Monarch Nation Eases the Pain of a Bum Knee

"Hi President Broderick! What happened to your leg?"

Over the past three weeks, this has been the refrain as I've shuffled on crutches across campus, through events, at dinners and luncheons, and in class. In most cases, I briefly consider an answer that places me in the midst of the pivotal tackle in the William and Mary game, or paints me as the brave soul in a rescue scenario, or simply makes the story most interesting and exciting than the real one.

The truth is, after years of running and exercising, my left knee decided mutiny was the best course and I had surgery to repair some accrued damage. Certainly not too serious, but enough to be given orders by my surgeon to bear no weight on my knee for at least 6 weeks.

While I'm fairly certain my knee was trying to send me a message about the sensibility of two-plus decades of concrete running, I have learned some real and valuable lessons about the ODU community.

We always brag about our campus' welcoming nature, but it becomes ever more evident when literally hundreds of faculty, staff and students sincerely inquire about your well being and whether there is anything they can do to help.

I have seen first-hand the generosity of the ODU spirit in the many people who have gone out of their way to offer help with transportation and the countless others who have opened doors and held elevators.

Even students, who too often get unfairly criticized for paying more attention to their smart phones than their surroundings, came to my assistance on numerous occasions or asked how I was doing.

My wife, Kate, who works in the Office of Educational Accessibility, reminded me that for many of our students and employees physical challenges are a part of everyday life. In addition, I became more aware of the challenges faced by individuals who encounter obstacles to accessibility on a daily basis. Finding and navigating the ramps for Kaufman and Webb when you are in a hurry, for example, opened my eyes to the many hurdles faced by individuals with accessibility concerns.

So perhaps the greatest lesson to come from surgery is to be ever more mindful of that in my personal routine and more purposeful in my presidential undertakings to ensure that everyone at Old Dominion receives the same outpouring of support, accessibility assistance and encouragement as I did.

My heartfelt thanks to all who have made the past few weeks easier!