling much better, and healed. The other woman, Rose who is the mother of the month old, is my daughter. Her partner, Cherian and Emily’s are the guys who helped too. I am glad that they were there to assist. Take care.
Dear Ann, thank you for taking time to comment on my post. Emily and Rose were lovely, kind and so helpful, and so were the two guys who physically supported me to half sit on the ground in Myers for such a long time. I’m very glad they were there. Your grandchild is a beautiful baby. I think I forgot to tell the parents in my confusion.
From a nasty shock has come proof of the goodness of people. So relieved that you are OK Maureen.All of the care that surrounded you was wonderful & despite your not being able to adequately thank them at the time, your lovely post is sending out love to them now.Love to you as you get going again.🥰
Thank you for your comment on my post, Maureen. Goodness and kindness seem to follow me, and I am very grateful. Glad, too that I’ve recovered, but very keen not to repeat the experience. Coffee soon?
Ohhh Maureen, very sorry that you had to again experience this indignity of falling, but so pleased that you immediately received the love and care you/we all deserve. I hope you’re recovering well. You have a wonderful ability to find the “silver lining”.
PS. I’ll keep working on my compromised balance! Thank you.
Yes, Margaret. Keep working on your balance every day if possible. As you know, I’ve almost completely recovered and have clean hair. Such a good feeling. x
Thanks for the piece, Maureen. I’m very glad to hear you’re safe and deeply reassured by the account of kindness by strangers. And I know that sense of vulnerable dignity!
Thanks for your comment, Stephen. I seem to find that people are very kind and helpful, and I’m grateful. Falling in a public place is so undignified! Back to the strength and balance exercises.
Maureen, you are a wonder woman. I love your commitment and enthusiasm for sticking to your beliefs and traditions. It’s marvellous that you wanted to take yourself off to Mass and then travel on into the city to the rally in Forrest Chase.
As I read your words about how enthusiastic you were to take a photo of the lady’s shirt, ‘Always was. Always will be!’, I was visualising the story. But then the next part of the story took an unfortunate turn for you, and I was so sorry to read about your unfortunate fall, but so glad that the people were so supportive. It really was a positive story and the way you have been able to see the silver lining in the story, is admirable.
And Maureen, I just love that you called out the term, ‘had a fall’. That has always grated with me too. It’s wrong, ageist and has very negative connotations, indeed. Keep calling that one out! I am right there with you. Thanks for your wisdom, insight and for sharing it with us, Maureen. Kindest regards, always, Tricia
Thank you, Tricia. I feel as if I want to live life to the fullest, but now doing things I would not have given a second thought seem a bit like adventures. But it’s good to be able to hop on and off trains and go most places I want to go and be part of the life and culture around me. I don’t move as well as I used to, but that’s also part of the adventure.
The local nurse practitioner took the staples out of my scalp yesterday and I could properly wash my hair. Such a nice feeling!
Thanks for supporting the move I hope to start to call out the language around falling. It is so ageist to talk about ‘falls’.
Am so relieved you were in fortunate surroundings where people were around to help🙏🏼glad you’re ok. Love your thoughts on falls. Mark as you know now is in advance stages of LBD has falls from time to time would say..’if I have a fall, it better be a good one😅interestingly, even with a demented mind can still verbalise his own destiny.
As for Australia Day, I empathise with our Indigenous Australians who do not feel happy to celebrate a day of mourning for their ancestors.
Thank you Maureen. Til your next blog, stay well😘
Lovely to hear from you, Nena. And yes, I’m glad such nice people were there. They knew what they were doing, and made me feel safer. It’s good Mark still knows what he wants. You look after yourself, too.
I am so sorry to hear about your ‘fall’. It must have been very frightening for you, not to mention painful!
Your friends here have added such kind and thoughtful comments, I can only echo what each of them has said.
Get well soon, Maureen, and do look after yourself. xx
Thanks, SueW. I’m feeling much better now. I even swam this morning, not as far as I used to, but it felt very, very good.